Nightime Photography with 350D VS. 20D

[Andrew Khan]

Which camera is better and operates better at nightime and lowlight situations, and produces sharper results?

[wolf]

Quotes from bobatkins.photo - Canon 20D / Digital Rebel XT comparison:

The EOS 20D has 9 autofocus zones, the Digital Rebel XT has 7
The EOS 20D provides full cross-type performance with maximum apertures as small as f5.6, yet it achieves up to 3 times the standard focusing precision when used with EF lenses featuring maximum apertures larger than or equal to f/2.8. The autofocus system of the Digital Rebel XT is inherited from the film Rebel XT body and has normal precision f5.6 sensors.
The EOS 20D autofocus is specified to operate in 1 stop lower light than the Digital Rebel autofocus (-0.5 EV vs +0/5 EV)
The EOS 20D autofocus is faster than the autofocus on the Digital Rebel XT

Looks like the 20D is the winner.

[dmwierz]

Andrew,

Let's make it simple: the 20D goes to ISO 3200 and the XT doesn't and the 20D focuses much faster with a f2.8 lens. That is all you need to know. I own them both, and the 20D is the one I use for Friday Night Football.

Dennis
http://www.pbase.com/dmwierz45/sports_shots

[LeggNet]

Nightime example from a 350D: http://www.leggnet.com/2006/03/provo-at-night.html

hth... RL

[Jetmech1]

The 20D will be better, but is the difference worth the price? For me it was not.

[MagentaJoe]

Focus may be a bit faster with the 20d but I don't think the image quality is any better. Glass is more important. Examples are always better than words.

First is on a tripod with the 100-400L the forefront buildings are 2 miles and the background factories are 6 miles.
http://ceretti.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1141&g2_serialNumber=2&

This second shot is handheld with a 50mm 1.8 at iso 1600.
http://www.ceretti.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1021&g2_serialNumber=2&

The Rebel XT is perfectly capable of allowing you to take some great night shots. This one is also handheld.
http://www.ceretti.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1012&g2_serialNumber=2&

[MagentaJoe]

LeggNet I just looked at some of your pics. Some nice stuff. I love the downspout!

[Dorman]

LeggNet, much thanks for the link to your site, you have some great captures there.

[Choderboy]

350D may have an advantage for night time photgraphy.
Quite a few owners of both cameras have reported less mirror slap for the 350D. So maybe a 350D without mirror lockup would be similar performance to a 20D WITH mirror lockup?

I have only recently become aware of this difference. Some nature photogs on this forum have also stated they get more sharp pics form their 350Ds due to the lack of mirror slap induced vibration compared to a 20D.

Waiting to hear from 30D owners regards the mirror.

[Juan Zas]

All depends on what shots are you going to take. If currently you are going to shot in low light conditions or if you are going to take "night static shots".

I think from the AF point of view the 20D is "better" prepared in low light enviroment IF YOU HAVE FAST LENS. If you are going to shot "static", I have seen some comparations where the noise of the 350D at ISO 800 & 1600 is lower than in the 20D.

Anyway, the 350 is capable of very good night images. Here is another one:

http://personal.telefonica.terra.es/web/juanzas/IMG_4216f_M.jpg