Decisions... Rebel, 20D, 30D???

By Icemarine written 2/26/06 11:13 AM, published 2/26/06 11:13 AM

In the next few months, I'm going to expand out of my "Postcard" camera (Canon A70 Powershot) and into one of the EOS line...

However...

Still being a novice, I don't understand the subtle differences between the Rebel, 20D and 30D. Obviously, the 30D (being the newest) is the sweetest, but would it be in my best interest to start with a Rebel, learn on a "real" camera, then graduate to a 30D in a few years?

With the release of the 30D, it looks like Rebel prices have dropped several hundred $$, which, unfortunately, makes a difference to my budget... =(

Thoughts or comments? Lens and flash questions will be next week... =)

other Articles stories Digg Delicious Stumbleupon

lilbit
•4
2/26/06 11:25 AM

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-7891-8214 This is an article I posted on the 30D, it may answer some of your questions. As far as comparing the 30D to a Rebel XT 350D try this... http://dcresource.com/reviews/compare.php This is a side by side comparison of the 20D,30D and 350D. Hope it helps you. (use Ctrl shift when you click the 3 of them)

Please sign in to rate.
surferguy
•7
2/26/06 11:35 AM

Go with the best.... in a couple of years the 30D will be obsolete... there is no comparison between the two... I use the 20D my next move will be to the top of the line... of the period... go with the 30D...

- Growing Up is Optional...

Please sign in to rate.
lilbit
•4
2/26/06 11:41 AM

sg when you move up can I have your 20D?...;0) LOL I agree with buying the best instead of upgrading later, I've upgraded 3 times in the last 16 months, I should have just gotten what I wanted to begin with.

Please sign in to rate.
kwsNI
•3
2/26/06 11:43 AM

That's ridiculous, in my opinion, Kerry. Cameras do not become obsolete very fast. It's not like a computer where you can no longer run a new program on it in 2 years time. 20 years from now, a 20D will still take the same quality pictures that it takes today. There may newer, higher quality, faster cameras out then, but you can be sure that if the 20D can print 8x10s with great quality today, it'll still be able to do it in 20 years. Go with the features that meet your needs and budget and understand that there will always be newer and better, but whatever you buy today will still be doing it long down the road.

- Contumelious

Please sign in to rate.
lilbit
•4
2/26/06 11:45 AM

Just buy quality, quality will last no matter what it is.

Please sign in to rate.
OldRetiredGuy
2/26/06 12:27 PM

Icemarine, Let me share with you some personal observations about Canon equipment. First I am a Canon owner by choice, for many, many years. I curently own a 10D, 20D and recently bought a new 5D. Each successive model introduction brought with it not only justified refinements, and capabilities but also requiire "you" the owner to go through yet another "learning curve". Just as in computers, the Golden Rule for cameras would seem to be..."Buy the best you can afford". Always in the back of your mind consider; will my existing lens adapt to the newer model? Will my photoflash adapt to the newer model? As an old film camera person, I find this digital era an exciting time, and one of utmost opportunity for one to so easily and readily express themselves through and with their camera. Do your homework...research reviews, talk to people like this wonderful site provides, dream a little then buy that "perfect" camera, and last but most importantly....USE the new camera!! Best of luck ORG

Please sign in to rate.
AnyMoose Hero
•3
2/26/06 12:30 PM

I am all about buying Quality too. And My budget can afford it but not everyone can so you need to set a budget and then decide how best to fulfill your needs. One of the ways you may want to stretch your Budget if you want a DSLR type Camera is to not Concentrate so much on the Camera , but the lenses. I would Rather have a Rebel with a Great lens, Then a 30D with a Bad lens. Plus the great thing is. Any lens you get for the Rebel will be able to used on a 20d 30d or 40d in the future. ( However some may not be usable in a 5d or 1d if you ever where to advance that far. So check your budget first and then maximize around that.

- Still a Moose

Please sign in to rate.
lilbit
•4
2/26/06 1:08 PM

I agree the lens has SO much to do with it and I'm finding that out now.

Please sign in to rate.
Pablo57
•6
2/26/06 3:20 PM

I am also thinking of buying my first really good digital SLR and having a Canon Rebel G film camera, I'm leaning toward Canon. Lenses as AnyMooseHero and lilbit are extremely important. The sites lilbit has pointers to are fantastic. I will probably purchase a Rebel with a couple of great lenses for the same price as a 20D. Just my opinion.

Please sign in to rate.
AnyMoose Hero
•3
2/26/06 5:01 PM

And Pablo remember your lenses from you Rebel Film Camera will fit your Digital Canon SLR. Just bear in mind that they will look a little different looking through the digital since there is a 1.6X conversion Factor from 35MM Full frame to a 2/3 sensor in the Digital.

- Still a Moose

Please sign in to rate.
ClassyShots
•5
2/26/06 8:14 PM

Another thing to think about... how many frames a year do you plan on shooting. I believe the Rebel and 20D are rated at 50,000 clicks on the shutter. They have boosted the 30D to twice that. IMHO... buy the best you can afford and stay away from the EFS lenses. They will only work on the small sensor cameras. If you go full frame later they won't work on it.

- Oh Bull!

Please sign in to rate.
codepoit
•5
2/27/06 8:22 AM

Actually, the Rebel and Rebel XT are rated at 50K and the 20D and 30D are both rated at 100K shutter clicks on average.

- I'm Special!

Please sign in to rate.
lilbit
•4
2/27/06 3:41 PM

I'm in trouble then because in 2 1/2 months I've put almost 13,000 shutter clicks on my camera...LOL

Please sign in to rate.
ClassyShots
•5
2/27/06 10:09 PM

At the rate you are going you will wear it while it's still under warranty!! New free shutter. Hard to beat.

- Oh Bull!

Please sign in to rate.
AnyMoose Hero
•3
2/28/06 9:22 AM

Lil, did you just put it on Burst Mode and hold down your finger since December? LOL Looks Like you will need a Pro 1d soon.

- Still a Moose

Please sign in to rate.
TURBO
•7
2/28/06 12:08 PM

So what happens when these cameras reach their rated click amounts? Does it start to not work properly ?

- Hmm...Blonde or Brunette?

Please sign in to rate.
codepoit
•5
2/28/06 12:19 PM

The rated click amounts are an average based on product service history. That means a particular camera may far exceed the rated amount of clicks, or the shutted could fail before it reaches the rated amount of clicks. If the shutter fails, the camera is done. Either needs to be repaired or replaced.

- I'm Special!

Please sign in to rate.
TURBO
•7
2/28/06 12:32 PM

Thanks, Chris...good to know.... Would you say the the Rebel takes just as good of quality photos as the 20D? .. putting both cameras on the same settings, is there really a visible differnce in the two photos ?

- Hmm...Blonde or Brunette?

Please sign in to rate.
codepoit
•5
2/28/06 12:38 PM

Well, I can't say for sure, because I don't own a Rebel. I'm not sure about the other review sites, but dpreview.com has sample images for most models...

- I'm Special!

Please sign in to rate.
TURBO
•7
2/28/06 4:37 PM

Although the 20 is more expensive and heavier, the Rebel is made from plastic and the shutter button is meant for smaller hands:the tip of my finger goes an inch passed the shutter button. So, I'd think it would be to my advantage to spend the extra money and get the 20D.. but like it's been said... even a great camera will take lousy pictures if you have a crummy lens.

- Hmm...Blonde or Brunette?

Please sign in to rate.
codepoit
•5
2/28/06 4:45 PM

Robert: The size of the 20D is exactly why I chose it over the Rebel XT. The 20D was a more natural fit in my hand...

- I'm Special!

Please sign in to rate.
Icemarine
2/28/06 9:04 PM

Thanks everyone... you all rock. I'd been leaning towards the Rebel XT with good lenses. Then got talking to someone at work that owns one, so I'll probably borrow it and play for a weekend. I'm having a blast, and I've learned tons from y'all already... my new Canon's still a couple months away, then I'll wear you out with a thousand pictures of my kids! Thanks again... Be ready for the lens questions in June or so... =)

- Huh?

Please sign in to rate.
AnyMoose Hero
•3
3/9/06 12:39 AM

Dirk, did you really think out that last line?? LMAO

- Still a Moose

Please sign in to rate.
OzzieGirl
3/18/06 3:39 AM

Hi all. I am buying a 20D very soon but could use some advice as to the 'essential' lenses to start out with. It is possible that I will upgrade in the future to the 5D so I want to make the best choice now. Of course, I have a wish list containing every lens I read about, but I need to be realistic about it! I want to take portraits and landscapes mostly, even going pro in time, which will mainly include weddings, children/family portraits (indoors/outdoors) etc., even aviation (strong zoom????) so I have a variety of needs. Are fixed lenses better than zoom? HELP!

- Live it Up, Baby!

Please sign in to rate.
Anonymous User
•1
6/16/07 2:29 AM

I boutht my 20D from http://www.just4deal.com. I've had it for going on three years (in September) and it does just about everything I need a camera to do. The 30D (which should have been called the 20D Mark II) didn't have enough to warrant making the move from the 20D, but had I not already owned the 20D I'd have bought the 30D without question. If anything, the 30D was a source of contention for me, because the 'added' features should have been on the 20D to begin with, and adding them to a very slightly remodelled body only showed that it could've been done from the start. I would, however, like a larger monitor on my dslr, and have only come to realize how much I'd like to have one after having purchased a Powershot A710IS a couple of weeks ago with the large monitor which is very easy to get used to. I'm also looking forward to the 40D or whatever it'll be called, even though I don't really need another camera. After having used a number of dslrs (Nikon D1, D1H, Canon D60, 10D), I find that the 20D is quite a capable camera and will be a viable body for awhile, I believe as will the 30D, being basically the same camera. All that being said, I think the added features on the 30D are nice and useful, but IMHO should be available on all of Canon's dslrs as I believe most of them (not all) are on the Nikon bodies. I do hope that the next model has a much quieter shutter, though...that's the one issue I have with the 20D.

Please sign in to rate.