C THE CANON EOS 20D DIGITAL CAMERA: AN EXTRAORDINARY COMBINATION OF PERFORMANCE AND VALUE
Table of Contents I OVERVIEW 3 II SUMMARY OF FEATURES Performance Advanced Components Controls and Display Compatibility and Support 5 5 5 6 6 Power Management Body and Exterior Software and Accessories 6 7 7 III NEW AND IMPROVED DESIGN FEATURES New Technology CMOS Image Sensor and Microlenses New High-Speed Continuous Shooting New High-Speed Response New DIGIC II Image Processor 8 8 8 8 9 Noise Reduction All-New Autofocus System New E-TTL II Autoflash Algorithm New Built-In Flash New Precision Mat
I. OVERVIEW At first glance, the new Canon EOS 20D seems to be an evolutionary product, a thorough redesign of the highly successful EOS 10D. The 20D is, in fact, so remarkable that it completely redefines the mid-price category of digital single lens reflex cameras. At its full 8.2 megapixel resolution, it fires up to 23 frames continuously at 5 frames-persecond.
have the 1D Mark II. The least expensive current D-SLR that shoots faster is the Nikon D2H, which has half the resolution and costs about $1700 more. Within $500 of the 20D today, there are the Fuji S2 (to be replaced eventually with the S3 for, presumably, a greater price difference), the Nikon D100 and D70, the Olympus E-1, the Pentax *ist D, and the Sigma SD10. All these cameras are slower than, and have lower resolution than, the 20D. All but the E-1 are plastic bodied.
II. SUMMARY OF FEATURES Performance • New 8.2 megapixel, single-plate, APS-C size CMOS sensor designed and manufactured by Canon. • Up to 23 consecutive frames at 5 frames-per-second at maximum JPEG resolution. • 6 frames continuous in RAW or RAW plus JPEG modes. • New 4-channel data reading and write processing performed in parallel with shooting; huge increase in write speed and major reduction in buffer clearing time. • The first EOS Digital SLR to feature USB 2.
Controls and Display • New built-in Multi-controller provides fast, convenient and direct selection of AF points and other functions. • Revised and simplified controls and menus. • Recording choice of 6 levels of JPEG alone, CR2 RAW alone, or RAW plus a choice of 6 levels of JPEG kept as separate files. • Substantially improved 1.
Body and Exterior Software and Accessories • Magnesium alloy body and stainless steel chassis create a rugged camera with a solid, high quality, professional feel. • Lighter and more compact body than that of the 10D features the Canon logo in relief on the front of the camera, a revised grip shape and a sculpted shutter button surround. • New software package, included at no extra cost, includes Canon’s new Digital Photo Professional, EOS Viewer Utility and Adobe Photoshop Elements.
III. NEW AND IMPROVED DESIGN FEATURES New Technology CMOS Image Sensor and Microlenses The Canon EOS 20D has 1.7 million more pixels on its CMOS sensor than the EOS 10D’s similarly sized unit, so each pixel must be smaller. However, advances in technology have made it possible for the EOS 20D to have the same ISO range as the 10D, a higher default ISO, lower noise, higher dynamic range, higher resolution CMOS sensor and a brighter finder than the 10D.
New DIGIC II Image Processor The new DIGIC II Image Processor shares much of its technology with the DIGIC II in the Canon EOS-1D Mark II. It features a newly developed signal processing algorithm, 4-channel, high-speed signal reading and lower power consumption. The DIGIC II boasts improved color reproduction of high-saturation, bright subjects, improved auto white balance precision, and wider dynamic range in DIGIC II Image Processor highlight areas.
image processing, which can be turned on or off by the user, takes the same amount of time as the exposure. Even though the EOS 20D with its noise reduction feature turned off produces less noise during long exposures than the EOS 10D, the activation of dark frame subtraction produces maximum image quality during long exposures with the 20D.
modes, the optimum AF mode is set automatically. In the Creative Zone modes, one can select any AF mode. In the Sports mode, AI Servo AF is set automatically. Automatic AF point selection Multi-controller operation Main Dial/Quick Control Dial operation AF points can be selected automatically by the camera or quickly and directly with the Multicontroller. Press the AF point selection button and then move the Multi-controller in any of eight directions or in at the center.
As with the EOS 10D, AF-assist is provided by a series of stroboscopic flashes from the built-in flash or an external, EOS-dedicated Speedlite. The working range for the built-in AF-assist function is approximately 4m/13.1 ft. at the center and approximately 3.5m/11.5 ft. at the other 8 AF points. Custom function 5 enables and disables this feature. Optional Speedlite 580EX is equipped with a powerful AF Assist beam that is effective at distances up to 10m/33 ft. when greater distance is desired.
up. A new latch mechanism has been incorporated to reduce the gap around the flash unit. A custom function can disable firing of the built-in flash an external Speedlite or a non-Canon flash connected to the PC terminal. New Precision Matte Focusing Screen The EOS 20D features a newly developed Precision Matte focusing screen that has optimally distributed microlenses. By controlling the microlens curvature, the overall light distribution angle is determined.
introducing the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM and EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lenses simultaneously with the EOS 20D. New Power System Upgrades The EOS 20D can be powered by lithium-ion battery packs BP-511A, BP-511 and BP-512. The BP-511A holds 1390 mAh, roughly 25% more than the 1100 mAh of the 511 and 512. The new accessory, Battery Grip BG-E2, which has an L-shaped grip and vertical camera controls, will take two BP-511A, BP-511 or BP-512 battery packs, Battery Pack BP-512 or six size AA batteries.
There are nine white balance modes available on the EOS 20D: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Manual/Custom, and Manual/Color Temperature Set Directly. Especially including the last two, the 20D offers an almost infinite range of control. The EOS 20D has a remarkable new system that incorporates the flash’s color temperature information in the image processing.
happens when one presses the JUMP button (moves to the first item in the next menu category). The function that prevents shutter release when there is no CF card installed is now a menu setting instead of a Custom Function. This will prevent users from forgetting to install a CF card, even in a Basic Zone mode. The WB compensation feature has been added and both the WB compensation and WB bracketing can be set on 0.6 the same screen.
is, all flash units will not fire). C. Fn-06, Exposure level increments, has been changed to 0: 1/3 stop and 1: 1/2 stop.
earlier, these settings can be applied to Adobe RGB as well as sRGB images. Finally, there is a remarkable new monochrome setting, a first for Canon digital single lens reflex cameras, which permits the direct capture of black and white images. The selectable controls in this case are five levels each of contrast and sharpness; five filter effects (none, yellow, orange, red and green) and five color tone options (none, sepia, blue, purple and green). The filter effects are a first for all digital SLRs.
compatible with DCF 2.0 and Exif 2.21 (including Adobe Photoshop CS) will be able to handle Adobe RGB in the same way as sRGB. When software compatible with Exif 2.21 is used, images captured with the EOS 20D will open automatically in the Adobe RGB color space. When a printer that complies with Exif 2.21 is used, the printer will adjust the color saturation of the print suitably.
The Digital Rebel digital control board was split in two so that a revised layout of parts and a streamlined board shape could be employed, reducing size, giving more flexibility in exterior design and making assembly adjustments more efficient. The DIGIC II and the newly developed ADIC (Analog/ Digital Integrated Circuit) and TG (Timing Generator) reduce parts count and aid reliability. The 5 hard and 22 flexible circuit boards have been more integrated, reducing cost.
35mm format. Its EF-S design is used to produce a small, lightweight lens that still gives high image quality. The IS designation means the lens has an Image Stabilizer whose performance is equivalent to approximately 3 shutter speed increments. The placement of its component elements and the coatings selected are optimized for suppression of the flare and ghosting prevalent in digital cameras. The second new lens being introduced is the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM.
IV. SPECIFICATIONS Camera Type Imaging Element Recording System Type: Digital AF/AE SLR Recording Medium: Type I and II CF card Image Size: 22.5 x 15.0mm (0.89 x 0.59 in.) Compatible Lenses: Canon EF lenses including EF-S Lens. (Focal length conversion factor: Equivalent to approx. 1.6x indicated focal length compared to 35mm format.) Lens Mount: Canon EF mount Type: High-sensitivity, high-resolution, single-plate, color CMOS sensor Effective Pixels: Approx. 8.25 megapixels Total Pixels: Approx. 8.
Viewfinder Type: Eye-level SLR (with fixed pentaprism) Coverage: Approx. 95% vertically and horizontally (Coverage against JPEG Large) Magnification: 0.9x (-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity) Eyepoint: 20mm Built-in Dioptric Correction: -3.0 – +1.0 diopter Focusing Screen: Fixed, Precision Matte Screen Mirror: Quick-return half mirror (Transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60.
Shutter Type: Vertical-travel, mechanical, focal-plane shutter with all speeds electronically-controlled Shutter Speeds: 1/8000 to 30 sec. (1/3-stop increments), bulb, X-sync at 1/250 sec. Shutter Release: Soft-touch electromagnetic release Noise Reduction: Settable with C.Fn-02 (Noise reduction for long exposures) Self-Timer: 10-sec.
Power Source Number of Shots Dimensions and Weight Working Conditions Battery: One Battery Pack BP-511A/511/512/514 (lithium ion rechargeable battery) Configuration No Flash Used 50% with Flash Body (BP-511A) Normal temp (68°F/20°C) Low temp (32°F/0°C) 1000 frames 750 frames 700 frames 550 frames w/BG-E2 (BP-511Ax2) Normal temp (68°F/20°C) 2000 frames 1400 frames Low temp (32°F/0°C) 1500 frames 1100 frames w/BG-E2 (Size-AA NiMH x6) Normal temp (68°F/20°C) 250 frames 120 frames Low tem
V. CONCLUSION The Canon EOS 20D outperforms the majority of D-SLRs on the market today regardless of price. Its superb image quality and fast, convenient operation make it perfect for most of the situations encountered daily by working professionals and advanced amateurs. Its system compatibility means its potential is vast. Its reasonable size and weight, combined with its rugged construction, make the 20D an easy camera to live with. For its performance, features and quality, its price is terrific.
