mpenza said:
but features wise, D70 is a better body (eg in terms of flash sync/write speeds/buffering/fast startup) compared to 300D and even the higher end D100. However, D70 does have some quirks, e.g. lack of vertical grip, no support for wired release (both available for D100 and 300D), slightly slower AF with kit lens vs 300D, etc. Image quality wise, both are more than good enough for general usage.
The higher flash sync speed of the D70 is irrelevant. I might point out that the minimum ISO on the D70 is ISO200. It's max flash sync is 1/500s. The minimum ISO on the 300D is ISO100. It's max flash sync is 1/250s. There is therefore no advantage for the D70's higher flash sync speed.
For those who don't follow my argument, read on. Imagine a situation (say, bright sunlight) where you need to fill flash. You have closed down the aperture as far as it will go (F/22) to try to get shutter speed slow enough to flash sync. With a 300D, you can go as low as ISO100, allowing you to shoot at 1/250. With a D70, the minimum ISO is ISO200, meaning that you will have to shoot at 1/500
under the same lighting conditions.
The 300D has a further advantage: FP flash mode. Just flick the switch on your flashgun to FP mode, and shoot at shutter speeds up to 1/8000s.
The D70's real advantages are:
1. It is faster. Faster startup, faster shot to shot speed, better buffering.
2. Better metering and better white balance.
3. Better ergonomics (although you could argue this point). I like the D70's front and rear dial. I prefer the image playback functions on the 300D.
4. D70 has an intangible "feelgood" factor. It feels more expensive than the 300D. (Doesn't mean it's built better though).
Why do people sell their 300D's? Because Canon's upgrade path is clearer. 10D is definitely a better camera than the 300D. 1DMk2 is better again. If you own a D70, and you want to upgrade and stay within the system, you are looking at the D2h!