Upgrading...in a sense!

[jgbkab]

I currently have a 500D. I want to acquire a second body but I'm having difficulty in finding much useful information on the web (I've been at it for four weeks). I really don't see anything different in getting a 50D besides the frames per second. As for the 1DIIN, I'm not sure if the pixel size is really that much of a factor considering the age of the technology. Ive also been looking into getting a 1DSmk1 and 5Dmk1 for the full frame experience but I don't know of any other positives besides the size of the sensor.

What I'm basically looking for is better image quality without spending more that $1200. I'm hoping to keep my 500D just in the rare occasion that I want to record a video but that and the small form factor is all that I want it for. Please help....

[oldwolf]

Glass > camera body....to an extent.

If you're happy with your camera body then get better glass and you'll notice a difference.

You never did tell us what you shot so that would probably help us help you a bit better as well.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by jgbkab

I currently have a 500D. I want to acquire a second body but I'm having difficulty in finding much useful information on the web (I've been at it for four weeks). I really don't see anything different in getting a 50D besides the frames per second.

Pick one up. Then you'll see. The xxD line has much better ergonomics (dual wheel control, top LCD with quick access buttons, custom modes), and better build quality. Also a bunch of nicer usability features (brighter pentaprism for the viewfinder vs. a pentamirror; interchangeable focus screen, autofocus fine tuning, etc.). Not so much on the sensor specs, which is why you're not seeing a lot of differences in terms of the megapixels and iso settings.

Ive also been looking into getting a 1DSmk1 and 5Dmk1 for the full frame experience but I don't know of any other positives besides the size of the sensor.

That's pretty much it; and given that they're much older sensor technology, you won't be seeing a huge high iso advantage, either. It's mostly just the wider field of view and better viewfinder.

What I'm basically looking for is better image quality without spending more that $1200. I'm hoping to keep my 500D just in the rare occasion that I want to record a video but that and the small form factor is all that I want it for. Please help....

+1 on what oldwolf said. What lenses do you have? What do you shoot? You're likely to get more bang for your buck (and have that money stay with you longer), if you upgrade your glass, rather than your camera body. Camera bodies come and go and are easily the most disposable part of the system. Lenses depreciate and are replaced much more slowly than the bodies, and you will keep them even when you move on to another camera body. Look to the glass.

[jgbkab]

I don't really shoot in a specific type of photography. I like to photography anything. I have a 17-40mm and a 70-200mm (both are f/4) and a nifty fifty.

The ISO, fps and focus are reasons that I want another body. I've read that larger sensors/pixel size bodies create better images and that's why I've been looking for another body for those reasons.