Canon EOS350D or Canon 400D

[kruder]

Hi

I have been a silent reader following various threads in this forum. I must admit there are certainly a number of knowledgble and photographers around. I am currently looking to buy my first SLR and I have came to a decision to get either the Canon 350D or the 400D. However, I have not decided which camera to buy. I went to a few reputable shops and received a few quotes. Thought it would be good to share it with you guys and hopefully and help to make my decision making easier.

Price I got from Cathay Photo today:
Canon 350D - $1260 (cash) with one CP printer bundled
Canon 400D (Pre-order: arriving after Sep 10) - $1575 with 1GB CF card and a Canon bag.

Hence, my question, is it worth paying the extra $315 for the features in 400D? or should I stick to the 350D which will cost me cheaper and maybe use the extra dollar to purchase a lens and other accessories such as a dry box, additional CF card etc etc.

I am definately getting it by the end of this month and the sales guy @ Cathay said that they are taking advance order on the camera. I was very tempted to go for it but I thought it would be good to see what kind of advice I can get from this forum.

Would appreciate if you guys could offer your take on the above camera.

[yehosaphat]

Personally, my comment is to go for 350D or if not the 30D. I dun feel the 400D feature difference (anti dust, 2 more AF, larger LCD) justifies for the price difference.

My 2 cents

[Halfmoon]

If you can, try to wait for more reviews from those who bought the 400D... but I understand you have to get it by a certain date.

Personally, if you are buying the same level of DSLR, 350D and 400D, I think getting the 400D should be more ideal, as new functions, dust senor protection, and more MP plus newer technology and should be able to be last you longer before you decide to upgrade. For electronics, I always feel should go for the latest.

But if you going for 400D and 30D, I would suggest wait for 30D replacement, unless you cannot wait.

Just my personal suggestion....

[panzerpunk]

Originally Posted by Halfmoon If you can, try to wait for more reviews from those who bought the 400D... but I understand you have to get it by a certain date. Personally, if you are buying the same level of DSLR, 350D and 400D, I think getting the 400D should be more ideal, as new functions, dust senor protection, and more MP plus newer technology and should be able to be last you longer before you decide to upgrade. For electronics, I always feel should go for the latest. But if you going for 400D and 30D, I would suggest wait for 30D replacement, unless you cannot wait. Just my personal suggestion....

Fully agreed. When 40D is coming, will wait a while, sell off my 30D and BBB!

[unseen]

Originally Posted by kruder Hence, my question, is it worth paying the extra $315 for the features in 400D? or should I stick to the 350D which will cost me cheaper and maybe use the extra dollar to purchase a lens and other accessories such as a dry box, additional CF card etc etc.

No it is not worth the $300. The features will NOT allow you to take better photos.
Buying a $350 sigma flash will give you more than enough room to improve your photography.
Buying a $100 digital dry cabinet will save you money.. you won't kena fungus that easily.
Buying a $100 2gb CF card will allow you to take alot more photos, and learn faster rather than taking a few photos, conserving space etc.
Buying a $150 harddisk would help you keep your photos. You'll see your harddisk space disappear VERY fast.

Imagine if you spent your extra $300 on features which doesn't matter.
1) you may not have enough $$ to buy flash, you will be severely limited in your photography.
2) no dry cabinet/box? later ur lens grow fungus...
3) not enough CF card? cannot take many photos. so each outing, you'd be severely limited..
4) not enough hdd space to store your photos? boy.. what are you going to do? delete old photos?
5) your PC not powerful enough to process 10mp photos.. boy you're in for trouble.. that's a $500 upgrade in PC that's waiting for you.. Either that or be prepared to spend alot of time on each photo..

[wanzw]

IMO the only plus point for the 400D is the 9 point AF. i am not fascinated by the dust cleaning and 10mp.

spend the extra moolah to get CF cards and a dry cabi.

then invest on lens. get a 50mm prime first! then buy a flash. sigma is gd.

[Stoned]

If you're buying new, 400d.

If 2nd hand, 350d. Doubt there's any 2nd hand 400d at the moment anyhow.

[hong]

wait for 400D prices to drop, RRP in other counteries translate to SIN dollar is about SIN1300 only

[Photonuts]

Kruder. I have the same problems when I was making my purchase of my first slr. Based on features I eventualy went for the 350D and no regrets not choosing the 400d. Price diff amount can buy more other better options accessories which I did.

350D w lens kit x 1 (bought 1 week ago)
Normal Tripod x 1
Sandisk 1gb CF Ultra II
UV protector x 1
Lowepro Rezo AW170 Bag x 1
Canon Selphy 510 Printer x 1 (FOC; worth $169)
Blower x 1

Total Spent: $1,360

Hope this give u some idea.

[kruder]

Originally Posted by Photonuts Kruder. I have the same problems when I was making my purchase of my first slr. Based on features I eventualy went for the 350D and no regrets not choosing the 400d. Price diff amount can buy more other better options accessories which I did. 350D w lens kit x 1 (bought 1 week ago) Normal Tripod x 1 Sandisk 1gb CF Ultra II UV protector x 1 Lowepro Rezo AW170 Bag x 1 Canon Selphy 510 Printer x 1 (FOC; worth $169) Blower x 1 Total Spent: $1,360 Hope this give u some idea.

seems like you got yourself a pretty good deal eh!!! Hmm.. this is certainly not an easy choice to make.

[wanzw]

you should get a dry cabi too. 40L digi cabi cost 99 dollars. it is worth the investment.

[deTour]

Go for 350D. I bought my 350D when it was just launched... and that cost me about $1.7K without all the freebies. The current price is already in the saturation mode (i.e. unlikely to drop much further). But for 400D it will probably go thru' the same cycle maybe $1.2K by end of next year.

As for the extra $$, beside the above items, can also consider to buy LCD protector, circular polarizer, ND Grad Filter, Shutter realease cable or even extra batteries.

[jsbn]

Ask urself, can u live without certain features.

Will those features seriously affect the composition of ur future photos?

If ur answer is 'Yes', go ahead. 400D.
If ur answer is 'No', go ahead. 350D.

Both are equally capable cameras. The rest depends on ur deep ur wallet is and ur skill.

[flightspeed]

Originally Posted by wanzw you should get a dry cabi too. 40L digi cabi cost 99 dollars. it is worth the investment.

$99 can buy a 40L dry cabinet? Where pls ??? i m lookin for one n i tot a dry cabinet would cost at least $150 n above

[wanzw]

digi cabi. i think alan photo funan and john 3.16 selling.

[Photonuts]

I think suntec carrefour inside sells also..got different size...but not sure quality good anot. i guess should be reasonable.

$99 last seen a week ago. should be still available

[deTour]

MS Color also selling for $99. I manage to bargin until $95 as I also bought a UV filter at the same time.

[Stoned]

Originally Posted by Photonuts I think suntec carrefour inside sells also..got different size...but not sure quality good anot. i guess should be reasonable. $99 last seen a week ago. should be still available

Works well. Don't worry. I've been using the 80L version for some time now without problems.

[nicekit]

well i can see why i will decide 400D over 350D even it is much more expensive... cuz


when i touch the 350D.. it feels very cheap and like badly made plastic....
when i touch the 400D.. it feels better and have a better solid built than 350D...

need to touch the nikon D80 b4 i can make decision

[Ris Goh]

Originally Posted by nicekit need to touch the nikon D80 b4 i can make decision

... touch the D80 and you'll regret touching it!!! cos its soooo nice to hold and look through the viewfinder