Which should I choose...

[budmonster]

I currently have a Olympus Evolt E-300 and was looking into getting a new camera. I came across the Canon 40D with a nice package (camera, wide angle lense, 75-300, memory card and bag) for abour 1800.00. I thought this was a great deal. But now I see that they are coming out with the 50D, almost 1600.00 for just the body & 1 lense. Is the newer camera worth the extra money or should I get the bargin D40 and forget about the newer one. Thanks for any help.

 

[ukcatfan]

Why are you switching systems and how many lenses will you be shelving with the change? If it is just the kit lens, then it is not such a big deal. Also, have you considered other brands or just Canon?

 

[mabas9395]

On Amazon, the 40d with the 28-135 IS lens is $1,140 and the 75-300 is $197. The Canon Backpack is $40 and a 4gig memory card is $34 for a grand total of $1,411 so I would have to say that $1,800 is not a good deal unless you are getting a better quality wide angle lens and maybe the 70-300 IS version of the long lens.

 

[budmonster]

Why are you switching systems and how many lenses will you be shelving with the change? If it is just the kit lens, then it is not such a big deal. Also, have you considered other brands or just Canon?

I've always liked Canon, my first big 35mm film camera was a Canon. When I went to digital I switched to Olympus because I got a good deal on it. With my Olympus I only have the kit lense, I really want to trade in and get a canera with the live view function. I like Nikon, just out of my price range.
Thank for the help.

 

[ukcatfan]

I've always liked Canon, my first big 35mm film camera was a Canon. When I went to digital I switched to Olympus because I got a good deal on it. With my Olympus I only have the kit lense, I really want to trade in and get a canera with the live view function. I like Nikon, just out of my price range.
Thank for the help.

Be sure to go out and handle an actual 40D then b/c the live view mode is not the same as on a p&s camera. It focuses differently and is not as responsive as a p&s. Here is DPReview's page about it. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos40d/page10.asp My co-worker's husband had a 40D and he says that the live view on it is worthless. I believe that the Sony is actually the best implementation of live view from what I have heard. You might check the XSi though. Being newer than the 40D, the live view might be better. I didn't take the time to read it, but here is the page on it. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/page10.asp

 

[mabas9395]

I've heard similar things about live view. It works fine if you have your camera on a tripod and are trying to frame a landscape or macro shot, but if you are trying to use it like a P&S to take shots of people, it doesn't work as well.