Canon 300d or 20d

[towman]

Gentlemen.
The time has come to upgrade to digital. I have the lenses from an Eos film camera, so it makes sense to go with Canon. I don`t use the camera a great deal (at the moment!), so does the collective PH brain consider it worth spending the extra on a 20d? What extra will I be getting for the money?

Thanks
Steve

[Phil S]

I have had both, after starting with the 300d and then moving on ot the 20d recently. I like both of them and my only concerns with the 300d were A3 print size only (6.3 mega pixel) and lack of AI servo focus in the creative modes (constant focussing used for panning shots etc) and the slow startup time (it takes about 3-5 seconds to turn on as opposed to the instant turn on for the 20d)

The 20d fixed all the issues and is so far perfect for me.

There is a new model 300d coming out soon which looks very similar to the current 20d, so watch out for that as it would probably be my choice!

[stringer_m]

Canon 350 is out very soon which is an 8 megapixel version of the 300 with some other significant changes like DIGIC II.


I have heard positive things about the 20D and it's been out for long enough that any problems will have surfaced, been documented and potentially cured or work arounds found.

I think I would be inclined to go for the 20D personally but you're unlikely to lose out by going for the 350 in reality.

>> Edited by stringer_m on Tuesday 8th March 08:31

[GregE240]

So does that mean theres some good end of line deals on 300Ds at the moment? Anyone know?

I'm in the same boat....got a load of EOS lenses, it would be silly not to at some point.

Quick Q: when you say A3 size, do you mean thats the highest res it will go to, or that it ONLY does that size?

Cheers,
Greg

[simpo two]

GregE240 said:

Quick Q: when you say A3 size, do you mean thats the highest res it will go to, or that it ONLY does that size?

You can print a digital image any size you like, but naturally as the image gets bigger, the quality degrades. If th eimage you start with (from the camera) is, say, 3000 pixels wide, a 10" wide print will have approx 300 pixels per inch; a 20" print half that number. You have to balance this with the fact that larger prints are usually viewed from further away.

I've had A3 prints made from 3.2Mp and whilst they don't stand close scrutiny, they'e OK from a normal viewing distance.

[Nuggs]

Towman - when I was buying my D70, I had a look at the D300 and D20.

D20 looks like a serious piece of kit, and there are even some great second hand deals out there.

Last time I went in, Park Cameras had both Canons in stock (and a couple of used D20s). They're based in Haywards Heath and Buggers Hole, so well within striking distance...

[fatsteve]

20D everytime.

You will always wonder "what if" if you go for the 300D. Whilst the 300D is a cracking camera, it's shortcomings (ie lack of AI servo, no MLU) are frustrating.

It one of those £300 extra now vs. buying a 300D and selling it in a years time to upgrade.

I have this issue at the momment, but I'm holding off completely until I can afford / justify a 1D or 1Ds.

In hindsight I should have bought the 10D.

A crude assumption that I would also make is that given that you own an SLR / EOS lenses, that would indicate that you are experienced with an SLR and going for a 300D (or replacement) may not give you the creative flexibility you want.

Hope this helps

Steve

[bilko2]

Have a look at these comparisons:
www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos20d%2Ccanon_eos300d%2Ccanon_eos1ds%2Ccanon_eos350d&show=all
From what i can tell the 20D will give you the highest iso rating of 3200 and nearly double the frame rate at 5 fps up to 23 JPEG images.
You will have to check with the pros but i know some lenses will loose autofocus or won't work atall with some Canon dslr's ( might be talking bs though ).
Alternatively, have a look at www,dpreview.com in the buying guides and lens talk.

[towman]

Many thanks for all the advice gents. Off to Park Cameras to check them out. 20d sounds good though - especially as I`m off to the States in a month.

Steve

[rex]

Upgraded recently from 300D to 20D. 300D very good camera and would have remained in use if had not tried friends 20D. 20D is fantastic. Speed, and build quality and dial instead of buttons to navigate best improvements for me. Noise is also much reduced when shooting at higher ISO.
In saying all this though it may be worth seeing what 350D is like.

[anonymous-user]

I've got a 300D but spent the extra money on a 100-400 L IS lens.

[nighthawk]

I chopped in a 300d in favour of the 20d, the 20d is a step higher than the 300d without a doubt.

The 300d served me well for over a year

So, it all depends how far your going to take your photography, and more importantly how much of your savings are you prepared to plunder
Dslr ownership is not a cheap option.

[philblade]

Just consider the lifespan of a DSLR is now around 18 months before a newer model will be launched. For your first digital camera, let your budget drive your decision and remember the money is best spent on quality lenses which will stand the test of time. I bought my camera back in Oct and prices since then have fallen dramatically.

(Still happy with my 10D and always learning..)

[joust]

If you are off to the states no competition - get a 20d.

I'd question if the price difference in the UK makes the better things on the 20d worth it (although they are all good improvements), but given 20d's in the US are around £700, if you bring it back in as *cough* hand luggage (honest, it's not new, I didn't just buy it) then the difference between a US20d and a UK 300d means just get the 20d.

Either is good, 20d is better, 20d from the US is a cracking deal!

J