1D vs. 20D

[Mr. EMJAY]

Hi i just came across this forum, And oh boy its cool.

I just saved anough money to buy af fresh brand new 20D ( thought i was gonna do that... until) I saw I could get a used 1D at the same price, som now im SO confused... I really need help, I asked this question in several Danish ( im a dane ) fora, but im still confused, I might say, that i shoot mostly concerts, wildlife, motorcross, and a little macro..

Please . need input on this one.

Thanx.

M. Jensen
Denmark

[tim]

Welcome to POTN you great dane ;)

The 20D has much better high ISO performance, and it's probably a similar speed in operation, plus it has a never sensor. My opinion (having never used a 1 series body) is that unless you need the weatherproofing features go for the 20D.

[tim]

btw, i'd PM pekka and get your username changed to something more sensible, you're just asking for spam using your email as a username. Plus it's long and spoils the screen layout, but that's no biggie.

[pcasciola]

20D vs 1D is a tough call. I had to make the same decision, and I only went with the 20D because I felt the 1D's 4 megapixel would not be enough for large prints because I tend to crop many of my sports shots quite a bit. Another factor was the high ISO performance that Tim pointed out.

As far as speed, though, the 1D is much faster. 8fps and a much larger RAW buffer from what I remember, 45 point autofocus and better tracking, 21 point metering, etc. That stuff blows away the 20D. I am still considering a 1D as a 2nd body unless I get a great deal on a 1D Mk II, which can be had for around $2900-3000 now after rebate.

[GenEOS]

concerts and wildlife....hmmm.

1.6x factor, better battery performance, better high ISO images, about the same FPS, I would definitely get the 20D...my opinion.

[karusel]

High ISO + cropping + large prints = 20D

Everything else = 1D

[CyberDyneSystems]

I'd say 20D would be better for everything your doing with the exception of the motocross,. where the 1D will really help. (1D's speed will help for birding as well,. but as a wildlife shooter I would much rather have the megapixels than the spped,. I know I sold a 1D and bought a 20D)

So really 20D is a better choice as far as I can see.

If it were 10D it would be a much harder choice,. but the 20D narrowed so many of the gaps between 10D and 1D that the 20D really is a better choice for most uses.

[roanjohn]

20D - especially for concerts where high ISO is key.............ANd its tracking is not so bad (but then, I've never experienced 1 series tracking - I'm sure its awesomer).

Ro1

[kufel]

20D does not have tracking if you compare it with 1-series...
If you can wait a bit.... keep saving for 1DMkII....that's what replaced my 10D and I held 20D's and I have a buddy with whom we do weekend shooting together... 1DMkII blows 20D away. Main reason for my 10D upgrade was AF. I know that 20D's is better than 10D bt still light years away from "single digit series". You might also enjoy 100% viewfinder taht is brighter...

[Mr. EMJAY]

Ok guys..

yesterday I bought a used 1D, and im very pleased.

thanx for the comments anyway.

The great Dane ;-)

[primoz]

I didn't see this post until now, but I think you made good choice :) 4MP is little compared to 8MP, but 4mp from 1d are a bit different then 4mp from some other camera. Those who use 1d will know what I'm talking about :) Also everything else (except high iso, which is not really that bad at 1d up to iso1250) are also on side of 1d. And difference is not that small... at least for my taste.

[GyRob]

may be a dumb question but what is tracking as stated above ( 20D does not have tracking if you compare it with 1-series...)
thanks
Rob

[kufel]

autofocus tracking... 1 series are much faster and more acurate in this department. AF in general - 35 focus points to chose from instead of 9 on 20D, 11 of 35 are cross sensors, much faster focusing in dimm light situations etc.

[GyRob]

THANKS
looks like i need a 1dmk2 then for my fast jet shots as i seem to miss quite a few with the 20d lots are close but lots arn't .
Rob.

[kufel]

except if one comes right at you at Mach 2... I don't think there is AF tracking system avalable to civilians yet :D
But anything slower - you will definitely see the difference between 20D and "single digit" series.

[tim]

I find the off-centre focus sensors in the 20D to be quite poor. I'm going to have to experiment to see if those sensors or focus/recompose gives me better results. Right now i'm not sure.

[grego]

1D is more for a photo journalist than the 20D. 1D is built better, but doesn't have the resolution and newer technology. The biggest question is what are you going to use the camera for. Once you answer that, it should give you the answer to the camera you need.

[Greg M]

Ok guys..

yesterday I bought a used 1D, and im very pleased.

thanx for the comments anyway.

The great Dane ;-)

Good choice. I've owned all of the Canon DSLR cameras except for the XT and the 1DsmkII. The 20D is a great camera but the features of the 1-series can't be beat.

The tracking isn't only more consistent and accurate but it's also user adjustable. With the 20D if you move off of your subject or someone passes in front of your subject (even for a split second) then you loose focus. This can be adjusted with the CF of the 1-series which allows you to still get your subject in focus.

4mp vs 8mp - It really isn't an issue. Many people have gotten beautiful large prints from the 1D. The pixels in the 1D are that good.

Noise - If you've got a high serial numbered 1D and expose to the right then your noise level in high ISO shots will not be far from the mkII. I get useable 3200 and very useable 1600 out of my 1D. I've compared 2 different 1D's against 2 different 1DmkII's and the difference in noise is acceptable. I have found the 1D to be more reliable for sharp high ISO pics.

I had a 1D and then went to the 1DmkII. I was not happy with the mkII so I went to the 20D when it first came out. The 20D is a great camera but I was frustrated with it when it came to action shots. I loved the 20D but I missed the features of the 1-series so I went back to the 1D.

I then tried another mkII after the latest firmware update and was very pleased with the camera this time. However, I decided to stay with the 1D. The output, file size, and the processing required for the RAW files are the best of all of the Canon DSLR cameras. The 1D RAW files are the easiest and fastest to process.

I'll keep this 1D. I will add another Canon DSLR camera to this 1D that will be able to do the things that the 1D doesn't do well but this 1D is a definite keeper.