20D vs. 30D. Sorry.

[orchestrated]

I'm sure this issue has been addressed, but I figured I would post and get a definite answer...

I'm currently a Pentax shooter. I like it's compact size but I think it's a waste for me to invest anymore in it for the fact that the lens choices are limited and the cameras don't go past 6.1mp.

Anyway, my question is:

I can get a 20D with the kit lens and a 1g card for 1200 from Costco.

I can get a 30D for 1450 from Wolf.

Is the 30D REALLLLLY worth the extra money?


I've tried both briefly in the store and they seemed the same as I expected.

I'm sure all the 20Ds are being liquidated for the 30D stock and that's the reason for the price drop.


Anyway, I just need a faster, higher pixelage, sturdier camera and I'm sure one of these will give me what I'm looking for.

[crn3371]

30D bodies can be had for around $1350. If it was me, and the decision was between the 20D and the 30D, I'd opt for the 30D. The other option would be a xt and a good lens.

[Jack W.]

My wife and I each have the 20D. As neither one of us had a backup, I wanted two new cameras. I bought two 30D's, and the 20D's are now backups (although my wife uses both all the time).
First, is the $1450 price from Wolf for the body only or with the 18-55 kit lens? You can get the 30D body only from Robert's Imaging for $1249:
http://www.robertsimaging.com/
You have to call on the phone to get this price.
As to whether the 30D is worth the extra money, it is to me. There's a pretty long list of addition/improvements on the 30D, not the least of which is improved autofocus.
If your budget allows it, I'd say go with the 30D. But if you're stretching your budget too far with a 30D, the 20D is still a fine camera.

Jack

[J Rabin]

Welcome to POTN Forum. My humble opinion is...
I'll probably get burned at the stake here, but I'd say KEEP that Pentax for a time IF...
1) As a photographer, you see the world around you in WIDE ANGLE. Currently, NO COMPETITOR makes lenses that compete on quality/price with Pextax's 14mm f/2.8 rectilinear wide angle or Pentax's 10-17mm (+/-) wide angle fishy.
2) You don't print larger than 8x10" or 11x14". Those added pixels are not earth shattering unless printing big or cropping a lot.
3) You don't shoot sports where you need IS telephoto lenses.

Sell your Pentax IF:
1) You do a lot of high ISO photography in low ambient light. No one comes near Canon, at their price point, for high ISO performance.
2) You are a wildlife or telephoto sports shooter, or if the Servo focus can't keep up with your needs.
3) You print BIG.
4) There is something you can't achieve with your Pentax, and another brand has the feature to do it.

All through 70s and 80s I was dedicated Oly shooter. My Dad was a 3-body Pentax user. Now, I'm dedicated to Canon. But, for reduced format APS-C sensor cameras, I've considered picking up a Pentax on-the-cheap from some fool dumping one just for wide angle use. It's always been Canon's weak spot. Jack

[Ronald S. Jr.]

First of all, if you're gonna get a 20D, get a used one and save $4-500. They're going for $8-900 with a modest number of clicks.

The 30D has many upgrades over the 20D, which for me, makes it worth the extra money. It has true spot metering, 1/3 ISO increments (for example, you can use ISO 1250 instead of having to go from 800 right up to 1600), a 2.5" LCD, ISO in the viewfinder, the ability to go from the standard 5fps down to 3, print share button, and more. Others will chime in with the rest. For me, it's worth it.

[orchestrated]

Welcome to POTN Forum. My humble opinion is...
I'll probably get burned at the stake here, but I'd say KEEP that Pentax for a time IF...
1) As a photographer, you see the world around you in WIDE ANGLE. Currently, NO COMPETITOR makes lenses that compete on quality/price with Pextax's 14mm f/2.8 rectilinear wide angle or Pentax's 10-17mm (+/-) wide angle fishy.
2) You don't print larger than 8x10" or 11x14". Those added pixels are not earth shattering unless printing big or cropping a lot.
3) You don't shoot sports where you need IS telephoto lenses.

Sell your Pentax IF:
1) You do a lot of high ISO photography in low ambient light. No one comes near Canon, at their price point, for high ISO performance.
2) You are a wildlife or telephoto sports shooter, or if the Servo focus can't keep up with your needs.
3) You print BIG.
4) There is something you can't achieve with your Pentax, and another brand has the feature to do it.


Kind of funny,

I have a Canon i9900 printer so if I can get away with it, I print 13x19.

During the season, most of what I shoot is hockey games.



SOOOO, I'm going to have to can Pentax and go up to the kings everyone knows as Canon.

Thanks for the reply. :)

[zacker]

its gotta be worht it to you... 20d or 30d...either way, you cant go wrong!
-zacker-

[LewisImaging]

i went with the 30D.

[leletyM3]

I just sold my 20d and got a 30d... to me it was worth it! I really like the extra little improvements, and just the bigger LCD is soo lovely! BUt both are good cameras!

[spiky_simon]

Welcome to POTN Forum. My humble opinion is...
I'll probably get burned at the stake here, but I'd say KEEP that Pentax for a time IF...
1) As a photographer, you see the world around you in WIDE ANGLE. Currently, NO COMPETITOR makes lenses that compete on quality/price with Pextax's 14mm f/2.8 rectilinear wide angle or Pentax's 10-17mm (+/-) wide angle fishy.
2) You don't print larger than 8x10" or 11x14". Those added pixels are not earth shattering unless printing big or cropping a lot.
3) You don't shoot sports where you need IS telephoto lenses.

Sell your Pentax IF:
1) You do a lot of high ISO photography in low ambient light. No one comes near Canon, at their price point, for high ISO performance.
2) You are a wildlife or telephoto sports shooter, or if the Servo focus can't keep up with your needs.
3) You print BIG.
4) There is something you can't achieve with your Pentax, and another brand has the feature to do it.

All through 70s and 80s I was dedicated Oly shooter. My Dad was a 3-body Pentax user. Now, I'm dedicated to Canon. But, for reduced format APS-C sensor cameras, I've considered picking up a Pentax on-the-cheap from some fool dumping one just for wide angle use. It's always been Canon's weak spot. Jack

I think that's a reasonable assessment actually - Pentax xcameras are pretty good. I too like the compactness of them.

[Andy_T]

As to whether the 30D is worth the extra money, it is to me. There's a pretty long list of addition/improvements on the 30D, not the least of which is improved autofocus.

Jack,

that's a pretty interesting statement :D.

Could you describe your findings from comparing the two cameras?
How do you notice the improved AF quality?

That (and burst size) might be the most tangible improvement of the 30D over the 20D.

Best regards,
Andy

[Jack W.]

Jack,

that's a pretty interesting statement :D.

Could you describe your findings from comparing the two cameras?
How do you notice the improved AF quality?

That (and burst size) might be the most tangible improvement of the 30D over the 20D.

Best regards,
Andy

Hi Andy. I was always quite happy with the AF on my 20D. When I got the 30D, the first lens I tried with it was my 300f/4L IS+Canon 1.4TC. The very first thing I noticed, with the very first shot, was that the 30D seemed to aquire and lock focus faster than the 20D did with the same lens. At first I thought it was my imagination, the fun of having a new camera. But as I used it more, I found it wasn't my imagination at all. The 30D is definately better. It's not a night and day difference, as my 20D is quite good, but it's still noticable.
A few months ago I bought the 300f/2.8L IS and a Canon 2xTC. My first outing with it wasn't so good, which I expected as I knew ahead of time that a lens like that takes a LOT of practice. Second outing was just a bit better. My third time with that lens was with the 30D, and results were NOTICABLY better. It wasn't because my long lens technique had magically improved, but definitly because of the 30D.
Here are three shots with the 30D+300f/2.8L IS+2xTC:
http://www.pbase.com/jacksmyname/image/58505672
http://www.pbase.com/jacksmyname/image/58886755
http://www.pbase.com/jacksmyname/image/59761455

All in all, I'm lovin' the 30D, as is my wife.

Jack

[Andy_T]

Jack,

thanks for the info!
You have some amazing bird shots in your gallery :D

Best regards,
Andy

[Jack W.]

Thanks Andy.

Jack

[zacker]

i love the Burst mode and find im using it more and more.. sorta like bracketing.. ill shoot at high speed for about two or three frames and pick the best one. i read somewhere here, someone suggested doing this to compensate for camera shake and it freaking works like a charm, esp on my macros, I guess allot of my problems with shake was from pressing the shutter button.
-zacker-

[nitsch]

Hi Andy. I was always quite happy with the AF on my 20D. When I got the 30D, the first lens I tried with it was my 300f/4L IS+Canon 1.4TC. The very first thing I noticed, with the very first shot, was that the 30D seemed to aquire and lock focus faster than the 20D did with the same lens. At first I thought it was my imagination, the fun of having a new camera. But as I used it more, I found it wasn't my imagination at all. The 30D is definately better. It's not a night and day difference, as my 20D is quite good, but it's still noticable.
A few months ago I bought the 300f/2.8L IS and a Canon 2xTC. My first outing with it wasn't so good, which I expected as I knew ahead of time that a lens like that takes a LOT of practice. Second outing was just a bit better. My third time with that lens was with the 30D, and results were NOTICABLY better. It wasn't because my long lens technique had magically improved, but definitly because of the 30D.
Here are three shots with the 30D+300f/2.8L IS+2xTC:
http://www.pbase.com/jacksmyname/image/58505672
http://www.pbase.com/jacksmyname/image/58886755
http://www.pbase.com/jacksmyname/image/59761455

All in all, I'm lovin' the 30D, as is my wife.

Jack

Fantastic examples Jack! But please, please, please can you stop posting these images - you are going to cause my bank balance some serious damage!!! Everytime I see shots from the 300 2.8 with TC's I feel an overwhelming urge to buy it! These forums are going to ruin me!!! :D

[Jack W.]

Fantastic examples Jack! But please, please, please can you stop posting these images - you are going to cause my bank balance some serious damage!!! Everytime I see shots from the 300 2.8 with TC's I feel an overwhelming urge to buy it! These forums are going to ruin me!!! :D

heh heh heh
Thanks nitsch.
I'm considering the 500f/4L IS. If I go for it, I promise I won't post any shots from it. :-)

Jack

[exerda]

The larger LCD of the 30D makes a world of difference, IMHO, as does the ability to set 1/3 stop ISO increments. For many existing 20D owners, probably those aren't enough to justify upgrading, but for someone considering a 20D vs. 30D, I would say the 30D is worth the extra cost.

[orchestrated]

Thanks to everyone for the great responses.

I went and tried both the 30D and 20D again today and I've decided that the extra price for the 30D isn't worth it, for me personally of course.

I can get the 20D with a lens for 400 less than the 30D.



I won't be buying this for at least a couple of weeks, so I could change my mind again, but thanks to everyone for their response.

[zacker]

Thanks to everyone for the great responses.

I went and tried both the 30D and 20D again today and I've decided that the extra price for the 30D isn't worth it, for me personally of course.

I can get the 20D with a lens for 400 less than the 30D.



I won't be buying this for at least a couple of weeks, so I could change my mind again, but thanks to everyone for their response.


im sure you will be please as punch with the 20D! Its a great camera and its gonna be a fun ride for ya!
-zacker-

[LewisImaging]

agreed, whichever one you get you'll be happy with your purchase!!!

[orchestrated]

agreed, whichever one you get you'll be happy with your purchase!!!
I know that the 30D would be great for the bigger screen.

To be honest, I won't use the 1/3 step because I mainly shoot hockey and outdoor/nature stuff.
Plus, Canons have no noticeable noise until 400! (which is a godsend)

Right now, I will need a good zoom as well, so the saved money will go to that.

[burntbizzkit]

For what it's worth...I really liked the 20d :)

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I'm just psyched to shoot at ISO 1250! :lol: I hear the AF is better/more accurate, but I'm waiting to see it.

[burntbizzkit]

I'm just psyched to shoot at ISO 1250! :lol: I hear the AF is better/more accurate, but I'm waiting to see it.

I don't even know how to apply the math when shooting at 1/3 stops. I'll be in manual and have to goto the next stop anyway because I wouldn't know where the heck to put my aperature or shutter :confused:

[Ronald S. Jr.]

...and then there was AV mode. ;-)