20D/30D Viewfinder Brightness

I was looking at both cameras and noticed the viewfinder on the 30D was much brighter than the viewfinder on the 20D. However, the 20D had the kit lens and the 30D had a zoom 70-??. Was the difference in the lens or is the 30D viewfinder just that much brighter?

Some stores just sell different "kits". Some will just bundle whatever lens they want with it, and give a price. The viewfinder on the 30D is brighter by design, but a lens with a lower/wider maximum aperture will give a brighter viewfinder, too. The 30D's is also a bit bigger, I think.

Joe,
I think it is the lens as the viewfinders are basically the same set up. You didn't say, but if your shopping and considering between these two I think the little more you will pay for the 30D will sure be worth it to you.
Jack

Was this a response to the OP?
Just wondering if you accidently posted in the wrong thread?

Well he said he was looking at the cameras...I thought he meant in the store. He said "one had the kit lens and the other had a 70-xx" or something like that. I thought he was asking why. Edited post.

As Papaw already said, it's the lens. But if you really want to know for sure how much difference there really is between the two cameras, take the lenses off and have another look through the viewfinders again.

I've owned the same lenses, and own the same two cameras. everything aside, the viewfinder is much nicer and brighter than the 20D. I definitely noticed that first thing, besides the LCD.

From a friend who owns a 20D and the same lenses i do; he says that the 30D has a birghter view finder. Also, he just got a 1D and i've seen my lens attached to it and it has a MUCH birgher and more clear view finder.

Thanks for the information. I thought there was a difference in the viewfinders but since the cameras had different lens I wasn't sure. It seems there is a difference of opinion on viewfinder brightness but when I am able to buy I will get the 30D, not because of the viewfinder, but because the few "improvements" on the 30D make it more appealing to me.

I looked at a 30D in Circuit City before buying mine, and took my 20D for comparison. I literally said "wow!" when I looked through it. It seemed bigger and brighter. Oh, and it had the kit lens on. My 24-70L was on my 20D. The viewfinder is brighter on the 30D..period.

That's weird. Canon didn't mention a thing about it, even if anybody know this would be a hellava improvement.

According to the 30D white paper published by Canon, the 20D and the 30D have the same viewfinders:

Take a look in a store...it sure as heck looks different to me, and I like it.

I stopped by Best Buy on my way home from work and they had both 20D and 30D on display. Both had their respective kit lenses installed as well. The 20D had the 18-55mm and the 30D had the 18-55mm II. Not sure if that makes a difference but the 30D's viewfinder was indeed a little brighter than the 20D. It was no bigger though.

SEE? lol. I think the surprise of the brightness and slight ease of viewing made it feel bigger.