I used to be indecisive....

[dewmuw]

but now I just can't make up my mind.

Here's the scenario: Finally got my bonus and am going to upgrade from the G3. I had been hell bent on a 20D (c £900) but am now thinking why not a 350D (c £550) and put the saved £350 towards my 100-400L?

I even got as far as being one click away from ordering and chickened out!

Help!! :)

[AjP]

20D is more expansive but worth every penny, after you will try both cameras, won't even want to hold 350 after 20D (my personal opinion), I was struggling with this decision too and end up with 20D

[iwatkins]

So what is wrong with the 1D MkII then ? :twisted:

[dewmuw]

20D is more expansive but worth every penny, after you will try both cameras, won't even want to hold 350 after 20D (my personal opinion), I was struggling with this decision too and end up with 20D

Why?

[Andy_T]

Why?

Y'know ... it's a personal opinion thing ... he can't answer that one for you.
You have to hold them yourself ... and you will know. May the force be with you :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

[Ikinaa]

I bought the 20D in January because I liked everything about it, it had everything I wanted and I knew it was worth waiting for it, because in 2004 I watched for the 10D and the 300D and I wasn't satisfied, but since the 20D came out, the more I looked at it, the more I wanted it and now that I have it, I don't regret it.
In May, a colleague showed me his 350D and I knew I was right when buying the 20D, the 350D is too small for me, I don't know where to put my little finger, I didn't want a grip because it would have been too bulky.
For me the 20D is simply perfect (ok, nothing's perfect but you get the idea...)

Go to a shop, touch them both, get the feel and decide...

[Cadwell]

Damian, they are both fine cameras and given what you do with your G3 I am terrified about the prospect of you with an SLR. Just promise me you won't go into motorsport photography, please ;)

The advice that has been given so far is pretty good. First, compare the feature lists of the cameras. If you haven't seen it already, read this article 20D v 350D (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html). If there are any "must have features" that the 20D has and the 350D doesn't then that's your decision made for you.

Second, go and hold both the cameras. See which one "feels" right to you.

Good luck whatever you decide to buy.

[dewmuw]

Damian, they are both fine cameras and given what you do with your G3 I am terrified about the prospect of you with an SLR. Just promise me you won't go into motorsport photography, please ;)

The advice that has been given so far is pretty good. First, compare the feature lists of the cameras. If you haven't seen it already, read this article 20D v 350D (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html). If there are any "must have features" that the 20D has and the 350D doesn't then that's your decision made for you.

Second, go and hold both the cameras. See which one "feels" right to you.

Good luck whatever you decide to buy.

Thanks for the compliment! No plans for motorsport - although I do live quite near Oulton Park................................:)

Thanks for the link - really firmed my mind in the direction of the 20D.

[Andy_T]

I bought the 20D in January because I liked everything about it, it had everything I wanted and I knew it was worth waiting for it, because in 2004 I watched for the 10D and the 300D and I wasn't satisfied, but since the 20D came out, the more I looked at it, the more I wanted it and now that I have it, I don't regret it.

Gerard, you have summed it up very nicely :D

It was very similar for me ... got the 20D in January, and it is the camera I always wanted. When some clever forum member came up with a wish list what should be included in the 30D, there were really only very minor details I could think of that would be nice additions to the 20D.

The only difference was that I had been looking at the 10D and 300D when the 300D was released, and decided to go with the 10D because of the better feel. I knew that the cameras were very similar in features (with the hack), but the 10D just felt like a $1500 camera, while the 300D did not feel like a $1000 camera (to me).

Actually, I wanted to buy a used Kodak DCS 620 (2 MP 1.3 crop camera based on Canon 1V) or D30 as intermediate camera in January 2004 (I had even placed an offer on one on eBay), but for personal reasons I had to promise to my wife to to postpone the acquisition of a DSLR for one more year. Believe me, it was not easy to wait :wink:

I haven't handled the 350D so far and I think it is a very capable camera as well ... seems like Canon learned a lesson from the 300D launch: If they cripple their entry level DSLR, it will not help their more expensive models, but rather the NOINK D70 :rolleyes: So maybe I am just timid to handle the 350D because I might find out that I have spent too much and would have been happy with the 350D as well (which was not released in January).

Bottom line ... the 20D is the camera I have always wanted, and I will keep it for a long time. Sure, a used 1D or 1DII would be nice, but it's not worth the extra money for my requirements. I'd rather buy some more nice lenses.

I could also make a calculation that if I keep the 20D for 5 years, then it's only a mere 60$ per year that I spent more on the 20D than on the 350D.

Best regards,
Andy

[ghocking]

I have the 20D and 350D, and yes like most other people I think the 20D is better on every count. I also have the 100-400 L lens and this is fantastic. If someone offered me a 20D or a 350D with 100-400 I would take the latter as this lens is fantastic.


20D
350D
EFS 10-22
EFS 60 macro
EF 50 1.4
EF 24-70L
EF 28-135 IS
EF 75-300 IS
EF 100-400 L IS
580 EX

[Rob612]

I believe that as usual bodies are going to be replaced much earlier than lenses. So my opinion is that you just have to feel both cameras (personally, I like the feeling of both, and actually own both) and as somebody else stated see if there is any "must have" feature on the 20D. If not, its just a matter of feeling. If you - like I do - do not have a spcial feeling with either one, as the first choice I'll go with the 350 w/100-400. At least, thats what I did, got the 350 at first, thes some lenses (including a couple of Ls) then the 20D.

Good luck to you, but I know that whatever path you choose you cannot go really wrong. These thing are great no matter what model we are talking of :D

[Michaelmjc]

I say 350D and put it towards your 100-400, Thats an awesome lens!

[stoneylonesome]

Don't know if you've already check out these reviews or not but I'll post the link anyway
the 20D
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos20d/
and the 350D
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d/

My own opinion is go for the 20D and just save for the lens.

[lomond]

Hmmm... this is a difficult question, Damian.

If it's a straight choice between the 20D with, lets say, kit lens and a 350D with the 100-400L I think it would be the 350D.

You're doing the sensible thing weighing up your options, asking the questions. I wish I knew about this forum when I bought my 10D with the 28-135 IS and 75-300 IS. After that outlay it took me a year to save for the 100-400L, but it was worth it. :) It's still my favourite lens.

So, don't make the mistake I made. If you crave the 100-400L then buy it, don't waste your money on something you will not be happy with. The 28-135 and 70-300 cost me around £800 and I rarely use them now. Having said that my 10D and 28-135 combo is now my hillwalking gear.

It seems DSLR's are superseded every 18 months or so, whereas a lens takes many years.
If it were me and I could buy the 100-400L whithin a year of buying the 20D then I might go that route. If it would take 2 years or more I would go the 350D route, since camera technology advances at a greater rate than lens technology.

Hope this helps, or even makes sense. Just finished a night shift. Yawn.