Which EOS makes the Best IQ?

So far I've owned the 300D, 350D, D30, D60, 10D, and lately a 20D. So far the 20D seems to make the best IQ of any of them I've owned so far.

What makes better IQ than a 20D? The 30D, 40D, 50D ?

How do the 1 and 5 series bodies compare to the 20D, etc.?

Chappy wrote in post #9191344
So far I've owned the 300D, 350D, D30, D60, 10D, and lately a 20D. So far the 20D seems to make the best IQ of any of them I've owned so far.

What makes better IQ than a 20D? The 30D, 40D, 50D ?

How do the 1 and 5 series bodies compare to the 20D, etc.?

for straight IQ the 20d is hard to beat you until move up to larger sensors. i really liked the 20d.

that said, i can testify the the 5d, 1d mark III and 1ds mark III beat the 20d in IQ but the difference in most cases isn't huge. now, when you start talking features then the 20d gets torched .

ed rader

It depends.

No two cameras are used the same way. Some are used to take pictures of things that move, like athletes and race cars. Some are used to take pictures of things that don't move, like buildings and landscapes and even test charts. When you take all of the variables in subjects and lenses and lighting and purposes and styles, and when you add in operator skill, it's hard to decide if one camera is better than another. It's even harder when you include the many ways in which images are viewed, whether on a LCD screen or a CRT screen or a projector or a print.

The "best IQ" question doesn't have an absolute answer. What counts most is what an individual can afford and the skill that a photographer brings to each situation.

And recall that "EOS" cameras also still have several 35mm bodies: including those cameras makes the potential argument even wider. It's best to not worry about "IQ" and concentrate on usability.

30D has identical IQ (essentially the same camera as the 20D), the 40D slightly better (although difficult to see), and the 50D gives a significant resolution increase if that's what you require.

Frankly if you don't need the resolution the 20D holds it's own with regards to IQ against any of the newer XXD cameras. The newer cameras have better features though which can also be a reason to upgrade even if 8 MP is enough for you:

- Much larger rear LCD
- Spot metering
- Better menus
- Sensor "shake" cleaning system
- Lens micro-adjust
- AF improvements (30D is the essentially same as the 20D)

IMO unless you step all the way up to the 7D your not going to be all that impressed with the current rebel line-up versus your 20D at ISO 400 and above. The 50D & a 17-55mm IS USM & a few fast primes might impress you though !

Thanks everyone.

I do like the 20D a lot. I have a 10D also and need to sell one of them, and am not wanting to part with the 20D. It has low actuations and ought to last me a good long time if I want it to.

I used to have a 40D but had to sell it for $$ for a downpayment. I recently picked up a 20D and I like it just as much. The only thing I dislike is not having the ISO shown in the viewfinder,and small LCD screen. Otherwise, it's a darn nice camera, especially for what they go for nowadays.

Silverfox1 wrote in post #9191419
IMO unless you step all the way up to the 7D your not going to be all that impressed with the current rebel line-up versus your 20D at ISO 400 and above. The 50D & a 17-55mm IS USM & a few fast primes might impress you though !

If I recall correctly the 20D has slightly better low light performance than the 50D and the 7D is slightly better than the 20D.

I've had very decent results from the 20D at ISO 1600. That being said the features of the 50D would make the move from a 20D a huge upgrade.