Canon EOS 20D vs. Nikon D70S

[cryssi]

interested to hear your thoughts...

 

[Anewman]

interested to hear your thoughts...

Well both models are well over a year old, even older if you count the D70(non S model). They are still great cameras, but some prefer not to buy tech at the end of its life cycle.

Price for the 20d is about $300 over that of the D70s(bodys only). What does that money buy you?
SPEED(all around= focus, shooting and buffer)
lower high ISO noise(in many tests)
ISO 100 capability
2 extra megapixels

What does the D70s have over the 20d(already mentioned price)?
Flash system is better IMO, but this is only when using the pop up.
SPOT METER, but some argue that it covers the same area as Canons Partial metering when you consider image size.


What about BUILD and FEEL, Nikonians like to mention that the D70 is built solid as a tank. Well I guess they dont know that the 20 is actually heavier and a little smaller.

All in all most will only care about the extra 2 megapixels. Just look at it this way to determine if it is worth the extra cash to you.

If you apply this same crop to a image from the D70s, you will be left with aprox 4.4mp image.

 

[cryssi]

thanks! DH went to look at SLR's today, and these were 2 models that he is considering (who knows, he might find something totally different). I do know that the newer models are just a wee bit pricey for our purposes right now...

any other suggestions?

thanks again!

c

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Just wait for the 30D. From the Canon show today in Mississauga (invitation only) it SEEMS like the ISO1600 on the 30D is even cleaner (a bit) than the 20D. There is 3.5% area spot metering, faster startup than 20D and from my personal test, a tad better AF during low-light condition.

I don't know, however, whether Canon fudged the demo 30D unit they showed today in Mississauga.

 

[handicap18]

Sensor size is slightly different. Its a 1.6x crop with Canon and a 1.5x crop with Nikon. IE: 50mm film lens is cropped up to 80mm on Canon, 75 on Nikon.

At that level camera unless your a professional looking for a backup to your $2000+ camera, biggest difference is going to be personal taste. How the camera feels in your own hands.

Canon users are going to tell you go for the Canon. Nikon users are going to tell you go for the Nikon. No 2 ways getting around it. Just like those that would rather push a Ford than drive a Chevy and vise versa. On some of the Nikon boards I've seen some nasty (funny) stuff about Canon's. I'm sure its the same on the Canon boards.

Both companies make excellent long lasting camera's. Each company has their highlighted features.

I haven't gotten my hands on a 20D yet, but I have on the Rebels. I find them a little small in my hands compared to the Nikon. One of these days I will try out the 20D to see what its like. But I will always be a Nikon user (I don't include the digital P&S Canon that served me well for 3 years)

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I haven't gotten my hands on a 20D yet, but I have on the Rebels. I find them a little small in my hands compared to the Nikon. One of these days I will try out the 20D to see what its like.

Even as I Canon lover I have to agree with you. Rebel XT is much too diminutive for my hands. 20D, on the other hand, is mucho gusto!

 

[Geoff_M]

Dittoes... Both systems have pros and cons. Get both in your hands and play with them. If possible take a CF card into a local dealer that you want to buy from and see if you can take some test shots with both models. See if you like the feel, if the menus make sense to you, if you like the control layouts, look at the CF card back home and look at the results, etc. Get the one you like the best.

 

[cryssi]

thanks, I think we'll go take a look tonight!

 

[cryssi]

well, we stopped by best buy last night, but they only had the rebel xt and the d50 at that particular store. Hopefully we can get to someplace where they have the 20D and D70s. DH is beginning to lean toward the 20D. We both used to be into photography (for school) and have wanted a digital slr for awhile. If we decide to pursue it more seriously (um, is that correct grammar LOL), then we will probably get a really good SLR later down the road.

Everyone's advice here has been really helpful, thank you. I will let you know what we decide...

c

 

[cryssi]

btw, what lenses would be good to have?

 

[cryssi]

experts:

we are now leaning towards the 20D.

my question is on which lens(es) is/are essential?

Do you think that an 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 autofocus lens is a good multipurpose lens?

Or would it be better to have 2, such as the canon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens and the canon EF 75-300 4.0-5.6 II lens?

btw, forgive my ignorance, but what is a USM lens?

thanks!
crystal

 

[cryssi]

how about the Nikon D200 with a 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 autofocus lens?

we're thinking that if we're going to spend that kind of money already...

thanks again!!!

crystal

 

[Kelly Grannell]

28mm on a digital camera with 1.5 or 1.6 crop factor is not wide enough. You'll need to start at around 17 or 18mm.

Walkaround lens, the only one I can recommend for the Nikon is Nikon's own 18-200 VR
for Canon, Sigma 18-125 (I don't like the performance of its 18-200 although it's still acceptable for most ocassions... considering you're not going to enlarge lots of the pic to 8x10 or larger --- for the range between 125 to 200 for the Sigma lens).

I'm still waiting for the announcement of Canon's 18-200 IS, but that won't be until sometime this summer.

 

[Anewman]

how about the Nikon D200 with a 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 autofocus lens?

we're thinking that if we're going to spend that kind of money already...

thanks again!!!

crystal

I feel that that if I was buying today with no existing lenses, the D200 would be the one. And I love the 20D.

I agree with Kelly buy something starting at 18mm, like the kit lens(18-70). The D200 kit lens runs $300, but it is one of the better kit lenses around. And then you can buy a longer zoom.

 

[cryssi]

thanks again, this is really helping!

btw, do you guys think that a macro lens is a good investment?

thanks!

crystal

 

[Kelly Grannell]

First of all, never think a lens as an investment, in most cases you'll be disappointed.
Secondly, do you take macro photography? if not, then you don't need it.

 

[cryssi]

First of all, never think a lens as an investment, in most cases you'll be disappointed.
Secondly, do you take macro photography? if not, then you don't need it.

LOL good to know.

I have been known to do macro sometimes. On my old 35mm, I had one of those multipurpose Sigma lenses, the one where you flip a switch and it goes into macro mode...I was in architecture school at the time and used it to photograph my models.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

If you seldom take macro photography, just get Kneko macro extension tubes (about US$200) and it can convert all of your lenses into macro lens.

 

[cryssi]

wow, I've never heard of those, but sounds good to me.

DH is itching to get a camera now, so we will probably own one soon...just trying to figure out the lenses still... Thanks for the 18mm advice, we will look into that!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

here's the pic

here's the link