The old 20D

[Paula]

I am looking for some advice from your esteemed members.  Living in South Africa our cameras and lenses are a scary price.  I have an EOS 300 film camera body that I need to update to digital with a small budget.  I have been offered a good second hand 20D at R3000. Is this a good idea as it is a four year old camera, or should I just go with the 1000D and buy new for nearly double the price?
Your opinions will be much appreciated.
Paula

[Bob Atkins]

Converting to US specifications, the EOS 1000D is the EOS XS. Here they sell for around $460 with the 18-55 kit lens.

R3000 is about $400, so I guess that means you're paying the equivalent of $800 for the Rebel XS or $400 for the used 20D. In the US a used 20D sells for between $200 and $300, depending on condition.

At the prices you have to pay, I think I'd be inclined to take the EOS 20D, assuming it was in good shape and had not been heavily used. Better build quality, faster frame rate, bigger image buffer, wider ISO range. It lacks the self cleaning sensor and it has smaller LCD, but I'm not sure they are worth an extra $400 that ypu would have to pay.