Canon 30D vs Canon Rebel XTi vs Canon Rebel XT?

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

09/25/2006 06:01:32 PM · #1

Hi. I know there are a thousand debates on Canon vs Nikon. I have decided to buy Canon.

However, now I have been going back and forth on whether to purchase the 30D or the Canon Rebel series.
What are the major differences between the cameras? I am an amateur photographer and am still shooting on my Canon AE-1.

Does the Canon 30D warrant spending the extra money or would anyone recommend that I buy the Rebel XT or XTi and put the savings into a better lens?

scarbrd

Leica M10

09/25/2006 06:11:51 PM · #2

The new XTi has a higher resolution sensor than the 30D.

At this point I'd recommend going with the XTi and a better lens, L lens if you can afford it.

I suspect that a "40D" announcement is due soon. Maybe this week since there is a major photo equipment show going on.

09/25/2006 06:18:06 PM · #3

If you don't need the 5FPS and the awesome 2.5" LCD then go with the XT or Xti and put that extra money toward a lens.

Message edited by author 2006-09-25 18:18:17.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/25/2006 06:19:00 PM · #4

Thanks.
What about the differences in construction/durability and the viewfinder?
I read on other postings there were some concerns with the viewfinders and that the 30D had an improved one?

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

09/25/2006 06:21:02 PM · #5

Originally posted by baeddyp:

would anyone recommend that I buy the Rebel XT or XTi and put the savings into a better lens?

Yeah a bunch of people are going to recommend both. As you said, the merits have been discussed in countless other threads.

09/25/2006 06:23:52 PM · #6

Originally posted by baeddyp:

Thanks.
What about the differences in construction/durability and the viewfinder?
I read on other postings there were some concerns with the viewfinders and that the 30D had an improved one?

I don;t know about the XTi but the XT just seems kinda Soccer momish to me so I went to the 30D. It has a better feel to me. Have you went to the store and held these camera?

09/25/2006 06:29:29 PM · #7

Originally posted by rex:

Have you went to the store and held these camera?

I have gone to the store to look at these cameras. The XT body material does concern me some. However I do like that it is lighter-weight.

nova

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

09/25/2006 07:29:50 PM · #8

Originally posted by baeddyp:

...or would anyone recommend that I buy the Rebel XT or XTi and put the savings into a better lens?

I would, for one. Either of those cameras will take great photos... and both will cost substantially less a year for now and will have been replaced by newer "latest models". Sooner or later you will want to upgrade whichever you buy. But great glass (whether Canon, Tamron, Sigma or Tokina) will continue to be used and represents money well invested in my opinion. I think you should go with the XTi and buy all the high end glass you can.

Got any particular lenses in mind? Have fun shopping.

Ray

robshookphoto

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

09/25/2006 07:36:12 PM · #9

if you are going to want to do sports, go with the 30d. There is also spot metering, which i use heavily, and better sealing (mine survived a rainstorm, no thanks to dumb@$$ me). But, if you arent'going for any of that, the Xti also has an amazing 2.5 inch lcd, which is the thing i like most about my 30d over my 20d. the only reason i would say go xti not xt is the screen size. Also, the 30d has lower noise, and one higher iso. i really dont think the 2 extra megapixels is much of a benefit. I would say barely noticable.

Message edited by author 2006-09-25 19:37:17.

BowerR64

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

09/25/2006 07:55:13 PM · #10

What is the screen resolution on the XTi? compaired to the XT?

krazyivan

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

09/25/2006 08:14:58 PM · #11

I've held the XTi and compared to the 20D, it felt flimsy and very small. Not to say that the XTi is not an excellent Camera, but I'd rather have a camera that felt better while holding it...and the 2 extra megapixels really won't make a noticeable difference.....I'm sure there will be an announcement for some new Canon's at Photokina...So you may want to hold off for a few days.

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG HSM for Nikon

09/25/2006 08:17:50 PM · #12

side by side comparision

kgeary

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/25/2006 09:24:01 PM · #13

The 30D has the stronger body and stronger shutter. If you don't upgrade every year or so then go with the 30D. The 10 MP isn't enough additional resolution to warrant buying a weaker camera - they have the same screen and the 30D viewfinder is full frame.

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG HSM for Nikon

09/25/2006 09:51:20 PM · #14

Originally posted by KevinG:

30D viewfinder is full frame.

I don't tinhk this is true. Where did you get this information?

kgeary

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/25/2006 10:18:15 PM · #15

Originally posted by rex:

Originally posted by KevinG:
30D viewfinder is full frame.

I don't tinhk this is true. Where did you get this information?

The viewfinder sees the entire range of the sensor, unlike the XT or XTi.

BowerR64

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

09/25/2006 10:25:16 PM · #16

720mAh Li-Ion battery? how can you guys deal with that? i mean come on, I have AAA batteries that have more power then that.

Why cant they make a battery that uses curent technology? they still give out 16 meg memory cards as well.

Canon builds good cameras but sometimes i wonder what they are thinking.

Its like a corvette with a 1 gallon gas tank.

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/25/2006 10:27:41 PM · #17

I bought my 30D 4 or 5 weeks ago. I've taken about 900 pictures, half using a battery draining IS lense, and I'm still on the first charge... I deal with it just fine.

nhuto

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/25/2006 10:33:54 PM · #18

check out www.dcresource.com and www.the-digital-picture.com...tons of unbiased information...

Wired361

09/25/2006 10:58:15 PM · #19

Its all in the little things, sure they added another 2 megapixels but you have to think about it from Canon's point of view,what can we shave off to make it compete with the Nikon D80? That's exactly what they did, it all boils down to whether or not you are interested in the little things that make the 30D a step above, then go with the XTi, but the XTi is a much better deal than the XT. I haven't experienced the automatic sensor cleaning first hand, but i hear that it will become standard on all Canon SLR's very soon.

09/25/2006 11:53:20 PM · #20

Thanks for all your posts to my question.
I went by the store today to look at the XTi first hand and have decided to rule the XTi out of my search. The camera is smaller than the XT and now i understand what people mean when they say it feels a little flimsy. For me, it felt a bit like a toy compared to the 20D and comparable Nikons (D80 and D200) that were on stock. I also preferred the viewfinder on the 30D than the viewfinder on the XTi.