After making a poll on my blog of which camera brand was most preferred, Nikon won with a total of 7-1 votes. I own both a Canon and a Nikon and I for sure have a preference over the two. To me, the main difference between a Canon and a Nikon is the menu systems. Just for my own entertainment though, I am going to go through the differences as to why I prefer one over the other.
Nikon
I believe that Nikon sets up their camera in a more simple, and user friendly way where everything is fast and easy to find what you are looking for. On their point and shoot cameras, every single camera that I have seen (and I have seen a good fair amount of Nikon point and shoot cameras as I work with them) All their menus are exactly the same. From a cheaper $100 camera to the more expensive $300 camera, they are the same. I find this to be a bonus for Nikon because for the customer who is not big into camera knowledge, once they learn how to use one of Nikon's cameras, they can upgrade and still no how to work the others. For their point and shoot cameras, they do have nice quality products but I do find once you use the flash in an indoor setting, the image appears very warm and sometimes almost ruined.
For Nikon DSLR cameras, they make a great product. There is not a single thing I can complain about on these cameras. A feature I like that Nikon offers is the Quick Guide setting on a couple cameras which basically allows you to access answers to questions you have or if you are unable to find a setting on the camera, this Quick Guide setting will do it for you. I like the quality of the Nikon cameras and that the body and lens itself does not have a cheap feel to it and that you are actually getting your moneys worth. All in all, Nikon DSLR's are a great buy.
Canon
Canon point and shoot cameras I find to be a lot different from the Nikon's. Most Canons menu systems are the same just like Nikon's but what is nice about Canon is that you can find a cheaper camera with a spin dial feature where you can not on a Nikon. Canon has great quality point and shoot cameras that are made with an excellent quality lens that is perfect for great indoor shots. There pictures have a slightly cool tone to their images which is the opposite of Nikon's warm tone but still produces a fantastic image.
Canon's DSLR cameras are a lot different from a Nikon. One major difference between the two are not only the menu systems but also the direction of the way a lens goes on the camera body. This is not a huge difference but coming from someone who owned a Canon first and then a Nikon DSLR, it takes a long time to get use to. Now the Canon DSLR is still a great camera. The one thing I do not like about Canon's is the feel of the camera in my own hands. When holding a Canon compared to a Nikon, the body itself of the camera feels more cheaper in product. Now even though I feel this way about the camera body, does not mean the camera brand does not take an excellent photo. After taking a picture on a Canon, the quality and clarity is outstanding.
All in all, both makes of camera brands are amazing. All though there is slight differences in menu systems, colour tones and quality, both company's make a strong, durable, & reliable camera that I would highly recommend to anyone.
