20D or XTi

Alright, so I've wanted an SLR for about 2years now, and finally have about $1000 to spend on a one. My heart has been set on the Canon EOS 20D, but there has been a conflict with the XTi. If money were not an issue (which I'm not sure yet if it is or not), then I would get the 20D in an instant. However, seeing as the XTi will be found easier for cheeper, and the specs are about equil, there lies my problem. I have set out a comparison of each below.:

Canon EOS Reble XTi Canon EOS 20D
10.10MP 8.2
The XTi would obviously get this one, but its not a big issue that I'm worried about. So that doesn't matter a whole lot.

3 frames per second 5 frames per second
More than anything else, I would be using this camera for Equine photography (horses). There the faster shutter would come in handy. But 3fps is pretty darn fast, and that also may not be an issue.

RAW, JPEG and RAW+JPEG RAW, JPEG (and both??)
A RAW + JPEG function would be very nice to have, but maybe somebody can help me with this. In Canon's specs, under Max Burst, it says JPEG=23, and RAW or RAW+JPEG 6. So does the 20D also have the RAW+JPEG function? Would somebody with a 20D please help me with this one!

IOS 100-1,600 IOS 100 - 3,200
Now I don't really need an IOS of 3200, but its another point to the 20D

Burst: JPEG: 27 frames JPEG: 23
RAW: 10 Frames RAW or RAW+JPEG: 6
RAW+JPEG: 8 Frames
So does the 20D have just JPEG and RAW? Or does it also have the combo? The XTi gets this one either way, but like I said before, it all mostly equil.

LCD:
Size: 2.5in Size: 1.8in
Pixels: 230,000 Pixels: 118,000
Brightness: 7 levels Brightness: 5 Levels

New Features:
1. Auto Sensor Cleaning
2. Dust Delete data
3. Manual Sensor Cleaning
Of course these are nice features, and the 20D doesn't have any of them. So yeah, another point to the XTi

Dimensions and Weight for XTi
Dimensions (W x H x D):
4.98 x 3.71 x 2.56 in./126.5 x 94.2 x 65mm
Weight:
18 oz./510g (Body Only)

Dimensions and Weight for 20D
Dimensions (W x H x D):
5.7 x 4.2 x 2.8 in. / 144 x 105.5 x 71.5mm
Weight:
24.2 oz / 685 g (Body Only)
So, I love the body of the 20D, and hate how cheep the body of the XTi looks, feels, exc. The extra weight of the 20D doesn't bother me, nor does the bigger size...

Any suguestions and or comments are appreciated!
I'm only going to buy from a well known, or greatly admired company (from sevral people). I want to get a nice extended waranty on it, and be able to know everything will be alright if something goes wronge and it needs to be fixed or whatever.
Let me know what you guys think! Thanks!
-Lisa

I think that's the most important part of your post. Both cameras are really good and both will produce awesome pictures, but if you like the 20D better... then get that one.

Leo.

Lisa, I just upgraded from a 300D to a 30D, and its just unbelieveable in the difference you notice between the two. Im not sure how much over 1,000 you can go over, but 1,159 for the 30D body is a bargain at B&H online

definitely go with the 20D or 30D. if you can swing the couple of extra bucks cash, get the 30D. its shutter life is improved, and it boasts many new features only found in canon's professional bodies, such as 1/3 stop ISO incriments, switchable high-low burst mode, spot metering, and it has bigger buffers than the 20D across the board.

good luck making your decision between those two, but I think you're definitely making the right choice to not get the XTI.

Yeah, at least get the 20d. The XTI is not much of an upgrade.

THE 20D does raw+jpeg too
you have done a very nice job here ,
i think go with the 400d .its new and has a couple of very nice thing,s too- larger screen and a couple more MP's handy to have i dont see the noise people go on about bieng a problem for normal iso settings .
but size might make a diffrence so try them in your hand first
Rob.

20d or 30d allllllllllllll the way. Buy one used and you could save a few bucks. I even bought my 5d used (but not much) and saved a ton. I reccomend watching the sell forum on here and going to fredmiranda.com for their buy/sell forum. fredmiranda's buy/sell forum is definintely the fastest moving and therefore the one with largest selection marketplace forum out there. If you can't find what you are looking for on there today, try again tomorrow. That forum moves so fast you may want to keep checking throughout the day. you could definitely find a good starter package on their that might include lenses or memory cards as well.

Upgrade from what? She doesn't currently own an SLR camera so I'd say it's probably quite an upgrade.

i have to say as it taken so long to get this cash togather buy new no matter what you decide then at leased you have a Garantee if it goes wrong, some of us can just pop out and buy another or risk a secnod user one .
but if i was using all my cash NO way would i buy second hand with no come back.
by the way the 400d has the same focus as the 30d and it's said to be a little better than the 20d .
Rob

if i had the choice i'd choose a 20d

i have to disagree....

if you buy it used from someone who has bought it within the last year and will include the receipt with the sale, then the warranty is still valid and canon would replace/fix it no problem. The other advantage of buying used is that in general, the first owner can test to see if it has any real problems. Just check their feedback and if it's good, you can rest assured that the seller is honest and is giving you a good product. I must admit though, I often try to buy factory refurbished stuff (camera and non-camera goods) because it has already broken and been repaired by the factory...oftentimes avoiding any future problems. I've yet to have a problems with buying used or factory refurbished

I think one thing that wasn't touched on would be the difference if any for the AF speed. Shooting horses I am sure one of the most important things to her will be how fast the camera will focus on the horse or keep it's focus. I can't speak to this, but thought it might be a bigger factor than some of the bells and whistles.

i did add this bit quote- but if i was using all my cash NO way would i buy second hand with no come back. quote
meaning if you do buy second hand make sure you have a come back.
Rob

I would prefer to buy new, and I'd rather have a 30d than the new XTi - but I'd have to think it over between a used 20d and a new Xti, and i'm pretty sure I'd decide on a new camera.

Money is always an issue. An Xti is a great camera with cutting edge technology, it cleans its own sensor - how great is that?
and has extra megapixels. If you think it's too small get a grip - it tkaes the same one as the XT fortunately.

Spending less on the body leaves more flexibility to get good lenses.

But if you are stuck on needing the 20 or 30d because od features like build quality and AF speed and the higher fps, then don't beat yourself , just get what you really want.

when I was deciding between the 20D and the XT, i decided on the 20d because I preferred it, for all the reasons everyone trots out, but also because I wanted it!

so if you want to treat yourself, go ahead! It's a great camera. but try get a new one.

My S70 was a referbished camera, and I would buy used off of ebay or something, but we decided I'll only get one new and from a good company or something. I was thinking 20D over 30D, hoping I could find it cheeper, and also since there really arn't many differances. If I can find it for around $1000, and have a CO. that offers extended warrantys, then that would be awsome. We just havn't been able to find everything I'm looking for yet, but again, if somebody has ideas, that would be great.
I have looked into B&H Photo, but I've just read alot of bad reviews and stuff. Also, I want a offered Canon warranty, which they apparently don't offer.
I may have missed alot of comments that I will post back on, but with so many so fast, this is all I can reply to right now.

Edit: As goes for the extra MP or whatever, I've been following this thread for a little while. So yeah.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=213574