Canon EOS 20D
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| Canon EOS 20D | |
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| Type | Single-lens reflex |
| Sensor | 22.5 mm × 15.0 mm CMOS |
| Maximum resolution | 3,520 × 2,344 (8.25 megapixels) |
| Lens type | Interchangeable (EF EF-S) |
| Shutter | Vertical travel, focal-plane shutter, all speeds electronically controlled |
| Shutter speed range | 1/8,000 to 30 s, bulb |
| Exposure Metering | TTL full aperture, 35 area evaluative, partial, center-weighted |
| Exposure Modes | Full auto, programmed, shutter-priority, aperture priority, manual |
| Metering modes | Evaluative, Partial, C/Wgt Average |
| Focus areas | 9 autofocus points |
| Focus modes | One-shot, AI servo, AI Focus, Manual |
| Continuous Shooting | 5.0 frame/s, up to 23 frames (9 in RAW) |
| Viewfinder | Optical |
| ASA/ISO range | 100–1600 in 1 EV steps, 3200 in extended mode |
| Flash | Auto pop-up E-TTL II (retractable) |
| Flash bracketing | none |
| Focus bracketing | none |
| Custom WB | 7 presets, Auto and custom |
| WB bracketing | ±3 stops, blue-amber or magenta-green bias |
| Rear LCD monitor | 1.8 in (46 mm), 118,000 pixels |
| Storage | CompactFlash(CF) (Type I or Type II) and Microdrive(MD) |
| Battery | Li-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery pack |
| Weight | 685 g (body only) |
| Optional Battery Packs | Li-Ion BP-511A, BP-511, BP-512, BP-514AC and optional DC coupler. |
The Canon EOS 20D is an 8.2-megapixel semi-professional digital single-lens reflex camera, initially announced on August 19, 2004 at a recommended retail price of US$1,499. It is the successor of the Canon EOS 10D. It can accept EF and EF-S lenses; it uses an APS-C sized image sensor and so does not require the larger imaging circle required in 35 mm film cameras.
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[edit] Improvements
Major changes over the 10D, aside from the new sensor and increased resolution, include almost instant power-on (0.2 seconds instead of the 10D's 2.5 seconds), support for Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and support for the EF-S lens mount. Despite the resolution change, the sensor remains the same physical size as per its predecessor; all lenses still have an angle of view crop of 1.6 compared to the same focal length lens on 135 film. At the cost of a much noisier shutter than its predecessor shutter frame rate was improved, (5 frames per second), a larger 23 frame JPEG buffer but a smaller 6 frame RAW buffer, a new E-TTL II flash metering system, new DIGIC II image processor, a black and white mode as well as a brand-new nine-point autofocus system which is more responsive. The central cross-sensor has a high-precision mode which is activated by use of a lens of f/2.8 or faster. The 20D can record in both JPEG and RAW in .cr2 files.
The EOS 20D (with appropriate firmware updates) can also accept the Canon Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1/E1A for fast file transfer to a remote file server, either through an ethernet cable or a Wi-Fi network. This capability expands the EOS 20D's range of applications to sports & news photojournalism and studio set ups where real-time transfer of the images is crucial.
[edit] Resolution
The Canon EOS 20D has several resolution settings:
- Large/Fine (3504 × 2336)
- Large/Normal (3504 × 2336)
- Middle/Fine (2544 × 1696)
- Middle/Normal (2544 × 1696)
- Small/Fine (1728 × 1152)
- Small/Normal (1728 × 1152)
- RAW .CR2 format (3504 × 2336)
- (There are also six resolution settings for JPEG+RAW which are the same as the first six but which also attach a RAW file in a separate .cr2 file).
[edit] Features
The Canon EOS 20D features a Mode Dial on the top which lets you select the shooting mode for each situation. It is divided into two sections: Creative Zone and Basic Zone. Obviously the Creative zone is dedicated to a more professional shooting yet it gives the user more advanced options to change such as the RAW shooting function and manual exposure, aperture and ISO sensitivity which can only be set under the Creative zone. Each function is explained below:
[edit] Creative Zone
- A-DEP: The camera automatically selects the aperture and shutter speed to keep most of the image in focus. (Only recommended in high light conditions as the camera tends to choose smaller f/stops)
- M (Manual): The camera lets you choose manually the aperture and shutter speed.
- Av (Aperture priority): The camera lets the user choose the aperture (f/) value and then automatically adjusts the shutter speed for correct exposure. Depth-of-field (DOF) can be previewed after setting aperture by depressing the depth-of-field preview button on the left of the body.
- Tv (Shutter speed priority): The camera lets the user set the shutter speed and automatically sets the aperture for correct exposure.
- P (Program AE): The camera automatically chooses an aperture and shutter combination for correct exposure and the user can change between one of these combinations.
[edit] Basic Zone
- Auto (represented with a green rectangle): Completely automatic shooting.
- Portrait: The camera tries to blur the background for better looking portraits.
- Landscape: For shooting landscapes and sunsets.
- Close-Up: For shooting small objects near to the camera.
- Sports: For capturing fast moving objects.
- Night Scene: Shoots with flash and with slow shutter so that the subject is illuminated by the flash and the background (e.g: a city) is also captured naturally in the night.
- No Flash: All automatic with no flash.
The camera features (like many others) two LCDs, one monochrome at the top which shows most important parameters (some of which are repeated in the viewfinder) and one at the back which is used for picture reviewing and menu navigation.
Ergonomically, the 20D is intentionally similar to many of the earlier EOS cameras, both digital and 35mm. The grip is large and comfortable and exposure is controlled with two wheels - one behind the shutter button and another large "thumb wheel" on the back face. Autofocus point selection is available with a small joystick above the thumb wheel, and exposure/focus lock buttons are next to that. One handed operation is generally easy.
It features no dedicated AF assist lamp but its internal flash can be set to release several consecutive "short-flashes" to help focusing in dim situations. This can be solved by attaching an external flash with AF assist lamp like many of Canon's Speedlights.
[edit] Firmware
The latest firmware available for the 20D (as of July 31st, 2006) is version 2.0.3 which improves the communication reliability with some CF cards and other minor changes.
A firmware upgrade is always recommended for best results but instructions for doing so must be read carefully. Latest firmware and software upgrades can be found at Canoneos.com.
[edit] See also
- Canon EOS
- Canon EOS 20Da (a variant of the 20D made especially for astrophotography.)
- Canon EOS 30D
- Canon EF lens mount
- Canon EF-S lens mount
- List of Canon EOS digital cameras
[edit] External links
- Steve's Digicams review of the 20D
- Canon EOS 20D Specifications
- DPReview reviews the 20D
- Canon EOS 20D vs EOS 5D
- Gallery of sample images (includes links to raw camera output)
- Canon 20D Review Links and Sample Photos
- EOSRebels.com: Canon 20D specs, reviews and sample images
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