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I'm an amateur currently owning a Canon 700D and a few lenses (18-55, 10-18, 55-250 and 50 1.8 STM). As I try to do some stock photography, image quality is my main concern, and 700D has a very average sensor scoring only 61 at dxomark. I've heard dxomark ratings shouldn't be taken literally, but Canon APS-C sensors are known for poor performance for both DR and noise, and this is the case for 700D. I'm on a limited budget, so going full frame is out of my reach. Nikon APS-C cameras have about 10% larger sensor and don't have low pass filter, giving sharper images with less noise. I prefer Canon aesthetics more, but my main concern is image quality - do you think I should switch to Nikon or maybe the gains in IQ wouldn't be worth the cost (again, I'm selling stock photography, so with better image quality I could possibly sell more and cover the cost of the switch)?

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    \$\begingroup\$ Why do you think the camera is your limitation? \$\endgroup\$
    – Joanne C
    Commented Mar 19, 2017 at 21:56
  • \$\begingroup\$ JoanneC: I'm not sure if it's a limitation, but Nikon sensors are better (no low pass filter, noise levels at higher ISOs, dynamic range etc.) \$\endgroup\$
    – user2720372
    Commented Mar 19, 2017 at 22:00
  • \$\begingroup\$ What kind of stock are trying to do? \$\endgroup\$
    – Joanne C
    Commented Mar 19, 2017 at 22:15
  • \$\begingroup\$ architecture (including at night), nature etc. \$\endgroup\$
    – user2720372
    Commented Mar 19, 2017 at 22:17
  • \$\begingroup\$ I think the gist of the question isn't so much Is there a difference? - it presents all kinds of evidence that there is. Rather it appears to really be asking, Will switching from a Canon consumer grade APS-C camera and lenses to a Nikon consumer grade camera and lenses make my stock images good enough? Or alternately, What will be the effect of such a switch upon the commercial viability of my images? \$\endgroup\$
    – Michael C
    Commented Mar 21, 2017 at 17:43

3 Answers 3

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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.

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I doubt the sensor is holding you back (for the record, I shoot Nikon). Much more goes into good IQ than just the sensor: lenses, lighting, and technique are all huge factors in the equation, this is why DxO scores should be taken as only part of the decision process.

I think I would really consider investing time in a particular style of stock and refining technique on it. Given proper lighting, approach to shots, a good sturdy tripod, and careful balancing of ISO and shutter speed, you can get appropriate quality. People have been shooting stock for a lot of years with far less capable camera bodies than the 700D. Other techniques, such as bracketing and image stacking can do a lot to eliminate noise and increase DR and IQ.

Until you know, for sure, that the camera is what is holding you back, I wouldn't be looking to switch.

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Instead of buying into new system you should invest in better lenses. Eg. you are interested in architecture - look into tilt-shift glass. Nature? Prime telephoto.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ A shift lens is not very interesting on a sensor that is not full-frame \$\endgroup\$
    – user1741137
    Commented Mar 20, 2017 at 9:10
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    \$\begingroup\$ @user1741137 For architectural work a shift lens isn't supposed to be "interesting." It's purpose in that context is to correct perspective distortion. \$\endgroup\$
    – Michael C
    Commented Mar 20, 2017 at 17:07
  • \$\begingroup\$ Agreed a tilt shift lens is essential for architectural work as well as quality lens's. Another very important aspect is balancing indoor light with outdoor ambient light. An architectural photographer i assist takes 7 or 8 exposure for each shot. shoot at dusk and you only have a short sweet spot of balanced light. much post production work in combining all exposures. \$\endgroup\$
    – Alaska Man
    Commented Mar 22, 2017 at 13:51
  • \$\begingroup\$ @MichaelClark I have 3 shift lenses, and use them regularly for architectural work. When I say "interesting" I mean worth using. It's best to use a shift lens designed for a full frame sensor on a full frame camera, otherwise you are losing out a lot of the point of the lens. \$\endgroup\$
    – user1741137
    Commented May 2, 2017 at 10:59
  • \$\begingroup\$ @user1741137 Not necessarily. Like all things equipment related it is a tradeoff. You lose some on the wide angle end and you gain some on the telephoto end. Not everyone uses lenses with movements for the same purposes. If you really want "interesting" use maximum tilt with a 2x TC + a 90mm TS-E or PC-E lens. But that is probably not going to be architectural work. \$\endgroup\$
    – Michael C
    Commented May 2, 2017 at 11:03

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