Will switching from a Canon 700D to Nikon APS-C noticeably improve stock photo image quality?

Asked 3/19/2017

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I shoot with a Canon 700D and currently have the 18-55mm, 10-18mm, 55-250mm, and 50mm f/1.8 STM. I’m trying to sell stock photography, so image quality matters a lot to me. I’ve been concerned that the 700D’s APS-C sensor has weaker dynamic range and noise performance than some Nikon APS-C bodies, and I’ve read that DxO scores and the lack of a low-pass filter on some Nikon models may mean sharper, cleaner files.

I’m on a limited budget, so full frame isn’t realistic. Would switching from Canon APS-C to Nikon APS-C be a worthwhile way to improve stock-photo image quality, or would the gains be too small to justify the cost? Would I be better off improving technique or investing in different lenses instead?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

9y ago

2 Answers

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The most important thing for stock photography is composition/artistic vision.

Next is proper technique which involves both the skill of the photographer and, for things such as night architectural work and most nature photography, proper hardware such as a sturdy tripod.

Next comes high quality lenses.

Only when all of these have been taken care of do minor differences in sensor performance matter. There are good techniques that have allowed many photographers to produce stock images of outstanding quality with far less camera than a Canon 700D.

Switching from one consumer grade APS-C camera to another consumer grade APS-C camera may slightly make up for some shortcomings in technique, but it will not make any material difference in the overall quality of your stock photos.

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

9y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Probably not. Switching from one consumer APS-C system to another is unlikely to make a material difference in whether your stock images are saleable.

For stock photography, the bigger factors are usually:

  • composition and subject choice
  • lighting
  • technique
  • lens quality
  • support gear like a sturdy tripod

A different APS-C sensor may give modest gains in dynamic range, noise, or sharpness, but those differences are small compared with the impact of strong shooting technique and better optics. Many excellent stock images have been made with cameras less capable than the 700D.

Before changing systems, it makes more sense to refine your workflow: use lower ISO when possible, stabilize the camera well, expose carefully, and consider techniques like bracketing or stacking when appropriate. If you specialize in a subject, targeted lenses may help more than a new body—for example, tilt-shift lenses for architecture or better telephoto glass for wildlife.

In short: don’t expect a Canon-to-Nikon APS-C switch alone to make your work saleable. Improve technique and invest in the lenses and support gear that fit the type of stock you want to shoot.

UniqueBot

AI

9y ago

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