Opinions????? (300D Vs. Fuji E550)

[Thats A Winner]

Okay, I understand that I would get excellent results with a 1D and L glass, but here is my question...
Currently I have a 6MP Fuji E550 point and shoot. I want to bump up to a DSLR. I also have a Canon Elan 7 with Tamron 28-300 and a 420EX speedlight. I am planning on buying a 300D and using my existing lens and flash. Heres the deal. While I know that it is not an "optimal" setup, shouldn't I still get better results with the 300D and that lens than I currently get with my E550? I don't have the budget to buy good glass right now. I know they are both 6MP, but the sensor is much bigger on the 300D. If everyone tells me that you have to spend with the big boys to imporve my picture quality I will stand pat with my point and shoot. I'm guessing that even though it is a "starter DSLR" it would be leaps and bounds as far as picture quality ahead of the Point and Shoot. Just looking for help.
Thanks

[FlyingPete]

Hey that’s a first post - Welcome to the forum!

First, no you don't need L Glass to take great shots, it just helps, I do not and have never owned any L Glass, and I have had quite a number of shots published, my 20D even paid for itself, not bad for a hobby!

If you used a Elan 7, there is a slight possibility you will miss some functionality from the 300D, items like drive modes, exposure modes and mirror lock up are not available out of the box (there is a hack that can sort that out!). If you don't use those features, you won't miss them! I had a Elan 7e (EOS 30) prior to my 20D, I knew I would miss those, hence one of the reasons I opted for the 20D.

Your 420EX works a treat on that camera, no worries there.

You might want to get the kit lens with the camera (18-55) as it will full in the wide end that you will loose due to cropping factor, you can continue to use the 28-300 as well, but might want something a little sharper later on, the 18-55 is often underrated, I have used it and found it does give good shots, not L class, but not too bad either. It really helps as your 28-300's widest field of view is comparable to a 50mm on your Elan.

You will find an improvement in image quality, that is a given, even with your current lens, the 6MP CMOS sensor can't be beat (except perhaps by the 8.2 , 11 and 16MP ).

Remember SLR's are a drug, the body is just the start, them comes the long zooms, the wider angles, the bigger flash guns, the prime lenses, BG's, L Glass.......

[Thats A Winner]

Thanks for the reply. I have a new problem. Double and triple rebates!!!! I'm doing the math, and I need to pick up a lens with this camera. What about the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens. Looks like a pretty good lens! It will get me an extra $100 on the Dreb, plus double rebate on the lens. If you add the extra hundred, plus double on the lens, it is like getting the lens for $280. And with the crop factor, it will reach out quite a ways. I could always use the kit lens with this lens and sell the Tamron 28-300. (It always seemed awfully slow anyway) Does anyone have experience with this lens?

[tim]

Canon will be releasing the sucessor to the 300D in the next month or two, so i'd definitely hold off and wait for that. When it comes out 2nd hand 300Ds will probably be pretty cheap, and the 300D new could drop even more in price. Then again maybe it'll get more expenisve... but the sucessor will be a baby 20D instead of a 10D.

[Citizensmith]

Definitely pick up an 18-55 when you get a body, its the best way to reach an effective 28-x without spending a lot of money. Quite a few people seem to like the 18-55 and 28-135 as a combo on the Rebel so that may be a good choice for you.

As for the sensor thing, the much larger sensor in the Rebel will not just give you improved picture quality, but an improved lowlight ability. It'll do up to ISO 400 perfectly, Is OK at 800 and 1600 and still usable at 3200. If you're P&S is like most I've ever used its pretty much crapped out by ISO 400

[Andy_T]

Definitely also get the 50/1.8 with it (if it's eligible for the rebate)

Best regards,
Andy

[Volatile]

I will second the motion that you can't just "buy this and that, and I'm done". Each step forward leaves you longing to take the next step.

I got in much the same way you did, and I'm preparing to drop another $2000 that I don't have on 2 new lenses.

Plus, now I gotta think about selling my Drebel before the replacement comes out and drops its value even more.

Has anyone seen what used 10D's are going for on ebay right now