20D & 30D...what are the REAL differences?

Hi,

 

I am tempted to dip my toes into the EOS digi waters and would like the users

views of these two cameras.

 

What are the real differences from a users point of view? or are the

differences just minor ones or cosmetic?

 

Bearing in mind, I am in the UK and can find a 20D in AS NEW condition for 499

GBP from a dealer and a NEW 30D for 599 GBP. So any differences have to be

worth an extra 100 GBP...

 

cheers Steve.

Larger LCD.<P>

Larger buffer. 30 JPEGS vs 23 Jpegs.<P>

2 Shooting speeds 3 or 5 FPS vs 5 FPS.<P>

Spot metering. Alows more control in high contrast shots.<P>

More robust shutter? Canon indicates a 100,000 actuation expected life for the 30D shutter and doesn't specify a shutter life for the 20D.<P>

RGB and Luminance histograms vs Just Luminance.<P>

1/3 stop metering increments VS 1/2 stop.<P>

More Picture Style presets.<P>

Personally I love the larger LCD with my deteriorating eyes. I have never run into the max with the buffer and I do use the spot metering quite often. I also do like the two burst speeds.

Hi,

 

Does any of that mean that the 30D eats it's batteries more?

 

cheers Steve.

The first response lists pretty much the big differences. I have both cameras and the bigger lcd is a huge draw for me. As far as batteries both cameras work great on consumption. I've shot hundreds of shots on both cameras, using IS lenses, and no worries with batteries. The only time I noticed a big draw was using the 70-200 f/4 IS and that one took my battery down a lot quicker. However, on non-IS lenses it isn't a problem.

 

As far as making a choice, I'd go with the 30D, the spot metering and the larger screen make the difference, unless of course price is a huge factor.

Hi,

 

Are the viewfinders identical?

 

cheers..

I believe the the 30D is rated at 750 shots without flash and the 20D at 1000 without flash, of course in practice lots of variable will effect those figures.

the viewfinders are the same apart from the 30D's spot metering circle being smaller.

<p></p>

See the <a href=http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022114canoneos30d.asp>DPReview Site </a> for a good summary of the differences.

What about warranty ? The improvements from the 20D to the 30D are nice to have, for some they are worth 100GBP, for others not. But add in the fact, that the 30D is really new, the 20D is sold AS new. If you don't get a comparable warranty for the used 20D I would strictly recommend the new 30D.

 

Ulrich

I haven't used a 20D nor have I counted shots with the 30D battery but even with IS on battery life is not an issue. They seem to last forever. I did 300+ shots on one freshly charged battery about half with the 17-55 IS still lots of life in the battery. You'll want two batteries though.

<P> I believe the viewfinders are identical except the 30D's shows the ISO setting in creative modes. I think.

I've had a 20D for about 2-1/2 years and love it. The 30D isn't enough of an improvement for me to want to trade up. However, if I *had* to replace the 20D (lost, stolen, destroyed, beyond repair) today, I'd get the 30D, no question.

30D seems to use a little more battery juice than the 20D, though it's very hard to drain either camera even after a full day shooting and chimping, say, at a wedding.

 

The larger buffer and bigger LCD are major improvements.

"or are the differences just minor ones"

 

Essentially. The 30D is only a minor refresh of the 20D. The 40D, due in the fall, ought to be a more significant update.

Jacob,

Do you have a crystal ball?

"The 40D, due in the fall" thats what every one said last year, get the 30D its better, I had both.

I have a 10D and a 20D. If I were to buy a new camera today it would either be the 30D or the 5D. At this point I'm waiting for the next one, 40D or whatever, to determine if I'll "upgrade" yet again.

I bought a 20D after the 30D came out. When I compared them side by side the 30D LCD,

although larger, was too dim to use in daylight. The 20D LCD is much brighter and contrasty.

I can see it on a sunny day in Honolulu. So I went for the 20D. The 5D LCD is also too dim for

daylight use.

So is my XTi view finder to dim for daylight use.

David, I've got balls and they're brass.

 

If you'd like to put a wager that the 40D won't be out by the end of fall, kindly email me.

I've had my 20D 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.

The 30D is cooler but not better really, just different. To be honest, you would probably do just is well with a 10D in good condition. The 40D or 50D or whatever it will be called will almost certainly have the 400D/XTi's same image sensor at 10MP. I have an XTi as well as a 30D. Having said that I can see no real difference in 16x20 and up prints made by either camera. So does the MP really matter? Personally I really don't see the big deal. The 10D makes great enlargements too, and has most of the features of the 20D.

 

The 30D is probably worth the extra 100 bucks. Though, I really could care less if the screen is 1" 2" or 3 or whatever as I rarely look at it except briefly confirm a shot or change the settings. The image performance will be absolutely no different. So this one is solely up to you. Waiting for the 30D replacement is a waste of time and shots you could be taking with the 20/30D.

FWIW, as said before on this forum, I doubt the 30D replacement will be called the 40D. 4 is an unlucky number in Asian numerology as it sounds like the word "death" in Asian languages. Perhaps this does not translate to "forty" as there was a 400D. However, there was the Powershot S1, S2, S3, and now the S5, where was the S4? Interesting.

But there is an A430, A450, A460, SD40, 400D, A640, A540. You might be right JD, but I think there is a lack of evidence to do more than speculate.

 

I sold 10D that I used as a backup to my 20D because I didn't like the startup delay, and small buffer. I bought a second 20D as a replacement since it was cheaper and the 30D wasn't worth the extra money to me.

You might be right about the 30d replacement coming out shortly. It's anecdotal evidence but the 30d is now being sold through American Express Rewards for "points". In my experience, that's a prelude to a model change...

I spent about 4 hours today with a couple canon reps at two different stores. Each had a MarkIII but to try out different glass I had to visit both. The MarkIII is a pretty stunning camera. 10 frames a second sure sounds fast.

 

Anyways, Reps aren't supposed to have crystal balls but it was confirmed to me the 30D is on its way out and the replacement will be out in this fall. No replacement for 5D or the $7000 full frame body either. "No competetion, no need". I was kinda sad as the prices drop when replacements come on line. Oh well.

 

I've lusted for the 5D but Canon has held the price up longer than I imagined, but it remains current. I have noticed B&H has been cutting $20 off 5D about every two weeks. Still nowhere near the $2200 after double rebate last spring 07.

 

I was seriously impressed with the Mark III. 2200 shots per charge and it weighs the same as my eos3 film body and drive. 1.3x crop isn't as bad with the 16-35 II and 17-40 as I thought it would be. And my 14mm seems fairly wide at 18mm~ish. Every canon lens I test drove today focus quite fast, under 1 second, near then far then near then infinity, except for the 180mm f3.5L macro. That takes about 3+ seconds to go from close to 50 feet. "Very specialized"

 

Steven if you're not pressed to own a canon dslr tomorrow and can instead wait till fall you'll stand a better chance to either get a better price on 30D brandnew or its replacement with added features for a couple hundred more. The marketing life cycle on these 1.6x crop bodies is short due to competetion ;^)

 

Lindy

I'd like to know where in the UK you can find a 30D for 599 GBP? That's amazing value!