By James Booth
For years, I've been adamant in my belief there was no way digital could compete with film, particularly medium format film. My recent purchase of a Canon EOS 20D has changed all that. High-end digital cameras are clearly superior to film, and I'll attempt to show you how and why in this coverage of the Canon EOS 20D.
Overview
The Canon EOS 20D pictured in Figure A, is an eight megapixel digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex) that would best be categorized as a prosumer (professional consumer)/professional camera, falling somewhere between Canon's Digital Rebel and the EOS 1D.
FIGURE A
The Canon EOS 20D Digital SLR. (click for larger image)
The image sensor rates at 8.5 total megapixels at 3600x2360, but practical output is actually 8.2 megapixels at 3520x2344. The camera utilizes Canon's EF lens mount, so will accept either EF or EF-S lenses, writes to a CompactFlash card in either Type I or Type II format or an IBM Microdrive, and records images in RAW or JPEG.
"I think it's the most awesome camera I've ever used."
The EOS 20D provides programmed exposure settings for Full Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, and Night Portrait, as well as Shutter-Priority, Aperture-Priority, Automatic Depth-of-Field, and full manual exposure, all utilizing nine auto-focus points. It offers a range of shutter speeds from Bulb and 30 seconds, up to 1/8000 of a second, synching at 1/250th of a second, and will shoot ISO equivalents from 100 to 3200.
With a start-up time in milliseconds, the ability to shoot at five frames/second, and a burst of up to 23 frames, the Canon ESO 20D can be ready at a moments notice, regardless of the situation. In addition, the EOS 20D features exposure compensation and automatic bracketing of up to +/- two full stops in 1/2 or 1/3 increments. As a matter of fact, virtually ever aspect of this camera can be adjusted to suit your personal tastes.
In fact, the EOS 20D comes with two standard color parameters already programmed, with space available for three more custom processing parameters (four items with five settings each), as well as a monochrome setting for custom black and white. You also have complete control over the white balance and color temperature, with +/- three steps in whole stop increments, and +/- nine steps in one-step increments respectively.
The EOS 20D comes with a pop-up, built-in flash, and both hotshoe and PC connections for external flash devices. While convenient for relatively close snapshots, the built-in flash isn't going to be much use beyond fifteen or twenty feet due its size and power level. One difference between the EOS 20D and its predecessor, the 10D, is the height the flash extends to. In the EOS 20D, the flash pops up higher to reduce shadow from the lens.
And finally, a 7.4v lithium-ion battery that I have yet to run down over multiple shoots provides power to the EOS 20D. An add-on DC coupler is available to run the camera from AC power, and an extended battery bracket is also available to add an extra set of batteries. Here's another difference between the EOS 20D and the EOS 10D. The EOS 20D has a slightly smaller footprint than the EOS 10D, so it can't use the extended battery pack from the EOS 10D, but rather requires its own. The majority of other accessories are interchangeable though.
Rounding out the Canon EOS 20D package is a software suite that includes Canon's Digital Photo Professional and Adobe Photoshop Elements. I get the impression the EOS Viewer Utility, EOS Capture, and Photostitch were supposed to be included too, but for the life of me, I couldn't find the CD for them, only the manual. Also included is a USB cable for connecting the EOS 20D directly to a computer, and a component video cable to connect directly to a TV.
There's so much more to this camera, I know there's no possible way I could cover it all. A lot of the features I cover may seem old hat to some of you, but are new and innovative to me. The reason is that the Canon EOS 20D is not only my first digital camera; it's also my first auto-focus camera. Up to now, I have relied solely manual focus cameras. From my very first Pentax Asahi 35mm, to the Mamiya 645 Pro I just gave up, all of my cameras have been completely manually operated, and this was how I liked them. I always felt it gave me a higher degree of control over my images. Then again, it also gave me a higher degree of screwing them up too.
How it feels
In your hand, the Canon EOS 20D feels pretty much like any other recent 35mm film camera, but a lot of function has been packed into this form-factor. It's much easier on the wrists than my Mamiya 645 Pro was, and it's quite easy to shoot one-handed, which wasn't possible with the Mamiya.
All of the function and interaction buttons on the EOS 20D are within millimeters of a thumb or finger, making switching functions or altering settings as simple as clicking the shutter. Figure B shows the back of the camera, with the viewing screen, settings buttons, on/off switch, and navigation dial.
FIGURE B
The back of the Canon EOS 20D, with viewing screen and settings menu. (click for larger image)
Through the menu, you can change settings such as the format images are recorded in, RAW or JPEG, turn Red-eye reduction on and off, Auto-Exposure Bracketing, White Balance Bracketing, Color Temperature, custom parameters, and so much more. The LCD status screen on the top-right of the camera, shown in Figure C, should look pretty familiar to most camera users as it serves pretty the same purpose as those on film cameras.
FIGURE C
The LCD status screen is where to look for pertinent information. (click for larger image)
On the status screen you'll find information such as how many exposure you can fit on your CompactFlash card with the current settings, auto-focus mode, image quality setting, white balance setting, exposure compensation, drive mode (single, continuous, timer), and battery status. The setting buttons along the front of the status screen, and the selector dial next to the shutter release, allow you to change these settings, as well as set the ISO equivalent.
The mode dial, on the top-left of the camera and shown in Figure D, is where you determine how automatic, or how much control you'll have over your shots.
FIGURE D
The shooting-mode dial on the Canon EOS 20D. (click for larger image)
The mode dial is split between the Basic modes, the picture icons to left of the green square, and the green square itself, and the Creative mode, the lettered settings to the right of the green square. In Basic mode, exposure is automatic and based on the setting you choose, i.e. Portrait, Landscape, Night, Action, Full Auto (the green square), etc. The Basic mode provides very little, if any, exposure control, and files are saved only as JPEGs. This mode is identical to low-end film SLRs, like my wife's Minolta Maxxum 300si that I hate so much. They're ideal for the photographer that isn't experienced in the finer points of photography and has moved up to an SLR from a point and shoot.
On the other end of the spectrum is the Creative mode. This is where the serious photographer will do his work. The Creative mode provides for Program AE, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Full Manual, and Depth of Field Priority. The Program AE mode is a general purpose exposure setting, similar to the green box in Basic mode, except it grants access to most of the higher functions of the camera, such as exposure and white balance compensation, file format selection, metering and drive mode selections, auto focus point selection, and many more features that just aren't available in Basic mode.
I could go on and on about all the features the EOS 20D has, but if I did, I'd never get around to what I think about the camera. Also remember, a lot of these features are new to me because every camera I've used in the past has been 100% manual, with the exception of my wife's Maxxum 300si, which is completely automatic with no exposure control. That's why I hate it so much. So even though some features may be old hat to you, I'm like a kid with a new toy (which I actually am).
My thoughts
What do I think of the Canon EOS 20D? I think it's the most awesome camera I've ever used. I was completely blown away by the quality of images I get from this camera. The funny thing is, the image sensor is smaller than a 35mm film frame, but the quality is a thousand times better than my medium format 645. Below, in Figure E, is a picture of the scarlet reef crab in my saltwater fish tank that was taken with my Mamiya 645.
FIGURE E
A scarlet reef crab on 645 film. (click for larger image)
In Figure F is the same crab shot with the Canon EOS 20D in Program AE mode and RAW file format.
FIGURE F
The same crab shot with the Canon EOS 20D. (click for larger image)
The images look pretty much the same don't they? And at this distance they basically are. But "the proof is in the pudding" as they say. The image in Figure G is the same shot as in Figure F, except now you're seeing it at the image's actual size of 10 x 6.67 inches at 350dpi, and I've cropped it to show only a small portion of the crab's face.
FIGURE G
Note the amazing detail when seen at actual size. (click for larger image)
This crop of the crab's face is admittedly a bit noisy, but we're talking about an area of space that's about 3/8 inch across in real life. The fact that this camera can capture that small of an area, and show this much detail, just blows me away.
In a previous article, I put forth the belief that medium format film is superior to 35mm, which it is, and that digital cameras couldn't compete with medium format. I now have to retract that statement, as digital SLRs are clearly superior to medium format film, as proven with the Canon EOS 20D.
I haven't really had the opportunity yet to delve REAL deep into the Canon Digital Photo Professional software. Essentially, it's used to interpret the camera's RAW file information into a usable and editable image. Digital Photo Professional lets you adjust the brightness, white balance, color, etc., then process the image into a TIFF or JPEG for later editing with your image editor of choice. So far I've really only used it for interpreting the RAW and converting to a TIF, then doing my real editing and adjustment with Photoshop.
In the future, after I've had more time to get acquainted with it, I'll do a more involved piece on Digital Photo Professional. In the meantime, for more information the RAW format, I'll refer you to John Roling's excellent article "A RAW deal" (at http://www.connectedphotographer.com/issues/issue200505/00001529001.html) in this month's Connected Photographer Magazine.
I briefly checked out EOS Capture, which works with Digital Photo Professional to allow you to shoot a picture with the EOS 20D, and view it immediately on the computer. This is a definite plus in the "digital developing" process, eliminating the step of transferring a flash card to the computer, and then loading the image to see the results. I definitely plan on investigating this feature further.
"To quote my dad, I thought this feature was 'Slicker than snot on a doorknob.'"
I also plugged the camera into the component video port on my television with the supplied cable to check that out as well. In doing this, the image preview when the shutter is released, and the image playback feature is forwarded to the television, allowing you to see the images in a much larger setting. To quote my dad, I thought this feature was "Slicker than snot on a doorknob." You can find a TV almost anywhere, so it makes for a nice show when you're on location and would like to show off your images.
I know I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of what this camera is capable of, nor have I committed to memory every feature and setting that I can customize. At this time though, I only really have two complaints with the camera. The first is the manner in which the strap attaches. I know, minor, but still kind of an annoyance.
All of my previous cameras have had quick release mechanisms where the strap attaches to the body. The Canon EOS 20D though has the strap threaded through metal loops on the camera body. The ends of the straps are then fed through a couple of buckles and keepers on the strap itself. My wife's Maxxum has the same setup with its strap, so it's not a system that's unique to the EOS 20D. I'd just like to be able to remove the strap quickly if I chose to, and clip it back on at a moment's notice.
It's nice to have a strap for those away-from-the-studio shoots, but it kind of gets in the way when the camera is on a tripod. In all fairness, there may be an after-market strap that meets my needs that I just haven't come across yet. The strap I'm referring to is the one that comes with the camera, and in reality is really a rather minor complaint on a camera that functions well beyond my expectations.
The second complaint is that the RAW format is only available in Creative mode. It would be nice if the RAW file format were available regardless of what mode you're shooting, although I think I know the justification for locking out RAW in Basic mode. I would imagine it has to do with the fact that those people using the Basic mode probably aren't as familiar with the image manipulation skills needed when shooting in RAW. Nevertheless, it would be nice to have RAW available at all times.
So who is the ideal target user for the Canon EOS 20D? Well, the professional photographer obviously, including those currently using medium format film cameras. The photography student is another ideal candidate for the Canon EOS 20D, because it provides instant high-quality images, with no waiting for film to be developed. Perfect for learning. And finally, the EOS 20D is ideal for users of point-and-shoot cameras that would like to move up to an SLR. If you take mainly snapshots with a point-and-shoot, whether film or digital, and are happy with the results you're getting, then the Canon EOS 20D isn't right for you.
But it is ideal for those new to SLRs, because of the programmed settings in the Basic mode. My wife, who has no more inkling of photography techniques than a stone, could use the EOS 20D because of the settings in the Basic mode. The Basic mode allows those not accustomed to the higher functions of an SLR to learn while doing, which is the best way. At the same time, the EOS 20D provides full-spectrum image and exposure control for professionals that so desperately need that in a professional-level camera, making it ideal for a wide range of users.
I give the Canon EOS 20D 4 out of 5. It's perfect for those new to SLRs, but at the same time provides the full exposure control needed by professionals. It comes with the software needed to interpret the RAW format (unlike other digital SLRs), has a comfortable, ergonomic feel, complete control over every aspect of the image exposure, a long-life lithium-ion battery, and an image quality far superior to anything I've encountered to date. My only real complaint is the strap, for which there may or may not be a remedy, and the RAW lockout in Basic mode.
RATING: 4 STARS