I knew this day would come - I just didn't think so quickly

[Lizziejane]

"honey... we need a second body... this sharing thing just isn't working..."

We aren't in a position to run to the store today, however, I already am leaning towards a 30D. DH asks why not just get another XTi. I know the
30D is considered a step up, and I've read lots of reports from owners who swear by the 30D, but when DH asked me exactly what makes it a better camera than the XTi, I was stumped! The price difference between the two bodies is almost $500, so it's a fair question.

So, would anyone be able to enlighten me?

 

[Master Mason]

Spot metering, faster frames per second, more shots in the buffer, better/brighter viewfinder, bigger, more solid build, higher ISO, better controls, more steps on the ISO settings, and I think it has faster shutter speed, but I can't remember.

 

[wdwmom2]

Here is a great forum and lots of reading material comparing the two.... http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=348623

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I don't own either, but here are the differences based on a few websites and memory from playing with other's cameras. Please feel to correct me where I'm wrong.

1) Polycarbonate body on steel frame (XTi) vs magnesium alloy body (30D)
2) 11% more horizontal and vertical resolution (XTi compared to 30D)
3) Dust reduction (or at least dust shaking) on the XTi
4) Home AF point designation on the 30D
5) Spot metering on 30D
6) ISO 3200 on 30D
7) 1/3 stop ISO adjustments on 30D vs full stop adjustments on XTi
8) 1/8000s max shutter speed (30D) vs 1/4000 max shutter speed (XTi)
9) 1/250s flash sync (30D) vs 1/200s flash sync (XTi)
10) 5 fps (30D) vs 3 fps (XTi)
11) Pentaprism with 0.9x mag (30D) vs pentamirror with 0.8x mag (XTi)
12) XTi has a nose detector
13) I think the 30D shows the ISO and WB in the viewfinder while you are changing them and the XTi doesn't.
14) More custom functions on the 30D
15) 30D is larger and heavier
16) Much higher capacity battery on 30D (1390 mAh vs 720) and lower power consumption translate to much longer battery life (1,100 no flash shots vs 500)
17) XTi LCD monitor is brighter and has larger viewing angle
18) 30D has a PC Sync connector, XTi does not
19) XTi can do a dustmap
20) XTi has a single LCD display vs 2 for 30D
21) Some people claim that the 30D shutter is rated for more shots, but I haven't seen any official or test data to confirm that.
22) 30D has a rear wheel, making it easier to adjust aperture in manual mode.
23) 30D has safety shift
24) The XTi takes a second to fully power on (presumably because it is stirring up the dust) vs the instant on of the 30D. However, you can shoot instantly...you just can't see your settings for a second.
25) Slightly more buffer space on the 30D vs the XTi
26) Slightly higher transfer speed on the 30D vs the XTi

I think that the biggest difference between the two is the size/UI. Just because you like the feel and interface of one doesn't mean that you'll like the other. Better make sure that you hold a 30D before committing.

I question why you'd buy a 30D now if you already have an XTi. Rumors are very strong (although they are still just rumors), that Canon will announce the 30D replacement in September. I haven't heard anything very credible about what will be different, although every asumes that the resolution will go up slightly. Of course, there were rumors saying September last year and March this year. Going simply on normal Canon release cycles, this September seems reasonably likely.

 

[Michele]

I want to second that you need to hold the 30D before purchasing it. I thought I wanted to step up to it from my Rebel until I held it. It is just too big for my hands.

 

[Lizziejane]

Thanks so much for the replies, they've all been very helpful.

Mark, we are very pleased with the XTi, but sharing a camera when we're out gets to be a problem. DH prefers to shoot wide; I prefer a zoom. We're forever switching lenses back and forth - two bodies just makes so much sense. But I'm stuck with the question do we duplicate or take a step up?

If as you say, the 40D is coming soon, (I know, just a rumor) I would imagine the 30D will drop in price a bit, making it a better buy. We likely won't be purchasing another body until the fall anyway.

Just one other question - I've read the 30D has a better viewfinder, but haven't been able to find out exactly what makes it better. Just curious, it doesn't seem a biggy to me - but can anyone tell me how it's better?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Just one other question - I've read the 30D has a better viewfinder, but haven't been able to find out exactly what makes it better. Just curious, it doesn't seem a biggy to me - but can anyone tell me how it's better?

The 30D uses a pentaprism instead of a pentamirror. They do the same basic thing (get the image from the mirror to the viewfinder, but the pentaprism will be slightly brighter and less prone to dust. It'll also be heavier. The 30D gives slightly higher magnification (0.9x rather than 0.8x for the XTi).

 

[Lizziejane]

I want to second that you need to hold the 30D before purchasing it. I thought I wanted to step up to it from my Rebel until I held it. It is just too big for my hands.

I played with it yesterday in the store. I actually like the feel of it. I have the grip on the XTi so I'm used to the bigger size and weight. The 30D on it's own felt a little smaller and lighter and I liked that. I don't think I'd add the grip to it.

Thanks for the info Mark - you're always so up on all this stuff - don't know what we'd do without you around here!!

 

[jann1033]

i agree, wait a month and see what happens. although the 30d has a 150 rebate(not sure if it's from canon or henry's only, just got an email about it and haven't really checked it out) and total speculation but my rebel xt had a 100 rebate a few weeks(the rebate ended in early july i think and the xti was announced in aug ) before the xti was introduced
the biggest difference to me is the speed, it is so much faster than my xt( xt is the same as xti) that it's a noticeable difference. the photos are better as well, wishing someone with both would do a test but i am guessing it must be the mirror since the focus is the same on the xti and 30d( 9 pt, only 7 on the xt)
i like the xt feel in my hand but the 30d is a good feel as well for me even though it's a little larger. neither of them hurt my hands like the nikon does so i hoping if there is a release soon the body doesn't change a ton, just add cleaning, the new processor they put in the mark 111 and lower the price to $800 ( i can dream can't i?)

 

[Anewman]

i agree, wait a month and see what happens. although the 30d has a 150 rebate(not sure if it's from canon or henry's only, just got an email about it and haven't really checked it out) and total speculation but my rebel xt had a 100 rebate a few weeks(the rebate ended in early july i think and the xti was announced in aug ) before the xti was introduced
the biggest difference to me is the speed, it is so much faster than my xt( xt is the same as xti) that it's a noticeable difference. the photos are better as well, wishing someone with both would do a test but i am guessing it must be the mirror since the focus is the same on the xti and 30d( 9 pt, only 7 on the xt)
i like the xt feel in my hand but the 30d is a good feel as well for me even though it's a little larger. neither of them hurt my hands like the nikon does

Hurt or BURN?

 

[jann1033]

Hurt or BURN?

HEY! maybe that's where i got the big red "N" burnt into the flesh on my hands.....