Rebel 350 or 20D ?

[MgnDvD]

Hi people,
I'm using right now A80 and it produces images of excellent quality, no complaints.
BUT...the only problem is limit in pixels and lack of features, like Exposure Lock.
I need at least 8MP - or Rebel 350 or 20D.
I'd LOVE to own 20D, though. Problem is no $$$$.
In terms of image quality - how they both are compared to A80 and to each other ?
Is it worth to spend so much money on 20D ?
And a second question: would anybody advise or share how to finance this kind of purchase ? Is there any place that accepts 10-12 payments or more ?

THANKS!

[Jon]

First, the A80 will permit you to "lock" the exposure. Just press the shutter release half way to lock in the setting and then recompose.

Absolute number of pixels isn't the ultimate measure of quality. In fact, the 8 MP 20D/DRXT sensors are really only able to make straight prints of about 40% larger in any dimension than the A80, and the A80's good for up to about 7"x10" at 220 pixels/inch.

Granted there are a lot of other features the 20D or DRXT have that the A80 doesn't, like higher ISO settings and longer exposures, to say nothing of the interchangable lenses. The 20D is also much more responsive than the A80. From what I've seen/read the DRXT/350 is about 80% or so of the 20D for about 75% of the price.

[Reminisce]

From what I've seen/read the DRXT/350 is about 80% or so of the 20D for about 75% of the price.

Close but not quite, there are actually a myriad of features below the surface that still justifies the 20D as the much better camera. But the 350D is still arguably the best bargain for the price. I'd suggest searching the forums for this topic as there are some very good and indepth discussions that have occurred on this topic. Either way, you'll get one helluva a camera in either the 350 or the 20.

EDIT: as for financing, you can finance either through Dell with their accounts. Just apply and get approved and theres no interest for like 6-12 months if you qualify for that. I financed through Dell and paid it off in 4 months. Granted, Dell overprices almost everything but their computers, but thats the only company I can think of besides Best Buy (who's more strict about their card) where you can finance one with a good replacement warranty.

[lucasdigital]

Hello MgnDvD,

I moved from the A80 to the 350D about ten days ago. I didn't consider the 20D because the 350D was on the bleeding edge of my budget.

If you're on a budget then my advise is to go the 350D route. There's plenty nice about the 20D, and it still the choice of the digital pro, but the money you save could be used to upgrade from the 350's kit lens.

You won't regret getting either, moving up to 8Mpixels is fantastic, for regular 7x5 prints I can radically recompose my shots, lifting the corner of a photo image that will print to the same quality as my A80 shots. I've not printed to A4 yet, but I don't doubt the results will be great.