[QUOTE=MrLabGuy]LOL...So much for my decision. Back to the drawing board. One thing that worries me about the Cannon is they have moved production to China. It would have to be a far superior unit to overcome that fact and I'm not so sure that is the case.

I just purchased the Canon XSI it was made in Japan. Its light weight was a large factor why I selected it.

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All my Canon's (Ixus 75, EOS 3, 20D, 40D) are made in Japan, so I'm not sure what Canon hardware is being made in China?

Even the video cameras I have from Canon are all marked as made in Japan.

As you might be able to tell, I'm firmly in the Canon camp. Having started with the EOS3 film camera and bought lenses, flash kit etc for it, they all still work fine on the 20D and 40D.

The only trouble I have now is carrying enough memory cards around, but having added a Canon M80 portable drive to the kit list, at least I can keep 80GB on that too. The M80 might be pricey, but as a backup device it's a possible lifesaver in the event of a card failure/loss. It also saves having to carry a laptop about when on holiday. I back up all the work to it once the card is full (which on a 2GB CFII does not take long on the EOS40D at max res!!).

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All Canon DSLR cameras are made in Japan.

http://www.canon.com/about/group/list04.html


MrLabGuy - You know that you wanted the Nikon all the time, you don't have to justify it with silly reasons like where the camera is made and that the pictures will be sharper right out of the Nikon camera . Both of which are uhhhh, hmmmm, a bit flimsy

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I read on a few camera forums and also looked up this article. This decision by Cannon just happened. I was also looking at the Nikon from the start with all my threads discussing Nikon's. I have a Cannon HV20 High Def video camera but I have always liked the Nikon cameras.

http://www.reuters.com/article/techn...19973620080307

TOKYO (Reuters) - Canon Inc (7751.T: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Friday it planned to boost production of digital cameras in China and build a new laser printer plant in Vietnam, aiming to meet booming demand in developing countries.

Canon is looking to double its production capacity of compact digital cameras at a factory in China's Guangdong province to 10 million units a year by 2009, said a company spokesman, who declined to be identified.
The sharp boost in output of the cameras, which are priced around 20,000 yen ($195), would lift Canon's global digital camera production capacity by around 20 percent and help it cement its position as the world's biggest maker of digital cameras.

Canon shipped 24.6 million digital cameras in 2007. It will also invest 5 billion yen ($50 million) to build a new factory in northern Vietnam which will assemble low-cost printers. The investment figure for the China output boost was not disclosed. Canon shares fell 1.7 percent on Friday to 4,560 yen, outperforming a 2.9 percent fall in Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei index .N225, as a stronger yen hit export stocks.

Now I realize this is the smaller cheaper camera but the original article I saw did not say that and this article on the link shows the DSLR in the photo.

To me the D40 seems like an outstanding body, esp because of the size/weight of the body. The one feature I just can't get over it and the D60 have missing is the depth of field preview function. Isn't this a pretty major feature for a camera this level to be lacking? Even my D75 film camera had it, and I used it a lot. But for the DOF preview, I'd have a D40 now. Still debating. I don't really see myself needing a D80 (not for a long while).

This one does a great job reviewing the D60 and comparing it to the D40. Seems to me, the D40 is a handsdown winnar!
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d60.htm

Now I'm really screwed. Good news is the D40 is a lot cheaper. Sharp photos is what I'm really looking for and it seems like the D40 is the real winner in that area. So a D40 and the VR lens seems like the way to go.

OK...Just ordered this from Costco.

Thanks for all the advice.

Nikon D40 6.1MP 2.5"
18-55mm, 55-200mm VR Zoom With Image Stabilization

VR Assures Dramatically Sharper Images, Bonus 2G SD Card
2.5 f/s & Advanced 3-Area AF

$699.99

Item # 247540

Shipping & Handling included

Congrats! Really looking forward to hearing your impressions.

Good choice, sorry I missed this! Don't pay attention to my other post.

I think that's exactly what I have, except I got a $750 kit with a fancy case from Best Buy.

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