Canon Cameras - Canon Eos 450D vs 400D?

Canon Eos 450D vs 400D?

They have just announced today the features of the new CANON EOS 450D: 12.2 megapixel CMOS sensor SD/SDHC cards Larger viewfinder Live view mode, including contrast-detect AF Improved 9-point AF system Spot metering 3.0" LCD monitor Redesigned menus (including My Menu as seen in 40D) Slightly redesigned info display Continuous shooting at 3.5fps for up to 53 JPEG (6 RAW) ISO setting displays in viewfinder and ISO button New, larger, higher capacity battery 14 bit A/D converter and processing Multi-shot self-timer mode Highlight Tone Priority (from 40D) Auto Lighting Optimiser (boosts shadows after shooting) Kit lens with IS I'm still contemplating on getting either this 450D ($899) or the 400D ($549). Do you think the additional features justify the price difference? Or should I just get the 400D and get better lenses?

Public Comments

Since your lenses are the investments that will last for decades and digital bodies only 18 to 24 months (not because they quit working, but because technology advances fast enough to require buying a new DSLR body in that time frame, I would suggest you buy the 400D and spend the money you save on lenses.
OK, I'll address each feature: 12.2 megapixel CMOS sensor Nice SD/SDHC cards Good, but not a reason to choose it over the 400D Larger viewfinder Nice, but also not a reason to choose over 400D Live view mode, including contrast-detect AF Good if you need it (handy with macro and some different angle shots) more for framing and precise on tripod focusing. The 40D WILL autofocus, you just have to set it...but it won't focus with the mirror flipped in liveview mode...in other words, when you hit the AF button, it flips the mirror to get focus, then flips back (this makes the screen dark for a second). Most of the time you'll use the viewfinder anyway. Improved 9-point AF system Meaning, like the 40D Spot metering (no comment) 3.0" LCD monitor Like the 40D (I have a 40D and used a 400D a lot, the difference is noticeable, but not really that important as it is just a preview before you get back to your computer for serious work). Redesigned menus (including My Menu as seen in 40D) Yeah, this is probably the same as the 40D. Not worth the difference from the 400D. Basically does the same job. Slightly redesigned info display Again, no reason to choose over 400D Continuous shooting at 3.5fps for up to 53 JPEG (6 RAW) 400D did 3 per second. Not a big jump. ISO setting displays in viewfinder and ISO button This is nice, but who cares really. You should set the ISO first to suit the situation. It is better to see the f-stops, shutter speed etc. in the viewfinder. New, larger, higher capacity battery Just buy 2. 14 bit A/D converter and processing OK so this is nice, but the quality won't see that much of a jump I'd say. Multi-shot self-timer mode Um...OK. Highlight Tone Priority (from 40D) LISTEN - really this is worth the difference IMO. I use this ALL THE TIME with my 40D. It will give you more range within the picture (only in RAW) making high contrast pictures more possible (if you know what you're doing, you can fake HDR pictures too.) This mode does mean you can't go down to 100ISO anymore (200 is the lowest) it uses that 100ISO range to give you more dynamic range. Well worth it. Auto Lighting Optimiser (boosts shadows after shooting) Shoot RAW and do it in post. Kit lens with IS OK, so the more expensive kit lens is now standard I assume. I'm still contemplating on getting either this 450D ($899) or the 400D ($549). Do you think the additional features justify the price difference? Or should I just get the 400D and get better lenses? Well, a lot of people will say: "Get the cheaper one and get better lenses. Yeah, true, they will last longer etc. But you can always get better lenses later too. No doubt you will keep this camera for a while. You can build your lenses slowly, while having a better camera. Then when you change your camera in a year or 2, you can keep those lenses you've bought over the year or 2. If you go for the better lens now, you'll have a worse camera for 1-2 years but a better lens for that time. It's true lenses are more important that special features when it comes to quality. But you can do with the kit lens while you learn and then slowly get better lenses that are suitable for what you find you like to shoot. As you shoot away, you might find you are constantly shooting wide angle and can never seem to fit anything in. Then get the Canon 10-22mm lens. You might find you keep shooting flowers or insects, but never get close enough. Get the 100mm Macro. You might find you can never quite get that shot of the birds in the trees (or the birds on the beach ;) ) Then go for the 70-200mm f/4L IS. So my advice would be. Get the best camera you can afford, with the better kit lens (probably the 17-85mm IS). Shoot, shoot and shoot till you learn what you like to shoot most (all the time saving your pennies). When you decide you like one sort of photography over another, choose the lens to suit. Oh and consider the 50mm 1.8 (cheap, great for portraits and low light).
I would go for the 450D for a few important reasons: 1) improved AF system. Very important in getting focused shots, particularly in dim light. 2) larger LCD monitor. Avoid frustration from having to try to make out details on a small screen. 3) larger viewfinder: makes it easier to compose. 4) improved kit lens with IS All of these things together make the 450D a better value--you'll get more keepers. Any one alone might not be enough, but taken together, it makes the price difference inconsequential. If I were Canon, I'd cut the Canon 350D, keep the 400D and cut the price, and add the 450D.