Canon EOS 20D - UK Digital SLR Camera Review

Canon EOS 20D Review

The EOS 20D is not like other cameras in its range, it houses Canon's award-winning CMOS technology which produces excellent image quality with the autofocus facility enabling it to be both fast and accurate. This EOS 20D also has a low noise high ISO quality, the menu is easy to navigate and camera setting changes are straightforward.

Other great advantages to this EOS 20D are its 8.2 Megapixel resolution, quick start up times and its colour accuracy. The DIGIC II gives the facility of continuous shooting with a maximum burst of 23 frame JPEG images, thus being fast enough for most general purposes, together with the rapid display and zooming of images during in-camera review.

Canon EOS 20D Front
Canon EOS 20D Back

The semi-professional would enjoy using the EOS 20D which delivers the speed, flexibility and precision which is associated with SLR cameras at the higher end of the scale. Its extremely high (3200 ISO) setting extends the camera's wide 100-1600 ISO speed range and the Digital Photo Professional image processing software permits high-speed processing of lossless RAW files.

There are 9 auto focus points which are carefully distributed across a wide area of the frame for fast, accurate focusing. These also work with off-centre subjects and 'rule-of-thirds' compositions.

The Canon EOS 20D has a built-in flash which takes distance and light reading into account for precise flash metering, particularly where high or low reflective objects are in the frame or for reformatted shots. The EOS 20D is also compatible with the EX-series Speedlite flash range which can provide information resulting in better colour stability because of the auto-zoom which matches the camera's APS-C sensor size.

It is also compatible with many of the Canon EF lenses, in particular the EF-S lenses. These were produced with this camera in mind, the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM and EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM cover popular wide (approx. 16-35mm) and standard (approx. 27-136mm) ranges in the 35mm equivalent.

Being PictBridge compliant, the EOS 20D allows printing direct to a compatible photo printer and will also take CF and CF-II cards.

If available in your area, Canon have included free membership to CANON iMAGE GATEWAY which gives 100MB of free storage space for online album storing and sharing with clients, friends and family.

For the Canon EOS 20D

Canon EOS 20D Specifications & Features

  • 8.2 Megapixels
  • 1.8" TFT, approx. 118,000 pixel
  • TTL-CT-SIR with a CMOS sensor
  • 9-point Auto Focus
  • 100-1600 ISO Speed Equivalent, Expanded to 3200
  • Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Flourescent, Flash, Colour Temperature setting and Custom White Balance Settings
  • DIGIC II Image Processor
  • Auto, Manual, On / Off and Red Eye Reduction Flash Modes
  • Full Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, No Flash, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual and A-DEP Shooting Modes
  • Maximum Image Size 3504 x 2336 Pixels
  • PictBridge Compatible
  • CompactFlash Type I / II (Microdrive compatible)
  • Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
  • 144 x 105.5 x 71.5mm Dimensions
  • Approximate Weight 685g

Canon EOS 20D User Reviews

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Reviewer: Andy - UK
Whilst I find this camera very easy to handle, and really like the functionality, I have found the image quality across the different settings to be very poor, lacking in edge and centre quality, I am not new to photography, and have tried several lenses and various exposures. It is one expensive camera, that gives a lower quality image than a 6 meg compact.

Features
Rating 9/10
Image Quality
Rating 6/10
Usability
Rating 9/10
Reviewer: Roger Greenway - UK
My previous camera was a Nikon F100 and I have been lucky enough to have been given the 20D for my birthday as a combined gift (it is a bit pricey after all). However, having said that and having used this camera now for a while I believe it is truly value for money. It has so many fantastic features - fast start up, fast focus, fast shooting, excellent pictures, easy to use, natural colour, to name but a few. It is also virtually 'idiot proof'.

I also find it very easy to review my pictures mainly because I can see them all the right way up. A friend of mine who has the 10D says that the 20D is a big improvement with regard to auto focus, auto white balance and low light performance.

Features
Rating 10/10
Image Quality
Rating 8/10
Usability
Rating 8/10
Reviewer: Alison - UK
All my friends want one now but it is a bit on the expensive side so they are all saving up or putting it on present lists.

I am having great fun getting to know my A20D, its the best camera I have had to date and will be hard to better. I am working my way through the many features and, although still learning, I am managing to produce exceptional pictures.

The 20D is comfortable and easy to use as well as being a very fast operator.

Features
Rating 9/10
Image Quality
Rating 10/10
Usability
Rating 7/10
Reviewer: Kevin Sharpe - UK
Not a cheap camera but I can't sing its praises too highly. The 20D is so versatile it can deal with any situation from holidays, parties, children, weddings to single images. It turns on instantly, shoots fast with fast sharp focus and has umpteen features to choose from. Picture quality is extremely good as is the colour and it all happens so quickly. This a reliable, sturdy camera and I look forward to using it for many years to come.

Features
Rating 9/10
Image Quality
Rating 9/10
Usability
Rating 10/10
Reviewer: Tom - UK
You could be a total amateur and still produce great quality photographs with the 20D. It is easy to use, fast and the range of options and lens are extensive.

This is my second Canon digital camera and the construction quality has impressed me. It is just the right size for my hand and feels as though it will last a long time.

I have taken some fantastic pictures so far using different lenses as it works well with all of them. Focus is very precise and this means that the image can be enlarged without loss of detail.

Features
Rating 9/10
Image Quality
Rating 8/10
Usability
Rating 9/10
Add a ReviewAdd a review for the Canon EOS 20D
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Canon EOS 20D Review & Features - © UK Digital Camera Reviews 2008
For the Canon EOS 20D
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