Canon 400D or 30D

[Barbara]

In the next couple of months or so, I'm am thinking of upgrading my 350D to either the 400D or 30D.

I have tried my hubbys 30D and I do like it, but considering the great photo's I have seen in the Gallery taken with the 400D I thought I should consider this one also.

Basically, what I am really asking is, in your opinion which camera do you think is the better one.

What I do like is the continuos shooting speed of the 30D.

Barbara

[matt_xyz]

Hi Barbara, the benefit of the 30D is normally said to be its bigger size and more robust build. Off the top of my head I can't remember how the shooting speed varies from the 400D. The downside is the extra cost and the 2mp lower resolution. Many people dismiss the latter, but I do find it very useful when cropping - for instance a 50% crop still provides a 5mp image. I suppose the difference between 8 and 10mp isn't that much, but it can help at times.

I suppose it comes down to which camera you prefer the feel of. Obviously the 400D will handle almost identically to the 350D.

Matt

[Barbara]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

Hi Barbara, the benefit of the 30D is normally said to be its bigger size and more robust build. Off the top of my head I can't remember how the shooting speed varies from the 400D. The downside is the extra cost and the 2mp lower resolution. Many people dismiss the latter, but I do find it very useful when cropping - for instance a 50% crop still provides a 5mp image. I suppose the difference between 8 and 10mp isn't that much, but it can help at times.

I suppose it comes down to which camera you prefer the feel of. Obviously the 400D will handle almost identically to the 350D.

Matt

Thanks Matt, I do like the feel of the 350D and the 30D. I like the big screen on the 30D compared to the small screen of the 350D but the 400D has the larger screen as well doesn't it.
The difference I have found when using the 30D while continual shooting is far superior to the 350D and that is what I like.
A lot of my birds in the garden come quite close so I don't have to crop too much so maybe the 30D would suit me better because I spend more time in the garden than going out and about.
Thanks for answering my query Matt, much appreciated

Barbara

[Ollie]

Hi Barbara.
The continuous shooting speed of the 30D is 5 fps compared with only 3 fps with the 400D.
As Matt said the 400D is 10mp and the 30D is 8mp. The 30D doesn't have the self cleaning sensor but I've yet to be convinced that this actually works well on he 400D anyway. Haven't had it long enough to find out.

At the end of the day it's what you think suits your needs best, but remember it is the glass that you put on a DSLR more than anything else that decides the picture quality, and the user of course, but I know you are more than capable of taking great images whatever camera you use.
Roger

[Barbara]

Originally Posted by Ollie

Hi Barbara.
The continuous shooting speed of the 30D is 5 fps compared with only 3 fps with the 400D.
As Matt said the 400D is 10mp and the 30D is 8mp. The 30D doesn't have the self cleaning sensor but I've yet to be convinced that this actually works well on he 400D anyway. Haven't had it long enough to find out.

At the end of the day it's what you think suits your needs best, but remember it is the glass that you put on a DSLR more than anything else that decides the picture quality, and the user of course, but I know you are more than capable of taking great images whatever camera you use.
Roger

Thanks for the vote of confidence Roger, I have used the 30D a few times with the Bigma attached and have been very pleased with the results, Greg was quite happy to swap cameras with me and I said yes at first and then I felt a bit tight so I then said no. So I think I will settle for the 30D. Greg is ordering his Bigma next week and we have a week off work at Easter so we are gonna have some fun
Barbara

[John]

I have purchased the 30D and am over the moon with it. I don't know what the battery life is like on the 400D but it seems to go on and on with the 30D and if you had a spare battery I could well believe that you could shoot all week without using both up.

John

[eeyore]

they are both good cameras but i believe you have made the right decision , especially as there is already a 30D in the family - getting another one means you can share spare batteries , wheras the batts for the 400D are different (which is irritating)

battery life wise while on skokholm last year i found that a weeks continuous shooting with the 20D (8 or so hours per day for 5 days) took 5 batteries and that was with minimum lcd usage and taking the batts out when the camera was off.

[Barbara]

Originally Posted by John

I have purchased the 30D and am over the moon with it. I don't know what the battery life is like on the 400D but it seems to go on and on with the 30D and if you had a spare battery I could well believe that you could shoot all week without using both up.

John

Well that's good news John that you are over the moon with the 30D. From your Wren pics you have mastered the camera to a tee That's good news about the battery life as well. I am gonna try the 30D out again tomorrow morning, I have decided to go in work a little later in the morning because there aren't so many birds about when I get home. That all depends on the weather of course. You just watch for the first time this week it will rain in the early morning.

[Barbara]

Originally Posted by eeyore

they are both good cameras but i believe you have made the right decision , especially as there is already a 30D in the family - getting another one means you can share spare batteries , wheras the batts for the 400D are different (which is irritating)

battery life wise while on skokholm last year i found that a weeks continuous shooting with the 20D (8 or so hours per day for 5 days) took 5 batteries and that was with minimum lcd usage and taking the batts out when the camera was off.

Thanks Pete, thats a very good point you have there re batteries, I hadn't thought of that. I tend to run my batteries down a lot quicker because I have more time to photgraph than Greg. Also memory cards too, when mine fill up I can use his. oh yes

[Roy C]

I have just bought a 30D to compliment my 350D (fed up with changing lenses in the field).
What I like best about the 30D is the layout of the controls which are so much easier to use than the 350D.