Dilemma: 300D or D60

[nochickenstrip]

Hi All.
I'm new to the forum. I have checked back through threads to see if this subject has been discussed but cant find anything.

I have owned a EOS 300D for the past 12 months, it's a great camera, I take a lot of general photo's and have done a few weddings. I am going to purchase a 1DMKII or 1Ds later in the year but recently aquired a EOS D60.

I have only used the D60 for a day up to now and I think it feels like a better camera (build quality & general handling) than the 300D, the images I think are a bit 'rougher' but I quite like them. I am aware the D60 is 12 months older technology than the 300D.

Which camera should I keep in the short term?

The 300D
or
The D60?

The D60 has a battery grip too which is nice.
I use 17-35 L f/2.8, 70-200 L f/4, 50mm f/1.8 and 28-135 IS lenses.

Thanks for you help in advance. Nochickenstrip

[nightwolf75]

hello there! welcome to CS! all the way from UK too!

from ur description, u sound like a semi-pro. here's my take:

300D:
a) its newer than the D60. the Digic sensor has better noise control over the D60 (as u have already found out),
b) much lighter body
c) able to use the new EF-s lenses
d) faster AF than D60

D60:
a) able to set Custom Functions, which is 'disabled' on the 300D. u need to use the russian hack to 'unlock' the features.
b) better metering controls than 300D. 300D has only center-weighted metering.
c) more AF controls. D60 allows u to set the AF controls manual, 300D is dependent on the exposure mode.
d) slightly faster fps (300D - 2.5 fps up to 4 frames, vs D60 - 3fps)
e) more WB controls.
f) body is more rigid than 300D

u can read more at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneosd60/ (for D60) and http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos300d/ (for 300D)

personally, i would keep the 300D simply becos it has faster AF and newer tech. then again, many CSers will me becos D60 is more 'pro' looking and has better controls over the D60, despite the slower AF and slightly worse-off noise controls.

[Wai]

I will sell off both to get 20D if I were you

[denniskee]

IMO, since you do shoot event, which may be low light condition, keep the 300D, hack the software and it suddenly becomes 10D (less the rigidness of the body).

Just look @ the recent reviews on the problem 20D face (worst being the sudden shuting down). Ask youself, can you afford to have that half way through the event you are covering? Do you have a back up body (assume to be film. Since you would have trade both the 300D & D60 for 20D).

[user111]

d6o not worth.

your best bet is 10d

[studiolabmaster]

go for a 10d than.about the same price for a second hand,$1500+-
d60 quit a let down in low light.300d is too plastic

[nad]

if must keep one, i will keep the D60. it is much better built has a better mirror & viewfinder and imo, has better image quality at lower iso as 300D images while more noise free, are just too plasticky and lose details to me.

this is all IMO only.

[mpenza]

Originally Posted by Wai I will sell off both to get 20D if I were you

good idea. the speedups in the 20D are really useful.

alternatively, to save some money, sell off the D60 and 300D to get the 10D.

[nochickenstrip]

Hello again.

Thank you for your help guys.

I had an opportunity yesterday to purchase a 1D-MKII , it was a good price so I got it! thats my problem solved, just need to sell the 300D & D60 now!

I got a great deal:

1DmkII (7500 actuations)
17-40 L f/4
70-200 IS L
1Gb 40x Lexar
Manfrotto Tripod
550 Ex Flash

all for £3600 Pounds (I suppose about $6900 USD)

anyway I'm going to have a play with my new kit!

Thanks again for your help.

[billpepsi]

Originally Posted by studiolabmaster go for a 10d than.about the same price for a second hand,$1500+- d60 quit a let down in low light.300d is too plastic

Both 300D and D60 have a AF working range of EV 0.5-18.
How can we tell from the spec that D60 is poor in low light condition? or am I looking at the wrong info?

[Belle&Sebastain]

Originally Posted by jeffhiew Both 300D and D60 have a AF working range of EV 0.5-18. How can we tell from the spec that D60 is poor in low light condition? or am I looking at the wrong info?

you can't its thou user experience that you find out D60's poor low light performance.

[nad]

Originally Posted by nochickenstrip Hello again. Thank you for your help guys. I had an opportunity yesterday to purchase a 1D-MKII , it was a good price so I got it! thats my problem solved, just need to sell the 300D & D60 now! I got a great deal: 1DmkII (7500 actuations) 17-40 L f/4 70-200 IS L 1Gb 40x Lexar Manfrotto Tripod 550 Ex Flash all for £3600 Pounds (I suppose about $6900 USD) anyway I'm going to have a play with my new kit! Thanks again for your help.

that's a setup you have got there! and what a great price! way better and higher end than the alternatives discussed here.