Is it worth upgrading from Canon 350D to Canon 400D ?

I agree with grego, get better glass. The upgrade from the XT to XTi is minor IMO. If I was to consider upgrading my body, I'd be looking at the 20D/30D. My body is less than a year old mine you and I have no plans for a body upgrade for a while, besides I need things like a flash more than an upgrade to something I already have.....

I find the larger lcd on the XTi to be an vast improvement... that alone warrants an upgrade to either the XTi or 30D. The XT seems to overexpose a lot of shots where as the XTi seems to be a bit more accurate. There is also a larger image buffer in the XTi which again would warrant an upgrade for anyone that shoots fast series (ie sports). I don't use burst, but I can take a number of single shot RAW photos very quickly all in a row. That would easily eat up the XT buffer.

I liken hardware and software upgrades to automobile or computer upgrades. Unless you are going to get an entirely different and improved experience, don't upgrade to the latest until what you have is no longer satisfactory. Think about it, every year computers are upgraded in performance, features, etc., but you don't upgrade your computer simply because there's a new model out. In my view its the same with cameras.

Now if you were going to upgrade to the 20D/30D, that's a different story. But even with that, you have a lot of room to improve your lens line-up before you'll reach the point where you need to get a new camera.

In short...GET More Glass instead!!!

I will repeat what most others have said - get your self some decent glass! but then again, I just did what some others have said: sold my 350d and bought an almost brand new 20d for the same price. This is the best thing I have done so far...

grego wrote in post #2288347
Glass will make a bigger difference if you are just starting out.

Chorus, Choir, .... dixit ......one or as many times it will be needed.

Not only 2mpix, but sensor cleaning, larger LCD, and probably better sensor - the difference from 350D is visible.

No!

IDk how many of you actually own both cameras or have put any extensive amounts of time behind them... I do and have used them A LOT. My XTi is coming close to 10,000 frames and I just got it on Sept 17th. I put like 500-1500 shots a weekend through the thing - and before that I put that many though the XT since december 05.

If I had the opportunity to upgrade from the 350 to either the 400d or the 30D - I would. The XT isnt a bad camera, but I think there are pretty major improvements with the newer bodies. The LCD is an ENORMOUS improvement...

No, upgrade glass then if you need another body go 30D. If you have the funds get a 30D and keep your 350D then attach a wide to one and a long on the other (this is what I'm going to do next)

"bundled DPP is also better than the older version"

BTW there are updates to most of the software that shipped with the XT on Canon's website. The release date on most are 09-2006 so I assume that they are they same versions of the software that comes with the XTi. In case anyone was using that as a sole justification to upgrade.

When I went with digital, I knew that I wanted Canon 20D's, as it was a great camera for the price range. But I would have to use a kit-lens, as I couldn't afford good lenses. So I set up a plan, it's a long term plan, but it's working out so far.

I first bought one 350D and a Tamron 28-75/2.8 and was fortunate enough to get hold of two great L lenses used, that has gotten me some work. Then I bought a second body (as it's important to have a backup if you shoot weddings, like I do). Now I'm working on getting better glass than the ones I have. When I have the glass I want/need, then it's time for upgrading the bodies, to whatever model will fit me at that time. And I epxect that will happen sometime next year about this time.

So my advice is: if you're serious about your photography, either you want to do it just as a hobby or as a mean of income, make a plan. Spend your money wisely. To me it is glass that is what I want first, as good lenses will last 10-15 years without having to replace them, while camera bodies, especially with the fast paced technology today, will change each year with something better, faster, cleaner, etc.

Damn, i don't get how so many people here can say upgrade. Those LCD improvements, and all those feature things are BS to some degree.

If I still had my 10D, i could match or better photos with it compared to the 400D with my glass compared to crappy(relatively speaking) glass on the 350D.

sirsloop wrote in post #2290138
IDk how many of you actually own both cameras or have put any extensive amounts of time behind them... I do and have used them A LOT. My XTi is coming close to 10,000 frames and I just got it on Sept 17th. I put like 500-1500 shots a weekend through the thing - and before that I put that many though the XT since december 05.

If I had the opportunity to upgrade from the 350 to either the 400d or the 30D - I would. The XT isnt a bad camera, but I think there are pretty major improvements with the newer bodies. The LCD is an ENORMOUS improvement...

A body improvement will do not to much between the 350D and 400D. Yes, it has a bigger screen, but the screen is not what takes the photos. The glass does. You'll see a vast improvement if you go glass before body.

To me, if someone is asking "is it worth it?" and has the glass that is displayed, it should be a slam dunk answer. You can get much more versatility out of better glass than you can with a new body.

The upgrade would be for a better user experience. I have both cameras in my case and I pick up the XTi every time.

Max Err wrote in post #2288304
it is worthwhile if you experience problems with the autofocus system of 350d - i did and the upgrade to 400d has really proved to be the solution, other features of 400d like bigger screen, better controls and the dust shaker are all very nice additions, bundled DPP is also better than the older version.

You can go to the canon web site under support and download the latest version of DPP.

I think that we have a mis-used term here - I would not call the XT to XTi an "upgrade"....its simply the next iteration of basically the same model.

In some ways - I think that the 400D could be considered a downgrade to be honest - the most apparent in my mind would be the loss of a secondary LCD data screen. Canon seems to be more and more tailoring the Rebel line of DSLR's to the "converted point and shoot crowd" and the removal of the secondary LCD screen is a part of that to me.

To use an analogy here - If I bought a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado compact pickup last year and then was looking to get a new truck this year - I don't think that I would call the 2007 Chevrolet Colorado and "upgrade" over my current ride. It would be newer, and maybe have some 'different' features...but not sure it would be an upgrade. Now if I moved up to a Chevrolet Silverado - then yes - that would be an upgrade!

So while the XTi is "newer", not sure I would call it an upgrade. Canon always changes just enough options on a camera to make it seem that way - but a lot of that is smoke and mirrors. Part of a companies "smoke and mirror" campaign can be simply making the model number a larger number, i.e. 350 to 400. People just naturally want the bigger number right? If the OP really wants to upgrade - 20D/30D would be the upgrade in this example.