is Rebel series compatible with D series??

I want to upgrade from an old 20D. Need to know if the new Rebel series(T2i/T3i ) is good enough for professional portraits.
Thanks to all for replies.

In terms of feel and ergonomics, the Rebel line doesn't compare to the D series. For $800, you can get a refurbished 50D ($703.36 plus shipping and tax) or for a little over your budget you can get a refurbished 60D for $799.99 plus shipping and tax. If you choose to go the Canon Loyalty Program route, exchange a broken P&S (or buy a broken one off of eBay) for a 50D for $562.69 plus tax (free shipping).

T2i is quite a few generations ahead of the 20D. One noticable difference is the controls from the XXD to a rebel series. You could consider the 60D which is very similar to the 20D but newer generation and technology. the 20D was a great camera but technology has changed significantly over the years.
If you are doing portraits professionally, you might like to consider a FF body.

How exactly does one become a pro portrait photographer without possessing camera knowledge?

Jill-of-all-Trades wrote in post #12149823
How exactly does one become a pro portrait photographer without possessing camera knowledge?

Technically the kid that pushes the button on the camera at the Wal Mart studio is a "Pro Portrait Photographer" and probably doesn't know much about the camera.

Knowing how to use a camera professionally is not the same as being an equipment geek.

I would say that most of the T2i/T3i and even 60D improvements over the 20D aren't big deals for strictly portraiture. The better high ISO capability shouldn't make much difference, unless you're in the habit of shooting high ISO portraits. Faster/better focusing maybe, but you should be manually focusing for best results.
The only possible difference(that i can think of) is resolution, and that's mainly helpful for cropping, or large printing..i doubt you do much serious cropping. A FF or APS-H will likely be the only improvement.

laphotographer wrote in post #12149786
Do these new Rebels compare with the D series? I need pro shots.

What do you mean by the "D Series"? All Canon digital SLR cameras are "D Series."

From the rest of your post, you seem to want a comparison of the xxxD series cameras such as the 550D (aka Rebel T3i) to cameras such as the xxD series such as the 50D and 60D.

The advantages of the xxD series of cameras is that they have better ergonomics, have better viewfinders and better autofocus systems. If you are in a studio environment then the Rebels are perfectly adequate.

In terms of image quality, the xxxD and xxD all use the same (or very similar) sensors so there is no real difference. In some cases the Rebels are actually a little better.

krb wrote in post #12149907
From the rest of your post, you seem to want a comparison of the xxxD series cameras such as the 550D (aka Rebel T3i) to cameras such as the xxD series such as the 50D and 60D.

The Rebel T3i is the 600D btw. The T2i is 550D.

As for quality, if you are doing indoor photography with no moving targets, there would be no problem in using either the 60D, 50D, and 600D. I assume you will be using a tripod, so you shouldn't have to worry about the weight too much. I want a Rebel because I do alot of traveling and I want something light.

Jill-of-all-Trades wrote in post #12149823
How exactly does one become a pro portrait photographer without possessing camera knowledge?

same way some great actors had no acting lessons.
it happens.
some people are natural artists but poor with technical

thanks all.
much appreciated

Arstine wrote in post #12149839
Technically the kid that pushes the button on the camera at the Wal Mart studio is a "Pro Portrait Photographer" and probably doesn't know much about the camera.

this is really condescending...

Not everyone in a walmart photo studio is a fail at photography. I had my senior portraits done at walmart, and the woman who took them did a WONDERFUL job, she was creative with the exposure, she used angles the untrained eye wouldn't even consider, and in the end I got better portraits for half of what my sister got with a pro photographer.

sbattey wrote in post #12150130
this is really condescending...

Not everyone in a walmart photo studio is a fail at photography. I had my senior portraits done at walmart, and the woman who took them did a WONDERFUL job, she was creative with the exposure, she used angles the untrained eye wouldn't even consider, and in the end I got better portraits for half of what my sister got with a pro photographer.

And that's why I said "probably". There is always an exception. I actually started out in a "canned shot" studio setting. I got in too much trouble for trying to be creative and give the customer something more than the typical sit and smile at the birdie shot...so I moved on.

More often than not, in those places, they go as far as to have all the controls on the camera and lights taped off or disabled in some way.

You got lucky and found a studio that had someone that knew their job and gave you good shots. The other 99% of those places have the minimum wage kid that hasn't got a clue beyond what their handbook says on posing.

In the years since you've picked up your camera, technology has gone forward quite a bit. Although your camera is considered "Semi-pro" and the Rebels are considered "Entry-level", the technology has matured enough so that the Rebels have better tech, IQ, high ISO performance, and bells and whistles.

Obviously the same can be said for the 40/50/60D, but they also come at a higher cost than their Rebel counterparts. However, they do have bigger bodies with better UI, and once you get used to an xxD body it's very hard to go back to a Rebel because the Rebel interface feels more restrictive.

The simplest way I can boil it down is if you want the best bang for your buck, grab a T1i or T2i. If you want to stick with xxD ergonomics, a 40D or 50D fall in your budget.

EDIT: Just reread your OP. This is what I get for forgetting to hit "Post" for half an hour.

Just how is this thread going to be useful to anyone, now when the OP removed the question???

Put it back in, laphotographer. A forum isn't just for your personal amusement, but also for others who realize they are interested in the question and the answers. No we only have answers.