used 10D deal or new 20D - your opinions

[Claytonian]

Hello everyone...

I'm having a bit of a dilema that I thought I'd throw out to the experts (that would be you guys! :D ).

I am going to be upgrading to a DSLR. A friend of mine got a 10D in February and now that the 20D is coming out, he said he would sell me the 10D so he could get the 20D. Money is a little more of a factor with me than him, but not that much. He would sell me the 10D, 50mm lens, battery grip, viewfinder extender, maybe a remote cable release, and all the software documentation, etc. for between $1000 and $1100 (not sure yet). I love the things I have read about the 20D and it's improvements, so I really don't know what to do. Should I take the deal (which I think it is...right?) or wait for the 20D? I have a G2 so I already have other things I will need like 420EX, memory, BP511 batteries, and filters.

What are your thoughts? Thanks for any comments/suggestions!

[roanjohn]

10D is a very capable camera.

It will be HUGE leap from your G2.

If this is your first digital SLR, then this will make you happy for years and years to come. For the price your friend is asking for (including the battery grip, lens etc....) this deal is a BARGAIN!!! Jump on it!!!

...........oh and BTW...........

You can buy yourself a nice L glass (i.e. 17-40 f4 L) from that extra 400 USD you saved ;-)

Nice huh??

Ro1

[Claytonian]

I know the 10D will be a huge leap from the G2. I can't wait to upgrade and get back to SLR shooting. The G2 takes great photos, but I drool everytime my friend brings his 10D to work.

Thanks for your input.

[JLS Photo]

Claytonian -

The answer to your question depends on how you intend to use it.

I just sold my 10D and BG-ED3 grip for $1100 (yes, I'm camera-less). The 10D is a great camera and would serve most people well for years. However, there are some distinctions/upgrades between the 10D and the 20D that are significant to some--namely, faster AF system, increased MP, decreased ISO noise, etc. There are also distinctions that weigh in favor of the 10D--namely, it's cheaper and it's quieter (shutter).

If you plan on photographing fast sports or motorsports, then the 20D ~may~ be incrementally better than the 10D. Additionally, if you intended to shoot in low light, with no flash, the improved ISO noise levels may be a plus. There are pros and cons to both.

But, with all things said, I suspect that you will be perfectly content with the 10D and it will serve you well, assuming you are just getting into SLRs. The package that your friend is offering is a good kit at a fair price. Give it some serious thought.

[cmM]

that is a very good price for all that stuff.

I vote for the 10D. Unless, of course, you really want the things the 20D has and the 10D doesn't.

[Persian-Rice]

Take the 10D, if you look, you can find one for 900 bucks...........

In reality, optically they will be pretty much the same, major difference between the two is speed. AF will still probably be not perfect for fast sports, so if you are going for sports, both AF's are probably a touch under par anyway so either wont make a difference unless you move into a higher range camera.

The 20D has ef-s which might/probably be helpfull down the road, but there are so many ef lenses, that for the next few years, you wont be missing on anything. 20D also has "supposedly" superior ISO performance, I'm a doubter of that, though I think it will be far better then the 10D, I doubt it will be as good as they claim.

Cheers.

[Ogrt48]

I'd also go with his 10D package. More value for the buck, big time.

[Sendide]

What can you expect Canon to declare about 20D? same as 10D!! who would go for it? of course there are some upgrades out there on the 20D, but most of 10D users know that 6.3 M pix are more that enough, AND, AF improvement is still to test !! will never be 1D's anyways. I am not saying that 20D is bad, if I had to buy a new DSLR and had to choose between the two for a ''same price'' then I will go for a 20D, but THE HUGE BRGAIN you have for this 10D.... I wouldn't wait a min, your friend might think twince and change his mind
Go for it Go :wink:

[MediaMagic]

I'd wait to make this decision after the 20D get into the hands of some of the people here. View their images, read their reviews, etc. Right now all we can do is speculate on whether or how much of a better body it will be than the 10D. The used 10D's aren't going to go UP in price, unless the 20D's are a total flop and everyone who did sell their 10D is scrambling to get another one, which is highly unlikely :D

Get some empirical information before making any decision. If it comes close to the prerelease ravings, the 20D *will* be worth getting if you don't already have a dSLR and *may* be worth and upgrade from the 10D. We'll be hearing the actual real world reviews here soon enough. Speculation is a very poor decision factor, pro or con.

[Claytonian]

Thanks to all of you who replied with your thoughts and comments. I will take some time to think about things until the 20D is out and being used. I am leaning towards the 10D simply to save some money and still get a great upgrade camera! Thanks again!

[Sketcher]

If really interested in the 20D, wait just a little longer and see how the real-world 20D reviews get posted (though I don't see a reason why they'd be significantly different that Galbraith, DPReview and Luminous' reviews).

The 20D is a very appealing camera for under $2,000.00. But if $600-700.00 (approx.) isn't worth the difference to you between the 20D and 10D I'd get the 10D. Already in the Buy/Sell forum here there are 10D w/grip selling for less than $900.00. A couple other forums have seen listings for $800.00 as people scramble to get their poll position for a 20D. That's just a sweet deal if you find one that's been well cared for.

In the least, if you decide to go w/the 10D; use the buy/sell forums here to leverage a buy position with your friend ;).

[blinking8s]

i really dont like the AF system on the 10d...its seems good till you use a camera with a better one

[Andy_T]

Hi Claytonian,

I also think that your friends deal might be a good way to go.

Apart from what was already said here, it's a good thing to buy a used camera from somebody you know and (hopefully) trust.

If something goes wrong with the camera, there'll be at least someone close to you knowledgeable of what to do.

Best regards,
Andy