Comparison between Canon EOS 30D&Canon EOS Digital Rebel

Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 4

I am currently trying to get into photography and shopping for a new digital camera. It seems like a lot of people like Canon EOS 30D, which cost around $1200 for the body only. I also looked at Canon EOS Digital Rebel Xti which cost much less, at $800, even though it has more pixel and higher resolution.

I am just wondering if any one have experience working with the Rebel? And what is your recommendation regarding to each?

Thanks for your input!!

Sky

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:39 pm

check here
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos30d%2Ccanon_eos400d&show=all

I see that the 30D have more juice on it's battery about 1390Mah against 720Mah from Rebel

30D have 5 fps and Rebel have 3fps

30D is more Robust and Rebel is more like an entry level

maybe some canon shooter can chip in their experience

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:48 pm

oh I forgot

this is your 1st post so

Welcome to Photo Takers!!!!!!!

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:49 pm

Sky wrote:

I am currently trying to get into photography and shopping for a new digital camera. It seems like a lot of people like Canon EOS 30D, which cost around $1200 for the body only. I also looked at Canon EOS Digital Rebel Xti which cost much less, at $800, even though it has more pixel and higher resolution.

I am just wondering if any one have experience working with the Rebel? And what is your recommendation regarding to each?

The main difference is in the body and control layout. They take the same pictures (disregarding the minor differences in sensor resolution, which really don't matter).

I'd forget all about the specifications for now (they're equivalent for all intents and purposes) and go pick them up and play with them in a store - see how they feel, see how you like the layout of controls. Decide based on that and on the cost difference.

You can't make a bad choice here because either one is very nice.

I have the rebel XT (one generation before the XTi) and I couldn't be happier with it. With the optional battery grip it's a very slick camera with nice handling. I certainly would never pay the extra to move to a 30D. In fact, I almost bought a 5D this winter in a fit of gear lust, but ultimately decided it would be too similar to my XT (so I bought a 4x5" large format view camera instead, hah).

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:46 am

If you don't mind the smaller LCD and the 3FPS, then definitely go for the less expensive body and save that 400 bucks to put toward an L series lens. Your best bet is to buy the BEST lenses you can. They have far more impact on the outcome of the photo than the camera body... especially when comparing these two models.

Personally I love the feeling of my 30D and if the 5D had been in my budget I would have purchased that as my 'starter'. However, I'm thrilled with my 30D and that will be my camera body for some time to come. As has been said, you won't be disappointed with either. But definitely give some time to researching the differences in L series lenses. They cost a pretty penny but they are worth every single one. (IMO)

Shuttermom17

BTW... are you looking at prices at BH PhotoVideo or Adorama? You won't be disappointed with BH's customer service. They are my store of choice for big $$ purchases.

Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 4

Thanks for all the replies. Now I have a better idea! I am thinking about purchasing the camera within 1.5 month, currently waiting for my tax return.

By the way, how come the L series lens is so much better??

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 11:48 pm

Canon L lenses are top quality pieces throughout the line. They typically have wide apertures (fixed throughout the zoom range for most L zoom lenses). Canon L lenses share a rugged build quality. The build quality combined with wide minimum apertures usually result in Canon L lenses being heavy.

The image quality of the Canon L lenses is generally as good as it gets. Contrast, sharpness, color, bokeh (background/foreground blur quality), flare, CA (Chromatic Aberration) ... All are excellent. Full Frame camera body owners will especially find L series lenses to be (on average) significantly sharper toward the edges of the frame compared to lesser lenses.

In general, Canon L series lenses focus fast. The wide maximum apertures (smallest number) and fast, quiet USM motors (Ultrasonic Motors) enhance focusing speed. The Canon 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens and the Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 L USM Macro Lens are two exceptions to this rule.

Many in the Canon L lens series are white in color. According to Canon, this reduces heat gain when a lens is used in bright, direct sunlight. White reflects more light than black - thus, less heat gain. The white lenses look great (my opinion of course), but attract attention. Again - watch for them the next time you watch a sports event on TV or in person.

Full time manual focusing (FTM) is another feature typically present in the Canon L lenses. You can let the camera autofocus, then manually adjust focus yourself prior to the shot - without lifting your finger from the shutter.

Many of the Canon L series lenses share a 77mm filter size. Because of this, sharing filters such as the B+W Circular Polarizer is possible with many of the lenses in this lineup. More space in the bag and money savings result.

Canon L lenses typically have a non-rotating front element. This is important when using certain filters.

When coupled with the right camera body (generally Canon's 1-Series bodies), many lenses in the Canon L Series provide water resistance

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 7:13 pm

Shuttermom has nailed it all right on the head.....I heard it that "...the lens is what captures the image, the body merely records it..." and so when I unlimbered my credit card for a major upgrade, I was thinking the same as you:
400xti or 30D? When I started thinking in terms of lens 1st, body second,
I settled on an f2.8L 70-200mm IS lens and took the 400Xti to save a little money anyway. It still shocks me to think how much I paid for that lens
BUT....that lens is an Industrial-Strength Sweetheart and is my walkaround lens despite the weight and bulk. Absolutely magnificent!!
About the 400 Xti: it is fast, it is light, it is perfectly sized, I love it.
My only nit to pick is the ISO button is slightly raised, more so than my old 300D, and as such my big thumb moving the camera around has hit it without knowing several times and all it takes is 2 pushes and a half shutter depress for metering and the picture you thought you were taking in ISO 100 is now actually in ISO 1600. The sound of grinding teeth and my now constant mantra: check your settings, check your settings, check your settings...
An L series lens and the 400Xti will give you a lot of room to move and grow, it has for me...
Best wishes

Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 4

After listening to the good suggestions, I think I am most likely going to purchase 30D Body with 24-70/2.8L lens. What do you guys think about that? Good? I wonder if I can buy them as a combo, because the kit lens are normally not as good...hum....I went to the www.bhphotovideo.com/ but they seems to be on "vacation" for another week or so. I guess I can accumulate a little more interest in my bank...

Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 10:49 pm

Sounds like a fabulous combination for your first DSLR! :) And be patient with BH's holiday schedule. They are superb to work with and their prices can rarely be beat. I'd say any other store would be hard pressed to provide the level of customer service that they do.

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 179 Location: Lubbock, TX

Sky wrote:

After listening to the good suggestions, I think I am most likely going to purchase 30D Body with 24-70/2.8L lens. What do you guys think about that? Good? I wonder if I can buy them as a combo, because the kit lens are normally not as good...hum....I went to the www.bhphotovideo.com/ but they seems to be on "vacation" for another week or so. I guess I can accumulate a little more interest in my bank...

+1 to Shuttermom's reply. Excellent body with plenty of capability, and the 24-70 f/2.8L is almost universally considered the premier glass available in that zoom range.

About the only other suggestion I could make would be a good flash. The Canon 580EX has come down in recent years, and may very well see another price reduction soon with the introduction of the 580EX II. Judicious use of fill flash will do more for your photos than you realize, and the 580EX is tops - powerful and flexible.

Now go have fun!

Brad

Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 4

I am glad I finally made this big decision! My lens already arrived, but my camera body hasn't. Hopefully it will get it in couple days. Can't wait! Just wondering, what filters do you guys recommend to protect my new wonderful L-series lens?? I am planning to get a least a polarizing filter and probably UV filter also.

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 1:33 am

Cool for you on getting that lens!! The lens hood that came with it not only keeps errant light out but also serves as a protective shield for end of the lens. I never go without it, ever. I am planning on getting a UV filter as it doesn't cut much light out and more importantly serves as a transparent cover for the real glass, but I have been lazy and I hope my sloth doesn't bite me in the a**. Good luck with your new combo and
Best wishes

Joined: 09 May 2004 Posts: 152 Location: Santa Cruz, CA

I'm a recent 30D buyer too but I've been using SLR's for a while. Sounds like a great lens/body combo. Welcome to the DSLR club! I definitely recommend at least getting a UV or Haze filter to protect the lens. It's an extra $20 that can save your several hundred $'s invested in your new lens.

Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 11:26 pm

In my and assuredly other opinions putting a $20 filter on the end of a good piece of glass is like kissing your cousin sounds like a good idea but nothing good will come from it.

Cheap and or even expensive filters, UV or Haze filters in particular for "protection" have no place on a digital camera. The sensor is not affected by UV so they are only there to "protect" the glass. That job is better done by the lens cap and or the lens hood neither of which causes a degradation to image quality. Well actually the lens cap might but it would still be a better image of the inside of the lens cap than one with a filter.

Seriously, spending big money for a lens and then putting a piece of crap in front of it is foolish at best.