Canon Rebel XT or Oly E-500?

[gmartman]

Considering breaking into the DSLR arena, limited budget. Currently have Oly w/XD card, so Oly was in front, until I looked through the viewfinder. Seems awfully small compared to Nikon, Sony or Canon. Nice features on the Oly, but the small viewfinder is a deal-killer for me. Now leaning to the Rebel XT - can anybody pursuade me back to the Oly?

[timmciglobal]

No? :p

And why XT? You mean the XTi?

The best viewfinder is the D80 but it's a lot more expensive (about 999 body)

Tim

[gmartman]

XT because of the everpresent "budget constraints". Can't justify spending much more than $600 - $700. Love to have the D80, but too much $$. Perhaps in a few years . . . What I really want is the Sigma with that new layered sensor (in my dreams!). I have an older Minolta S700 (manual manual), and used to shoot med format (Kowa Super 66) - but now I'm dating myself. Time to get away from the P&S compacts and into a real camera again.

[Norm in Fujino]

- can anybody pursuade me back to the Oly?

Not if the vf size is a deal-killer for you. That says it all. I have the E-300 and have no problems with vf size, but to each his own. Each person has preferences regarding what constitute "deal killers" so do what your heart says is best.