[Dave]

So you've bought your Canon 400D / XTi, 350D / XT, 20D , 30D or 5D , but did you make the right choice ? If you had your time again would you have chosen a different model or have you already changed ?

Any hints you would give to other members looking to purchase one of these models ?

** Note the poll allows you to vote for the model & the choice of the 2 options at the end of the list.

[Sonsey]

Well I went for the 350D as my entry into DSLR cameras... and I've voted "No, I wish I chose a different model"

I have to say that it is an excellent camera and it's quality has been great since I bought it, so why did I vote "No". Well to be honest it was my own fault, since I mainly enjoy wildlife photography I'm finding the 3FPS shooting speed of the 350D just isn't enough for me, as a result I can't help feeling I should've gone for the 20D at the time.

So it's not that I don't like it, the opposite in fact, it's more that I've outgrown it a bit... Now I wonder if the 40D will be released later this year

[Tigress]

I too went for the 350d as my entry, but I voted Yes I am happy with my choice. I have grown to love my camera, just wish I used it more, and I could remember the password to my external hard drive! If anything were to happen to it though, is another matter - I think I would probably then upgrade to the 30d.

[ChrisRabior]

I got the 350D as my entry, and I'm happy with it. I knew going in that the frame rate wasn't as high as some of the other bodies, but for the price I paid I couldn't complain at the time. It's been a great entry level camera so far, and has definitely been worth every penny.

Eventually I'll probably go for the higher end bodies, but then I'll have to relearn all of the controls again.

[stepheno]

I originally bought the 20D and upgraded to the 30D about nine months later. Am I happy? Very I think the 20D will go down as a classic and the 30D is just that bit better. 5fps in RAW which is great for sport - and the extra spot metering made the switch worthwhile. It's at the top for start-up time and I think it's high ISO to noise ratio is outstanding.

The rear wheel apparently annoys Nikon users but I find it so easy. If I was going to consider anything else it would be the D200 but I have no need to change. My problem is whether to go full-frame or not

[Cenobite]

I love my 350d, my only qualm is that a month after buying it, i could have got a 400d for the same price... Nevermind though, such is the world of technology, if you wait for the latest model to be cheap as the previous one, there will always be a model to wait for.

[Liam O'Neill]

I bought a 30D this time last year, and I think I made the right choice for me.
Yes, I would love a full frame camera, but the 5D is just too expensive for me and I have no regrets about not buying it.
The 350D/400D is a wonderful camera, but having held them both, I still find them too small. I won't pretend there was a bit of (misplaced) snobbery involved that still lingers.

[_MB_]

20D but the 1.6 crop annoys me much more than I thought it would so I'd have probably saved a few hundred more and bought a 2nd hand 1D if I went back in time.

[emmettleffel]

I have the 350XT and the 300D and they are both excellent cameras

[brian wright22]

I purchased the 350D and have not regretted it . I considered the 30D for the spot metering and less noise but I found the body size and weight too much, especially with the 18-85 EF-S is lens.
The only criticism with my 350 D is that my "big nose" keeps altering the shutter setting and I sometimes miss a shot when it selects "delayed" shutter.
My next digital camera will probably be a full frame one that is if the price permits and the body size is acceptable to me.

[Dave Canon]

I watched the Market and waited until the 20D emerged as it was just what I wanted so I am very satisfied. Of course I would love to own a 5D or 1D but I have spent my pocket money on upgrading lenses recently. The 20D exposed some weaknesses in my older lenses.

[fionaB]

well as most of you know i recently joined the ranks of dslr users. getting a 400D...... do i regret my choice of camera? not a bit! but then i only have the camera to go by.. and its early days but i think i can safely say that i can see no valid reason so far to regret the choice of camera. its fits my hands perfectly is comfortable and very intuitive to use. cant complain in any way shape or form! well i can but thats only cos i dont get to use it enough!

Fi

[Ali]

At the time I think my choices were 350d, 400d, 20d (although they were proving hard to find) or 30d. The fps was the main decider to swung me towards the 20d or 30d.

Although the 30d is only fractionally larger in size than the 20d (just a millimetre or 2) it was enough to make it feel awkward to hold. I have little hands!

The difference in price also played a part.

The size and weight of the 20d took a bit of getting used to, looking back I probably would have got used to 30d, but I am very happy with my choice. Prior to the 20d my main camera was a Canon S1 IS which I loved - now it feels very light and small when I use it.