Canon EOS 20D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon EOS 20D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens
Customer Review: A Sports Shooter's Dream
Summary: 5 Stars
Both my kids play volleyball and soccer. Soccer is easier to shoot from an available light perspective, harder from a large field to cover with a lens perspective. Volleyball (like basketball) is diabolical from an available light perspective. Indoor gymnasium lights are horrible at best. Setting a "custom white balance" is optimal, although the 20D AWB does pretty well in many gyms. You need to use high ISO settings (typically 1600, sometimes 3200 in a dim gym), and large apertures (f 2.8) to get shutter speeds that begin to freeze the on-court action. It was the shooting demands of indoor volleyball that led me to the Canon 20D. Even at high ISO settings the 20D has acceptably low image noise.
Its second winning attribute is its speed. It has very little shutter lag (~65ms with preset exposure and focus). I briefly owned a Digital Rebel 300D. It's shutter lag was considerably longer. Especially given the 300D lack of a custom function to allow focusing on demand (CF-4 set so '*' button locks focus). This custom function is the secret to shooting action sports. The 20D focuses quickly and on demand. (It focuses much faster than the 300D and orders of magnitude faster than a point 'n shoot digital camera I started with). It has a very fast burst rate of 5 frames/second. (But, don't count on fast bursts to catch the action! Even at 5 fps I have shot sequences in which the ball never appears in any of the frames of a hard driven "spike" in volleyball! The ball enters and exits the frame in < 1/5 of a second! You still have to learn to time your shots for that kind of action.)
I probably should have bought the "body only". The kit lens is useless for indoor sports. I occasionally use it for a large group shot in tight quarters. But for action sports the "kit lens" is virtually useless. It is too slow, and the shrinking aperture as you zoom in, makes it difficult to set a fixed exposure. For volleyball I shoot with two alternate lens, both of which I can highly recommend). I use a Tamaron 28-75 F2.8 when I can get close to the sidelines and a Canon 70-200 F2.8 for when I'm on the end lines or up in the bleachers. Both lens have a constant aperture when zooming. Both lens are relatively "fast lens" that work well under gymnasium lighting conditions.
When I go outdoors the 70-200 with a 1.4x tele-extender becomes my primary shooting setup for soccer.
With the 20D I have taken thousands of sports pictures. I've become the semi-official team photographer for 5 different sports teams. The other parents order prints from my website. "Point and shoot" digital cameras work fine for the "medal ceremonies" and the side-line shots of the fans, and candid shots between matches. But for capturing the action you can't touch a DSLR. I shot one season with a Canon G-3 (a very good point
Customer Review: Wow! What a Camera
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been shooting with a Digital Rebel for about a year, that camera is great but it just plain doesn't have big enough onboard memory buffers for the kind of fast action I tend to shoot. This camera, when coupled with a high speed Compact Flash card will rarely bog down and quit shooting when using continuous mode (5 fps) (even more so if you aren't shooting in full quality mode since more frames fit in the buffers). The difference between this baby and the Rebel is like the difference between a Yugo and a Cadillac, just no comparison! The Rebel is a starter camera, this is a real camera. There are three different metering modes, three different types of AF and single and continuous shooting modes available in all "creative modes" (i.e. other than the stock modes they give you for common situations and of course in auto mode). I haven't had a chance to shoot a whole lot with the 20D yet but so far I'd say it's much faster (both on startup and between shots) than the Rebel and much more capable in "mixed-lighting" situations than the Rebel is. With the rebel, the combination of mercury vapor gymnasium lighting and flash would give my shots these awful yellow backgrounds, so far the 20D is handling this situation in a superior manner--i.e. no annoyingly colored backgrounds (Auto White Balance control is much better here). If you use IS lenses I suggest you buy the battery grip. The 20D is made of metal and much more ergonomic than the Rebel but someone with big hands will probably still like the battery grip to make the camera easier to hold onto. The built in flash on the 20D is capable but for real shooting you'll want a professional flash. Canon speedlights (550/580EX) are the most integrated but there are other cheaper choices that are just as good (but may not be as integrated). The 20D has a flash sync port on the side for a "potato masher" handle style flash unit such as made by Metz, Sunpak, etc. This is a pricey camera for most of us but worth the money, I am going to have a lot of fun with this. One last comment: The 20D apparently incorporates some advanced circuitry that operates with the flash to conserve flash power, it's my impression this is more refined on the 580EX than the 550EX but on my first shoot I did notice far less misfires with the 550EX on this camera than on the Rebel. If you're torn between jumping on a Rebel or saving for a 20D then save for the 20D it's more than twice the camera the Rebel is and if you shoot fast moving sports you won't be happy with the Rebel Original, the XT is supposedly a bit improved but I still don't believe they've done very much about improving the image buffers and that is where the 20D shines. Now that I've got my hands on a 20D I'm curious about what the even more expensive Canons can do.Customer Review: Best of the Best
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my 4th digital camera, the previous 3 being point and shoot and I still have my latest point and shoot for the movie capability (S1 IS). The 20D is also my second SLR, my first SLR I still have after 23 years, but more for sentimental reasons, these days.
I did a lot of research before deciding on this camera. Original research started about a year before the purchase, but, at that time did not have a need for DSLR until now. My primary reason for going to DSLR is for the low-noise as it is very important for astrophotography.
Similar to another reviewer, I also considered the 350D and the Nikon D70. I had some advantage regarding the D70 as my brother owns one. The heated decision came between the 350D and the 20D. Size/weight were only a minor consideration for me, but I really did like the metal body of the 20D. I found sites with samples of astrophotos from the 350D as well as the D70. The D70 has an inherent heat problem for long exposures and develops a "hot area" in the upper left portion of the images. The noise reduction it has is effective for reducing this, but I just didn't like the fact that it existed. Comparing 350D results to 20D, well, one would be pressed to notice the differences. However, in looking closely at review sites (such as dpreview), even they admitted the clarity on the 20D edged out the 350D (what is nice, you can see for yourself in their images). No, not a big difference at all, but I am wanting the best of the 2 at this point.
In the end, my decision was for the 20D mostly because this is the very camera Canon themselves used to create a camera purely for astrophotography - the 20Da. My thought is, if Canon chose this, there is a reason. I did not want the 20Da, however, as I plan to use the 20D for "normal" shooting, as well...but I was sold on the 20D.
Having used it for more than a week, I put it through some gruesome tests...including, of course, long exposures. I wanted to check for hot pixels at 30 sec exposures. The short version is: I checked with the Canon 5D results on dpreview and my results are on par with it...and the 5D price is nearing 3 times the 20D price.
Also, in more tests, I have found the 20D noise reduction has improved (I am guessing with the newer firmware my camera has) over what the results are on the dpreview site.
Oh, and of course (for fun) I compared results from the point and shoots I have/have had. I still have results from my A40 and S1 and, at ISO400 the point and shoots are blown so far out of the water you just can't find them.
I am a very happy person. An outstanding camera.
Canon 20D: Highly recommended on all points.
Customer Review: The best digital camera available for the money!
Summary: 5 Stars
And that includes all the offerings from Nikon, Olympus, and Minolta/Konica. I LOVE this camera. The 10D was felt by many to have focusing issues and though I did not have any significant problem with my 10D in that regard the 20D represents a substantial improvement in this area. Canon still is not offering (in this price range) a camera with eye control or 45 focusing points, BUT the nine focusing points that ARE offered are well placed and the camera focuses quickly and surely resulting in tack sharp photos.
The pictures this camera takes are simply beyond belief. Beautifully saturated, tack sharp, NO, and I mean NO noise at 400 or below and barely discernible noise all the way up to 1600 ISO. For all practical purposes 1600 ISO is an entirely usable speed resulting in fantastic pictures. What Canon has accomplished in reducing noise and increasing pixel density proves that they are, for now, the technology leader.
Another big advantage over the 10D is the instant on feature which does not leave you sitting there helplessly until the camera turns on. That happens instantly! A new flash system, ETTL II is a vast improvement over the 10D. And, to my eye, there is an improved dynamic range with slightly less blown highlights.
The in camera processing results in far more pleasing pictures than the previous 10D or Digital Rebel. This camera has a greater burst (more pictures quicker) that the previous 10D.
Now there is currently an issue with mirror lockups reported by probably 10% - 20% of all owners. If you encounter this problem before you update the firmware then simply take the battery out of the camera, reinsert it, and you're good to go. Canon has issued a fix and it is available on their web site. It completely remedies the problem so, not to worry!
One of the greatest things about digital photography is the ability to build a digital dark room for next to nothing. With the included Photoshop Elements you are well on your way to producing pictures that you could only have imagined in the pre-digital days. I am able to recoup pictures that I never would have considered salvageable before this camera.
The other thing I like about Canon is the lens system which IMO is second to none. Also, Canon continues to innovate at a furious pace driving the price of these digital cameras relentlessly downward.
I sold my 10D to purchase this camera and for me it represented a significant improvement more than justifying the cost of the upgrade.
So, I LOVE the camera. LOVE Canon. And LOVE digital. All in all I'd say I'm a pretty happy camper!
Customer Review: Best Amateur Digital SLR Camera - Best Value for a Quality SLR
Summary: 5 Stars
I used a Canon G2 4.0 megapixel camera and this Canon EOS 20D is definitely all that AND a bag of chips. Don't let the price tag scare you. It's really well worth the price and looking back at it, this 20D camera is THE BEST purchase that I've made in a long time. I'm not even kidding. That's why this camera has so many great reviews from all sorts of people. It absolutely takes great stunning pictures, fast autofocus, fast 5 frames per second, sharp focusing, availability and scalability with the entire vast line of Canon EF and EFS (the newer) lenses. You just can't go wrong. This is hands down the best semi-pro consumer model out there. And trust me, I'm not even a pro and when I take pictures of just people at BBQ's or taking fast shots of my friends playing basketball, it's just amazing. My friends can't believe the high quality and clarity of the photos. Taking a photo of my friend dunking the basketball and freezing the picture while he is in mid-air - Now THAT'S amazing! The modes on the camera are easy enough for a point and shoot person to take great pictures but at the same time, offer so many complex options/customizations for the professional photographer that makes this camera a true winner. I totally did my research when I bought this camera and I'm glad I picked it up. I promise you that you'll love the camera too. It's a great investment and it won't be money thrown away later. Later on if technology gets better and Canon releases a better camera, then you can re-use all of your existing lenses and all you need to pick up is another body. I love it! Love the switch to Digital SLR. Can't imagine how I survived without this wonderful camera!
With the 17-85mm lens, it's a deal to get it with this bundle. This lens is the best all around lens. It does everything that the basic standard $50 18-55mm lens does and more. Very good lens to have as a "leave it on the camera and be the 1 lens you choose to have to take it around to travel or carry around with you to take pictures". The one lens that's multi-purpose and good for all around shooting. Can't go wrong! You'll love it! It has the ultra sonic motor that's super quiet, has auto-focus capability for fast auto-focus, and has a good large wide angle for wide shots as well as a healthy zoom for close up pictures. It's made in Japan for high quality, and like a lot of other things in life, there's a reason why it's expensive and there's a reason why you get what you pay for.