300 or 350 -- Canon Rebel

George.

I am going to buy a DSLR. Have found one relatively cheap on eBay -- but it's a 300. Should I save the extra money to buy a brand spankin 350?? Or go with 300d.
I am real beginner with DSLR and feel that getting the 300 will fix my hunger for a year or two and then I'll get the one after the 350.
Is there much difference between the two for a beginner - do u think?? Except for the megapixels...
Appreciate any and all replies.

George

PS At the moment I am using an IXUS 4mp, such a fun camera to learn on but maybe its time to move up in the world.

ziggy53

George,


Either camera is a major step up from your current camera. The 300 can be "improved" to be something very close to the 10D, with the one significant advantage (IMHO) of ISO3200 for in-camera JPEGs (versus the 350XT max of ISO1600).

If you shoot sporting events, the 350XT has more megapixels, which mean more cropping opportunity assuming competent lenses. If you shoot mostly without the need to crop, either camera will do nicely to 8X10 print size.

The 350XT is considerably faster to start-up and also much faster processing and writing to the memory card. This is another advantage when shooting sports/action photography.

Both cameras are the same crop factor and can take the same standard EF series lenses, but the 350XT can use more of the EF-S series lenses without alteration.

I found that the advantages of the 350XT over the 300 were significant enough that I wound up getting that model, but the truth is that either model is extremely competent and produce similar results, and either is a major improvement over most digicams in the imaging and processing sections.

Best,

ziggy53

chrisjlee

buy the 10d. 600-700 on ebay.

Chase

ziggy53 wrote:

George,



Both cameras are the same crop factor and can take the same standard EF series lenses, but the 350XT can use more of the EF-S series lenses without alteration.



ziggy53

Thye can both use all of the same efs lenses. One is not better than the other in that regard. The 350d will be a camera that you can "grow into" a lot better with nearly all the modes and options which were frustratingly missing from the 300d.

davev

Hi George.

I have had a D Reb 300 for a year. It's a good camera, and I have taken
a lot of good photos with it. (at least I think they were good)

I just bought a used XT. I haven't had a chance to put it through the ringer
yet, but I have made a few quick notes.

1) Start up time. 300 about 3-4 seconds, XT almost instantly.

2) Noise at higher ISO's. 300, at 400 it's OK, 800 is crumby.
On the XT, 800 is good, 1600 looks like it may be useable.
This is like having an extra stop on your lens. If you're not sure what
I mean by this, it's OK. It's a good thing to have.

3) The 300 is bigger, the XT is smaller. I like a larger camera. I have
Large hands. But I think I can learn to use the smaller XT.

4) The 300 has a larger battery. I don't know yet it the XT will take as many
photos on a charge or not. It's just a comment.

5) Metering modes. Big plus to the XT on this one. The metering mode (and
focusing modes) can be readily set on the XT. On the 300 it's kind of
like voodoo.


Like I say, I have only had the the XT for a couple of days, an have only
shot about 30 pics. But these things have jumped out at me, and most (maybe
not the battery) are all positives for the XT.

George.

thanks so much for the responses guys!!
maybe the 350 will be better to grow into?? well that's what i am feeling at the moment.

I checked the prices of the 10D - much difference between them and the rebels for a beginner??

Also IYHO would you buy your first DSLR from eBay or go to a camera shop and get their adivce, warranty, extra care, etc.

Thanks again peoples.

allan

George. wrote:

thanks so much for the responses guys!!
maybe the 350 will be better to grow into?? well that's what i am feeling at the moment.

I checked the prices of the 10D - much difference between them and the rebels for a beginner??

Also IYHO would you buy your first DSLR from eBay or go to a camera shop and get their adivce, warranty, extra care, etc.

Thanks again peoples.

George

I have had the 300, 10D, 20D, 5D (sold after 3 wks. & rebought a 20D)

Buy the 350 XT from a Camera Shop - you won't be sorry!!!

superlyduper

just something to consider: 300d firmware can be updated to an unofficial one to recover the deleted functions from the 10d

Sam

George. wrote:

thanks so much for the responses guys!!
maybe the 350 will be better to grow into?? well that's what i am feeling at the moment.

I checked the prices of the 10D - much difference between them and the rebels for a beginner??

Also IYHO would you buy your first DSLR from eBay or go to a camera shop and get their adivce, warranty, extra care, etc.

Thanks again peoples.

George,

I own a 300D and will continue to use it, but I would recomend first the 20D (great camera), and if that's gona test the budget go for the XT. Both of these have too many advantages over the 300D in my opinion.

I would really prefer to buy new. Try B&H Photo, or a local store. B&H has reasonable prices, and a good reputation. I recently placed two orders with them, and both went throuh with out a hitch. Stay away from the low price online scamers.

Sam

erich6

My vote would be for the 300D if you can get one that is new or in excellent condition, specially since you are starting out and only want to use it for a year or two. This will also free-up some cash for accessories and lenses. And then you can step up to the next big thing (Canon 5D?).

The 300D with the unofficial firmware upgrade has all the custom functions that you will need as you start out. The biggest downside for me is the slow startup time but it is bearable.

Resolution is plenty good for typical enlargements. I've shot landscapes that blow up to 16'x24' and look great.

Erich

gus

1/ 20d

2/ 350d

3/ 10d

4/ 300d

DanielB

try them out. at ur local camera-shop. whichever one feels right. get it. i just bought the 10D. however. the 350d is WAY too small for my large hands. so i'd go with the 300d/10d/20d. 20D if your budget willl allow it. mine didn't. so i settled with the 10d. . hope this helped.

-daniel-

ShadowHawk

You went back to a 20D after a 5D??

allan wrote:

George

I have had the 300, 10D, 20D, 5D (sold after 3 wks. & rebought a 20D)

Buy the 350 XT from a Camera Shop - you won't be sorry!!!

Just wondering what you didn't like about the 5D that made you go back to the 20D?

leebase

I started with the 300D, it's a nice little camera...a real breakthrough at the time. I shoot with a 20D now, and my 300 is a backup/alternate lens body.

It depends on how strapped you are for money. The 350XT is a _much_ better camera, it'll keep you happy longer.

If you shoot mostly still life (flowers, portraits), the rebel is fine. If you shoot sports or low light shots, I think you'll find it lacking (compared to the 350xt).

If you think of it as a "first body" that you can cut your teeth on, and maybe you'll sell it in 6months to a year after you've grown enough to really hate it's shortcomings...it's not a bad idea. Cameras are coming down in price and going up in abilities. Getting in cheap, then learning and figuring out what would be better for you _later_ is not a bad idea.

That is....if the camera is suitable for you. For flowers and portraits...yes. For sports, no.

IMHO.

Lee

Crux

allan wrote:

I have had the 300, 10D, 20D, 5D (sold after 3 wks. & rebought a 20D)

Why?