Only a pro would need more
Written: Oct 31 '05
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Pros: Fast, Solid, Inexpensive
Cons: needs the faster memory cards to make best use of high speed shooting modes
The Bottom Line: Unless you have a trust fund or are a serious pro you do not need more of a camera
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| pawtraitp's Full Review: Canon EOS-20D Body only Digital Camera |
Canon 20D – this is my daily camera, it is the camera that goes everywhere with me. In that role it replaced the Rebel.
There are three good reasons to buy the 20D, firstly it is (relatively) inexpensive, secondly it is solidly built (without being a tank) and finally it is fast, very fast.
The 20D is Canon’s second level dSLR (digital SLR) which means the price point is between $1200 and $1600, as an early buyer I paid $1599. For the price you get some very impressive features – shutter speed down to 1/8000 of a second, ISO equivalency to 3200 ISA, 5 fps shooting for 23 frames and of course 8.2 MP.
As far as the build quality goes, it reminds of my old AE-1 from the 70’s, it ‘feels’ like a camera, has a nice weight and balance without being too heavy, ergonomically all the controls fall to fingertips and they feel like they will last for a lifetime, once understood, the little icons on the camera make perfect sense and even the least used functions are easy to find.
Speed is another wonderful thing about the 20D, power on is virtually instantaneous – actually about 20mS and it can be set up so the slightest touch on the shutter button brings the camera to life. Focusing is also fast and accurate with 9 easily selected focus points available.
If you are considering the 20D as a camera for action use, you should invest in faster memory cards. This is because five frames per second is too fast for regular memory cards to store the data. The 20D has a sensor that is smaller than full frame this means that there’s a multiplayer involved with any lens you fit. The multiplayer is 1.6 times this means a 100mm lens behaves like a 160mm lens, will this is good for distance work this can cause problems for landscape photographers has a 28mm lens becomes a 45mm lens.
The camera uses the excellent digic2 processor which offers very low noise and good color recognition. This enables the camera to operate at 800 ASA with negligible noise even when set to 1600 ASA noise levels are not intrusive. Using the special functions it is possible to select a 3200 ASA mode, this mode works very well for handheld nighttime images where the introduction of a little noise creates a nice artistic effect.
Occasionally in use my camera has shown an error and a locked up, this was easily remedied by removing and reinstalling the battery. This problem has only happened less than half a dozen times in eighteen months use.
To see images and I have taken with the 20D, please take a look at www.pawtrait.net , for most people this would be the ideal camera and it would be hard to imagine anyone other than a serious professional user really needing more of a camera.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1599
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Solid Enough for a Professional
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Epinions.com ID:
pawtraitp
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Reviews written: 23
Trusted by: 2 members
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