20D or 30D

I know they're pretty much the same camera just one has a bigger LCD screen I just wanted to know what else is different about them. Also what camera you would get out of the two for a first time dslr owner.

crayfish13 wrote in post #2640408
I know they're pretty much the same camera just one has a bigger LCD screen I just wanted to know what else is different about them. Also what camera you would get out of the two for a first time dslr owner.

The best and quickest source of information is camera reviews.

http://www.dpreview.co​m …%2Ccanon_eos20d​a&show=all

is a good place as you can do side by side comparisons of any two cameras.

looks like the 20d doesn't have spot metering whilst 30d does, also 30d has option of 5fps & 3fps burst modes max 30 jpgs, 20d only has 5fps max 23 jpg


Gary

If you want new you only have one choice, the 30D. Other than that the differences aren't that great, so IMO if I were buying used I'd get the 20D since you should be able to get a good one for a couple of hundred less than the 30D.

Depending upon price is what I'd say, although I voted 30D. I think the 30D is WORTH about $150 more, IMO only.

Some other features the 30D has is
-1/3 iso stops rather than 1/2.
-One single folder that the photos get stored in, rather than multiple folders like the 20D and past models did.

Ultimately it comes to how much you want to spend on the body and the glass, which is more important.

Like grego says, it boils down to money, if I spot metering, slightly faster buffer, rgb historygram, .3 iso vs 1, picture styles, etc are worth the extra cost to you, then got for it if not the 20D is a fine camera. I've seen 20D's for $550 on this board this week, and used 30d's for $825-$1000. If the features above are worth $275 to $450 to you, buy the 30D, if not stick with the 20D.

I'll stick with my 20D because I've got a 5D

RGB histogram is very important for judging exposure. Unless you already have years of experience and/or plan on using a light meter, consider spending the extra money. Spot metering also important.

The other changes are nice but not important to me. Those two features are worth the price.

If you're a first time DSLR buyer and you have the budget, go with the 30D. I have the 20D and it's a very capable camera, but the 30D offers a few features that are worth having.

Mark

crayfish13 wrote in post #2640408
I know they're pretty much the same camera just one has a bigger LCD screen I just wanted to know what else is different about them. Also what camera you would get out of the two for a first time dslr owner.

The bigger LCD is #1 advantage #2 is spot metering.
As far as what camera you would get of the two for a first time dslr - considering the price you can now get a 20D for, I would have to opt for the 20D. I bought a 30D and the wife has taken it over and then bought a used 20D and use it nearly everyday now and it works just as well as the 30D, but I sure like the larger LCD and spot metering.

I have a 20D and am happy as hell with it. No need for me to go get a 30D. But if I was buying for the first time and if I could afford it I would get the 30D for reasons already mentioned. If you don't want to spend that much get a used 20D and you won't regret it at all.

Spot metering and the single folder for images seem like options I would like and pay a premium. But not a huge amount

I'm picking up a 30D late next week to replace my older 20D. I just want the bigger screen! That way I can chimp from a distance!

The spot metering on the 30D is vastly over-rated. It's not much smaller of a circle than the 20D's partial metering circle. It looks like the 30D opened up on partial metering to the AF points and the circle which used to be used for partial on the 20D is now the spot metering on the 30D.

Other than that, and the differences you mentioned.. the 20D and 30D are fundamentally the same camera. What makes me vote 30D is the 1/3 ISO increments... ISO in viewfinder... RGB histogram... among other things.