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General discussion

Canon EOS20D?????

May 5, 2005 11:32AM PDT

I am in the market for a digital SLR I believe I have narrowed it down to 3 cameras
1- Canon EOS 20D
2- Canon EOS 350D Rebel XT
3- Nikon D70
can some one help me with my decision. I am leaning to the 20D With a 17-85 lens. However the exposure compensation is only -2EV to +2EV on the Canon and is 5+ on the Nikon. Or is this anything to worry about. I am not going to become a pro. potog. Just want to take good amature photo.Thank You In advance for responding.

Discussion is locked

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Go with the Canon. You'll love it. Every review I've seen
May 5, 2005 12:44PM PDT

says it is a top camera. The Nikon is getting a bit dated at this point. The 17-85 lens is a good choice for all around work. You will love the 20Ds shooting ability. Don't get the kit lens, and start shooting in raw mode. Raw provides incredible possibilities.

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Canon EOS 20D
May 5, 2005 1:05PM PDT

I would rate an Exposure Compensation of over 2 to be "why?".

Exposure Compensation of 5 is equal to 5 f-stops.
If you ever got into a situation that requires that much compensation, you should be shooting in manual mode anyway.

I would rank the three cameras in this order, with the preferred at the top:

Canon 20D
Nikon D70
Canon 350D

...
..
.

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Hope you have 'big hands'
May 5, 2005 10:22PM PDT

I just posted a lengthy message regarding the Nikon D70 and the Canon 20D....
but in summary...have you actually held the camera your considering buying? If you haven't..please do yourself a favor a see how it feels in YOUR hands.

You might also want to consider checking out some less costly SLR types like the Nikon 8700...Konica-Minolta A2
etc.

Maybe by the time your really need a Digital SLR they might be made a size you can use.


P.S. Please disregard the above if the Canon 20D fits
you just fine.

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The 20D is not noticeably larger than older, traditional
May 5, 2005 11:28PM PDT

cameras, although it is larger than many digital cameras. It does not suffer as much from the 'shake' phenomenon as the smaller digitals which are very hard to hold steady while composing and shooting. The SLRs force you to look through the viewfinder to compose and shoot a picture. This helps steady the camera as it's partially supported by your face.

Don't be fooled. The pictures coming through those lens and recorded by the camera are greatly superior to the point and shoot cameras.

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Canon 20D is always the favorite !
May 6, 2005 12:23AM PDT

Comparing the 3 cameras, Canon 20D leads the other 2 cameras in many aspects. For example, lower noise at the dimmer light, more frames on the continuous shooting, and more pixels. I've been using Canon 20D and tested 70D and 350XT. Yet, my Canon 20D outperformed the other 2 cameras in many aspects. Canon 350XT ( Rebel XT ) comes pretty close to 20D, but slower shutter speed, less continuous mode, smaller hand-grip and viewfinder size, and slightly less pixels. Shooting pictures with the camera equipped efs-lense firstly; however, you'll soon find out that more wide angle and zoom-lense will be in need. Spend for what you really need for now. Canon 20D is the right choice. Good luck

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Just another way of looking at it...
May 6, 2005 1:07PM PDT

I'm currently debating between the D70S and the 20D. I'm leaning more towards the Canon 20D.

There are a few reviews which state that the difference between 6 and 8 megapixels is insignificant. This may be, but just remember the 6 megapixel camera will be out-dated much quicker than the 8. The digital world is changing so rapidly that in 2-3 years from now, 10-12 megapixel cameras will be selling for $1k. At that time they will be comparing 8 megapixels to 10-11, not 6 to 10-11.

Long story short, it's just another way of looking at it....

The price difference is about 400-500 bucks...in the long run...it's not that much more...

VJ

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Here is also why I chose Canon !!!
May 7, 2005 1:44AM PDT

If you look for the picture quality, Rebel XT will be the right choice. Rebel XT even outperformed D70 in many aspects; I've tested both camera myself in many extreme conditions. For instance, Rebel XT has the lower noise when shooting at the dimmer light, more mega pixels than D50 or 70 means the better larger print-out, and Canon Rebel XT is capable to use all Canon EF and EFS-serial lense unlike D70 which many conventional SLR lenses are not fully compatible. So, it's up to you which one to choose.

So far, most Canon DSLR cameras has outperformed Nikon DSLR camera for the same category. It's true that Canon is more expensive than Nikon. However, the technology has a lot to do with that. Canon DIGIC II carries much lower noise shooting at the very same lighting conditions, consumes much less battery, and showing nearly spotless when some particles falls into the CMOS sensor surface( at f-stop below F-16 comparing to the below F-16 of Nikon D70 ). I've been using Canon SLR camera and DSLR camera for nearly 15 years and pretty happy that I made the right decision. Good luck