THSCC Forums

I am looking for a digital camera for my wife for Christmas. She wants to be able to take semi-professional pictures of animals. We have been looking at the Canon 20D. I have read several reviews that mention problems with focusing and firmware. Has anyone had experience with this camera or another brand in its price range and feature set?

Thanks
Rob

You can get a Rebel XT and a 17-40mm f/4L lens for the price of a 20D...



Add a 50mm f/1.8 lens and you have a good portrait lens. I have some nice photos of our dogs shot with this lens on the XT.

What are the main differences? Some of what I've read online has said that after about a year or less, you will wish you bought the 20D.

Which do you have

Rob

(Trying to make sure that I get the right Xmas present )

20D is bigger

20D is heavier

20D shoots a couple more frames per second (XT shoots around 3fps, I think)

20D uses different batteries (I haven't noticed a difference in battery usage since switching from the old DRebel, which used the same batteries as the 20D)

20D costs $500 more

I think there are a few more differences, but nothing major. If the differences were important enough, I'd have a 20D. If I was a pro and had to keep up the "pro image" for customers, I'd have a 20D, and I'd have an XT as a backup. The XT is a great camera, but it doesn't have "the look" that the 20D has. If you need "the look" of a "real" photographer, then you'll be disappointed in the Rebel XT. Otherwise, I can't think of anything to be disappointed about.

The 20D is not really suited too well for professioanl use, but if you are buying your first digital SLR it would be unwise to buy a pro caliber camera anyway.

Stay with Canon. There was a time I thought I'd never say that, but dealing with Nikon's technological and customer service issues sine the inception of the digital camera has turned me to Canon. Our photo department is replacing all of our Nikons with Canons...several dozen cameras. This 6-figure proposition is a testament to how our 24+ member team feels about Canon.

As far as which camera, if you can, have her handle each one. See what makes sense and what feels right in the hands. Its not all about the numbers though my guess is that the entry levl model would serve you well.

Truth be told. After being in the business for nearly 15 years, I'm rather partial to the compact, light and full featured fixed-lensed super zooms. I bought my wife a Canon S2. Its a comprimise to the interchangable lensed SLR, but it will get more use than the SLRs that we already have.

Thanks for the tips. We have a fixed lens Nikon coolpix which is great for vacations and quick pictures, but she wants to get into shooting animals and needs an SLR to take advantage of faster shutter speed and more options. We had considered the 20D, but that may be overkill. $500 can buy a set of tyres