The shutter life of a 30D is rated at 100,000. Canon did not give an estimate for the XSi, but the XTi was rated at 50,000 so I'd expect it to be similar. This is an average of how many pics you can take on the shutter before you have to get it replaced. It could be higher or lower than the rating.

XSi = 450D. In America it's called the Rebel XSi, in Europe it's called the 450D. Exactly the same camera.

I don't know why he thinks the 30D is cheaper - The body is selling on Amazon (which is almost always the cheapest place to get cameras+lenses) for $700 with no lense. The XSi is going for $640 with the 18-55 IS lens, which costs $170. Don't confuse the 18-55 IS with the 18-55 kit lens. The 18-55 sucks, the 18-55 IS is actually a pretty good lens for a kit lens. It has IS (image stabilization) which makes it better, but it also has better optical quality.

It doesn't have better AF. The 30D has the same AF system as the XTi.

Okay, thanks.

Whats with Nikon?
Got told Nikon is more for beginners (dont know if its true).
Any opinions?

My opinion is that in the price range, Canon wins in almost every aspect. I considered Nikon early on in my decision making process, but soon it was between Canon models. They don't have as good of features, don't have as good of lenses, and didn't feel nearly as good in my hands. I hated the feel of the shutter button on the D60.

To be fair, the D60 is less expensive than the XSi. A more fair comparison might be between it and the XTi. For future upgrades, I like what Canon has better also. Generally speaking, Canon is considered to be #1 in digital SLRs. Nikon makes great cameras too, but I couldn't justify the D60 over the XSi in any aspect except price.

I know we argue back and forth about the 30D having better image quality than the XSi or whatever, but the bottom line is that it doesn't really matter. With either camera you're going to be able to take great pictures. You just have to pick which one fits your budget/future needs. As I said, I chose the XSi over the 30D because of the extra $200. It's not all about the camera - you could spend far less on an XTi and use the leftovers to buy a good flash and you'd be taking better pictures than with a higher end camera/no flash. You just have to pick the best camera you can while still being able to afford what accessories you may want. Tripods, flashes, lenses, filters - they all add up. You aren't going to have the perfect setup for your first camera unless you have tons of money, but that doesn't mean you can't take great pictures.

Heya Chris,

Im in the same predicament as you, i recently made a thread as im interested in a DSLR for around £450 (pretty much same as you because the pound is shite atm)

I first thought about getting the Nikon D60, and then had a look at the Canon 450D, i've read pages of reviews and comparisons between both cameras, and the canon is a little bit better (more pro features) even though it is more expensive, the photo-taking pros of this site also advised me i'd be best off with the 450D

I think atm this is what im going for:

Canon EOS 450D (with 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6 NON-USM lens) @ £438
SDHC eXtreme III 4GB @ £12.49
Canon RS-60E3 Remote Trigger @ £13.70

then later if i really like the camera and when i get passed beginner levels, maybe id buy a nice lens.


As for the 40D i think its more of a semi-pro camera compared to a Beginner SLR. I think someone in our place is not best paying £200 more when we could get a really nice lens for our great 450D's


I do hope this has helped!

Yes, of course. Every opinion/suggestion helps me.
Thanks for sharing your infos with me, i depend more to the 450D too. Will get some infos in shops etc if i got the time for it, just to go sure.

Regardz Chris

well whatever you end up buying I do hope you wont forget about your buddies in this forum and share some photos you will take with your new DSLR with usin the future

Hes talking about new 30d(that havent been in sale atleast here in pretty long time), im talking about getting a used 30d.