STUNNING! CANON 20D IS AMAZING...
Written: Oct 18 '04
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Pros: Faster Than A Speeding Bullet... User-Friendly Switches & Controls. Quality evident.
Cons: Software Included Is Weak.
The Bottom Line: Fantastic Quality With Evident Workmanship And Performance. Canon Continues To Lead The World In Digital Imaging.
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| benicia's Full Review: Canon EOS-20D Body only Digital Camera |
This is my 7th or 8th digital camera to date. I started with a half-megapixel JVC and remember being excited back then about its quality.
I currently own three (3) Canon digital cameras. I switched to Canon (from Nikon) just over a year ago and started out with their highly-rated 10D. I followed up by adding a Pro-1 and then spending the money for their Mark II EOS D1 (also 8 megapixels). I had heard Canon was about to upgrade the 10D to a '20D' model so I sold my 10D and awaited the 20D's release.
I expected ultra-performance out of my Canon Mark II. At $3500, I wanted exceptional speed and quality and I got exactly that from it. My older 10D was much slower although one of the great digital SLR releases ever.
I've owned my 20D for just over a month now so I am not proficient enough with it just yet to qualify for a major review but with so many EPINION users wanting to know about the 20D, I decided to create my review a bit sooner than I usually do. Especially with the holidays quickly approaching.
Detailed specifications can be found at WWW.CANON.COM for those that will need them. What I wanted to say and share here was the Canon 20D's performance and my initial observations. I still remain amazed!
This camera is heavy. Quality workmanship and detailed perfection is evident. It is not your point & shoot camera and when adding a lens, a possible grip/battery casement and a flash unit, you now have a two-hands requirement digital camera. This is 'your fathers Oldsmobile'...
You can expect INSTANT-ON when you power-up and this camera is ready to shoot well before you'll ever get your eye to the viewfinder. The shutter is faster than any film SLR I ever used. It is ready in an instant for the next single shot (you can also burst mode it for rapid fire).
Controls are very user-friendly. It's all where you'd want it and I can think of no improvements needed except the information ports or windows which display battery life and other information that is often difficult to see (there is an assist light).
Canon has improved battery life and in my opinion the older battery didn't need improvement so the newer battery is exceptional. There is an optional battery grip (BG-E2) that is attached to the camera and it houses another area for a extra Canon battery or AA back-up batteries if ever needed. Both batteries combined can provide over 1000 shots based on flash conditions and needs. Batteries recharge quickly as well!
As with almost all EOS digital cameras built by Canon, you can utilize most Canon lenses in their EF range. You can now also use Canon digital lenses marked EF-S. There is a low-end EF-S lens (18-55mm) that was just cheap in quality and workmanship but it's an entry-level lens and in fairness gets you up and running at minimal cost. This lens ships out as part of Canon's 'KIT' but you do not have to purchase it. You can buy the body only or option for a much better 'KIT' lens which is Canon's 17-85MM USM lens. This is a EF-S lens from Japan and the quality is far improved and worth the extra money over the cheaper 18-55mm low-end lens. Better yet, try and use Canon's 'L' series lenses. These are superior lenses for film and digital applications.
You can also option for an external flash unit (one is incorporated into the camera body but is weak on high-distance throws). Best flash unit for the 20D would be Canon's new Speedlite 580EX. Hands-down, this flash was designed for digital applications.
If I had only one complaint, it would be Canon's ever complicated and feature defeated software. Buy yourself something from Adobe or Pinnacle instead.
I love this camera! One more time, I love this camera! The 20D is just as quick and sure of itself as Canon's upscale Mark II 1D and both share so many of the same components that I can only wonder why Canon has such a promising street price for the 20D. Competition prevails and you the consumer benefits.
One note of importance is that you purchase Canon equipment from an authorized Canon dealer. Be so careful if you are using online merchants and be sure you are getting a USA warranty item and with Canon supporting that warranty. You can check with Canon online or right here on EPINIONS for user reviews of many online merchants. I've used 17th Street Photo and Adorama with great success to date(both New York) and there are many others as well.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1599.00
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Solid Enough for a Professional
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Epinions.com ID:
benicia
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 - Top 500 |
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Location: San Francisco, CA
Reviews written: 66
Trusted by: 3 members
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