30D vs. 40D

Ok, so here's the deal/my dilema.

I'm thinking of stepping up from my 20D camera. I'm leaning towards a 30D or a 40D, but I can't chose. They both have equal ISO range and selectability, the 30D has a bigger screen than my 20D, but a smaller than the 40D. The 40D has more megapixels, but that isn't a major concern, I think I can still make some decent sized blow-ups out of a 30D.

The 30D on the used market is quite a bit cheaper than a used 40D, so I'm a bit perplexed on what to get. Help?!

I don't do much night/low light shooting anymore, mostly car-shows, drag racing/auto-events, that sort of thing.

If your upgrading from a 20, I would skip the 30 and go to the 40. The 20 and 30 are just too close in capability. The 40 though also very close does offer live view and a few more improvements.

gjl711 wrote in post #7650711
If your upgrading from a 20, I would skip the 30 and go to the 40. The 20 and 30 are just too close in capability. The 40 though also very close does offer live view and a few more improvements.

X2.

I have both the 30 and 40. The 40 is worth the difference in price because of the features. LiveView (some don't like it, but for macro and some landscapes I love it!), faster AF (especially for sports, kids, anything that moves fast and in unexpected directions), and better high ISO (While I have not "officially" tested this, I have used both indoors quite a bit, and teh 40D is definitely better. You would do well with either, but for the price difference the 40 is really worth it.

Get the 40d, the Live view is really useful at times.

I'll concur with the others.. I own both the 30D & 40D and would recommend the 40D if you can afford it. Nothing wrong with a 30D though -- just that it's not a big upgrade from a 20D.

Definitely 40D.

Not to say 30D is a good body, but it is essentially the same as your 20D, you won't notice much differences except the little larger LCD

However, even upgrading to 40D, IQ will not change much. You will just have a better featured body.

Chris R/T wrote in post #7650680
Ok, so here's the deal/my dilema.

I don't do much night/low light shooting anymore, mostly car-shows, drag racing/auto-events, that sort of thing.

I will add a vote for the 40D. The autofocus is better than the 30D, the screen is better (for chimping) and it feels better in my hand than any other camera I've owned. Most of the buttons fall under your fingers so naturally it's uncanny.

40D for me.

easypz wrote in post #7652402
I will add a vote for the 40D. The autofocus is better than the 30D, the screen is better (for chimping) and it feels better in my hand than any other camera I've owned. Most of the buttons fall under your fingers so naturally it's uncanny.

40D for me.

+1 as well

I would skip those and get a 1dII or a 5d used. Your gear list shows you have 3 1.6X crop cams...

skip the 30d if you have a 20d, go for the 40d.

mikeassk wrote in post #7652459
I would skip those and get a 1dII or a 5d used. Your gear list shows you have 3 1.6X crop cams...

Really wish a 5D was in my budget but it's not. I'm trying to unload the Rebel XT and the D-Reb as I hardly use them anymore..

I have a 30D. My buddy has a 40D.
If you already have a 20D, there's not much besides the bigger LCD to update for.
You really won't feel like you've upgraded.
Go for the 40D, or wait for the 'next' model to come out.
Since the 5D II and the new Rebel have video, I would guess it won't be long until there's a 60D with video out there.

I had 30D and 40D for a while. Sold the 30D. For me the advantages were:
- Better AF with off center focus points.
- Camera settings are displayed on the back of the 40D where I can read them!
- Live view - very useful for macro & manually focused portrait shots.

I was faced with the same decision not too long ago. I decided to go with the 30d and picked one up NIB from Adorama for $599.