First DSLR - 30D or 400D

[nigelc]

Finally decided to jump into this expensive hobby after procrastinating for more than 1year.. have been fidgeting with the manual setting on my P&S canon all these while

Was quite certain that I would want to get the 30D until I found some time to read up on the 400D. It seems that the 400D has closed the gap between 350D and 30D... so now... dilemma..

Wat do all the pros here think? Maybe can give a DSLR newbie like me some guidance... TIA

In addition, do you advise getting the kit len? If not, what should I get for a start? I take more landscape than portrait and like to take night shoots as well.

[xunjas]

i would upgrade from 400D in future.. it has no spot metering plus it has smaller built compared to 30D..

30D would not need upgrade so soon.. a better choice would be a 30D if u think u would upgrade from 400D.

these are 2 main reasons that attracts me to buy 30D instead of 400D. i m a 400D user for now.. but may upgrade in future... 400D is abit small for my hands.. overall experience is pretty good with my 400D.. I like the 10mp sensor and the 2.5inch LCD. it can support all ef and ef-s lens.

400D body cost about 1150SGD from Cs.com oracle.
30D body cost about 1840SGD plus CF card from Cs.com oracle.

[dan_1337]

the 400D is a fantastic camera. it has most of the features the 30D has and some that the 30D doesn't have.

buy the 30D for better build, bigger body, spot metering. if u don't need those things, the 400D will suit well for many years.

[jeromevo]

Originally Posted by nigelc Finally decided to jump into this expensive hobby after procrastinating for more than 1year.. have been fidgeting with the manual setting on my P&S canon all these while Was quite certain that I would want to get the 30D until I found some time to read up on the 400D. It seems that the 400D has closed the gap between 350D and 30D... so now... dilemma.. Wat do all the pros here think? Maybe can give a DSLR newbie like me some guidance... TIA In addition, do you advise getting the kit len? If not, what should I get for a start? I take more landscape than portrait and like to take night shoots as well.

Get 400D, to me, the two that you are comparing is the same.
I have been using my school 30D, i am too used to its size. If I got to choose 400D or 30D one day, I will definately choose 30D.

Do you shoot Sports or need 5FPS? If yes, then go for 30D.

I reccomand you to just get 400D, cheaper, almost the same as 30D but not totally same.

Canon EOS 400D
Canon BG-E3

Lens:
Canon EFS 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Canon EF 17-40 mm f/4L USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 (for portrait)

[jeromevo]

Originally Posted by xunjas a better choice would be a 30D if u think u would upgrade from 400D.

i 2nd this.. go say for 30D if you have a "always must upgrade" personality

Originally Posted by xunjas 400D is abit small for my hands..

It may be small for you but not him, he has been using point and shoot cameras..

[lsl03]

Got big hand go 30d
Need 5fps go 30d
Need sport metering go 30d
Need to look like pro go 30d
Got extra $ go 30d
Need 1/8000 sec go 30d
Need iso 3200 go 30d
Need kelvin go 30d

else
If above is not important then
Compact and light weight go 400d
Save money to buy lens go 400d
Need 10 mega pig go 400d
400d has better focus accuracy over 350d

else
Save more go 350d

Ask yourself the above and it will be easier for you to decide.

[Isaiahfortythirtyone]

i have the 400D. perfectly happy wiht it. i have large hands but the size is quite decent for me. i use the BGe3 grip of course

[lsl03]

I have chosen 400d over 30d because
400d + tamron 17-50 2.8 = 30d body

[mtunlinn]

Originally Posted by lsl03 I have chosen 400d over 30d because 400d + tamron 17-50 2.8 = 30d body

good idea if your budget is below 2k.

[Adelfin]

I think many have said most of what can be said..

bottom line. Go and try them out. handling is quite different for both cameras, mainly from the lack of the rear dial in 400D.. size does matter, and u may find the 400D a little small. So whether u're comfortable with either one would depend on u when you go down to the shops to try them out..

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos30d/

the above links are in-depth reviews on the features and performance of both cameras. but they are just reviews. ultimately u need to physically try them before u can make a choice.. a good place would be the canon centre at vivocity.. they have test sets there for u to play around with... i suggest u read through and compare the reviews, take note which is suited for u based on the features and performance, then try them out to compare their handling. u should have a choice by then...

[cullenjeremy]

i had that dilemma too. 400D or 30D. i settled for 2nd hand 30D. at pretty good price. i tried my friend 400D before. Its too small for my hands. Spot metering is really helpful with tricky light situations. =)

[Venom81]

Wats yr budget?
For me, I'll get 400D.

[Frijj]

Originally Posted by lsl03 Got big hand go 30d Need 5fps go 30d Need sport metering go 30d Need to look like pro go 30d Got extra $ go 30d Need 1/8000 sec go 30d Need iso 3200 go 30d Need kelvin go 30d else If above is not important then Compact and light weight go 400d Save money to buy lens go 400d Need 10 mega pig go 400d 400d has better focus accuracy over 350d else Save more go 350d Ask yourself the above and it will be easier for you to decide.

Excellent reply lsl03! You forgot the dust cleaner in the 400d and the rear dial for the 30D.

Of course, the TS would probably go 'What is spot metering?', 'What is Kelvin?' and will also not really appreciate the rear dial and camera size until he tries both out for himself.

The best is to go to a shop (like CP) -better if you have a friend who is quite experienced using Canon DSLRs - try both bodies out. Find out which one you like best then decide from there.

With the price difference between the 2 bodies, I'd be more inclined towards the 400d body + the tamron 17-50 f/2.8.

Oh yah.... 10MP is NOT better than 8.2MP. Just incase the TS has the misconception.

[nigelc]

Thank you guys!

Your views and comments have been very valuable!

Btw, I am also using a Pentax SLR in addition to my P&S canon. But am using the SLR mainly for B&W when travelling nowadays.

I have tried the 30D before and it fits quite nicely but hv not found time to give the 400D a good. I am comfortable with a budget of $3k.

A few of you also mentioned Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. Is this a good len to start with as well?

[Gunbucker]

Originally Posted by nigelc Thank you guys! Your views and comments have been very valuable! Btw, I am also using a Pentax SLR in addition to my P&S canon. But am using the SLR mainly for B&W when travelling nowadays. I have tried the 30D before and it fits quite nicely but hv not found time to give the 400D a good. I am comfortable with a budget of $3k. A few of you also mentioned Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. Is this a good len to start with as well?

Film SLR user? Mostly shoot in manual exposure mode? Get the 30D!

[xunjas]

Originally Posted by Isaiahfortythirtyone i have the 400D. perfectly happy wiht it. i have large hands but the size is quite decent for me. i use the BGe3 grip of course

tt's option for 400D users with mega hands.. hehe..

[xunjas]

Originally Posted by nigelc Thank you guys! Your views and comments have been very valuable! Btw, I am also using a Pentax SLR in addition to my P&S canon. But am using the SLR mainly for B&W when travelling nowadays. I have tried the 30D before and it fits quite nicely but hv not found time to give the 400D a good. I am comfortable with a budget of $3k. A few of you also mentioned Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. Is this a good len to start with as well?

3K is ample for a 400D body @ 1150SGD, a 17-55mm @ 1400SGD, plus a 430ex @ < 500SGD.. a gd combo for u to begin with..

[xunjas]

Originally Posted by mtunlinn good idea if your budget is below 2k.

i 2nd that.

[xunjas]

Originally Posted by nigelc Thank you guys! Your views and comments have been very valuable! Btw, I am also using a Pentax SLR in addition to my P&S canon. But am using the SLR mainly for B&W when travelling nowadays. I have tried the 30D before and it fits quite nicely but hv not found time to give the 400D a good. I am comfortable with a budget of $3k. A few of you also mentioned Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. Is this a good len to start with as well?

considered the lens value for money and it has gd image quality.. but if u have a 3K budget, get the 17-55mm f/2.8, better image quality, good built also.. now the price has dropped alot also..

[jimbok]

Upgrade is never-ending, just get a 400D as you mentioned your quite new to DSLR. Save up more and you can get "L" lens, works great on any body.