Canon 20D or Canon 30D?

[urbanhype]

Hello there everyone, I have been thinking of getting a Canon DSLR but I'm torn between 2 choice. Hope that someone can provide me some opinion and the best solution to my problem. I'm considering whether to get the Canon 20D or Canon 30D.

If I were to get a Canon 20D, then I can go with a better lens. However, if I get the Canon 30D, I will have to just start with the kit lens and get good lenses later when I have the money. I would wish to grow with my Camera for roughly 3 years unless I have the money to upgrade my system. Which should I go for?

The problem with me is that should I spend $2200 on the Canon 30D or should I go for the cheaper 20D? Hope that someone can provide me some good solution. Thanks alot.

[trlnlty]

do you know the benefits of 1/3 iso stops, spot metering, and a bigger LCD ?

with the $200 you save on a 30D, you will not be able to buy any quality glass.

all those who've bought a 30D say that its definately worth the money that they spent over the 20D.

I personally had a 20D and it was a very fine camera, certainly fine enough for any body starting out in photography.

[kenrai]

Originally Posted by urbanhype Hello there everyone, I have been thinking of getting a Canon DSLR but I'm torn between 2 choice. Hope that someone can provide me some opinion and the best solution to my problem. I'm considering whether to get the Canon 20D or Canon 30D. If I were to get a Canon 20D, then I can go with a better lens. However, if I get the Canon 30D, I will have to just start with the kit lens and get good lenses later when I have the money. I would wish to grow with my Camera for roughly 3 years unless I have the money to upgrade my system. Which should I go for? The problem with me is that should I spend $2200 on the Canon 30D or should I go for the cheaper 20D? Hope that someone can provide me some good solution. Thanks alot.

Read the available reviews in the internet to get better ideas. In general, paying for lenses is better than paying for camera bodies. IMO, a 350D is more than adequate for new enthusiasts. Good luck!

[benedium]

Maybe he will buy 20D 2nd hand then it will be much cheaper and he can spare the money for good lens? If buying 20D no point buying brand new. If buying brand new should just get 30D right? Can centreweighted metering perform almost same as spot metering?

[speedblade]

Seems like 1/3 ISO have some "issues", based on what i read off DPR. Go check it out.

[grantyale]

Looks like coarse analogue amplification and fine digital compression... Metering at ISO 320, amplifying as ISO 400 and digitizing the resulting signal will cause a highlight clipping of 1/3 stop as a result of ADC saturation. The compression then compromises the precision and would leave the top 1/3 stop empty...(sounds pretty pointless doesn't it?)

[speedblade]

i'm not sure "if" it is true at this moment, see if Canon will divulge more?
Hmmm .... really wondering about the 1 series.

However, the OP may not be too concerned about this though......

For me, if it's a choice of 20D + L lens OR 30D + 18-55 (for example .....), give me the 20D.

[m-zai]

Comparing 20D & 30D, there are only slight differences in their technical specs offered. I feel that 20D is a great cam for someone who uses DSLR for the 1st time. Its technical specs and functions are enough for the learning curve and self-exploration in different aspects of photography. Personally, I also started with a 300D but changed to a 20D few months ago and have never looked back since then.

If budget is a problem, get a 2nd hand 20D budy, get the lens you need and keep on shooting...

[urbanhype]

Hello there, thank you so much for all your advice. I guess i will think about it seriously on which camera should I be getting. if you have more suggestion, do drop me a line. As I have until 19th of May to think about it.

[jdredd]

to me, i was looking at both. in the end, settled for the 30D. i dont use the 1/3 stops or the picture styles.. but what i do like about the 30D is the much larger LCD as it makes it much easier in my view to go through and discard photos on the go..

in any event, the difference between the 2 (assuming both new) to me wasnt really that significant... maybe $300.

so to me, the fact its a newer model (hence slightly better resale down the line, plus the bigger LCD, spot metering etc) made it quite a worthwhile buy.

also, one thing to consider, is get the 30D, without the kit lens and then pick one up second hand... that will save you around $70 dollars.

[mpenza]

Originally Posted by urbanhype I would wish to grow with my Camera for roughly 3 years unless I have the money to upgrade my system. Which should I go for?

Using 20D now and I believe I can use it forever without the need to upgrade This wasn't the case though with an earlier camera, 300D, which I know I would grow out of (mainly the limited buffer and slow handling).

That said, if I had no DSLR and were to choose now, I would probably just go with the 30D. The differences are quite small (significant ones for me would be spot metering and larger LCD. 1/3 increments in ISO isn't that big a deal for me) but at least, I won't always be thinking whether I made the right decision or not

[imaginary_number]

Originally Posted by mpenza Using 20D now and I believe I can use it forever without the need to upgrade ...

I second that.

In any case, you'll get better quality (technical) pictures using a 20D with good lenses than a 30D with mediocore lenses. Using the same lenses, the differences in image quality between the 20D and 30D would not be easily discernable too.

So it boils down to whether u need the additional features like spot metering in the 30D - which ppl (D60/10D/20D users) have been living without and produced great shots all the same.

A used 20D is also quite cheap (ard $1400~$1500?) these days, so that's an important factor to consider if $$$ is one of your top priorities.

[Iceman27]

Hi all,

I'm also in this current dilemma... so i read with great interest. What's the cost of a 30D + batt grip?

Thanks in advance!

[funtasy]

Originally Posted by Iceman27 Hi all, I'm also in this current dilemma... so i read with great interest. What's the cost of a 30D + batt grip? Thanks in advance!

30D body $2205
Grip $255

[user111]

Originally Posted by mpenza Using 20D now and I believe I can use it forever without the need to upgrade This wasn't the case though with an earlier camera, 300D, which I know I would grow out of (mainly the limited buffer and slow handling).

agree with the white tiger

go buy a used 20d. its arguably the best bet for your money

[urbanhype]

Well, after some thinking, I guess 30D is a better choice if compared to the 20D since it's the upgraded version. Anyway, I wonder what sort of lens should I take with the 30D? the 17-55 IS lens seems expensive. Im interested in taking architecture, landscape, macro, usual photos like parties and etc, moonshots and street photography mainly. What sort of lens should I start with first? Any good walkaround lens?

[user111]

brother if u buy a used 20d over a new 30d then the savings of roughly $500 can go into buying of an EF 17-40mm f4 USM L lens (costs roughly $1000 used) which will suit your wideangle needs

dont forget u will very likely also need a telephoto lens as well

pls think carefully before spending the money..my advise is to allocate the budget for the entire camera SYSTEM and not just the camere BODY alone

goodluck have fun

[user111]

let me give u an illustration

for myself i am using EOS 20d with efs 18-55 and EF 70-200/2.8L

i shoot more telephoto than wide angle so all i need is a cheap and simple efs 18-55 which i got it for only $50. and so the remainder of the money went into buying the
EF 70-200/2.8L which i bought for $1500 2 years ago

all my items i bought second hand - saves me quite alot of money already

[urbanhype]

yea, i'm thinking of the entire system. But of course I won't get all of them all in one go... although I wish to.

anyway, I guess I should get the body and explore with one lens or so first. so which lens will you guys suggest i start with first?

wee.... it's so much fun...

[Garion]

Originally Posted by urbanhype yea, i'm thinking of the entire system. But of course I won't get all of them all in one go... although I wish to. anyway, I guess I should get the body and explore with one lens or so first. so which lens will you guys suggest i start with first?

Depends on what you like to shoot. My advice is get the kit lens ef-s 18-55mm first.Can be obtained cheaply 2nd hand. Play around with it first and if you need longer focal length, den buy a telephoto zoom lens or something.

Quote: wee.... it's so much fun...

Sure, when first starting out its fun. But at the end of the month you look at your bank account and .... This is especially so if you kena the 'L' fever!