Need Help. Which one to buy?

[ExPOSED]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post, and as a newbie, I'm posting a question. I currently have a Canon EOS Rebel SLR, and a Canon SD300. I'm looking into purchasing a dSLR. I'm somewhat stuck between the Rebel dSLR and the 20D. Price between the two isn't an issue. I would consider myself an amateur, and am mainly taking photos of people, nature, and night shots. I know either of the two are great cameras, but your input would be great. If I were to purchase the rebel, what would I be losing if I didn't get the 20D?

Also, I usually buy from local retailers, but I noticed that some of the approved purchasing sites have lower prices. Has anyone purchased from them and how does the extended warranties work or apply?

Thank you for the input in advance. I have been reading and appreciating the information and photos on this site, and am finally going to move up to a dSLR.

[tim]

I got my 300D a few months ago, but now in your place now i'd get the 20D. To me the benefits are turn-on time (almost instant), 5 frames per second instead of 2.5, and (importantly for your night shots) better performance at high ISO. I'm not going to upgrade myself, i'll wait for the 30D in a year or so most likely.

[Deckyon]

One of the things you will lose going with the 300D is speed. the 20D is instant-on (less than .03 sec) and the 5 fps achievable on the 20D is great for a camera on that level. I happen to have the 20D, but I considered the 300D and the 10D but figured the newer technology will satisfy me longer than aging technology. I also do a lot of night photography, so the high iso, low noise of the 20D is very appealing and works, well... While the extra 2 MP is not a huge difference, it is worth looking at as it does give you a bit of extra room for cropping out extra stuff...

I also recognise that it is the person taking the photo who gets the good photos, the camera is just the recording device. However, sometimes the recording equipment does help in the recording of the image... I mean (to use an extreme analogy) you would not use a hand-held tape recorder to record the studio master a CD for B.B. King. I am NOT saying the 300D is the photographic equiv of a hand-held tape recorder... If you can wait a little longer to get the 20D, you will be a lot happier further down the road.

[Mike Panic]

if you can afford the 20d w/ 17-85IS lens - get it... other then the price point - the drebel hasnt impressed me much

[Jon]

For night shooting, the 20D; High ISO's better. If by "nature" you include wildlife, also the 20D for both the instant-on (including from sleep) and the higher shooting rate. Likewwise if "people" includes sports or small children and other examples of Brownian motion. The pop-up flash (if you don't have, or plan to get, an external EX flash) is also somewhat higher-standing, which will reduce shadowing from some of the fatter wide-angle lenses (although it still can't cope with the 24-70 & hood). If your night work is with low ISO and a tripod, your people are posed or relatively inactive, and your nature is scenics, then the DR will probably meet your needs, at a somewhat lower cost. It will also take less-expensive remote releases, but that's a relatively minor concern.

[ExPOSED]

Thanks for all the great info...looks like I'll be purchasing the 20D soon. One question that wasnt answered in my post, if someone doesn't mind chipping in...I've never bought something as expensive as the 20D online. I've heard great things about B&H, but I was wondering about the extended warranties that are also available for purchase. Do they work the same way, as it would when purchasing from a local B&M? If something went wrong with the camera, do I have to send it in or can I bring it somewhere local to get checked and fixed for free under the extended warranty? Again, thanks for all the great info.

[DocFrankenstein]

If you can afford it, why not? For me, rebel does all I need. :) I have no idea about warranties and BH

[tim]

... the 20D is instant-on (less than .03 sec) ...

I think you'll find that's 0.3 seconds.

I can't tell you anything about extended warranties at B&H, just that i've made several orders from them and i've never had a problem. I returned one lens and they refunded me immediately. I live in New Zealand, so it's great to have a reliable store with good prices. They have a normal store too, so I guess their extended warranties are the same as other places.

[pcasciola]

Most extended warranties from B&H are provided through Mack Camera and Video Service. I paid $79 for a 3 year warranty extension on the 20D. Mack is located in Springfield, NJ which works out really good for me because I happen to work on the same street about 10 minutes away, but if you are not near by I am pretty sure you have to ship the camera to them.

I myself have not had any repairs done there yet, but a friend of mine bought a Sony P&S there back in August and just go the camera back about 3 weeks ago!!!! The silver lining in that cloud is that the warranty explicitly said it did NOT cover LCDs, and my friend had dropped the camera which is also not covered, but they replaced the LCD anyway with no questions asked.

[ExPOSED]

Thanks everyone for all the info...looks like now I just have to decide if I am going to purchase from a local retailer or online. Can't wait to get this camera! Thanks again!