Pentax vs Nikon vs Canon

MarkJerling · 09-02-2018, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by surfar

Even cooler on the Sth Island!

No, just plain bloody cold!

SSGGeezer · 09-02-2018, 04:20 PM

Originally posted by surfar

Even cooler on the Sth Island!

Do you mean there is an island of Sith?

SharkyCA · 09-03-2018, 04:42 AM

Originally posted by Alex645

Pentax, Nikon, and Canon have more similarities than differences; but I'll try to summarize the main differences:

Canon is the most popular DSLR maker at the present time. Why? Aggressive marketing, support, and a robust network worldwide. If the camera, electronics, or big box store sells cameras, they will carry Canons. On the pro level, they grew with a reputation for one of the best auto focusing systems and thus are popular with sports photographers. Of the three brands, Canon's video capabilities has an edge on the other two. It should be noted that although all three companies have had entry thru pro level models, Canon has followed the auto industry practice of enticing new photographers with inexpensive, easily available, low-end cameras for youth with the scheme that the photographer would with each upgrade, upgrade to a better Canon.

Nikon is the second most popular DSLR maker presently. Their legacy goes back to a history of making tough high quality optics for military use, and then tough high quality cameras that were revered by war and wildlife photographers, especially from the 1950's thru the 80's. Their robust quality and high quality lenses have made Nikonians common from NASA to National Geographic. But almost the opposite of Canon, their strength was in the pro market and only started to feel the financial need to appeal more to the consumers and entry-level market around the 80's. Their pro and semi-pro level cameras and lenses are still amongst the best, but their entry-level offerings, like Canon, are toy-like compared to Pentax.

Pentax will be celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2019. Between the mass switch to smartphones for photography and the latest trend to Sony mirrorless cameras, it is remarkable that the Pentax system exists, but this is in part to many factors that makes it unique and special, relative to the two more popular brands above:

a) Legacy: You can't autofocus with a manual focus Pentax lens made in the 1960's, but you can still mount it on a brand new Pentax DSLR and shoot with it. If you ever find a photo online of the Beatles, Mick Jagger, Freddie Mercury, etc, there is a good chance they're shooting with a Pentax film camera.

b) Loyalty: Most (not all) Canon and Nikon users will swear allegiance to their flag. But for many, a camera is just a camera and as soon as someone invents something faster or better, they will switch (albeit reluctantly due to the cost of replacing lenses). Pentaxians tend to be much more loyal, proud, and clan-like. This is good and bad, but if you see the world as a glass half full, it's COOL.

c) Value: Because Pentax is sold mostly online at a few select stores and does almost no marketing, the cost of the gear goes less to employees and the advertising world and more into the gear. All current models are weather-sealed with weather-sealed lenses as common and affordable. All have bigger, brighter pentaprism optical viewfinders; not smaller, darker pentamirrors or electronic viewfinders. You don't have to buy more expensive lenses with stabilizers or vibration reduction because shake reduction is built into every Pentax DSLR. Most offer features like dual-wheel controls that you'll only find on the higher end models from Canon and Nikon. The Pentax prime "limiteds" are a unique collection of small, excellent optics, without the abundant use of plastic found in the other brand lenses.

d) Innovation: There are some features like astro-tracer or pixel-shift that Pentax has pioneered.

e) Medium format: The other two have never offered a medium format film or digital sensor. The Pentax 645, 645N, and 645Nii film cameras are still used worldwide and their digital offspring, the 645D and now 645Z. Again, weather-sealed and not a delicate studio camera like other medium format brands.

f) Community: This forum is rare. Members from around the world, asking questions, posting photos, sharing solutions, etc.

Nice write up!

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09-02-2018, 04:12 PM	#46
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Originally posted by surfar Even cooler on the Sth Island! No, just plain bloody cold!

09-02-2018, 04:20 PM	#47
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by surfar Even cooler on the Sth Island! Do you mean there is an island of Sith?

09-03-2018, 04:42 AM	#48
SharkyCA Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 806	Originally posted by Alex645 Pentax, Nikon, and Canon have more similarities than differences; but I'll try to summarize the main differences: Canon is the most popular DSLR maker at the present time. Why? Aggressive marketing, support, and a robust network worldwide. If the camera, electronics, or big box store sells cameras, they will carry Canons. On the pro level, they grew with a reputation for one of the best auto focusing systems and thus are popular with sports photographers. Of the three brands, Canon's video capabilities has an edge on the other two. It should be noted that although all three companies have had entry thru pro level models, Canon has followed the auto industry practice of enticing new photographers with inexpensive, easily available, low-end cameras for youth with the scheme that the photographer would with each upgrade, upgrade to a better Canon. Nikon is the second most popular DSLR maker presently. Their legacy goes back to a history of making tough high quality optics for military use, and then tough high quality cameras that were revered by war and wildlife photographers, especially from the 1950's thru the 80's. Their robust quality and high quality lenses have made Nikonians common from NASA to National Geographic. But almost the opposite of Canon, their strength was in the pro market and only started to feel the financial need to appeal more to the consumers and entry-level market around the 80's. Their pro and semi-pro level cameras and lenses are still amongst the best, but their entry-level offerings, like Canon, are toy-like compared to Pentax. Pentax will be celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2019. Between the mass switch to smartphones for photography and the latest trend to Sony mirrorless cameras, it is remarkable that the Pentax system exists, but this is in part to many factors that makes it unique and special, relative to the two more popular brands above: a) Legacy: You can't autofocus with a manual focus Pentax lens made in the 1960's, but you can still mount it on a brand new Pentax DSLR and shoot with it. If you ever find a photo online of the Beatles, Mick Jagger, Freddie Mercury, etc, there is a good chance they're shooting with a Pentax film camera. b) Loyalty: Most (not all) Canon and Nikon users will swear allegiance to their flag. But for many, a camera is just a camera and as soon as someone invents something faster or better, they will switch (albeit reluctantly due to the cost of replacing lenses). Pentaxians tend to be much more loyal, proud, and clan-like. This is good and bad, but if you see the world as a glass half full, it's COOL. c) Value: Because Pentax is sold mostly online at a few select stores and does almost no marketing, the cost of the gear goes less to employees and the advertising world and more into the gear. All current models are weather-sealed with weather-sealed lenses as common and affordable. All have bigger, brighter pentaprism optical viewfinders; not smaller, darker pentamirrors or electronic viewfinders. You don't have to buy more expensive lenses with stabilizers or vibration reduction because shake reduction is built into every Pentax DSLR. Most offer features like dual-wheel controls that you'll only find on the higher end models from Canon and Nikon. The Pentax prime "limiteds" are a unique collection of small, excellent optics, without the abundant use of plastic found in the other brand lenses. d) Innovation: There are some features like astro-tracer or pixel-shift that Pentax has pioneered. e) Medium format: The other two have never offered a medium format film or digital sensor. The Pentax 645, 645N, and 645Nii film cameras are still used worldwide and their digital offspring, the 645D and now 645Z. Again, weather-sealed and not a delicate studio camera like other medium format brands. f) Community: This forum is rare. Members from around the world, asking questions, posting photos, sharing solutions, etc. Nice write up!