350D(Rebel) or 20D - Decisions, Decisions...

[nicsim]

Hi folks.
I've been a Canon 35mm user for 10 years (current 1st choice is a EOS 5) and have been holding off dipping into Digital until DSLR's reached a point where their price and quality were acceptable.

With EOS lenses already invested in, I'm now seriously looking to buy one, but I can't decide which of two models to go for. The 20D seems to have it all going for it and as I would like to use whatever camera I buy on a semi-pro basis one day (hey it's an uncertain world and it helps to have other strings to your bow!), it looks a contender.

But - the 350D has just been launced here in the UK and to my untrained eye seems to stack up very well - nearly half the price of the 20D as well!

So I guess I'm asking for some unbiased advice on what to go for. What are the real differences between the two? Should I go for the 20D or the 350D and buy a really good printer with the difference?

Some considered advice is much welcomed.:D

[slicendice]

Glad I'm not alone....I am currently going through *exactly* the same dilemma! I think a lot of it comes down to size/weight - I held a 350D the other day and whilst there aree advantages of having a smaller/lighter camera, it did feel very small for an SLR...bit difficult to get a decent grip on it.

Anyway, here are a couple of links which explain the differences in more detail and far better than I ever could...

http://www.whichlens.com/index.php?blog=5&title=canon_350d_vs_canon_20d_comparison_revie&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html

Good luck with the decision making...let us know which one you end up going for!

[malcolmx]

I HAVE A 10 D AND I DID NOT UPGRADE TO THE 20D IF YOU ARE WARY OF YOUR COMMITMENT TO DSLRS THEN GO FOR THE 350D I FIND HOWEVER THE 10D IS NOT WELL BALANCED WITH A LONGER LENS AND THE FEEL IS NOT AS GOOD AS MY OTHER BODIES ILIKE THE HEAVIER CAMERA ALSO YOU MAY HAVE A LONGISH WAIT FOR THE BODY SO I WOULD GO FOR THE 20D AS I THINK THE PRICE OF THESE WILL DROP SOON AS THE 350D BECOMES MORE AVAILIABLE

[Andy_T]

MalcolmX

welcome to the forum :D
Just please ... don't SHOUT all the time and take a bit of time to structure your post.
It really gets more readable that way, and the more people read it, the more people are going to reply to it.

Do you use your 10D with a battery grip? If not, that might help you to balance it easier.

As to your second point ... I don't think that the 20D will come down in price (and there are also some more threads on the forum discussing this possibility).
Canon normally plays this pretty well (well from their perspective, not from the buyers' perspective :confused: )
The 10D did not really come down in price when the dRebel was introduced, they offered a model at a different price point and managed to keep the prices for the 10D very much constant.

Best regards,
Andy

[dhbailey]

I would look at features, as long as the price of the 20D isn't too much for your budget to bear.

1) what's the fastest ISO the 350D will shoot at? The 20D goes up to 3200 and handles the noise issue very well up through 1600 and pretty well even at 3200.

2) does the 350D have flash-level control? I don't think the 300D did, the 20D does, and that is very helpful.

3) is the 350D a plastic body or a metal body? The 20D is a metal body (I prefer the feel of the metal body.)

4) what's the fastest shutter speed the 350D will shoot at? What's the slowest?

5) what's the burst-mode limit on the 350D? The 20D will shoot 5 frames per second, up to 21 frames total before the buffer fills up (that is when shooting JPG -- RAW is much slower and allows fewer shots in burst mode).

Think about the various shooting situations you may find yourself in and make your decision based on how well either camera will be able to handle those situations. Don't go just for the money if at all possible. I realize sometimes that money is a big issue but if you can compare the cameras on features alone you will more likely make a decision that will be one you will enjoy living with for a long time.

Nothing is more frustrating than making a decision where money is one of the major factors (not your ability to pay, but your desire not to pay more than necessary) only to find yourself restricted in shooting situations where the more expensive camera would shine.

[malcolmx]

Itake your point re battery grip but Ifind the combo of eos1 with the 70-200 a much better balanced assembly than the 10 even though battery grip is attatched to the 10. Current price for 20d is £993 and 350d is £749 10d is currently at £699 is the 350 aimed at the same market as the 20 ? will canon allow price to stay high on the 350 by holding back supply

sorry about shouting not used to this yet

[nicsim]

Thanks for your thoughts so far folks - and many thanks for those two articles slicendice - exactly what I need and I'll print them for digesting off line later!

Still not sure yet (let me know what you decide on slicendice ;) - you're probably a quicker decision maker than me), but I'm guessing that the 20D could be similar handling to my EOS 5 - chunkier, more solid and the Quick Dial Control sounds similar to the Quick Dial on the back of the 5.

The story goes on....

[mr.photoguy]

Go to your local photoshop, and hold the both of them. Play around with a few other cameras also. Figure out which one you like having in your hands, and then figure out what you needs are, and what your wants are. At this point you can establish a secure grounds for which is more important, and which feels more comfortable for you.
Then go in that direction.

[HKFEVER]

Check out this thread http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=62289

[slicendice]

And there was me hoping you would make the decision first nicsim!! ;-)

Have to admit, I'm leaning more towards the 20D - more features, slightly better spec'd...and the control wheel! :-D Yes it's more dosh, but I'm not planning on being a serial camera-changer so hopefully it should last me a good while.

[HKFEVER]

Go for 20D, the 350D is good but is too small for everage size hand.

On the other hand, if I drop the 350D, I will not panic.:p

[barryburgard]

I too have been thinking about which camera to get (350XT or 20D). I think in the long run, the features of the 20D outweigh the added price. Once you pay the money - all you have left is the camera. I'm going for the 20D.

Good luck.

Barry

[Andy_T]

Hehe ... to make the decision tougher for you ...

the money saved on the 350D vs. the 20D will help you considerably towards getting a 70-200/4.0 with it :lol:
... or you could get the 2.8 version instead of the 4.0
... or the 2.8 IS instead of the 2.8

Tough decision, eh :wink: ?

Best regards,
Andy

[mgchan]

I was in the same situation a few days ago. I went to my local store (which happens to be B&H!), and played around with both cameras. Even with my "small" hands, the 350/XT was uncomfortable and too small for me. So I went with the 20D. Whatever decision you make, it's a win-win situation! Both cameras are great!!! :) Good luck with your descision.

[HKFEVER]

Make up your mind:
- Will you upgrade the body soon?
- If so, spend money on lens.
- If not, spend money on mid range body + mid range lenses.
- If only for fun, 350D is good fun.

[Andy_T]

- If only for fun, 350D is good fun.

Haha, and they are obviously better quality than the 1 series :shock:

It took 4 trials at the 1DsMKII to make you happy, but your first 350D does the job :lol:

Best regards,
Andy

[HKFEVER]

Haha, and they are obviously better quality than the 1 series :shock:

It took 4 trials at the 1DsMKII to make you happy, but your first 350D does the job :lol:

Best regards,
Andy
Yes, the 4th 1DsMKII is perfect so far.
But the 1st 350D is even better:p , totally care free. I carry it everywhere, but it in the trunk in a simple NIKE bag. :lol:
Besides, it fit my wife & daughter's hand and skill so far.:rolleyes:

[Andy_T]

Besides, it fit my wife & daughter's hand and skill so far.:rolleyes:

Haha ... my hand is too big for it
... but my skill is not :o

Best regards,
Andy

[Myke]

IMHO, the best buy would be the 20D, I mean, in terns of value (yes, I am a very cautious shopper) you can sell the 20D later on and won't cringe at how low the re-selling price will be.

I have a 300D, works great even after a year of shooting with it. I'm thinking of selling it for an upgrade and was shocked how low new ones are (especially now since the 350D is out in the market).

Though Andy has a very good point in a post earlier. ;) My take, I'd buy the 20D, but then that's just me. :D

[wild_oscar]

I am also considering the 20D versus Olympus E-300...

I was wondering here...for a really amateur who's only interested in shooting photos whenever he feels like it, how long do you think an SLR, 8 MPxls will last before it comes really outdated?

I confess I lean more to the 20D. I fell in love with the camera, even though in the imediate future an Olympus E-300 or a Canon 350D would perfectly do the trick. But, appart from the "love at first sight" issue, I think a camera that I buy now will last for 10 years at the very minimum! The quality is now extremely high.

How do you see these thousand euros cameras will hold up in a few years time?

[Jon]

If you're getting the camera to just use it into the ground, a digital will last about as well as a film camera. Of course, since operating a digital is so much cheaper than operating a film camera, with that nasty developing and printing to pay for, you'll take more pictures and wear it out faster when you're not worrying about the processing costs. If you want to stay on the cutting edge, look to upgrade every 18 mo-2 years. If you're photographing for your own satisfaction and the family's memories, you're good for much longer.

[Skip Souza]

Just before pulling the trigger on the 350D at B&H I remembered some sage advice.

Always buy the very best that you can afford and you will never be disappointed.

So I changed my order to the 20D. Just like my wife's. I have not been disappointed. :lol:

[photopaque]

350d is £749 10d is currently at £699 is the 350 aimed at the same market as the 20 ?


I got my 350D from Jessops for £635.99.Where are you getting £749 from?

[Trumper]

HELP,I am thinking of upgrading from my D30 and i don't know whether to go for the 350D or the 20D.I have asked Park Cameras for a quote http://www.parkcameras.com/ with a lens added but still not sure what to go for.
All advice welcome.Thanks

[pwaite]

I to am not sure if to go 350D or 20D. My last 2 queries are a) When doing portrait and studio work is there any differance in the Moire effect on certain types of clothing between the 2 cameras? Some say the 350 is more prone to Moire patterns than the 20D. Are they worse than the 10D.
b) I have used the 10D for a short time and found the view finder ok. I have read the 20D view finder is smaller and that the 350D is like looking down a tunnel and is quite small.
Would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks

[canon2od]

20D

[nater]

I love my new Rebel XT! And at 6-foot, 200 lbs, I think all the complaints about the terrible grip are baloney. After a half-day of shooting with it, I had completely forgotten how small and uncomfortable it was supposed to feel. But most of all, I'm delighted by the image quality.

If you're worried about durability, you can pick up the 5-year Mack warranty for around $40.

[nicsim]

OK - still not purchased yet, but I think for my purposes (serious Amateur with one eye on semi-pro), it will be the 20D.

Now just wondering whether to go for purchasing online, e-bay, Jessops (in the UK) or wait til the sister in law goes to Dubai in May and hand her a nice wad of cash and a shopping list?

The exchanges on here have been very informative and great to read BTW.



P.S. As an aside - what is still the best option for Wedding/Portraiture - the output from a 20D or a Bronica SQ-A medium format? (The angle I'm coming from is do I sell my Bronica to finance the 20D?)

[tim]

Personally I purchase cameras from local dealers, or at least dealers in your own country. Things go wrong, and insured shipping can be expensive. I wouldn't rely on my family to get me exactly what I asked for in the face of a pushy salesman either.

Medium format shots will almost certianly be better than 20D shots for large prints, for smaller prints either will do. I'd bet you'd get more good shots with a 20D, because the cost of taking a digital photo is zero, whereas there's a cost for every button press with film cameras.

[nicsim]

Medium format shots will almost certianly be better than 20D shots for large prints, for smaller prints either will do. I'd bet you'd get more good shots with a 20D, because the cost of taking a digital photo is zero, whereas there's a cost for every button press with film cameras.

Out of interest - with the resolution of the 20D (8.2 M Pixels) - what's the largest realistic print size possible before the quality suffers?

[rssfhs]

The best camera in the world won't help you if it's too heavy to take with you where you are going.

[malcolmx]

if you hold resolution at 3oo dpi then print size without interpolation will be max 8 inches by 12 m with white border full 8 x 12 requires 8.76 mega pixels (300 dpi is good book quality prints )