Help! Which to buy - Rebel or 20D?

[marcwatt]

Hello!

I am new to these forums and appreciate all the collective knowledge present, so thanks in advance to everyone for their advice.

I have decided to buy a digital SLR and after having done the basic research I decided that the digital Rebel would be the right camera for me. I stopped in at a local camera specialty store and when I told the clerk I was thinking about a digital SLR he immediately went for a Nikon product which was on sale. I told him that I had used Canon products since 1975 and would prefer to stay with that brand, he immediately went for the 20D. I asked him about the Digital Rebel and he said that it was outdated and was only popular because it was the first digital SLR to sell for less than $1,000.00.

I agree with him that the 20d is an outstanding camera, but I suspect that it is more than I need and that I can get along just great with the digital rebel, especially with the price difference of $500.00

I will be using the camera for basic travel photos, family pictures, and the usual stuff that you take pictures of when you have a camera with you most of the time.

I have used a Canon AE1 Program for many years with great success and like my small little digital camera except for the basic irritants like slow shutter response and inability to capture moving items without blurring them. I see the digital SLR as the perfect compromise between the two.

I would like to add that the money isn't critical. If the 20D is the best camera for me in the long run I will spend the money rather that purchase a product that will be obsolete or unusable in 3 years (not that the rebel is of course). It's just that I got the impression that I was being sold something that I don't really need.

Thanks again for your input and advice!

Marc

[MDJAK]

I think you are correct and that the Digital Rebel will serve you just fine. You may want to take a look at the new Rebel that just came out. I think it is a big improvement for not much more money. See link below.http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=SearchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=rebel+xt

[Wibbler]

The 'rebel' as you call it (300D over here) will prbably be replaced by the 350D which at first glance seems to be a black 300D with almost the same features as a 20D..

I've just ordered a 20D, and am expecting delivery early this next week..

W

[MDJAK]

Wib, if you check out the link I posted above, you'll see it has indeed been updated and is quite different: smaller, more compact and 8 megapixels too. Much faster start up time, etc.

[tim]

If you have to ask which to get, get the new rebel.

[MDJAK]

And the logic in that response, Tim?

I thought this forum was for the free exchange of ideas and information, not smart-alecky remarks.

[jobber73]

I don't think that was smart-alecky at all.

If there's a question whether or not the additional features of the 20D are worth it, then they're probably not. Someone who needs those extras knows it.

[MDJAK]

Did you think you "needed" intermittent wipers on your car before they were invented? Many people on this forum, including yours truly, are beginners when it comes to D-SLR's and are not fully familiar with their capabilities. Pointing out the differences to the uninitiated is a lot more helpful.


While the majority of people here can probably take better pictures (at least for now) with their D30s and D60s than I can with my new 1Ds MII, hopefully the full features and excellent capabilities of the camera will help me in the future reach my full potential, as the purchase of the 20D over the Rebel may help him reach his.

[tim]

What Jobber said. If you don't know why you might need the extra features of the 20D, you more than likely don't need them.

[marcwatt]

Ok - You have confirmed what I suspected, the clerk was trying to up-sell me to something I don't really need and that doesn't provide that much advantage for what I intend to use it for and the cost involved.


The only reason I was asking was that someone who is much more knowledgable than I am (the store clerk) was making a very strong recomendation to buy another product. I suspected his objectivity and was looking to validate my own point of view by asking a group of people who are more knowledgable for their opinions.

Thanks for your input. MDJACK - thank you for the link to the new product. It looks like that is the direction I will go - very much appreciated.

[Wildman]

Hello, Marcwatt...

One of the hardest subjects to shoot is family, especially little kids. The 20D has an advantage in frame rate, a real advantages in photographing bull riding and children. The 20D is a bit faster and might be worth the difference in cost to you.

I think most folks moving up to DSLRs make the mistake of thinking about camera bodies too much and not enough about lenses. Buy the best glass you can afford, but remember that there is a point of deminishing returns. A lens that costs twice as much won't give you a picture that's twice as good.

Canon offers a lot of lenses... more than any other manufacturer. Many are great, others aren't very good. Focus your search on the lenses that will do the job for you and go from there.

[gsmx2]

When I bought my Digital Rebel, I could have spent $500 more and gotten the D10. I didn't. I haven't regretted it on a daily basis, but there are times I have regretted that I didn't spend extra money on the camera with a metal body and more features.

The hack did help me on some of those days.

Scott

[Jetmech1]

When I purchased a DSLR, the 20D was the one I wanted. But I decided to go with the Rebel and then buy some good lenses. Some day I may move up to a better DSLR, but for now the Rebel meets my needs and has given me some very good results. It is a great camera and now that the price is low that makes it an even better camera in my opinion. If you have enough money to spend on camera equipment then go for the 20D. ( I also used a Canon AE1 Program SLR for about 15 years. Great camera.)

[Cayenne]

I bought the Rebel about a month ago. Having taken about 5000 shots in the last month I have been very happy with it. However this weekend a friend stopped by who had a 20D. After explaining to me the different features and how much easier it is to use (joystick etc) I realize that I should upgrade

I did not make a mistake in getting the Rebel. It helped me learn quite a bit about using a DSLR. I thought it would be enough, but I have found myself frustrated by a few things, and the 20D does indeed address those concerns. The $500 difference I think is justified.

[roanjohn]

If you want.........you can get a used 10D for less than 900 USD.............just search around (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=62011)...........you might find a really good deal ;-)

................RO1

[cactusclay]

I think the new 350 Rebel looks pretty impressive and I was considering getting it as a back up for the 20D and replacing my old Rebel, but Canon really annoyed me with the new size battery, so they just lost a sale here.

[eljustino]

I'm still enjoying my rebel BUT... it is not so great at focusing. The 20d is meant to be much better at focusing. But I'm not going to spend the money just yet!