Canon 20D vs Canon 350D

Could someone help me, what is the best value for the money the Canon 20D or the Canon 350D. I have heard that the 350D feels like a cheap toy and breaks easy is this true?

Also what lens are the best for bird photography?

Thanks!

20D is a better camera and if you can get a good deal on it id go for it, but i wouldnt agree the 350D breaks easily, ive had mine 2 yrs and its still fine. As for which lenses are good for bird photography, Canon 400mm f5.6L is a good lens to start with.

At current used prices, the 20D is an absolute steal. It has much better focusing and faster frame rate for birding or other "action" type photography. It is also made of magnesium alloy instead of plastic. For a "birding" only lens the 400/5.6 is a great choice but you will need a tripod ($200) to keep it steady and get the most out of it. For wildlife in general, the 100-400 is a good choice with it's image stabilization (lessening the need for a good tripod). Sigma's 50-500 and 100-300/4 are also good choices, the latter takes a 1.4 TC (multiplier) very well to be an effective 420mm. Those will both need a tripod as well. The canon 300/4 IS also takes a multiplier very well, but can be handheld.

Anything less than 400mm is probably too short for smaller birds.

I've not used the 20D, but I have had a 350d for almost 2 years now. The 350d is certainly no toy. It is a very capable camera. My biggest critisisum of it is that the view finder is small and dark.

Biggest advantage (apart from price) is it's small size and low weight.

I think that mag alloy casings are over rated unless you are very rough on your equipment. The 350d plastic body is very robust.

I just bought my 20D and have had a 350d when it was introduced, each camera is great in its own way but 20D ROCKS, it is a better camera imo
feels better in my hand, easy to use. If you are new, either camera but if I had to do it all over again i would get the 20D first.

Light---yes

Cheap---no

Mine have stood up well to several years of use in all conditions.

And the 20d is 2 models old with no means to confirm shutter count.

Just another thing to consider.

Best of luck with your decision

If you check out dpreview and bobatkins site, you'll notice that the image quality is about the same. What the 20D will buy you is features. Some of the features like a better AF and a bigger buffer IIRC, may help you in birding. 20D is bigger and may help to balance your rig if you carry a big lens.

There is no best lens for birding, but generally you'll need a supertelephoto with a reach of about 400mm or more. Primes are nicer in IQ but not as versatile and generally more expensive. Zooms like Canon 100-400, Sigma 50-500/80-400, Tarmron 200-500 are relatively cheaper options.

I used the 350d for a year and a half before trying out a Nikno D70. I am now ising a 30D (very similar to 20D).

The 350d is by no means "cheap", but it definately is not as sturdy as either the higher canon models or the nikon cameras. I kind of creaks more. I am glad that I tried what I did before settling on a body (for now), but I wouldn't dream of trading the 30D for the 350d.

As others have said, the 20D can be had for so little now it should be a no brainer. The biggest constraint will be your budget. If you can afford it, my suggestion would be to go for a 20D all the way. If not, I am sure you would be almost just as happy with a 350d.

Best of luck, and happy birding.
-John

Between those two, I'd definitely go 20D. I do prefer the handling and technology wise, the 350 has nothing that is any more impressive. The 400D might have offered more in terms of indecision... for me anyway.

I think you also need to take your hand size into consideration. Many people feel the 350D feels awkward due to its size (with larger hand size). That being said, I have a friend who uses the camera and produces excellent images.....but also is looking to move on to at least the 40D if not better.....

Image quality wise you would be hard pushed to see any differences I would imagine, I did a direct comparison of a 350D vs 30D & images out of both cameras were identical.

The main difference is build, the 20D feels better to hold & is better built, its heavier than the 350D which has good & bad points, the good being that its easier to hold the camera still, the bad being that its heavier to cart around all day, the 350D doesnt really weigh much at all.

Comments that the 350D breaks easily are in my mind completely not true, its true it might not survive being dropped onto a concrete floor, the plastic case would surely break where as a 20D might just have a dent or scrape on its magnesium alloy body, BUT the internals would most likely be damaged on both cameras, the 350D's build is adequate.

Overall the 350D is certainly not a toy, anyone who says that is just being snobby, you CAN get superb results out of a 350D no different to any other cam.

Spot-on comments here already regarding image quality and build. The 20D and 350D have practically identical image quality, so you're paying for features instead of image quality when you go for the 20D. The 20D has better AF, higher framerate, nicer viewfinder, and is more solid feeling. The 20D also has a PC Sync port for off-camera flash, which doesn't matter to most people--almost never see it mentioned as an important feature for the 20D/30D/40D in comparison with the 350D/400D--but does to me. Subjectively I also find the 20D to be a better size and more comfortable to hold than the 350D--the 350D is too small (even the 20D is still a bit too small for me), and the grip isn't as comfortable as the 20D's--and I also prefer the control layout of the 20D.

The 350D is not a toy. But handling-wise it certainly feels flimsy compared to the 20D, and I personally would never want to use it on a regular basis if I had the option to use a 20D instead. If you have the chance to play with them both, definitely give them a try. Photography is a very subjective experience in terms of what features of a camera will bring you the most enjoyment, so test them out to see if you care about the build quality, etc. You might even prefer the 350D because it's lighter, and not care about the creakiness. Unless you plan to drop the 350D from significant heights, it won't just fall apart on you for no reason.

Yohan Pamudji wrote in post #4134278
Spot-on comments here already regarding image quality and build. The 20D and 350D have practically identical image quality, so you're paying for features instead of image quality when you go for the 20D. The 20D has better AF, higher framerate, nicer viewfinder, and is more solid feeling. The 20D also has a PC Sync port for off-camera flash, which doesn't matter to most people--almost never see it mentioned as an important feature for the 20D/30D/40D in comparison with the 350D/400D--but does to me. Subjectively I also find the 20D to be a better size and more comfortable to hold than the 350D--the 350D is too small (even the 20D is still a bit too small for me), and the grip isn't as comfortable as the 20D's--and I also prefer the control layout of the 20D.

The 350D is not a toy. But handling-wise it certainly feels flimsy compared to the 20D, and I personally would never want to use it on a regular basis if I had the option to use a 20D instead. If you have the chance to play with them both, definitely give them a try. Photography is a very subjective experience in terms of what features of a camera will bring you the most enjoyment, so test them out to see if you care about the build quality, etc. You might even prefer the 350D because it's lighter, and not care about the creakiness. Unless you plan to drop the 350D from significant heights, it won't just fall apart on you for no reason.

I sure hope people dont go around dropping their cameras from "significant heights" , whatever the build is like the mirror assembly sure wont take much shock.

dave kadolph wrote in post #4130178
And the 20d is 2 models old with no means to confirm shutter count.

And the XT is of the same generation, and also has no means to confirm shutter count. Neither camera should be discounted over the other on account of its age.

Let's raise the stakes a little bit: Canon 30D vs Rebel XTi (400d)? I currently have a 40D as my main body and was thinking of a good backup body. Should I go XTi or 30D?