After my XT shutter stopped working and was sent in to factory service I scrambled to find a quick replacement. I was stuck between choosing the 30D or the 5D. I read numerous reviews, ratings and comparisons between both cameras.
I decided to go with the 30D over the 5D. Yes, the 5D is full frame, but you need good L lens to take full advantage of all the 5D has to offer. On occasion using the5D with the lens aperture wide open and at the widest focal length even with the L lens there can be vignetting as well as soft focus issues in the corners of the photo. Yes, there are programs to deal with both of these issues but I don’t have time to be editing my photos for that. You can also crop the photo (and factor in your crops when you ’shoot) but I dont have time to be cropping photos. By the way, Canon is currently working to improve their lens to match the performance of their latest digital cameras.Granted the AF, details and tones in the photos with the 5Dwill be superior in general over photos with the 30D. But in all the reviews I read, few mention the difference in file sizes between the 5D and the 30D. On a 2 GB memory card I can get about 530 large fine photos with the 30D vs.approximately 202 large fine photos with the 5D. This file size is a huge difference to me. Why? Well, first off I will need to buy twice as many or twice as large memory cards. Secondly, it will take more time to transfer and edit these larger files. Thirdly, I will need more storage space in my computer to archive the photos. Lastly, thelarger files will take more time to upload online and fewer will fit on a CD to give to the customer.On the 30D there is a pop-up flash (none on the 5D) which believe it or not sometimes makes the difference of getting the shot or not getting the shot. For example, sometimes in a limo my flip flash frame is too big, the batteries in the external flash go out or the flash cable malfunctions, etc. It is nice to have quick and easy flash back-up remedy when you need it in a pinch.
Also, when I take my camera for family photos I don’t always want to have to carry a big external flash with me. The 30D flash also syncs at 1/250thof a sec vs. 1/200th of a sec for the 5D. Lastly, you can get 5 fps with the 30D vs. 3 fps with the5D. If you are shooting sports or trying to capture a tossed bouquet in a wedding having 5 fps gives you an advantage over 3 fps. Now if the 5D had 5 fps and a pop-up flash I would have bought it. It seems to me that the reviews in general recommend the 5D if you already have good Canon L lenses. If you don’t, then you may be better off getting the 30D and spending the money you save towards a good lens. The way digital cameras are marketed today too many people obsess on the cameras pixel counts. Pixel counts are just one aspect of the photo quality. The other aspects of photo quality are the lens, the sensor and the processor. What matters most in photo quality isn’t the number of pixels a camera has, its the number of years the person behind the camera has. In my humble opinion, a pro with a Rebel will out shoot an amateur with a 1Ds Mark II anytime.