20D still worth buying?

[Voyage]

Is the 20D still a good buy? cause Canon DSLR life span is only 1-1.5 years if I'm not wrong.

Or wait(again) for new 20D replacement or 20D update like new 2.5'' LCD etc.?

newbeee need oldeee adviceee!

[TMC]

The 20D is a very capable camera until you find that it cannot handle your needs or Canon stops servicing it.

[joeyao]

Originally Posted by Voyage Is the 20D still a good buy? cause Canon DSLR life span is only 1-1.5 years if I'm not wrong. Or wait(again) for new 20D replacement or 20D update like new 2.5'' LCD etc.? newbeee need oldeee adviceee!

Just buy. If you want to wait for a new model to come out you will not buy anything because there will always be new models coming out to tickle you to upgrade. I own a 20D and it is an excellent camera

[cosycatus]

why not?
if its any comparison, look at the specs of the 5D, its basically identical to the 20d excpet for the full frame sensor. Meaning, 20d might have gotten some basics right for them to use those specs.
Anyway, its a capable cam...and prices should be very sweet now.

[jeff49er]

20D is a good camera to get. Qn is are u good enough to handle the 20D?

The qn is blunt I noe. There be lots of functions in the 20D u prb wont use. Ever thought of 350d?

[shinken]

This post came earlier than I would have liked... sigh...
2 perspective - one is embedded in your post: Canon DSLR life span is only 1-1.5 years which is quite true (the obsolescence nature of canon dslr) in terms of technology. If you wanna adopt this perspective, don't buy. Get the 'latest' cam which is just waiting to be shipped.

2nd perspective - in terms of camera capability, i think it's one heck of a steal right now! 10D is asking for 1.2k, and the cheapest yet on BnS for 20D is 1850! How much value is that? I even thought of getting another 20D as a spare, if not for the fact that the evil voice in my head tells me I've perspective number 1 as well. Anything around the same price range (BnS) would not get you a similar level of capability.

[Russ]

You can bet your last dollar that with 6-12 months, or even sooner, there will be a 20D replacement. Does that mean you do not buy it?? Esp 2nd hand? NO.

Actually, when the 20D came out, one of the good buys was a 10D at 1500. Now used 20D prices have dropped below 2k. 300D prices dropped by about 20% to about 1+K when 350D came out. Now 300Ds go for a bargain $800-900. Heck, 300D still takes fantastic photos with the right lens - not much more than similar spec film bodies before the digital era. 10Ds go for below 1500.

So, the trick is to buy just superseded models at bargain prices.

If you need one, just buy it.

[Belle&Sebastain]

Originally Posted by Russ You can bet your last dollar that with 6-12 months, or even sooner, there will be a 20D replacement. Does that mean you do not buy it?? Esp 2nd hand? NO. Actually, when the 20D came out, one of the good buys was a 10D at 1500. Now used 20D prices have dropped below 2k. 300D prices dropped by about 20% to about 1+K when 350D came out. Now 300Ds go for a bargain $800-900. Heck, 300D still takes fantastic photos with the right lens - not much more than similar spec film bodies before the digital era. 10Ds go for below 1500. So, the trick is to buy just superseded models at bargain prices. If you need one, just buy it.

Yes 10D is more of a heck of a bargain now compare to 20D, if you want a 20D, wait for its replacement if you are concern about prices. If its features, its a very capable camera and may outlast your photographic interest. Even 10D is a great camera.

[Zack]

I'm waiting for 5D to reach Singapore's shores... and hopefully that will push the price of 20D to an all time low. Then it will be the time for me to get 20D

[Ivan11]

I upgraded from 300d to a 20d, till now i must say the 20d is a very good camera which is able to perform and give me what i want. As the specs of the 20d and the newly launched 5d are close, I have cast aside the idea of upgrading to a 5d. The only goal I have now till date is still upgrading to a 1dmkII one day

[tanjk]

I'll be very honest here. When a camera is EOL-ed by the manufacturer, does that means it will stop taking pictures? The answer is obviously 'NO'. To me, a camera is 'obsolete' ONLY when you have out-grown it, ie when you realized that you, as a photographer, is constrained by the camera. In this case, whether it is EOL-ed or not by the manufacturer, it is 'obsolete', because it can no longer provide you the means. I admit I have almost fallen for the 'gear upgrade' bug many many times but I managed to still stick with the 300D mainly because my skillset is more than adequately served by it.

The 20D is a nice camera. I do wish to own one but can't justify buying one because the 300D is not 'obsolete' yet in my definition. If you like the 20D, buy it and enjoy taking pictures and worry less about being 'obsolete' and 're-sale'. As others have pointed out, such products are being replaced every 1 - 1.5 years and if you're being held down by 'obsolescence' and 're-sale value', then I'm sure you'll end up with nothing because the next latest and baddest camera is always around the corner. It is an endless waiting game.

Regards,
JK

[user111]

canon cameras can be taken as obsolete once the technical support completely run out of spare parts to service it. eg EOS 630.

so the 20d is not obsolete yet

but for the price of a EOS 20d with grip..i recommend why not buy a used EOS1D (4mp)
you get
-a large viewfinder
-less constraint on wideangles and yet enough extra reach for telephotos
-better AF
-better ergomomics, construction, durability, etc
-a very good CCD sensor (accurate colours straight out of the cam)
-ability to load custom curves and fine-tune the exposure
-a slight drop in battery life and more weight but these are not critical
-and a whole lot of inspiration and motivation to take more and better pictures
people who read my post know i am a 1D fan. hehe there are others who can testify to its advantages but its up to you to decide.

[Xing]

I would have gotten a 350D, use the money saved to get a good lens eg. EFS 17-85

350D is also a very capable camera.

[Voyage]

Wow, Thanks Guys from all who had advice here.

Really appreaciate it.

Canon also Canon-user!

[David]

Originally Posted by Zack I'm waiting for 5D to reach Singapore's shores... and hopefully that will push the price of 20D to an all time low. Then it will be the time for me to get 20D

Dun think 20D price will drop bcos of 5D...

5D is not a replacement for 20D. I like to think the 5D is a new level to bridge the 10D, 20D, etc with the 1-series cam. I'm quite sure we can expect a 3D coming in 1-2 yrs' time costing in the region of S$5k if not lower?

My humble prediction in the next 5-10 yrs for Canon DSLR is that the 10D, 20D series will be phased out.

Then we'll see 4 levels: the low S$1k (or maybe even less by then! Wont be surrpised) bodies meant for entry level DSLR (Film equivalent: EOS 1000, 500, etc) The $1k-2k mid level type (EOS 50, 30), the semi pro type, now 5D, next time 3D?? (EOS 5, EOS3) and of cos the highest level 1 series presently 1D MkIIN and 1Ds MkII (EOS 1n, 1v).

[+evenstar]

Originally Posted by Voyage Is the 20D still a good buy? cause Canon DSLR life span is only 1-1.5 years if I'm not wrong.

Neh, no such thing as only 1-1.5 years life span. DSLR can last you more than 5 years if used well. The 1-1.5 years is only said by others cos they wanna buy buy buy...

[haoyang]

The 20d is definitely a good buy now.
I have used for a while. It is a really value for money camera.
In the past 30 and 60d are have CCD color problems
10d have got lag time in start up and user software.
in the 20d, the color management tech have reached its peak, lag time addressed and built with relatively good structure. Its so good that 5d takes after it with improved CCD size and LCD screen. My personal take is that 5D will not replace the 20D, like David, I agree that its an in between.

[syncpuppet]

If my fund only permits me to buy only 20D, I would rather get the 350D + vertical grip + 580EX flash + 50mm f/1.8 lens. Or 350D + a good lens.

350D + a good lens is better than 20D with kit lens.

[mpenza]

The less expensive DSLRs performed pretty well, so a higher speced 20D might not be necessary for generic use. Actually, to me, the most important difference is the faster frame rate of 5fps which is not matched by other non-pro level DSLRs. This however is not really important for most day-to-day shots. If I were to make a choice with Canon now, I would probably go for the 350D.

[Voyage]

Originally Posted by David Dun think 20D price will drop bcos of 5D... 5D is not a replacement for 20D. I like to think the 5D is a new level to bridge the 10D, 20D, etc with the 1-series cam. I'm quite sure we can expect a 3D coming in 1-2 yrs' time costing in the region of S$5k if not lower? My humble prediction in the next 5-10 yrs for Canon DSLR is that the 10D, 20D series will be phased out. Then we'll see 4 levels: the low S$1k (or maybe even less by then! Wont be surrpised) bodies meant for entry level DSLR (Film equivalent: EOS 1000, 500, etc) The $1k-2k mid level type (EOS 50, 30), the semi pro type, now 5D, next time 3D?? (EOS 5, EOS3) and of cos the highest level 1 series presently 1D MkIIN and 1Ds MkII (EOS 1n, 1v).

Think maybe theres a capability for Canon spanning two Line of DSLR

FF Line, Current is 1DsmkII, 3D (maybe), 5D

EFS Line, 20D, 350D, 3000D (maybe)

Don't think EFS gonna say bye bye so soon.