30D vs 350D

[selven]

When I sold out from Leica into Canon digital, I ended up acquiring both a 30D and a 350D body for not much better reason than that PX was better than the WPB for an Leica R8. So that's life. :)

So instead of asking the usual question: would you buy a 30D or a 350D, I'll try it the other way round: which would you sell off and why?

[05Xrunner]

no question...sell the XT
I love mine and it takes AWSOME pics...I would rally like to pick up a 30D and after few days ago in the store lookin at a 430ex and holding it on a 20D and just the feel of that camera..I would LOVE to have either a 20D or 30D right now...but I am buying lens first and see what comes out new in the next few months.
Things over the XT...way better feeling camera, 2.5" lcd, 5fps, better AF, crosshair AF point with 2.8 or faster glass, spot metering

[EfStop]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and to photography in general. I've just bought a Canon 350D - I read everywhere on the Net that it is a great entry level DSLR. Since the both of you seem to know your stuff, is there any advice you could give an overly eager newbie about learning photography with the 350D?
Any comments would be welcome!

[design8r]

yeah sell the 350D no question as the 30D is simply a much better camera. of course if you're looking to make more money then its the other way round

[05Xrunner]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and to photography in general. I've just bought a Canon 350D - I read everywhere on the Net that it is a great entry level DSLR. Since the both of you seem to know your stuff, is there any advice you could give an overly eager newbie about learning photography with the 350D?
Any comments would be welcome!
Yes...SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT and SHOOT more...keep trying new things and learn what they do...and kep reading on here and everything.

Only way to really learn is to experiment with your gear so you understand how everything works and what it does

[EfStop]

Thanks Runner, your advice fits neatly with my plans...perhaps in a few months time I will have built up the guts to actually share a picture here. We'll see...

[selven]

Interesting to see both replies to my question are from 350D users who would go for the 30D.

Any bidders to keep the 350D?

Going, going, ....

[Jamie Holladay]

Keep the 350D as a back up unless you just need to sell it.

[design8r]

Interesting to see both replies to my question are from 350D users who would go for the 30D.

Any bidders to keep the 350D?

Going, going, ....

i am a happy 350D user i just dont have the cash to upgrade.

i mean i like my VW but i'd sell it for a porsche anytime!!!

[selven]

Keep the 350D as a back up unless you just need to sell it.

Very sensible suggestion, but I do just need to sell one spare body ... and that isn't going to be my 5D!

[deniska]

no question...sell the XT
I love mine and it takes AWSOME pics...I would rally like to pick up a 30D and after few days ago in the store lookin at a 430ex and holding it on a 20D and just the feel of that camera..I would LOVE to have either a 20D or 30D right now...but I am buying lens first and see what comes out new in the next few months.
Things over the XT...way better feeling camera, 2.5" lcd, 5fps, better AF, crosshair AF point with 2.8 or faster glass, spot metering

+1

[selven]

Thanks everyone.

Sorry, my little 350D, but you're the weakest link and you'll have to go now. :(

[SubDude3000]

good choice.. the 350d will loose it's value sooner... so it's the best one to sell.

No doubt everyone else thinks it's strange the 30d was given a 8.2 Megapixel sensor. This leaves no room for the 8 megapixel 350d to get more megapixels unless it trumps the 30d.

nuff said. We'll have to wait and see what Canon does.

[dr_who]

I don't see any advantage of 30D unless you are shooting action

[condyk]

I think using both for a while will convince you which to keep. Handling is so much better in the 30D IMO and that is one of the often ignored issues buying a camera.

The 350D is a very good camera and anyone who has one will take pictures with it just as good as with the 30D. I had one and now have the 30D. There was no reason for me to upgrade from an IQ or features POV but I never liked the 350D size. Do I regret spending the extra money? No, I really enjoy the 30D and it does all I need and more. I don't see myself needing to upgrade until it wears out. If you can afford to keep the 30D then do so. If not, then the 350D will do a great job too. Shame that for many adding a battery grip is necessary to improve handling.

[SubDude3000]

How about the viewfinder, and more rigid metal body that can take expected abuse for starters.

The 350d doesn't have that.

Add a larger LCD that's great for deleting photos on the fly.

I'm not sure about image quality other than high ISO is much much better on the 30d.

The 30d paired with a nice big lens catchs more looks too. Not that that's important to anyone. :)

the 350d is right up there though.. and costs a fraction of the price. which makes it a great bargin

Peace

~ John

[Tareq]

OK
I am the one who upgraded from 350D to 30D.
just i bought 30D few hours ago.
I will be busy taking photos next days coming.

[delhi]

sell both and get the 5D. IMHO, both the 30d and 350d are more similar than many wants to lead you to believe. THen again, one has to justify the cost. Hahahaha! So sell both and get a 5D or better yet a 1D MKII. Now that's something!

[Jamie Holladay]

Very sensible suggestion, but I do just need to sell one spare body ... and that isn't going to be my 5D!

Sorry I did not know you had a 5D or I would not have made the suggestion.

[Mr. Clean]

So allow me to ask this if you will. Any users who migrated from a RebelXT to the 30D, do you find that you have more "keepers" due to the increased focus accuracy at low f-stops, and quicker AF? I see some pictures of mine that are not keepers that make me wonder if it's mainly user error or the camera. Of course, my landscape and potrait shots come out fine and those are GREAT uses for the XT. However, landsapes and people in a potrait situation don't move so I'm usually using a tripod...

[grego]

Well to put it simply, the XT is the starter body. So it would be the most likely one to be sold. Sadly Canon skimps on features(even though their image quality and high ISO is good). Even in the 20D they skimped by not having the 1/3 ISO stops or spot metering.

[RocknE30]

30D hands down!!!

[Teme]

Isn't the 30d good for around 100,000 clicks and the 350d only around 30,000?

I received my 30d less than two weeks ago, but I have to say I am very positively surprised by how much better the AF on the 30d is in low light over the 350d.

I'd keep the 30d unless the more compact size of the 350d is very important.

Br,
Teme

[Jon]

So allow me to ask this if you will. Any users who migrated from a RebelXT to the 30D, do you find that you have more "keepers" due to the increased focus accuracy at low f-stops, and quicker AF? I see some pictures of mine that are not keepers that make me wonder if it's mainly user error or the camera. Of course, my landscape and potrait shots come out fine and those are GREAT uses for the XT. However, landsapes and people in a potrait situation don't move so I'm usually using a tripod...I'd expect that people won't notice that much of a difference in keepers due to camera differences; however since their experience level has gone up through working with a DSLR, I'd expect the initial keep rate to be better with the 30D due to better skills. I know that I found this moving from manual focus film SLRs and P&S digitals to DSLRs - you don't shoot DSLRs the same as either of the other two types, and it takes some getting used to.

[deniska]

...and [350D] costs a fraction of the price. which makes it a great bargin...


This is the main reason people choose the 350D, quoted in every review... And I have come to realize this is mostly a misnomer. Yes, you save about $300 between 350D and 20D, and about $500 between the 350D and the 30D. And yes, that can get you one decent lens. But anyone on this forum that's had either one of these cameras knows that you spend a minimum of $1000 within a month of buying the body (at the same time for most), and probably another $1000 over the next six months (those lenses and are mighty expensive, and the little things like cards and filters add up quickly). Some people will do less, some will do more. However, if you buy the camera and don't expect to get the lenses that work for you, you are sort of wasting the capabilities of the camera.

So, for comparitive purposes, you are really looking at a $2500-$3000 investment for the 350D over the first year (susbtitute your number here ;) ), and a $3000-$3500 for the 30D. The 20D would fall right in between. All of a sudden it's not a fraction of the price, but a slight variation in the range. Moreover, you can pace yourself differently (i.e. get the 30D and get that 70-200 f/2.8 IS lens a couple of months later) and end up with similar costs in the short term.

I got the 350D, and while I am happy with it, it was not due to price difference. The 350D is a fine camera for my learning stage -- so I'll keep it for a year or so. That said, if I had to do it over again, I'd get the 30D and spend a little more time getting used to it.

Just wanted to make sure this whole price difference thing doesn't drive your decision.

[Reeforbust]

Thanks Runner, your advice fits neatly with my plans...perhaps in a few months time I will have built up the guts to actually share a picture here. We'll see...


Share your pictures.........get some C&C and then go take more pictures.

That's the best thing about this site, you can post your pics......even if they're not so good, and someone will help you with what your doing wrong or whatever...SO....SHARE YOUR PICS!!!!!!;)

[EfStop]

You're right Reeforbust - it's the best way. I've planned some projects for myself over the next month, it's mostly weekend stuff (work keeps me in till dark and the fiancee wants me home at dark!). I'm sure I'll have something to post then...I need the C&C!

[Crous]

Just like you I decided to get my self-n decent SLR camera. And just like you I hade a price limit. I got my self the 350D with the 18-55mm lens (kit lens). I have had it now for 5 months. And trust me its go enough to start up with. It will take time to get to know your camera. So before you spend all your money no lenses. Get to know it first and your self.

Get a descend camera bag. If you are like me and love the outdoors. Get a weatherproof bag that is comfortable to carry.

Also get a manual, other than the one you get with the camera. The standard manual helps but some times you need more.

The 350D (Also Know as te ”Rebel XT” in the US) is not as big as some of the SLR cameras out there. I go hiking a lot and like the fact that it is smaller than some SLR cameras and not as heavy.

If you like actions photos, get your self a high-speed compact-flash card.

And remember it’s A CANON

[Andy_T]

As you already have the 5D, I guess the 500$ price difference will not be the decisive factor for you ... so unless you really need a small camera for some reasons, keep the 30D that handles very much like your 5D.

Best regards,
Andy

[Andy_T]

No doubt everyone else thinks it's strange the 30d was given a 8.2 Megapixel sensor. This leaves no room for the 8 megapixel 350d to get more megapixels unless it trumps the 30d.

Actually, nobody here thinks that this is strange ... it is what Canon has been successfully doing with the 10D and the 300D ... not really a big need to produce two kinds of sensors, if you can differentiate the cameras nicely by the other features.

Best regards,
Andy

[Neilyb]

I have compared images from my 350D and the GF's 20D, the difference of the .2 MP is negligable, really negligable. I cannot knock the 350D, granted it's plastic, the grip is peeling off and it lacks some of the AF features and speed of the 30/20D...but I have had it 12 months and could not be happier with my choice. My upgrade would be to the 5D, keeping the 350D as a backup/tele zoom body - mainly as a used 350D is worth what? 10 pence? :)

I guess it all depends on which features of either camera you use the most?

[fi20100]

Very sensible suggestion, but I do just need to sell one spare body ... and that isn't going to be my 5D!

If the 350D or 30D that you keep will be the spare body to the 5D, wouldn’t it be sensible to keep the 350D for when you don’t want to take the 5D, but need something really small. Especially since 350D and 30D are not far between where IQ is concerned.

Just my 2 cents.

-Fi20100

[Mark_Cohran]

If the 350D or 30D that you keep will be the spare body to the 5D, wouldn’t it be sensible to keep the 350D for when you don’t want to take the 5D, but need something really small. Especially since 350D and 30D are not far between where IQ is concerned.

Just my 2 cents.

-Fi20100
On the other hand, wouldn't it be better to keep the camera whose controls and displays almost exactly match your main camera body so you don't have to fumble around between control and menu systems when switching.

Arguments can be made for either body. Personally, I'd keep the 30D and maintain the continuity of control.

Mark

[F8th637]

LOL How much would you be willing to part with the 30D body for? ;)

[fi20100]

On the other hand, wouldn't it be better to keep the camera whose controls and displays almost exactly match your main camera body so you don't have to fumble around between control and menu systems when switching.

Arguments can be made for either body. Personally, I'd keep the 30D and maintain the continuity of control.

Mark

You've got a valid point there Mark.

-Fi20100

[Tom W]

As most others say, keep the 30D.

But before you sell off that 350D, perform some comparisons and tests to see how it performs in a variety of situations vs. the 30D. I'm thinking of autofocus capability, AI-Servo focus, and high-ISO noise.

[Mr. Clean]

I'm finding that the increased AF ability of the 20/30D cameras will necessitate the transaition from my XT to one of those. That alone is worth is weight! Better AF means more keepers.

[deniska]

That's enough already! C'mon, there's a much better solution. Here's what you do:
1) Tell yourself that the 30D is what you want. Chant if it helps.
2) Carefully and lovingly package the 350D, drive to UPS, and ship it to me
3) I will sell my 350D and the one you send to fund a 30D
4) The world becomes a better place
;)

[Overkill]

hmmm

350D 30D comparing a Mercedes A Class with a C Class.

Magnesium body.... faster.... rugged build! more options....

Just taking pictures and a beginner! Go for 350XT!! Going to work a lot
with the camera and want speed and total freedom go for a 20D or 30d!!