[canonshooter]

350d, 400d, or 20d. i need a cheaps camera good for sports shots. i need help for i dont know to much about canon.

[Dave]

Any of these camera will be good, although the 350D is quite a small body , so try it first in your hands. Although the 20D is older, it is more robustly built than the other two, so can take a few more knocks.

Your bigger concern is going to be which lens to use for the type of sport you shoot ? This is more than likely going to cost more than the camera, according to the focal length you require ?

I'm sure some Canon bods will be along soon to help you decide

[Dave]

Also take a look at the specs in the Equipment Review section

[sgotwr]

Another thing worth bearing in mind, is the 5 frames a second continuous shooting rate of the 20D, I think the 350D and 400D have a rate of 3 frames a second.
It may not matter to you depending on what sports you want to photograph, I mainly shoot motorcycles, (trials and enduro), and found 3 frames per second to slow, so I bought a 20D, with a fast lens attached it gives me results I am very happy with.

Alwyn

[ChrisRabior]

sgotwr makes a good point. I personally use the 350D when I shoot sports, and have never had a problem with shooting the ones that I KNOW. I played hockey, lacrosse, and soccer. I have no problem 'seeing' something develop. I know where I need to be aimed, how I need to be focusing, and when I need to snap the shutter. Even then, the bodies capable of higher FPS make it much easier. Continuous shooting with mine gives 3, so that's only 3 potential chances to get the perfect capture.

A lot of people I've shot along side have made due with the 30D and 20D. I don't see many using the rebel series.

I guess what it comes to is what you're hoping to capture. If you're shooting hockey, you want to be able to capture the exact moment for a stick flexing during a shot. It's harder to get it with 3 frames, easier with 5, and the odds go up the higher the fps. It's possible with 3, but more of a crap shoot.

What sports are you looking to shoot? Body aside, lenses are probably more important depending on what you're going to be shooting.

[Dave]

Has the 20D also got better weather proofing than the other models ?? This would be important if your shooting in rain, or environments with dirt flying around.

[stepheno]

The 20D is no better for weather-sealing. But for my money, assuming you are going Canon, then a 20D plus a 100-400mm is excellent for sport. If you can't afford the 100-400 then get a new 70-300mm IS USM. I have used the 20D/70-300 combo and it is great for sport.

[ChrisRabior]

The sport also dictates which lens you need. Field sports would require a 70-200, 70-300, or 100-400 for a good starter lens. Indoor sports you can get away with a shorter lens (28-70 and 17-50 range) but you'll want a 2.8 constant, or an even lower f-stop prime like the 50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8, and 28mm f/1.8 lens.

[Boofers]

I like to shoot preditor birds, when hawks fly in through the trees you have to be fast, I have always used continous shooting mode and RAW,,,,I know it's not sports, or sports mode, but it just plugs away until I let the shutter stop. I bought my 20D because I liked the LCD screen on the top,,big plus for someone who forgets where the camera was set-up for...Then Chris started talking Primes so I added my 2 cents,,,ohhh. PPPRIMMMEES ,,,Good luck on your buy..

[Gary Petersen]

I've shot a few "on the wing" shots with my 20D and the 70-300IS. I've also had it out in light rain and it did just fine with only a wipe down afterward. If you need to be out in heavy stuff a plastic garbage bag does a quick and dirty job and keeps things dry.