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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> EOS 20D, D100, D200...which one to buy?
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 12/25/2005 03:26:32 AM · #1
i am thinking of upgrading my digicam to a digital slr. someone plz to help regarding the choice of cam.
 12/25/2005 03:27:30 AM · #2
Good Lord. How much to spend?
 12/25/2005 03:32:05 AM · #3
first of all, you need to go to a camera shop that carries them all and actually hold them in your hand. I feel strongly that a camera needs to feel like an extension of yourself in your hand. If it feels awkward, your shots will show it. See which one feels the most comfortable, then compare features and buy what will fit your needs. Each have their pluses and minuses. JMHO
 12/25/2005 04:16:24 AM · #4
Originally posted by ShutterPug:
first of all, you need to go to a camera shop that carries them all and actually hold them in your hand. I feel strongly that a camera needs to feel like an extension of yourself in your hand. If it feels awkward, your shots will show it. See which one feels the most comfortable, then compare features and buy what will fit your needs. Each have their pluses and minuses. JMHO


In other words. Don't get the 350D
It looks as if it could fall apart by just looking at it the wrong way.
 12/25/2005 04:26:49 AM · #5
Originally posted by floydian:
i am thinking of upgrading my digicam to a digital slr. someone plz to help regarding the choice of cam.


I went from a Canon G3 to the 20D, and am very satified with my decision. Highly recommend you research the reviews on all models, and pick them up at the store to see which one makes you giggle.
 12/25/2005 07:09:42 AM · #6
just try all models with and without the vertical grip, it adds so much to the camera, even the 350D feels like a pro camera with the grip, but without it it's just another girlie camera ;)
 12/25/2005 09:55:38 AM · #7
Originally posted by floydian:
i am thinking of upgrading my digicam to a digital slr. someone plz to help regarding the choice of cam.


It's more than a 'camera' choice - you are buying into a 'system' - lenses, flashes and such. Each has it's own features and benefits.

First - budget - what do you have to spend? Second - what kind of shooting do you do or want to do (macro, sports, weddings, etc - it can affect your choice)

Do you have any friends with SLRs? You can touch and feel them, but also borro lenses if you gowith the same brand they have.

Assuming you are not Mr Moneybags and have a reasonable budget: An overview: I am skipping the higher end bodies...

Canon 350D or 20D - the 20D has more features. Canon 'system' probably has the most lenses available (meaning overall lower price,more options, more used equipment out there, easier to sell lenses when you want to move up)
Nikon D50, D70s - nikon is good stuff, no real bad lenses. A good bit of stuff out there. all old nikon stuff still works with the new cameras (as in manual focus lenses) esp useful if you have any old lenses and want to still use them.
Konica Minolta 5d, 7D - the pics i have seen look real nice. Anti-Shake is built in to the camera body (on all other brands it is in some lenses bot not all). Fairly recently on themarket with dSLR so the lens selection is smaller.
Olympus - Evolt? - several models, and all come with an automatic sensor cleaner to keep dust off. I have not heard how well this works in real use but the concept is good. I believe these cams all take only the new Oly lenses, so the lens selection is limited and used ones are rare. Again, only been out about a year.
 12/25/2005 10:06:05 AM · #8
I agree with the idea that you buy a system as much as a camera when moving to very nice grades of DSLR.

Canon and Nikon both have very complete systems and will meet your needs either way.

Canon does have a few more lens choices than Nikon but quality is about the same across the board, Nikon a little better on the wide end and Canon a little on the long end.

My main reason for going Nikon, the flash system. There really is no equal to the Nikon system and all its possibilities. I shoot a lot of events photo-journalistic style most of the time, I rely more on multiple flashes than studio strobes.

If I were giving advice based on my own experience, I would say a D200 would be a hard camera to beat for the money and features although I am a big fan of the Canon 20D as well.
 12/25/2005 10:27:48 AM · #9
Any system that you buy into will have plenty of choices that are great in all price ranges. I would simply scour the internet and find images that you like and are in your style. So for me...I noticed that many of my favorite images were taken by D70 shooters. I liked the color the sharpness, etc...so I went in that direction because I had lots of tangible proof that the camera could do what I wanted it to do. That's not to say that Canons couldn't get me there as well but I noticed a definite trend towards the D70. The 20D also has many of the features that I need...5fps for example...nice pixel count for cropping...more focus zones, to name a few.

I pre-ordered a D200...killer features
-10.2mega-pix
-2.5 LCD <<< this is, believe it or not, the most important feature for me since I find it hard to tell on smaller LCD's whether or not an image is great or crap. This will spare me lots of duds.
-Ergonomically amazing from what I understand....really smart lay-out and the way Nikons feel in my hand is pretty much a deal maker.
...no need to go on

Also, there are so many Nikon and Canon users online...all over the world, 24/7, you can get questions answered about anything within seconds....in other words, lots of free support.

Message edited by author 2005-12-25 10:33:34.
 12/25/2005 12:17:04 PM · #10
Under $2k get the Nikon D200
Under $1k get the Canon 350D

Most bang for the buck in both cases!
 12/25/2005 12:59:17 PM · #11
I think the D200 being new and filled with options may give you the best bang for the bucks. The D100 is being replaced by the D200 and it's is a bit slow and not so robust compared to the 20D or the D200.

The 20D, although nice doesn't have the D200's weather sealing, 1800 shot battery capacity, more complex battery meterting, 22 shot RAW buffer, 2.5inch LCD, or the 10MP sensor. A fellow photog just got it and I held it and tried it out a bit. I like how it looks and feels better than the Canon 20D. Plus the 20D will probably be replace by April of 2006.
 12/25/2005 02:02:38 PM · #12
With the ones you listed you will not go wrong with either the Canon 20D or the Nikon D200. Both are great cameras and heavier duty than the lower end models. Right now with the D200 being the newest and all other things being equal (which they are in terms of lens syetems) the D200 is the best value for the money. They problem will be finding one. Are you patient or do you wnat it now. It may take a month or two for the D200 demand to die down and for you to get one.
 12/25/2005 03:09:17 PM · #13
Originally posted by yido:


The 20D, although nice doesn't have the D200's weather sealing, 1800 shot battery capacity, more complex battery meterting, 22 shot RAW buffer, 2.5inch LCD, or the 10MP sensor.


These features alone make the D200 more than worth a look at. Many of those are near enough equivalent to the 1DMk IIn, burst rate aside.
 12/25/2005 05:47:27 PM · #14
I am waiting for a D200 here in Australia (could be waiting till March apparently!). The D200 will be the Camera of the Year. It will walk all over the Canon 5D. So to answer the question: D200, D200, D200...oh, and did I mention the D200?
 12/25/2005 05:58:32 PM · #15
It's Christmas. Pick 2 of 3 and get'em LOL.
 12/25/2005 06:24:49 PM · #16
If I were you I'de choose between the Nikon D200 or the Nikon D200.

If you're an advanced amateur go for the D200.
If you're a pro go for the D200.
If you just like P&S and are loaded go for the D200.

... Is this clear enough?
 12/25/2005 07:23:21 PM · #17
If I were shopping now, based on features, I'd go with the D200.
 12/26/2005 03:00:17 AM · #18
I played around with a D200 in the store and it is rather nice I must say, Im considering selling the D2h and getting a D200 even though the D2H is the fastest thing on earth I no longer shoot action for work so Ide rather have the extra features in the D200, it feels very good in hand.. but if you think about it, it will be replaced within a few months with the D3X and D3H series and heaps of others about to come out, blah blah blah... hehehe technology goes way to fast for me.. when to stop?...

Happy shopping, final word.. GO D200!!
 12/26/2005 03:22:01 AM · #19
Like my comrades, I will say Go for D200.
However, several things to consider:

1) the system: Canon/Nikon/others. You will have more choices (lenses, equipment,...) with Canon or Nikon.
2) Price, howmuch money do you want to spend? If unlimited, the D200 is the right choice nowadays (1700$ body only)

If money is not unlimited, you may also consider the D70s (or D70) over the D100.

I would not recommend the D50.
 12/26/2005 03:30:00 AM · #20
Normally I would say D200, I myself was planning on buying it. But if you read the reviews in dpreview.com, it sounds like a big disapointment. I mean hot pixels on a 1700$ camera? Please no.

But the thing that matters is actually what you're looking for. Do you want to take portraits? Street? Landscape? Sports?
 12/26/2005 04:32:37 AM · #21
The D100 is now old technology and superceded by the D200 which, by all accounts, is great. I'll be getting one myself when I can get my hands on one.

If you're interested in buying into the Nikon system, also consider the Fuji S3Pro (it accepts Nikon mount lenses). A great camera provided you don't want to do anything fast (sports, action, etc). Best sensor with wider dynamic range than anything else around. I'm really tempted.

If you find you prefer the layout and overall feel of Canon, I understand the 20D and 5D are also great, but with Canon you need to decide if you want to go full frame now or later (5D) or not (20D) because some lenses are not compatible with both.
 12/26/2005 09:06:23 AM · #22
I would barely compare even the D200 to the 20D. Weather sealing is nice but that's about all it's got... and do you really want to have to put up with nikon's idea of weather sealed lenses? :P
 12/26/2005 09:28:13 AM · #23
Originally posted by floydian:
i am thinking of upgrading my digicam to a digital slr. someone plz to help regarding the choice of cam.


I'm going to ask the questions that the last 21 people to reply should have asked.

- What exactly do you intend to do with the camera? That is, what would you like to shoot, both immediately and down the road a few years?
- Do you already own a film SLR and/or lenses? If so, what kind?
- Do you frequently shoot with other SLR/DSLR owners? If so, what do they have?
- What is your total budget for camera, lenses and accessories?

~Terry
 12/26/2005 10:16:21 AM · #24
Originally posted by Ennil:
Normally I would say D200, I myself was planning on buying it. But if you read the reviews in dpreview.com, it sounds like a big disapointment. I mean hot pixels on a 1700$ camera? Please no.

But the thing that matters is actually what you're looking for. Do you want to take portraits? Street? Landscape? Sports?


What are you talking about? Phil has not reviewed the camera.

And I have not seen these "Hot Pixel reviews".

But regarding hot pixels...all sensors get them over time and they must be mapped out....I would be willing to bet the majority of cameras at this site have hot pixels when tested.
 12/26/2005 10:54:25 AM · #25
Originally posted by hokie:
Originally posted by Ennil:
But if you read the reviews in dpreview.com, it sounds like a big disapointment. I mean hot pixels on a 1700$ camera? Please no.


And I have not seen these "Hot Pixel reviews".


I haven't seen a hot pixel comment either but a lot of the usual silliness regarding new cameras.

It looks like you need to learn how to use the camera....go figure. No surprise there...what else would you expect?

People were posting dull images all over the place and now a solid two weeks after it's release we're starting to see some really crisp, nicely saturated images. ( check out pages 2 and 3 dpreview )

I took me over a month...or more, to learn how to work my D70 consistently...figuring out the sweet spots and correct lens combo's etc.

I assume the exact same will apply with the D200 (as soon as it freakin get's here)...It'll be painful for a while but I'll work it through. The benefits will far, far outweigh the struggles.

Pedro! Manny! How are you guys coming along with the D200

Message edited by author 2005-12-26 11:21:06.
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