colourstorm
9th of June 2005 (Thu), 02:13
I've just bought my 20D - woohoo! If anyone's wondering which one they should get, read this brilliant article - compares the two of them (the 350D and 20D) quite extensively! A 'must' read before you buy...
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Now the new Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT (the EOS 350D outside North America) has been announced, Canon buyers have a problem. Should they buy the EOS 20D or save $500 and buy the new Digital Rebel XT - or maybe even save another $200 and buy the original Digital Rebel?
All three are valid choices, but let's deal with the last one first. New XT or original? I think it's a no-brainer if you have the money. The new Digital Rebel XT has more pixels (8MP vs. 6.3MP), a lot more features and it will hold its value better. I think it's worth the extra $200 to go for the Digital Rebel XT. The original isn't bad and if you're on a very tight budget I think it's still a good camera, but the new Digital Rebel XT is better.
Now comes the more difficult question XT or 20D? I'm going to split this up into 5 sections:
Things that are the same (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html#same)
Things that are just different, not better or worse (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html#different)
Things that are different where the EOS 20D is better (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html#better)
Things that are different where the Digital Rebel XT is better (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html#worse)
Things we don't know (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html#unknown)
NEW: I've just posted a preliminary "Hands-on" review of the Digital Rebel XT (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_review.html)
I'm pretty sure I won't list absolutely ever single similarity and difference, but I'll cover the major features. I'll revise the article as new information comes to light.
Things that are the same
The sensor, though actually different, is very similar in physical size and pixel count
Both have mirror lockup (enabled via a custom function)
Both have flash exposure compensation
Both have exposure compensation
Both can set shutter speed and compensation in 1/2 or 1/3 stop increments
Both have manually selectable evaluative, partial and center weighted metering modes
Both have manually selectable one-shot, AI servo and AI focus autofocus modes (plus manual focus)
Both have user selectable second curtain flash sync
Both have the same white balance options
Both have a monochrome (B&W) shooting mode
Both have the same RAW and JPEG size and quality modes
Both have the same 1.8" rear color LCD, with the same 5 brightness settings
Both have the same selectable histogram display
Both can print directly to compatible printers
Both have a USB 2.0 interface
Both are effectively "instant on". Startup time is 0.2s
Both have the same white balance bracketing and correction
Both have buffer which holds 6 RAW files
Both use the .CR2 RAW file format
Things that are different, but not better or worse
The EOS 20D uses BP-511/512 batteries, while the Digital Rebel XT uses the NB-2LH.
The EOS 20D uses the RS-80N3 wired remote, the Digital Rebel uses the RS-60E3 wired remote.
Whether these are advantages or disadvantages depends on what other equipment you own and which accessories and batteries they are compatible with. It's nice not to have to carry two different sets of batteries and chargers and two different remote releases.
The Digital Rebel XT is smaller than the EOS 20D. Whether this is good or bad depends a bit on the size of your hands. Some may find the Digital Rebel too small, some may find the EOS 20D too big.
The Digital Rebel XT is available in a silver finish. Some like it, some don't.
The Digital Rebel LCD information display is on the back of the camera. The EOS 20D LCD information display is on the top of the camera.
The layout of the menus for the two cameras is different. The layout on the EOS 20D is similar to that used on the EOS 10D and EOS 1D series cameras. They layout of the Digital Rebel XT is similar to the original Digital Rebel and the Poweshot series of digicams.
Things that are different where the EOS 20D is better
The EOS 20D has a rear QCD (Quick Control Dial) which can be used to set exposure compensation, flash compensation, shutter speed or aperture in manual mode and has several other functions. The same functions are available in the Digital Rebel XT, but require the pushing of buttons. The advantage of the QCD is you can do things faster and without taking your eye from the viewfinder.
The EOS 20D can shoot at 5 frames/second, the Digital Rebel XT can shoot at 3 frames/sec
The EOS 20D can shoot a burst of 23 high resolution JPEG frames before the buffer fills, The Digital Rebel XT can shoot 14 frames
The EOS 20D has 9 autofocus zones, the Digital Rebel XT has 7
The EOS 20D provides full cross-type performance with maximum apertures as small as f5.6, yet it achieves up to 3 times the standard focusing precision when used with EF lenses featuring maximum apertures larger than or equal to f/2.8. The autofocus system of the Digital Rebel XT is inherited from the film Rebel XT body and has normal precision f5.6 sensors.
The EOS 20D autofocus is specified to operate in 1 stop lower light than the Digital Rebel autofocus (-0.5 EV vs +0/5 EV)
The EOS 20D autofocus is faster than the autofocus on the Digital Rebel XT
The EOS 20D has a top shutter speed of 1/8000s, the Digital Rebel XT has a top shutter speed of 1/4000s
The EOS 20D has a flash x-sync speed of 1/250s, the Digital Rebel x-sync speed is 1/200s
The EOS 20D has a pentaprism with a 0.9x viewfinder magnification, the Digital Rebel XT has a pentamirror with 0.8x magnification.
The EOS 20D has a highest ISO setting of 3200, the Digital Rebel XT has a high ISO setting of 1600.
The EOS 20D is good for 1000 shots (no flash) on a single battery charge, the Digital Rebel XT is good for 600.
The EOS 20D has a PC terminal for use with an external flash or strobe, the Digital Rebel XT does not.
The EOS 20D maximum flash sync voltage is 250v (for both the hotshoe and PC terminal), the Digital Rebel XT maximum sync voltage is also 250v, not 6v as I had earlier reported. Canon have recently stated that the Digital Rebel XT does in fact share the 250v sync voltage with the 20D and other high end Canon EOS bodies. Sorry for any confusion on this point.
The EOS 20D has a high performance shutter designed for increased reliability (100,000 cycles), the Digital Rebel XT has the normal Canon shutter (about 50,000 cycles).
The shutter lag time of the EOS 20D is 65ms, the shutter lag time of the Digital Rebel XT is 100ms.
The high-speed mirror drive give the EOS 20D a shortened viewfinder blackout time (115ms) compared to the Digital Rebel XT (170ms)
The EOS 20D sensor (8.2MP, 22.5 x 15mm) is very slightly larger and has slightly more pixels than the Digital Rebel XT sensor (8.0MP, 22.2 x 14.8mm).
The EOS 20D has a multi-controller on the back of the camera can be pushed in eight directions, as well as down in the center, to simplify selection of the AF point, correction of white balance, trimming of images during direct printing, scrolling of magnified images etc. The Digital Rebel XT uses push buttons for the same functions.
The EOS 20D has top, front and rear covers made of a magnesium alloy for added strength and rigidity. The top, front and rear covers of the Rebel XT are plastic.
The EOS 20D has 18 custom functions, the Digital Rebel XT has 9 (List of XT custom functions (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_cf.html))
The EOS 20D ships with Adobe PhotoShop Elements 2, the Digital Rebel XT ships with ArcSoft PhotoStudio 5.5. Adobe have an upgrade offer from Elements to full Photoshop CS for $299 (http://store.adobe.com/store/products/master.jhtml?id=catCanon). This offer applies to copies of Elements which were supplied bundled with Canon products. Since Photoshop retails for up to $599 ($649 list), this can be a significant saving.
Things that are different where the Digital Rebel XT is better
Price - a no-brainer. The Digital Rebel XT is around $500 cheaper!
The Digital Rebel can use the low cost ($25) RC-1 and RC-5 infrared remotes. The EOS 20D can't.
The Digital Rebel XT is lighter than the EOS 20D (17.1oz vs. 24.2oz)
© Copyright Bob Atkins All Rights Reserved
www.bobatkins.com (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/)
_______________________________________________
this isn't the whole extract - but contains most important parts...
hope this helps people!
_________________________________________________
Now the new Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT (the EOS 350D outside North America) has been announced, Canon buyers have a problem. Should they buy the EOS 20D or save $500 and buy the new Digital Rebel XT - or maybe even save another $200 and buy the original Digital Rebel?
All three are valid choices, but let's deal with the last one first. New XT or original? I think it's a no-brainer if you have the money. The new Digital Rebel XT has more pixels (8MP vs. 6.3MP), a lot more features and it will hold its value better. I think it's worth the extra $200 to go for the Digital Rebel XT. The original isn't bad and if you're on a very tight budget I think it's still a good camera, but the new Digital Rebel XT is better.
Now comes the more difficult question XT or 20D? I'm going to split this up into 5 sections:
Things that are the same (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html#same)
Things that are just different, not better or worse (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html#different)
Things that are different where the EOS 20D is better (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html#better)
Things that are different where the Digital Rebel XT is better (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html#worse)
Things we don't know (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html#unknown)
NEW: I've just posted a preliminary "Hands-on" review of the Digital Rebel XT (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_review.html)
I'm pretty sure I won't list absolutely ever single similarity and difference, but I'll cover the major features. I'll revise the article as new information comes to light.
Things that are the same
The sensor, though actually different, is very similar in physical size and pixel count
Both have mirror lockup (enabled via a custom function)
Both have flash exposure compensation
Both have exposure compensation
Both can set shutter speed and compensation in 1/2 or 1/3 stop increments
Both have manually selectable evaluative, partial and center weighted metering modes
Both have manually selectable one-shot, AI servo and AI focus autofocus modes (plus manual focus)
Both have user selectable second curtain flash sync
Both have the same white balance options
Both have a monochrome (B&W) shooting mode
Both have the same RAW and JPEG size and quality modes
Both have the same 1.8" rear color LCD, with the same 5 brightness settings
Both have the same selectable histogram display
Both can print directly to compatible printers
Both have a USB 2.0 interface
Both are effectively "instant on". Startup time is 0.2s
Both have the same white balance bracketing and correction
Both have buffer which holds 6 RAW files
Both use the .CR2 RAW file format
Things that are different, but not better or worse
The EOS 20D uses BP-511/512 batteries, while the Digital Rebel XT uses the NB-2LH.
The EOS 20D uses the RS-80N3 wired remote, the Digital Rebel uses the RS-60E3 wired remote.
Whether these are advantages or disadvantages depends on what other equipment you own and which accessories and batteries they are compatible with. It's nice not to have to carry two different sets of batteries and chargers and two different remote releases.
The Digital Rebel XT is smaller than the EOS 20D. Whether this is good or bad depends a bit on the size of your hands. Some may find the Digital Rebel too small, some may find the EOS 20D too big.
The Digital Rebel XT is available in a silver finish. Some like it, some don't.
The Digital Rebel LCD information display is on the back of the camera. The EOS 20D LCD information display is on the top of the camera.
The layout of the menus for the two cameras is different. The layout on the EOS 20D is similar to that used on the EOS 10D and EOS 1D series cameras. They layout of the Digital Rebel XT is similar to the original Digital Rebel and the Poweshot series of digicams.
Things that are different where the EOS 20D is better
The EOS 20D has a rear QCD (Quick Control Dial) which can be used to set exposure compensation, flash compensation, shutter speed or aperture in manual mode and has several other functions. The same functions are available in the Digital Rebel XT, but require the pushing of buttons. The advantage of the QCD is you can do things faster and without taking your eye from the viewfinder.
The EOS 20D can shoot at 5 frames/second, the Digital Rebel XT can shoot at 3 frames/sec
The EOS 20D can shoot a burst of 23 high resolution JPEG frames before the buffer fills, The Digital Rebel XT can shoot 14 frames
The EOS 20D has 9 autofocus zones, the Digital Rebel XT has 7
The EOS 20D provides full cross-type performance with maximum apertures as small as f5.6, yet it achieves up to 3 times the standard focusing precision when used with EF lenses featuring maximum apertures larger than or equal to f/2.8. The autofocus system of the Digital Rebel XT is inherited from the film Rebel XT body and has normal precision f5.6 sensors.
The EOS 20D autofocus is specified to operate in 1 stop lower light than the Digital Rebel autofocus (-0.5 EV vs +0/5 EV)
The EOS 20D autofocus is faster than the autofocus on the Digital Rebel XT
The EOS 20D has a top shutter speed of 1/8000s, the Digital Rebel XT has a top shutter speed of 1/4000s
The EOS 20D has a flash x-sync speed of 1/250s, the Digital Rebel x-sync speed is 1/200s
The EOS 20D has a pentaprism with a 0.9x viewfinder magnification, the Digital Rebel XT has a pentamirror with 0.8x magnification.
The EOS 20D has a highest ISO setting of 3200, the Digital Rebel XT has a high ISO setting of 1600.
The EOS 20D is good for 1000 shots (no flash) on a single battery charge, the Digital Rebel XT is good for 600.
The EOS 20D has a PC terminal for use with an external flash or strobe, the Digital Rebel XT does not.
The EOS 20D maximum flash sync voltage is 250v (for both the hotshoe and PC terminal), the Digital Rebel XT maximum sync voltage is also 250v, not 6v as I had earlier reported. Canon have recently stated that the Digital Rebel XT does in fact share the 250v sync voltage with the 20D and other high end Canon EOS bodies. Sorry for any confusion on this point.
The EOS 20D has a high performance shutter designed for increased reliability (100,000 cycles), the Digital Rebel XT has the normal Canon shutter (about 50,000 cycles).
The shutter lag time of the EOS 20D is 65ms, the shutter lag time of the Digital Rebel XT is 100ms.
The high-speed mirror drive give the EOS 20D a shortened viewfinder blackout time (115ms) compared to the Digital Rebel XT (170ms)
The EOS 20D sensor (8.2MP, 22.5 x 15mm) is very slightly larger and has slightly more pixels than the Digital Rebel XT sensor (8.0MP, 22.2 x 14.8mm).
The EOS 20D has a multi-controller on the back of the camera can be pushed in eight directions, as well as down in the center, to simplify selection of the AF point, correction of white balance, trimming of images during direct printing, scrolling of magnified images etc. The Digital Rebel XT uses push buttons for the same functions.
The EOS 20D has top, front and rear covers made of a magnesium alloy for added strength and rigidity. The top, front and rear covers of the Rebel XT are plastic.
The EOS 20D has 18 custom functions, the Digital Rebel XT has 9 (List of XT custom functions (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_cf.html))
The EOS 20D ships with Adobe PhotoShop Elements 2, the Digital Rebel XT ships with ArcSoft PhotoStudio 5.5. Adobe have an upgrade offer from Elements to full Photoshop CS for $299 (http://store.adobe.com/store/products/master.jhtml?id=catCanon). This offer applies to copies of Elements which were supplied bundled with Canon products. Since Photoshop retails for up to $599 ($649 list), this can be a significant saving.
Things that are different where the Digital Rebel XT is better
Price - a no-brainer. The Digital Rebel XT is around $500 cheaper!
The Digital Rebel can use the low cost ($25) RC-1 and RC-5 infrared remotes. The EOS 20D can't.
The Digital Rebel XT is lighter than the EOS 20D (17.1oz vs. 24.2oz)
© Copyright Bob Atkins All Rights Reserved
www.bobatkins.com (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/)
_______________________________________________
this isn't the whole extract - but contains most important parts...
hope this helps people!