Wanting to Upgrade

I am hoping that some of you may be able to give me some advice as you all have far more knowledge than me!!!

I am currently using a EOS 300D which has served me very well indeed for a first toe in the water of digital photography however, I am now finding that it is limiting the quality of images that I can achieve (it is only 6.5MP after all) and am looking to upgrade it at some point in the not too distant future.

My problem is that I have not got a big budget and am therefore looking at purchasing a good secondhand body where I will probably get more for my money. However, there are so many models (current and not current) around that I am finding it very daunting trying to select the correct one for me from them all so am hopeful that some of you may be able to advise me as to what you feel would be best. My criteria is as follows:

Does not have to be a current model
Not worried about having the video option (have a dedicated video camera)
It will be used largely for aviation (air displays etc) and horse show photography as well as general day to day stuff.
The most important part (of course) is that I am looking for something that is going to give me really sharp images.
Looking for body only
Budget maximum £500 (hence why I am happy to purchase secondhand)

As I have always said in all my posts, I know that I am trying to achieve the impossible probably wanting to get good equipment on a very very low budget but I just do not have the available funds at the moment to invest heavily or else I would!!

Any help or guidance that any of you could give me would be very much appreciated indeed as I want to end up with the right thing!

What Lens do you have a upgrade there might be a better spend .

Just because you only have 6.5 MP does not mean and upgrade to higher MP is going to give you sharper images. I started my equine photography with a 30D (I think 8 MP) and sold a lot of photos with it. More MP will help if you make larger prints.

As dpds68 said, let us know what you have now so we can help you. Lenses are going to make a lot bigger impact on image quality than a new body.

Blackjack1 wrote in post #10439288
... however, I am now finding that it is limiting the quality of images that I can achieve...

How so?

Blackjack, are you in general happy with the performance of the 300D? Have you been using it with aviation and horse show photography and it's meeting your needs? Or is there something about its performance besides the lesser resolution that you are not happy with?

I'm asking because there are performance-related things that could benefit you by moving to one of the xxD models such as the 40D, but if you are in all happy with the 300D a "sideways" move to a newer xxxD model could get you better resolution/IQ at a lower price.

Lenses is another consideration because a lens contributes a lot to things like autofocus performance and the ability to get a wide aperture with good quality that will help with capturing active subjects like you mention. So when matonanjin suggested you also look at lenses, that was not a useless suggestion.

When you handle your 300D, would you be more comfortable if the body was larger or smaller. I agree with your assessment, the 300D is getting a bit old and there have been many advancements in camera technology since the 300.

If you're looking for something a bit larger , the xxD series is a natural upgrade path. It's a little bigger and heavier, faster, more features, and faster. THe 40D and 50D used fit your price point well.

If you're looking for something a bit smaller and lighter, the xxxD series would fit nicely. They are nearly as feature rich as their bigger brothers but with slightly downrated performance and lacking in a few features. The XTi, XSi T1i fall within your price range.

Hi there, I find my 300D very comfortable to use - I have no issues there whatsoever. It is purely the image quality that I would like to have sharper, all other aspects of the camera I am very happy with.

I am currently using either a Canon 55-200 USM or Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro so am very happy to take advice on the body / lens upgrade issue. Basically, am happy for ANY advice!!

Thank you one and all for your help, it IS appreciated

Given that, I definitely suggest that you consider better lenses before changing your body. They are what provide sharpness, bodies can only provide resolution. Go the wrong way and you'll get better and better resolved fuzzy images!

No more help or suggestions anyone???

I am sorry if my questions are very amateurish, I think maybe I need to have a bigger budget and a lot more experience for here.

New suggestion:
Make a post in the lens forum seeking advice on how best to apply your budget to improve image quality. Be sure to specify what your subject and shooting conditions tend to be.

Right off the bat, I can say that I don't see a place for the 55-200 as it is not a particularly good lens, and overlaps almost completely the much better Sigma.

Xarqi, the 55-200 came first and the Sigma has been a very recent addition to my bag

I will make another post re lenses and see where we go from there.

Many thanks

Just remember to specify your budget, your current camera and lenses, your photographic style, and what you hope to achieve, and the POTNers will flood in.

See you there.

instead of a camera, sell the 55-200 and 70-300 and get a 70-200 F4 non is L

1D MarkII or a 40D or 30D. Good luck

The good thing about buying used is that just about every current xxD or xxxD camera can be had for your current budget. I just bought a used 50D for $700 (£465).

The only decision you really need to make is whether to stay with the xxxD line or switch to the xxD line of cameras.

I went from the 300D to the 20D to the 50D. The 20D can be found for around £230. Benefits of the 20D over the 300D include more rugged body, rear control dial, faster start up time, faster focus, faster frame rate, and larger buffer. It is also an 8mp camera and can easily create prints up to 16x24 (that's the biggest I have done).

The 300D is capable of producing very nice pictures, so most of the benefits you get from an upgrade will be in usability more than image quality.