D20 or Rebel XT

[amber65910]

Hey Guys. Im new to this forum, but Ive already found a gold mine of info. I am hopping that ya'll can help me with a decision. I currently shoot the original D300, but since I am shooting my first wedding this summer, I had made the decision to make this my backup camera and purchase the 20D for my main camera. Now that the now Rebel XT is out, I am wondering if I should save $500 and purchase it with nearly the same MP as the D20. I understand the difference in body materials and such, but what Im concerned about is the image quality. Would I get the same quality with the XT as the D20? Thank you for your help.

[swatcop169]

First welcome to the board :)

Second you might catch some flack from the users on the D20, D300 part ;)

Is wedding photography the only thing you plan to shoot? Have you held both the 20D and XT? The XT is quite small comparied to the 20D.

The High ISO shots from the 20D are great, your getting usable images from ISO 1600, and ISO 3200 on the 20D. Not sure what the ISO shots on the XT are as I have not comparied them. The XT will only go to ISO 1600 as where the 20D will go to ISO 3200.

[Jackal]

High ISO shots on the XT are the same as the 20D if I am not mistaken.

[tim]

Yep, everything i've read says the XT image quality is the same as the 20D. If you're doing weddings i'd get the 20D, that control wheel makes for really fast operation, which I think you'll need for weddings.

[timmyquest]

I say get the 20D, i think the 350 is a great camera, but if your looking for a "backup" at least get something that is amjor upgrade, and i thin kthats the 20D.

As i've rectently decided though, just go with whatever you seem to want more, even if tis slightly, because either way...you'll be happy with your final decision.

[DocFrankenstein]

20D is a different animal than XT. Megapixels are the same, but it handles better and in rapid situations such as wedding you'll be able to get more/better focused shots.

500 bucks is a lot of money though.

[amber65910]

Hey, Thanks for the reply. I actually do more portraiture than anything, so Im used to using my current D300 at ISO 100 (the noise that I get at any other setting kills me.) The 20D felt really large and awkward to me when I "played" with it at the camera shop, but I think that it would just be a matter of getting used to it. The main concern that I have is wether I will be able to get better quality enlargements with the D20 versus the XT. I enlarge with my current rebel up to 16x20, but not without some very tricky PS work. I would like to have the extra MP in order to get even larger prints, but is one sensor better than the other?

[HKFEVER]

Since you already have 300D, for upgrade just jump 1 step ahead, 1DMKII. Skip the 20D.

[Maureen Souza]

My hubby was one click away from buying the XT when I asked the magic question..."When you get the XT, will you still be wishing you had gotten the 20D?"
Now he is the proud and happy owner of the 20D, as am I. You won't be sorry.

[amber65910]

Maureen I think you may have summed it up for me. When you look at the big picture what's $500 anyway. Unfortunately HKfever made a point about the 1DMKII also, but Im not sure Im ready to sell my soul yet. Thanks for all of the info guys!!!

[Maureen Souza]

Ya know, $500 isn't that big of a deal. When you get into this hobby you have to be prepared to spend some $$$ on it. Go for it!

[HKFEVER]

My classmate (the one in the AVATAR) bought my 1DMKII, he has 300D. Since then his 300D was in the dark (his drawer) all the time. At the beginning, he was alos looking for 20D.

[timmyquest]

I think there is a very large difference between a 1 series and a 20D...if i didnt shoot sports for a paper the 20D would be mine. You said you shoot portraits, don fret..the 2oD or 350D is perfect for that...but is till recomend the 20D. it's a better camera and yuou'll probably just wnat that in the future.

[HKFEVER]

Sorry I am a digital junkie. Always persuad firends to upgrade more than they expect.:p

[amber65910]

Well I think for now I will do my upgrade to the 20D, but someday HKFEVER I'd love to take my portraits in 16mp and see the enlargements I get from that, but then of course Id need a faster computer, more CF memory, larger camera bag.........Thanks again guys!

[Skip Souza]

I say get the 20D, i think the 350 is a great camera, but if your looking for a "backup" at least get something that is amjor upgrade, and i thin kthats the 20D.

As i've rectently decided though, just go with whatever you seem to want more, even if tis slightly, because either way...you'll be happy with your final decision.
Tim, you crack me up. I see you worked the kinks out of your fingers by the next post to this thread. The advice was still sage as always, once decrypted.

Amber. I'm a true American. Bigger & faster is always better. Get the very best you can barely afford and you will not be dissappointed.

[timmyquest]

Tim, you crack me up. I see you worked the kinks out of your fingers by the next post to this thread. The advice was still sage as always, once decrypted.

Amber. I'm a true American. Bigger & faster is always better. Get the very best you can barely afford and you will not be dissappointed.


lol...sorry, it's saturdaya night,i'm a little toasted. THe advice is the same though, get eh 20D...you'll love it

[HKFEVER]

Well I think for now I will do my upgrade to the 20D, but someday HKFEVER I'd love to take my portraits in 16mp and see the enlargements I get from that, but then of course Id need a faster computer, more CF memory, larger camera bag.........Thanks again guys!

Ha, I have post this before when I upgrade to 1DSMKII from 1DMKII.:p

[johneric8]

I played with an XT today and thought it was cool. But, the 20D will have you singing in the shower!! Trust me...

[Pelao]

Amber

This is a decision I am working on too. I would love to use the $$$ difference between these cameras for some other stuff. While I like the 350D very much, I do not feel that it is right for me from a "useability" perspective. I suspect that if you take a lot of shots in a rapidly changing environment then the 350D is simply not robust enough.

There will probably be little difference in quality of the end result.

I gave more of views in the "XT is really small thread":
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=62804&page=2

To save you some time, below is what I posted in that thread. Hope it proves useful to you:

" Vistek in Toronto have the XT in stock so I went to have a look today. While I love my 300D, I am beginning to find it a bit limiting, so I am at the start of the shopping process.

The XT is a very impressive camera. I am certain this will convert even more folks to digital SLR from standard digicams and film, and so to all the extras where profits are increased. The size is a big part of the appeal. I say this not because it is easier to carry around (I have my doubts about that) but because it is more a size folks will be used to.

I should explain why I have doubts about it being easier to carry around. Now, with the standard kit lens, or a nice 50mm, this is a compact setup. But as soon as you stick a larger lens on, say a 17-40, the setup is just as noticeable and only slightly less bulky than the 300D or 20D. Having looked at it today as I would use it and not just on it's own, with a varity of lenses, I feel the whole package is just as conspicuous as the larger cameras. I was curious about this, because of some talk of this being a great "street camera".

However, if you are into hiking or cycling, where every bit of weight is an issue, this is where the lightweight XT will really be noticed - or rather not noticed . Unless of course, you bring an assortment of lenses and other bits and pieces along, then the difference may not be too significant. On the other hand, the light weight comes mostly from light materials - how will the XT hold up to lots of travel and jostling around?

I could live with the size. But I don't like laying down this sort of cash and having to just live with somthing. I much prefer the size and feel of my 300D, and the relative placement of the various controls. As I say, I could live with the XT, but the word cramped comes very much to mind. I do not have large hands, but I found it a challenge to easily come to grips with the controls. I am sure I would get used to it, but for me, the 300D is a nicer size for control useage.

I was disappointed with the overall feel of quality. Fit and finish were good, but not great. My 300 is 15 months old and for me it feels much more solid than the XT. I was surprised. Please do not get me wrong - there was nothing wrong with the XT. It just felt cheap. One definate negative was that when holding it there was some give in the grip. A real turn off. A bad example? Perhaps. It just added to the cheap feel.

I felt the field of view was cramped. I just did not like it.

But there is no escaping the performance / value mix of this camera. I have no doubts the image quality will be excellent, and early reports are positive by and large. Add to that the start-up speed and the addition of capabilities absent from my 300D and this is a fantastic camera.

To combine a few of my observations: many have mentioned that the small size means they are more likely to take the camera with them, and even be comfortable taking it everywhere. I can see the size creating that view. My impression is that while you may take it everywhere, whether or not it is robust enough to handle it is going to depend on how gentle you are.

I take my camera with me because I love taking photographs. If my camera is comfortable to use, and robust enough so that I can unconciously bring it quickly into action, then I will be more likely to take it with me. For me the size difference of the XT with a choice of lenses is not significant enough to be a deciding factor on taking it everywhere.

As I feel now, I would not replace my current 300D with an XT. I just don't like the size and feel. I could get used to it I am sure, but it would involve some cramped workarounds for me. Of perhaps more importance, it just felt a bit too lightweight in terms of build quality for the sort use I would want to give it.

I had felt a 20D was in my sights, and then the XT gave me pause. I am in no hurry and will go and visit the XT again, often. But for me,today, the 20D is a real upgrade, the XT is not.

For anyone who has purchased an XT, I think you you are going to have so much fun. You are also going to spend a fortune on printing your beautiful shots, and then you really need those "L" lenses don't you...? "

[pradeep1]

I bougth the XT + 17-40 L for the price of a 20D. It suits my needs for now. In the future, I'll upgrade the XT to something else and keep my 17-40L. Expect to replace your cameras on a slightly longer timeframe as you replace your computers. I replace my computers about every 2-3 years. I can see replacing my XT in about 3-4 years.

[cactusclay]

I just checked out the XT yesterday and thought it was pretty nice the matte finish seems to make it feel more solid than it's predecesor. I liked it, but I guess I have big hands, because my fingers seem to bottom out when I wrap them around the grip. Perhaps, it would be better with the battery grip.