Canon 300D v 20D

[DustyC]

Im surprised at the lack of mention of the 20D.

Anyone got one yet?

[130tdi]

DustyC said:

Im surprised at the lack of mention of the 20D. Anyone got one yet?

When I can get the kids to bed at a sensible time and finish off planning my future career move I will post some piccies and general feedback.

[DustyC]

Excellent, thanks mate.

[srider]

Yep, got one as a replacement for the 1D I sold Gravymaster. It's my 2nd camera, after the 1D mk2. If anyone's interested, I'll put together some thoughts about it later today.

Short story is I'm very, very impressed.

[DustyC]

Im interested!

Is it worth spending the extra on it over the 300D?

[riccardo]

srider said:

Yep, got one as a replacement for the 1D I sold Gravymaster. It's my 2nd camera, after the 1D mk2. If anyone's interested, I'll put together some thoughts about it later today. Short story is I'm very, very impressed.

Hi Stuart!! Yes I would be very interested in your first hand views on this!!!! I'm in the midst of getting myself either a 20D or 1D this week-so you could be the clincher!!!! No pressure though mate!!!!
All the Digital mags have raved about it's start up speed and Autofocus and the whole package sounds fantastic! At least then the likes of me can push the boat out a little further with the lenses too!!

[DustyC]

Photgraphy Monthly has a good review of the 20D this month too

[Ffirg 005]

Hi Dusty, another purchase dilemma eh?...

I just bought a 300D from www.ebuyer.com for £605 incl the lens and delivery which I think is the best deal around at the mo. I looked into buying from the US as I'm out there next month but after taking warranty issues into account and Canon's £100 cash back offer (making it net £505 cost) decided there's really no point.

Happy deliberating!

Don

[luca brazzi]

The 300D really is silly money for the quality. Totally personal choice really. If I could afford the upgrade, I'd sell my 300D for the 20D, but can't.

LB

[woody]

Ffirg 005 said:

Hi Dusty, another purchase dilemma eh?... I just bought a 300D from www.ebuyer.com for £605 incl the lens and delivery which I think is the best deal around at the mo. I looked into buying from the US as I'm out there next month but after taking warranty issues into account and Canon's £100 cash back offer (making it net £505 cost) decided there's really no point. Happy deliberating! Don

To get the £100 back does it have to be an approved canon dealer?? can't see any terms & conditions on the cash back form.

Chris

[DustyC]

There is a shop in Basingstoke offering the £100 cash back deal.
All the posters for it are from Canon.

Could this mean they are clearing the stock for a new 300D?

[130tdi]

20D Feedback

Purchased Oct 7th, complete with 17-85mm IS Lens.

Over that weekend I took approx 400 pictures and experienced only 1 lock up. Having updated the firmware to the latest version and since taken about the same number of frames - no lock ups. Firmware update procedure needs to be followed to the letter - thanks for the tip off Luca

The 17-85 (27 - 136 in old money) lens is a real stunner - very compact and really fast focusing - even under limited light at the Eden project and indoors at a Dairy Farm.

I find the Depth of Field preview button in an awkward position, but whether that's due to my other body (50E) being eye controlled I'm not sure. Time will tell.

I'm still waiting for my 170-500 Sigma lens to come back from it's rechip, allowing use on a DSLR. Feedback when it arrives.

Weight - feels lighter than my other body - EOS 50E.

Speed of start up - Very quick. It's ready for action by the time you lifted it to your eye.

Shutter Lag - negligible.

The 5fps was very useful at a recent kiddies halloween party - getting 4 toddlers to stand together and all look in the same direction etc - impossible ! Having run about 5 seconds worth on 'motor drive' I got some good results.

I would recommend a fast Compact Flash card. I bought a 80x Lexar 1GB for picstop.com for approx £86. Having tried my wifes generic CF card (unsure of speed - bought June 2004.) the 80x really flies and enables multiple shots to be taken as the camera is writing. Download speed to laptop via USB2 is very impressive.

I'll post more next week together with some example shots. Meeting up with my brothers BIL this weekend who bought a 300D / 18-55 on Saturday just gone. It's a kids party so a lot of indoor action !

>> Edited by 130tdi on Monday 8th November 15:31

[Ffirg 005]

woody said:

To get the £100 back does it have to be an approved canon dealer?? can't see any terms & conditions on the cash back form. Chris

I've only seen the site and read the PDF form as you obviously have too, and was surprised that there isn't any fine print T&Cs.

I think you can expect to be challenged if it wasn't bought from an authorised Canon reseller. Legally though, if it's not made clear in their offer then I would think you'd have a good case if you can be bothered pursuing it.

[Ffirg 005]

To clarify... an invoice from any legit online or high street store should do the trick, I didn't mean to suggest it has to be a main Canon dealer to qualify

>> Edited by Ffirg 005 on Monday 8th November 15:35

[woody]

Might give the free phone number on the form a call tomorrow and find out.

[Dustyc]

What are the largest prints available from each camera whilst keeping a good resolution?

[DustyC]

What does the firmware upgrade do to each camera?

Does the 300 still have a max 2.5fps for 4 frames?

[130tdi]

DustyC said:

What does the firmware upgrade do to each camera? Does the 300 still have a max 2.5fps for 4 frames?

Certainly for the 20D, the firmware upgrade solves the lock up problem. When it locked the camera just froze and the only solution seemed to be remove the battery and then start again - I can't comment on the 300D.

Regarding the fps, again I can only comment on the 20D, but the figures quoted in my handbook don't seem to apply. I should only be able to take about 20 images continuously whereas I ran 30 plus (approx 6 seconds)of my eldest daughter before a halloween party and the camera never 'stalled'.

I suspect as I mentioned above, this might be down to having a suitably fast write speed on the CF card and these were taken in JPG format - RAW files are obviously a lot bigger.

>> Edited by 130tdi on Tuesday 9th November 14:48

[DustyC]

The increased FPS is what swings it for me but its now £500 extra!

The specs on dp review state 4fps for 23 frames on the 20D

only 2.5 fps for 4 frames on the 300D

[woody]

woody said:

Might give the free phone number on the form a call tomorrow and find out.

With regard to the £100 cash back on the EOS 300D I have just called Canon and they have avised the following:

1. Camera must be purchased within the UK - from any retailer inc internet (as long as UK based etc.) - not necessary to be a 'Canon authorised dealer'.

2. Camera must be UK Spec i.e. 300D not a Rebel

3. Original receipt will be sent back to you.

Hope this helps

Chris