benicia's Full Review: Canon EOS-10D Digital Camera
This is 'Heaven In A Digital Camera'... Canon's 10D digital SLR camera offers stunning performance within minutes out of its box, just delivered!
I wanted to wait a bit before writing this review and my Canon 10D arrived in early March 2003 along with a Canon EF 28-135mm IS lens, the Canon matching battery grip (BG-ED3), a 72mm UV filter and an extra Canon battery to fit inside the battery grip. My initial cash outlay was $2200.00 and all items were pure 100% Canon USA authorized products (I mention that because the camera must be a USA version or the warranty is void if you live within the USA and attempt warranty work).
Also worth mentioning here is where I purchased it from. Canon goes to great efforts to ensure only authorized Canon agents sell its products or it will also void-out the warranty. Shopping online or on EBAY means you will have to make sure you are buying both a USA version and from an authorized source (my unit came from '17TH Street Photo Supply, Inc' of New York WWW.17Photo.Com ) although I did check with Canon directly and if you are in Asia or Europe and purchase overseas and can verify such, they will honor the warranty (i.e. plane ticket and camera receipt).
Back to the camera!
This is my 5th digital camera. I'm a novice photographer and while this may be a bit upscale of a camera for a novice, I'm such a firm believer of capturing life events and care so much about travel, family, events and making sure those are recorded forever that I justified the cost of this camera. The reviews and anticipation for this camera caught me by surprise and there wasn't a thing said about its performance that was negative by any the the reviews I had read.
If you're reading this review for specifications, please go to the Canon website for those (WWW.Canon.Com) details as I'm not listing them here because if you've found your way this far, you already know the specs for this outstanding camera.
Within 10 minutes out of the box and upon arrival here, this camera was operating with ease. Canon has done as much as possible to make sure you are holding a film-like SLR in performance, fit, feel and ease while incorporating the computer aspect of digital photography that you will need to utilize the benefits of digital use. The menus are simple, logical and surfing your way around the menu system is very user-friendly. You'll have this camera down in no time using the fully auto modes and within weeks using manual settings. You'd swear BMW made the transmission for this cameras settings as one finger will pull you through all the settings while the other pushes a shutter button and you'll have everything exactly where it should be and with ease and comfort...
The LCD is bright and fully adjustable but small and to be used as a support tool and not a playback screen for full review (this also conserves battery use by being smaller and draining less energy). There is a top screen as well for ISO, AF-WB and other various functions as well and Canon has provided lighting for this screened area if you need it at night to view settings/changes.
I chose Canon's EF 28-135mm lens for my first lens and while this is an exceptional lens, don't expect just one lens to suit your needs. Like a professional film SLR, you'll need at least two lens attachments or three for full control over your photographic needs.
With just the one battery supplied, you can get an amazing 500-600 shots (less with flash or very cold weather periods)and you can double that using the extra battery and grip (optional). The camera will go into a 'sleep' mode even if you've left it on for days, thereby conserving the battery. The supplied battery charger is excellent and you are fully charged within an hours time; even on a empty battery.
The cameras menu only list 'size' requirements for megapixel use instead of what those size requirements represent. You will have to know those or can access the user manual for the information you are looking for but the options are: Large, Medium and Small with a 'fine' and 'standard' setting as well. A 'Large' and 'Fine' setting would take you to a 6-megapixel use factor. I wish it simply stated the megapixels being used or set for instead of the category listings but since that is my only complaint, it really isn't that much of a negative.
The camera is heavy. Often too heavy for long periods of use. I found myself taking it away from being around my neck and carrying it from shoulder to shoulder for breaks. With grip, extra battery and my lens, it came in at seven (7) lbs. The grip isn't a requirement or was the extra battery as with a capacity of some 500-600 shots, there was little threat of battery failure and yet if the shots are critical, you'll want the peace-of-mind and will carry that extra battery.
Clarity was fantastic but then again, I was using a upscale Canon lens with IS (image stabilization) capability and I could almost pick out individual body hairs from human subjects even at lower megapixel settings.
Shutter speed is amazing and just as fast as a film SLR. I tried to place a strain of the processing by taking single shots via my finger use on the shutter and causing a failure or overload but the camera was always ahead of my ability to outpace its processing ability and performance. You'll never miss a shot because the file size is too big or the processing is too slow.
This is a true thru-the-lens camera. You'll never use the LCD to frame a shot as you might on other digital cameras and why would you after having spent $2,000 to $3,000 for the initial investment...
I mentioned that I waited from early March 2003 to mid-May 2003 to write this. This camera has already been to family events and most recently took some 900 shots of Spain, Italy and France. Instead of just being excited about this camera I wanted it to be a performer first and I wanted at least a thousand photos and a few months before I would say how I felt about the Canon 10D. Would I buy her again? Was she worth the money? What were the negative features I disliked so much and was this camera any better than say Sony's highly-rated DSC-717 at half the price?
Well, at twice the price, Canon's 10D is a fantastic piece of art, performance, style and fit. Yet she sells for $1499 (body) just about everywhere as of this writing. Complaints were near minimal if not totally non-existant. She was certainly worth a great deal more then $1499 and this I can't figure out yet. Picture quality, shutter speed and processing were all superior. This camera wasn't a toy and unless you are willing to use this on a regular basis, it could be the wrong choice. You will need to spend money on support items and at least an extra lens. Extra memory (compact flash) is costly for 6.11 megapixel shots. Can you justify the expense and like myself, just as a novice photographer?
I'd buy another Canon 10D in a heartbeat. I'd get a part-time job to support her if I needed to. No other digital camera could compare and if she ever asked for a divorce, I'd find the best attorney possible. If this camera isn't a Porsche or a BMW it certainly is like your own swimsuit model. In other words, you will not want to put this thing away for any reason and you'll be seen with her in hand and looks of envy will be evident because Canon's 10D is by far the best digital camera (or film camera) I have ever used.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1499.00 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Solid Enough for a Professional
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