Nikon vs Canon: does either have the edge?

With other rival companies (coke vs pepsi, gm vs ford for example) you can look at stats and numbers and see which has an apparent edge

does either Nikon or Canon have any edge?

I like canon but to be honest they both do the same freaking thing. They take photos. I phone vs android. They both do the same freaking thing what name do you like best.

to me canon would have a bit of an edge as they specialized in camera for a longer period of time. But again nikon isn't stupid they have the same stuff just displayed different.
i think the color of a canon is better too.

Nikons come up better in sensor tests. Some canon lenses are better. Overall in day to day use, there's little to choose between them.

Pentax and Sony are good as well

Short answer is NO! They are both the world leaders in camera technology and perform more or less equally.
Most serious photographers are loyal to their brand; I recommend Canon as I have used various models over the years and never been disappointed in one.

Yes, there's a definite edge. The one that is better for you is the better camera. But your answer may not be the same as my answer.

I have been shooting Canons for 20+ years, and they just fit in my hand better. I'm lost when I pick up a Nikon. I recommend Canons to my friends because I can help them with the cameras and we can swap lenses. But if I owned a Nikon, I would recommend that one.

Between DSLR cameras Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony don't offer an identical product… They will have a model in the same price range to compete with the others, the features and specification of the cameras from each brand will differ though and it's this difference that helps you decide which brand or model is the best for your style of photography… The camera is just a tool… You have to work out which tool is best for you.

I prefer Pentax cameras, they just feel 'more right' than anything else… I use Nikon too.

Comparable models of Nikon and Canon fitted with comparable lenses are going to produce virtually identical results. However…

If I were choosing it would be Nikon for their major advantage in both backwards and forwards lens compatibility.

Nikon has used the same basic lens mount since about 1959. With some limitations that allows any Nikon "F" mount lens ever made to be used on any Nikon DSLR camera.

Canon abandoned the "FD/FL" lens mount in 1988 when they introduced the EOS Rebel 35mm auto focus cameras. So Canon lenses from before 1988 are completely obsolete.

In order to be competitive in the consumer market both brands have lenses designed specifically for their crop sensor cameras. Nikon designates them as "DX" lenses while Canon uses "EF-S".

However, a Nikon "DX" format lens CAN be used on a Nikon FX (full frame) DSLR body since the camera will crop the sensor to the "DX" format. Perhaps not ideal since you lose some of the resolution of the full frame sensor but at least any "DX" lenses acquired can still be uses if you ever upgrade to full frame.

Unfortunately, a Canon "EF-S" lens can only be used on their crop sensor bodies. Upgrade to a Canon full frame (6D, 5D, 1D) DSLR and any "EF-S" lenses you may have acquired for your crop sensor DSLR are completely worthless.

So that's what I perceive as the major differences between the two brands.

Started out with Nikon film (an F with a 105 lens) and over the years I have accumulated a collection of lenses and cameras. I now use a D90 and except for the oldest lenses (pre 80s) they all work.

I pick up a Canon and I don't know where to put my fingers on commonly used buttons. Just preference and habit.

What ever you buy and have lots of lenses for is what you will stick with.