Should I buy a Canon 30D with Grip (Used) or a Canon 40D?

Question

Hi! Recently, I am thinking upgrading to DSLR from my current panasonic lx2. After some research, I have managed to limit my choices to Canon 30D and Canon 40D. The thing is I am not sure if I should get a canon 30D with grip instead of the newer canon 40D. The price different is about USD 240 from where I am staying. For all the experts out there, would you please advise? Thks!

Answer 1

There isn't a real HUGE difference between the two. You may want to get the 40D just to have the most up-to-date model in that series. However, not far down the road, Canon is releasing the EOS 50D. Again, an upgrade with a few fairly significant changes. But, if you just wait until the 50D comes out (I think in a few months?), the price on the 40D will surely drop - more than it has in the past few months ever since the$200  Instant Rebate Canon had going on the 40D recently. The prices never went back up after the rebate was over - at most places anyway. So, I would be willing to bet that the price on the 40D will drop even more after the 50D comes out.

Answer 2

While the 30D wasn't much of a jump over the 20D, the 40D was quite a jump over the 30D. IIRC the 40D has a new image processor as well as a variety of other good features. If the $240 doesn't matter to you I'd get the 40D.

That being said, wait until the 50D comes out. I wouldn't buy the 50D but prices on both the 30D and 40D are likely to fall, especially for used ones (as people upgrade).

Answer 3

you can get great comparisons and reviews at dpreview.com

the 40 will hold its resale value longer if thats a factor for you.

grip/no grip is a personal choice for comfort if you buy a spare battery for the 40. there are also times where the bulk of a grip would only get in the way.

for 240 savings you could also get an extra lens!

Answer 4

I'd go for the 40D. Better deal, slightly better camera.

The above answer is correct, hang on a little while. 40D prices will drop.

The 50D is coming out in October, (looks like a 40D but sports higher ISO, up to 12800, a new processor, and a load of mega pixels at 15 plus, yada yada), it's price is said to be 1300 for the body, 1500 plus for the kit.

Sooo, you'll see the 40D dropping by a couple hundred bucks.

Answer 5

Both are good cams.  I would tend to opt for the newer model where possible, you can always get a grip for it at some point in the future.

There may be some good deals to be had on the 40D now that the 50D has been announced.

Unless you really need a studio flash PC socket and a fast frame per second capture rate why not consider the 450D?  In some ways its the better camera, certainly than the 30D (12MP, live view, 14bit colour sampling) and you would be able to get it and the grip for the same if not less than the 40D?