Canon offers rebates on Speedlite flashs Canon 580EX II, 430EX II and 220EX until July 11. Which one should you buy?

Canon 220EX is a very basic model.  For most people, the best bet is to get Canon 430EX II.  Bob Atkins wrote an excellent  guide to Canon EOS speedlite system.  The most intriguing questions are: what is the difference of 580EX II and 430EX II, which one should you buy?

Both 430EX II and 580EX II have the Tilt/Swivel option which can avoid the harshly lit photos: the closed subjects are over exposed while the background becomes dark.  580EX II is a pro flash with weather sealing and about 35% more powerful than 430EX II. 580EX II has AF assistant light covering 45 pts vs 430EX II covering only 9 pts. May be the most significant is that 430EX II can only be used as a slave flash. 580EX II can be used as a master flash in a wireless flash system.  580EX II can also be powered by an external power pack for faster recycling than the internal AA batteries.  580EX II also has a small built-in bounce card.

For people who need a master flash, 580EX II is the one to get.  Otherwise, just get 430EX II.

Buy at amazon:

Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash $242.69

Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash $376.65