The D30 was a great camera, but the D60 gives double the resolution for not too much money. IMHO, worth saving the money over a new 20D to spend on good glass.
Go with the 20D! (And this from someone selling a minty 10D! )
Today's digital bodies are indeed mature, as Les has stated earlier. I don't have a 20D, but have just upgraded to a 5D, and it is a pleasure to use a camera which just happens to be digital (the digital part does not get in the way of how it operates). I have used a 20D on a few shoots, and it operates in much the same way as my 5D, so, if I were in your shoes, that is the one that I would get.
Buy once, and do it right! I think the 20D is what you really want.
Either camera will be able to make terrific results. I use the D30 and while there are plenty of limitations I still like the file quality a lot. However a 20D will be a lot better in almost any way except the price. Here are a few D30 examples.
This one I printed in 75x50 cm and it looks very good -->
I would go for the 20D, A Excelent camera and one that will stay in my bag even if I buy a 5D.
I woulden't really buy the D30. The minimum I would go for would be the D60. 10D's seem to be reasonably priced on the second hand market these days, 300D's are going for stupid prices these days! Best bang for your bucks if you can live with the lack of a few features.
Why not just buy a 350D insted of a 20D and use the saved cash to buy at least 1 decent lens?
J Andersen wrote:
Either camera will be able to make terrific results. I use the D30 and while there are plenty of limitations I still like the file quality a lot. However a 20D will be a lot better in almost any way except the price.
Damn! With that price difference of D30 and 20D I could buy that 70-200/4L and even 50/1.8.
EOS20 wrote:
I woulden't really buy the D30. The minimum I would go for would be the D60. 10D's seem to be reasonably priced on the second hand market these days, 300D's are going for stupid prices these days! Best bang for your bucks if you can live with the lack of a few features.
Why not just buy a 350D insted of a 20D and use the saved cash to buy at least 1 decent lens?
I have used D30, D60 and 10D. And I know their differences and lack of features. And I still remember why I moved from D30 to D60 and from D60 to 10D. So I know how "bad" those are... but could I live with it or would I change some old/used body to new 20D after a while, and lose money..
I still have a D30 which I occasionally use when freelancing and want a quieter shutter than my 20d or 1d. Use a fast CF card, shoot raw for best image and lowest noise levels and I'm still amazed by what this camera can produce. I would advise staying away from cheap low quality lenses at all costs. Any DSLR will show up weaknesses in the lens quality more than a film camera. So it depends on how much you really want to spend in total. One last thing, don't let "only" 3mp put you off. One of my clients has a 12"x16" print above their fireplace shot with my D30 at iso400. If the image is good enough to sell, it,s good enough for me!
My first was the D30 and the amount I'd get now makes me keep it for sentimental value. Also the larger pixel size and maybe less aggressive AA filter gives its photos a different feel.
I've also got the 10D and 20D difference less between them so I really only use the 10D as a backup and when I need different lenses on each and the action is fast.
If I want to use a camera its the 20D by choice - for all the reasons others have mentioned. If you've not handled any of them the D30 may be sufficient just make sure the seller includes the complete kit, the double battery charger and off AC dummy battery are probably worth as much as the camera these days
10D was very good camera, but sometimes it was too slow to me
But now 20D is winning
The switch on and start up speed is one of the reasons I like the 20D, by the time its at your eye its ready to shoot. It really depends on what you find acceptable/comfortable in day to day use.
For me until it it stops working and is uneconomic to repair I don't see myself replacing my 20D. Of course next year when that full frame dslr costs under $1000, I might change my mind.
Get the 20D. It is the first camera where Canon basically got everything right. I am not talking just about the images. The handling and responsiveness of the camera is greatly improved over previous generations and of course it has the best image quality.
I had a D60 and while a good camera, the 20D is simply better in every imaginable aspect. Also remember with the 20D you can use 1-2 ISO higher sppeds and have comperable noise to the previous generation cameras. If need to use a cheaper lens that will allow more stopping down. If money is tight get the kit lens while you save for better glass.
I think buying the 20D will keep you happy much longer and you won't have any desire to upgrade again soon.
I don't enjoy losing money, so I have yet to buy a new dslr. They just depreciate way too much, way too fast. If you do go for a 20D look for either a used or refurbished one.
I currently shoot a 10D and a 1D, primarily the 1D, both of which were purchased used. I put the majority of my cash into glass.
Also, if you handle the files carefully, you can print plenty large from a D30. I've gone 24x36.
natpark1 wrote:
I don't enjoy losing money, so I have yet to buy a new dslr. They just depreciate way too much, way too fast. If you do go for a 20D look for either a used or refurbished one.
I currently shoot a 10D and a 1D, primarily the 1D, both of which were purchased used. I put the majority of my cash into glass.
But if you buy D30 and then D60 and then 10D and then.. you lose money...
And if you buy straight new 20D, you don't have to struggle with old and slow cameras and you get cashback...
Something nobody mentioned, and that's something that refraining me to decide for a 20D is that it's shutter is really louder than the one in the D30, D60 or 10D. You have to hear them side by side, it's very obvious.
So if your activities imply shooting pics at a classical music performance...
I paid $1500 for a 1D, which would have cost $6k new.
I paid $750 for a 10D that would have been $1500 new.
I've had both for about a year now. If I sell them now I might lost a couple hundred on each. If I had bought them new I would lose a whole lot more money. The 20D is already selling new for about $300-400 less than it was last year. Used I've seen them under $1k that's a loss of around $500 from new, and it'll fall a lot more when the next in the series comes along. The ones that I've bought had already taken the big hit when I bought 'em, so the rest of the depreciation is giong to happen a lot slower. The glass. Well, I can sell that for darn near what I bought it for, and in some cases a bit more.
)
With that price difference of D30 and 20D I could buy that 70-200/4L and even 50/1.8.
