I know it's old, but is a 20D a good start?

[Pupator]

Hey guys,

I'm hanging on to my FZ50, I think (I just can't imagine giving up that zoom range!), but I'm also considering using Christmas bonus money to dive into the world of DSLR.

I know it's 3-4 years old, but someone I know has a 20D they'll sell that's in good condition. DPreview rated it highly (3 years ago), but cameras have come a long way since then.

I think he's got a Canon ~75-200 lens with it - I'll have to check to be sure. Also, I've check the Flea Market to see what a fair price might be - seems like $500?

[DavidTO]

I shoot with a 20D, and it's a great camera. Sure it's a great start. Go for it, I say, if the $$ make sense.

[Justiceiro]

I shoot with a 20D, and it's a great camera. Sure it's a great start. Go for it, I say, if the $$ make sense.

I shoot with a 20D. (although I just got a 30d from Dougnorcal a week ago). Damn fine piece of equipment.

[photobern]

I shoot with a 20D. (although I just got a 30d from Dougnorcal a week ago). Damn fine piece of equipment.

I use 2 of the 20D's and I think they are very reliable, good quality bodies. They are not the latest and the greatest, but they are good cameras. I've had one for about 2 years and the other for 6 months. I've never had any problems.

Bernie
www.photobern.com (http://www.photobern.com)

[Richard]

I am in no hurry to replace my 20D. I don't doubt that the 30D and 40D are improvements, but so far I think my money is better spent on acquiring glass than on upgrading the body. You should think about what lenses you will be needing, as once you get into DSLRs, that's where the real expense comes from.

Try to find out how many actuations the camera has. Canon never gave out a shutter lifetime rating for the 20D and the word on the street varies between 50,000 and 100,000. If it has over 50k, then you might be better off paying a bit more to get a used 30D with fewer clicks.

Regards,

[gus]

I still use my 20 beside my 30...its a fine camera.

[z_28]

It's perfect camera and for sure isn't old !!!
Just buy it :thumb

[jogle]

I use a 20D and a 5D, heck I converted my 10D to IR and use that often too. I still pull out raw files from my 10D for printing and framing at A3 so a 20D is only a step up from there :)

[Scott_Quier]

I shoot weddings (and other things) with a combination of a 20D and a 30D. There are some minor differences between them which make the 30D my favorite of the two, but I would not hesitate to shoot with just a pair of 20Ds. They may have been around a while longer than, for example, the 30D or the 40D, but they are still good cameras.

As stated above, if the $$$ make sense, the 20D is a very good place to start.

[Pupator]

Thanks everyone! I'll see if it works out.

[claudermilk]

Should work out fine. Like Richard, I'm not really in a big hurry to replace mine. It's still a great tool and going strong long after it's expiration date (shutter has approx. 80k on it). :D