ok. i still have noob questions.

[arjay702]

im thinking used 20D over new XT because of its durable body and 5fps. but at work i found out we got the sony alpha in. and its a really sweet camera. it is also 5fps and 10 mp.

what do you guys think? 20D or XT VS. sony Alpha 100???

also i have to purchase a 35mm SLR for my photography class and i want to be able to interchange lenses. SO if i went with a canon DSLR i would get the T2 for the class. And if i decide on going with the sony i will have to get a older minolta 35mm because the sony uses minolta lenses.

please DE-CONFUSE me from my confusion... 0_o.

thanks guys.

[Livinthalife]

20D vs XT...
20D is better build, and has a couple other options, but still produce similar quality photos.
alpha...I don't like it. But think do you need 10mp? How big are you printing? I think Canon and Nikon are much more stable then sony in the DSLR market.

So anyway, I would reccomend the 20D if you can find it in your range, the XT if you can't afford the 20D, or like the quiter shutter and smaller size. that's it.

[OpticNein]

I have an XT so i'm biased towards it. Small, light, and cheaper. Some people don't like because they have big hands. Some people don't like it for a list of technical minute reasons.

20D is an upgrade from the XT. Bigger and better controls. It's a good camera to have.

I don't like Sony's Alpha. I've been using canon cameras for a long time and the control feels awkward. It's a different system. I would not recommend it to any of my friends or enemies.

I've been taking photography classes as well for the past 2 years. I started with my own original EOS ELAN but shutter curtain was locking up due to age. So, I bought a brand new EOS Elan 7ne for $300. A good investment. But if you don't want to shell that much money for an SLR, you can find a lot of used canon SLR's in ebay or here in POTN. I would recommend a canon rebel K2 or a canon eos elan 7n.

canon rebel K2's are like $188 in walmart.

good luck!

[Woolburr]

This is a Canon forum, so you will obviously get a Canon bias here. However, the most important thing for you to do is to get to a camera store where you can compare cameras. More important than anything we can tell you here is what you can tell yourself when you pick up the various cameras. How does it feel, do you like the balance, are the controls placed well for your style of shooting? Believe it or not...not everyone likes the feel of a 20D...anymore than everyone likes the feel of a Reb XT or a N*k*n D50 or any other body. If you don't like the way the camera feels in your hands, you will never use it...regardless of the name on the package!

[chris clements]

Sony haven't assimilated Minolta to fail, but remember they're a big enough company to drop DSLR's in a heartbeat if they can't achieve market domination within the couple of years they will have set themselves.
(the voice of a Sony palmpilot owner).
Canon are in it for the long run.

[arjay702]

yes. thats what i was thinking. i appreciate it guys.

[Tee Why]

They are all good cameras. The 20D and the XT are fine cameras but they are getting a bit old and both will be discountinued very soon. Not that they won't continue to take excellent photographs.

The Sony is nice too with a big LCD and a antishake system built in.

If you are thinking about building a system and getting lots of lenses and accessories, Canon has many bodies for you to move up into and many lenses/accessories. Sony only has one body right now and since they are new, you don't know how their system of bodies will be like. So this may or may not be an issue.

All are great cameras. If you plan on getting a lens collection and changing bodies, Canon might be a better/more known/predictable option. The above poster is right in my view. Sony is a hugh company that makes many things and they could afford to drop a product line if they want to like the Sony Clie PDA's.
I can't see Canon doing that unless they go out of business, hardly likely since they are a giant in the dslr business.
If you are interested in a body and a lens or maybe two, then Sony maybe a great deal as well with it's features and price.

Good luck.

[René Damkot]

Canon has a bigger range of products. You're not buying a camera, but stepping into a system. Therefore: Nikon or Canon.
For film body: Take a look at an EOS5, EOS3 or EOS 1(n)
Makes more sense IMO then getting a non-eos Canon.

[chris clements]

a non-eos Canon.
? you mean a compact/bridge like the S3 ??

[René Damkot]

Oops... Canon T2 is the 'american' name for an EOS 'whatever its called' in the rest of the world :o
Sorry, thought it was one of the T series (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_T_series) like the T90 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_T90)

[arjay702]

quite alright. hah. yeah im probably going with the canon 20D