$VC wrote:
$> I am torn between Canon 400D and Canno 30D
$> Is the second option worth extra for nonprofessional use ?

  For some people, definitely yes.  For some people, definitely no.
For some people, it would be a tough choice.

  Looking at the list of difference between the features of these
two bodies, what stuff do you see in the 30D that you think would be
useful, to you, for what you shoot?

$Not particularly.  What do you get more with the 30D?
$
$- less pixels

  True, but the practical difference between 8 and 10 megapixels is
rather slight unless you're going to be cropping very heavily or making
very large prints.  Unless one of those applies to you, the pixel
difference isn't of much importance.  For instance, the 30D is more than
capable of taking pictures that make excellent 8x10/8x12" prints.

$- heavier and larger.

  Before you mark that as a negative, get your paws on both cameras.
Some people find a camera the size and weight of a 30D too big and
heavy; some find the 400D too small and toy-like.  There are also
some people who find that either one is more comfortable with the
optional battery grip, and others who think they're just fine the
way they are.

  The only way to know if one or the other will be comfortable in
your hands is to try them for yourself.

$That's about it.

  The 400D also has dust-removal hardware and software.  The jury's
still out on how well the hardware works; I don't think there's any
doubt that it has a positive effect, but rather whether it has enough
of a positive effect to reduce the frequency with which the user must
clean the sensor.  The software side is all very well, but as it is
implemented by the camera tagging (not removing) dusty spots and
then software on your computer taking those tags and editing the
picture for you, you only benefit from this one if you're using
software that can do this - which, AFAIK, currently ties you to
the Canon software that ships with the camera; I don't believe any
third parties have implemented this in their editors or RAW
converters.

$The spot metering is not as important in a digital camera as it is in a
$film camera.  You can always 'chimp' to optimal exposure.

  Spot metering is another of those things that divides people.
Some will scream bloody murder if they find a camera that doesn't have
it, while others shrug their shoulders.  I guess if you're accustomed
to having it, you won't want a camera without it.  If you've never had
it, it's probably not a big deal for you if your next camera doesn't
have it, either.

------------------------------------------------------------------
    Say hi to my cat -- http://www.stevedunn.ca/photos/toby/

I ended up with the 400D because I couldn't justify the extra cost as a
rank amateur. However for me the main reason for wanting the 30D would
be the extra size [1], my old D30 felt so much better in the hand than
the 400D. If I was shooting everyday that alone would be enough to sway
it for me.

[1] I've ended up buying the grip anyway for the 400D.

Could you give examples of how the 30D would handle better? Would the
30D be significantly easier to operate in manual mode?

KS

Thank you all guys for the nice advises,
Today I went to local Fry's to feel the things. Maybe I do have large hands
but 30D appeared to be surprisingly comfortable and ergonomical. Rebel on
the other hand despite being much smaller and lighter has sharper corners
and does not sit that nice in my hands.
I did some research online and many users complain that more pixels in 400D
is actually a step down from the previous model 350D (which by the way is
also 8MP), the image quality is noticeably worse in low light due to
increased noise.

The dust removal  is definitely a plus for 400D. Maybe it is worth waiting a
couple of months till Canon releases a 30D equivalent with this feature.

As opposed to what camera that you've bought?

No....the OP is looking at the two cameras and thus has presumably
decided that they want a Canon camera.  Now the OP is trying to decide
if the extra cost of the 30D is well warranted or not.

As for the Rebel XTi/400 being FAR lower on the quality totem, dpreview
actually compares the 400D to the D80 and the 400D comes out looking
quite good, especially given the cost savings.

Back to the original question, I too am torn between these two cameras.
I like the feel of the 30D in my hands  better than the 400D/Rebel
XTi.  I like the control layout of the 30D a little better as well.  I
like the price of the Rebel and the anti-dust feature (despite it being
still too early to know if it will have much effect in real world
situations).  I'm tempted to go with the 30D but do like the idea of
getting the 400D with a better lens rather than spend on the 30D.

Rumour has it that the 40D is coming out soon.  I've decided to wait
and see (give it a couple months).  Perhaps the 30D price will come
down somewhat (although when the 30D came out the 20D did not drop in
price very much).  

Bates....