400D or 30D

My apologies for not having time to research if this has been asked previously

I don't know enough to advise a friend regarding which of these cameras to buy.

My gut feel is the 30D as I have seen lots of posts here about how good it is. He has latched onto 10.1 megapixels and sensor cleaner and thinks the 2 megapixel advantage of the 400D might make it a better camera.

Having handled both cameras he liked the feel of the 30D (he tried out my 5D but felt that was too heavy)

He is not worried about the extra £150 difference if the 30D is a much better camera.

Any advice (or thread links if available) would be greatly appreciated

Jamie

ps I think he is initially interested in travel, street and indoor photography. He has no lenses yet, I'll let him ask about that when he gets his camera though I think he would get the 18-55 kit lens (only £40 more) - he was interested in my EF 28-135 zoom, however that might not be wide enough on a crop body?
J

The 30D is a much better camera in several ways.

The viewfinder optics in the 400D is a pentamirror while the 30D has a much superior pentaprism.

The controls on the 30D are much better (as in more versatile and easier to use - particularly in manual exposure mode) with the extra wheel on the back.

The build quality of the XXD bodies is much superior to the XXXD bodies.

The list goes on, but for me these are the most important differences.

Here's thread link for you.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=348623

Do a forum search for "XTi ; 400D vs 30D" and you'll find a few more.

SkipD wrote in post #3667703
The 30D is a much better camera in several ways.

The viewfinder optics in the 400D is a pentamirror while the 30D has a much superior pentaprism.

The controls on the 30D are much better (as in more versatile and easier to use - particularly in manual exposure mode) with the extra wheel on the back.

The build quality of the XXD bodies is much superior to the XXXD bodies.

The list goes on, but for me these are the most important differences.

Skip many thanks for your input - appreciate it
Jamie

Ron1004 wrote in post #3667975
Here's thread link for you.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=348623

Do a forum search for "XTi ; 400D vs 30D" and you'll find a few more.

Many thanks for the link...afraid I didn't know that the XTi was a 400D helps knowing that.

I have passed on this info and the link as I am clearly just getting in the way

Jamie

SkipD wrote in post #3667703
The 30D is a much better camera in several ways.

The viewfinder optics in the 400D is a pentamirror while the 30D has a much superior pentaprism.

The controls on the 30D are much better (as in more versatile and easier to use - particularly in manual exposure mode) with the extra wheel on the back.

The build quality of the XXD bodies is much superior to the XXXD bodies.

The list goes on, but for me these are the most important differences.

These are the main reasons i upgraded to 30D from my dead 350D and not the 400D, i wasn't dissappointed in the slightest!

I don't think it is really better. It all depends on what you prioritize.

5FPS and build quality makes all the difference.

You will really appreciate the higher fps when shooting sports/action.

I have both. IMO the 30D gets the nod because of 5fps and spot metering. The other benefits are just a bonus.

The XTi/400d benefits are the lighter weight and the shooting settings are on the large LCD on back instead of the dinky LCD on top of the camera but those aren't enough to sway me away from the 5fps and spot metering. The mega pixels don't mean much by the way.

DDan wrote in post #3668943
I have both. IMO the 30D gets the nod because of 5fps and spot metering. The other benefits are just a bonus.

The XTi/400d benefits are the lighter weight and the shooting settings are on the large LCD on back instead of the dinky LCD on top of the camera but those aren't enough to sway me away from the 5fps and spot metering. The mega pixels don't mean much by the way.

Hmmm...that's a benefit?
I would much rather have controls at my fingertips than have to refer to the LCD evertime I want to change my ISO! Ughhh!

nicksan wrote in post #3669860
Hmmm...that's a benefit?
I would much rather have controls at my fingertips than have to refer to the LCD evertime I want to change my ISO! Ughhh!

I think I see what you are saying. That is true for ISO because you can't see the ISO in the VF of the 400D. I'll stick with my original statement though. When you change drive mode, WB, focus mode etc. you have to look at the dinky LCD on top of the 30D and its right there in a nice big easy to see display on the back of the 400D. Put the camera on a tripod and the back display is even more convenient.

DDan wrote in post #3669998
I think I see what you are saying. That is true for ISO because you can't see the ISO in the VF of the 400D.... Put the camera on a tripod and the back display is even more convenient.

It gets even worse with the camera mounted, at eye level, on a monopod. Makes the top lcd of the xxD series all but redundant.

bildeb0rg wrote in post #3670039
It gets even worse with the camera mounted, at eye level, on a monopod. Makes the top lcd of the xxD series all but redundant.

Yep. I didn't go into any detail on that. I can mount my 400D on a tripod, frame the shot, lock the tripod down, and put the cover over the VF. I can then chimp and change settings without tiptoeing to see the small LCD on the top.

DDan wrote in post #3670062
Yep. I didn't go into any detail on that. I can mount my 400D on a tripod, frame the shot, lock the tripod down, and put the cover over the VF. I can then chimp and change settings without tiptoeing to see the small LCD on the top.

good point but after just one day with my 30D, I can switch ISO, AF pts, shutter, ap, and AE lock to name a few without really looking at anything but what's in my viewfinder. Really convenient when composing a moving object (like bees or butterflys) and having to keep the subject in view while making on the fly changes. Just adding that pov as food for thought, not dismissing your valid point.

namasste wrote in post #3670344
good point but after just one day with my 30D, I can switch ISO, AF pts, shutter, ap, and AE lock to name a few without really looking at anything but what's in my viewfinder.

Yes, I agree. All of that applies (except ISO) to the 400D as well. I am not bashing the 30D. I have both cameras and like them both. They are just different.