Nikon vs Canon: Does it really matter while buying your first DSLR?

As the title explains, this post is going to be about the most burning topic in the history of digital photography. Is Nikon better than Canon? Is Canon better than Nikon? Should I buy Canon or Nikon?

Can you tell if this is taken with Canon or Nikon?

A user recently asked one of the above questions and it served as the source of motivation for this blog post. I always feel happy and delighted to talk about anything related to digital photography, but the Nikon vs Canon battle is very tricky. Without referring to lab results or super technical facts, I will try to keep it really simple. Both the brands manufacture superior quality products and are very close competitors of each other. Full frame sensor cameras, cropped sensor cameras, mirrorless cameras, zoom lenses, wide angle lenses, prime lenses, flash units and what not. These two brands run almost parallel to each other. Choosing one over the other especially without any specific purpose or target in mind is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. On a personal note, I will add what my art teacher told me in junior high:

"For photography, vision matters more than the camera."

I would still agree with what he said. Buy any brand and just take pictures. The more you take pictures, the more you will learn and eventually develop a style or niche. What matters the most is simply taking pictures. When someone asks me a comparison or versus question, I simply request them to buy a DSLR that will motivate them to do photography. It is your DSLR camera and it should feel comfortable in your hands. Nobody is going to look down at you if you have Nikon or Canon. I have friends who take stunning shots with Pentax and Sony cameras, do I tell them to switch to Nikon or Canon? Do not waste energy on choosing brands. Focus on the amount of money you have and what feels comfortable in your hands. You will enjoy the photography journey much better when you begin with a learner mindset. Once you reach a certain level and feel like the gear is limiting you from achieving the shots you want, then start comparing cameras.

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