EOS 20D or 350

OK, I am new here, I am from Bosnia, but live in Taiwan.
Here's my question, I am about to buy a new camera and am very undecided between these 2 20d or 350. So? input please
I love to take nature pics and B&W portraits
http://homepage.mac.co​m/igorveni/PhotoAlbum2​5.html

it's really a tough choice and actually I am very happy to have found this forum and hope to contribute as much as I can. thanks

Welcome to forum!

20d is good. depends on your hand/fingers size + the budget.

i went for 350d as it was my first step into dSLR and im so happy with purchase and no regrets.

i'll probably get next version of 20d next year. but if i was at your place, i
ould go for 350d for now as it released this year and still got long production life.

its just not best time right now to buy a 20d.

read this thread:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=113310

There's virtually no difference in image quality between the two cameras, maybe ISO 1600 is a bit cleaner on the 20D, but it's very unlikely you will want to use that for nature pix and portraits.
The 20D is designed for sport shooting, is a bit faster, it has handy and more user friendly controls. But again, for what you want to use the camera for, they are equal performance, so the $500 difference paid on 20D wouldn't be justified.

What are you using as your current (film) camera?

Don't worry about what will be released "Real Soon Now" (TM J.e. Pournelle). A new camera isn't going to reduce the capabililties of existing equipment, and it will, for at least the first 5-6 months, only be available at MSRP. And you can't take pictures with a camera you haven't got. The 20D has ISO 3200 available, which the 350D doesn't. If shooting in low light is important, that may be a factor. The 20D has a higher frame rate and larger frame buffer. While the frame rate may not be terribly important, if you shoot "RAW", it's quite easy to fill the buffer, even in the 20D, in single-frame mode. I can do this quite regularly while shooting wildlife, airshows, or events. I've also done it while trying to catch a landscape (Rio Grande Gorge, Taos, NM, springs to mind) from a moving vehicle.

Welcome to the forum

I've no experience with a 350D but plenty here love it. I've got a 20D which, barring accidents, ought to last me for years

Yeah, but a new camera will significantly reduce used prices of the 20D and any new ones left in stock, which is what I'm hanging on a few months for
As you quite rightly point out, the 20D will still perform exactly the same, regardless of what replaces it.

I'll just say this. I bought a 350D in feb, and was very happy with it until I actually got to use a 20D for a while. If I could do it over again, or get a decent price for my XT, I would get the 20D. If the price difference doesn't bother you, then I'd suggest the 20D. It handles better (IMO), and changing settings on it is much easier/quicker than on the 350D. It also has a more advanced focusing system when used with fast lenses, which I'd love to have. However, the 350D is a very capable camera, and final image quality is very similar between the two.

I'd say go for the EOS 20D, its just more solid all around and there are many differences between the XT and 20D that make it a better purchase if you have the budget.

I have to disagree. With Canon's rebates, depending on how much you buy, the 20D can be had for close to $1,000. I just bought a 20D and a couple lenses, to go with my Rebel XT, and let me tell you, there is NO comparison between the 20D and the XT. Sure the picture quality is comparable (and don't get me wrong, this is important), but the speed, ISO, burst, etc., of the 20D is far superior. In my opinion, having used them both "in battle conditions", the 20D is a semi-pro device and the XT is a consumer machine. Nothing wrong with the XT. It was my first DSLR and I made a lot of money with it, but it's in a different league than the 20D.

Regarding there being a replacement for the 20D "just around the corner", there will ALWAYS be a replacement for a camera just around the corner. The XT is only what, 4-6 months younger than the 20D? How long before we're talking about the replacement to the XT and talking people out of buying the XT because its successor is coming out "soon"? I say buy the 20D if you can get it for a good price and use the Canon rebate. It's is a GREAT camera and you will not regret it. Take it from someone who has used both bodies for over 10,000 actuations each.

For most folks, when it comes down to it, is how much money do you want to spend? Are you willing to put up with some trade-offs? Hell, I would love to have a 1D Mark IIN but can't afford. Personally I like the 20D but I can't afford it and I don't photograph for a living and to spend money like that I would like for it to pay it back.

Buy what you can reasonably afford, get good lenses and practice. It's not always the camera; it's the person behind it. Good luck with your choice. I am sure you will be happy with whatever you get.

The 20D is a superior camera when it comes to controls and ease of use. Yes, the 350D has close to the same image quality, but when it comes down to it, the camera is just a tool to get the photo you want.

YOU have to decide whether the additiona control and ease of use of the 20D is worth it to you.

Mark

Two years ago I opted for the 10D instead of the 300.
I just purchased the 350 INSTEAD of the 20D as I couldn't
see spending the extra $500. Too many new models....
so now I wait for the new 5D Rebel......
Didn't make sense to invest in magnesium once more!

Bob Atkins wrote a nice comparison of these 2 bodies:
http://www.bobatkins.c​om …ital_rebel_xt_v​s_20d.html

I own the 350D and I am very satisfied with the quality of the pictures. Nothing to argue upon!

However, if you have yeti hands like me, you won't like its size.
I wish I had bought the 20D for:
- size / feel
- more fps (I like to shoot sport)
- AF speed (although I am not too sure if the AF is much better on the 20D).

If it is not your case, you can't do something wrong in buying the 350D, best thing for the bucks!

First of all, you need to decide what you are using the camera for. If you are mostly going to use it for nature photography and portraits, then either camera will do the job well. If you absolutely need the high fps for sports, then you may want to go for the 20D. Don't get too caught up in the bells and whistles if you don't really need them.

Next you will want to try out both cameras and see which one feels more comfortable to you. Go to a photography store and try them both out. Some people have really big hands so the 350D may feel a little uncomfortable. Some people may feel the 20D is too heavy. It is different for each individual.

Finally you need to look at cost. What can you afford? If you can't afford the 20D, then go with the 350D.

Ultimately, it comes down to what you are using the camera for. People can argue for or against each camera until they are blue in the face (er...fingers?) but no one can make the decision of which camera is right for you. They're both really great cameras so there is no clear cut decision on which one you should pick.

Personally, when I looked at both cameras, I decided on the 350D, since I didn't really need any of the extra features that the 20D provided.

My sentiments exactly! Very good response.