If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Pentax K20D or Canon 40D or Canon XSI
I primarily shoot 35mm, medium format and large format. New baby
coming next month so its time for a dSLR. I'm considering the Pentax K20D, Canon 40D, or upcoming Canon XSI. Mom has an old Canon EOS film camera she no longer uses. She would give me the 28-105mm USM lens and the cheaper 75-300mm lens she has. Pentax K20D advantages + More detail and usable megapixels (15 megapixels vs. 10 and initial test results show that these extra megapixels are quite good) + In-body IS works with older, used Pentax lenses (like a 50mm I would buy) + Extensive weather-sealing + 18-55mm II kit lens is better than most other kit lens. I would probably at a 50mm prime. Canon 40D advantages + Free 28-105mm USM lens. Doubt I would ever use the 75-300. What other lens would I add?? + Better/faster low-light AF + Better FPS (not important to me) + Broader selection of lenses (probably not be important to me) + Proven, well-tested and reviewed camera Canon XSI advantages + $300-350 cheaper + Lots of bang for the buck - disadvantages: "plasticky" body? pentamirror vs. pentaprism? would order site unseen/unreviewed? Looking for thoughts/opinions to help my decision. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Pentax K20D or Canon 40D or Canon XSI
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Pentax K20D or Canon 40D or Canon XSI
|
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Pentax K20D or Canon 40D or Canon XSI
Unless you routinely print larger than 8.5x11 then, in reality, for amateur
uses megapixels above 6 in dSLRs are vastly over-rated and invisible in the final print. If you have no particular manufacturer loyalty/religion/blind faith then the things to consider a Lenses you may already own--Canon in your case. Camera vs lens image stabilization: not Canon but available in some Canon, Sigma and Tamron lenses. Once you use image stabilization you will see the value immediately. Self cleaning sensor. Live view: pointless except for rare occasions in my opinion after using many, many P&S and EVF cameras, but what do I know. Bracketing is more useful and that is in every dSLR. If you plan to get high quality out of your new toy then you need to learn how to process raw images and budget for whatever version of Adobe you prefer. You also need to invest in a monitor calibration device and understand color management. If you plan to shoot only jpegs then Nikon has an edge in in-camera jpeg processing (in truth I have only Nikons and have no clue how to use the jpeg functions as I only shoot raw). There is no reason not to consider the higher end Sony as well as the Olympus line. Noise is an over-rated bugaboo unless you feel the need to shoot at all times above ISO 400-800. If you must shoot by candlelight then really the only game in town is the Nikon D300. However if Nikon holds true to form they will soon release a much less expensive version with essentially identical capabilities because they have to defray the costs of the sensor and the autofocus module. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Pentax K20D or Canon 40D or Canon XSI
flaming-o wrote:
Bracketing is more useful and that is in every dSLR. Not all. See Nikon D40, D40x, and D60 for instance. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Pentax K20D or Canon 40D or Canon XSI
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Pentax K20D or Canon 40D or Canon XSI
"David J Taylor" wrote in message ... wrote: I primarily shoot 35mm, medium format and large format. New baby coming next month so its time for a dSLR. [] Canon XSI advantages + $300-350 cheaper + Lots of bang for the buck - disadvantages: "plasticky" body? pentamirror vs. pentaprism? would order site unseen/unreviewed? Looking for thoughts/opinions to help my decision. If cost is important, consider the Nikon D40/D40x/D60. Do go to the shop and hold the cameras - I was open between Canon and Nikon, having no lenses from either, and the Nikon immediately felt more comfortable to me than the Canon. I've had my D40 for some months now, and been very pleased with the results. Today, I would get the 18-55mm VR (image stabilised) lens, or even the 16-85mm VR lens. http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08...kkor1685vr.asp I have also bought the 70-300mm VR lens with which I have been very pleased: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0608/06...-300vrlens.asp I got the D40 as I don't really need more than 6MP for my work. Very good for the money indeed. I had it before the D40x and now the D300. Considering the little difference in money I would now go for the D60. The MP difference is pretty big and if not for printing, it still gives advantage for cropping and sharper pics. I would get it with the 18-135; it gives just enough zoom to keep going for some time without having to get an new lens. The picture quality is one of the best in it's price range. Even better then the more expensive 18-70. -- Focus |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Pentax K20D or Canon 40D or Canon XSI
Focus wrote:
"David J Taylor" [] I got the D40 as I don't really need more than 6MP for my work. Very good for the money indeed. I had it before the D40x and now the D300. Considering the little difference in money I would now go for the D60. The MP difference is pretty big and if not for printing, it still gives advantage for cropping and sharper pics. I would get it with the 18-135; it gives just enough zoom to keep going for some time without having to get an new lens. The picture quality is one of the best in it's price range. Even better then the more expensive 18-70. I tend to take quite a lot of telephoto shots, and I find the in-viewfinder stabilisation from the VR lenses a great help (particularly at 300mm), so VR is almost a "must" when I get lenses. But you are right - the 18-135mm is a good general purpose lens, and there is a VR offering at 18-200mm for those who want just a single lens with VR. Cheers, David |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Pentax K20D or Canon 40D or Canon XSI
"David J Taylor" wrote in message ... Focus wrote: "David J Taylor" [] I got the D40 as I don't really need more than 6MP for my work. Very good for the money indeed. I had it before the D40x and now the D300. Considering the little difference in money I would now go for the D60. The MP difference is pretty big and if not for printing, it still gives advantage for cropping and sharper pics. I would get it with the 18-135; it gives just enough zoom to keep going for some time without having to get an new lens. The picture quality is one of the best in it's price range. Even better then the more expensive 18-70. I tend to take quite a lot of telephoto shots, and I find the in-viewfinder stabilisation from the VR lenses a great help (particularly at 300mm), so VR is almost a "must" when I get lenses. But you are right - the 18-135mm is a good general purpose lens, and there is a VR offering at 18-200mm for those who want just a single lens with VR. Sure. At focal lenghts longer than 135 I'd want/need VR too. Until that, I got some VR in my body ;-|) I was a sharp shooter for a few years with revolver and pistol. The techniques I learned for breathing, standing, etc. still help me get sharp shots at up to 1/10 sec. without VR. -- Focus |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
New Pentax K20D 21 fps?? | RichA | Digital SLR Cameras | 18 | March 1st 08 12:23 AM |
Pop Photography now telling what rez LCDs really are? Review K20D | RichA | Digital SLR Cameras | 2 | February 16th 08 10:51 PM |
Pentax K20D | Tony Polson | Digital SLR Cameras | 23 | January 30th 08 08:37 AM |
Pentax K20d sensor | frederick | Digital SLR Cameras | 2 | January 23rd 08 11:31 PM |