Some of the concerns of Canon 20D

[tony723]

Starts from this week, many web site starts to release info about the new Canon DSLR 20D. Compare the spec to the previous 10D and 300D, I have the following concerns and maybe someone can give me some advice later:

1. CF writing speed

The writing speed in 10D and 300D are too slow compare to other DSLR especially Nikon D70. Even 20D can have a larger buffer (25 frames), the writing speed will determine the pace of photo taking. Hope that Canon can release more technical info later on this point

2. AF

The AF problem appear in 10D and 300D will repeat again in 20D?

3. 1.6x CMOS and 8.2M pixel

With such a high density ratio of CMOS size and no. of pixel, any problem in photo resolution and color reproduction?

Thanks!

[CoolToolGuy]

Starts from this week, many web site starts to release info about the new Canon DSLR 20D. Compare the spec to the previous 10D and 300D, I have the following concerns and maybe someone can give me some advice later:

1. CF writing speed

The writing speed in 10D and 300D are too slow compare to other DSLR especially Nikon D70. Even 20D can have a larger buffer (25 frames), the writing speed will determine the pace of photo taking. Hope that Canon can release more technical info later on this point

Thanks!

Rob Galbraith addresses this in his review. The 20D is a speed demon compared to all previous Canon DSLRs.

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-6458-7153-7161

The link above is for the page in his review that discusses CF speed.

Have Fun,

[drisley]

Also, Canon has said that the noise at ISO1600 will be equivalent to ISO400 on the 10D due to improved technology.

[Scottes]

Also, Canon has said that the noise at ISO1600 will be equivalent to ISO400 on the 10D do to improved technology.

Now THAT makes me want a 20D! Damn!

[eric1]

Also, Canon has said that the noise at ISO1600 will be equivalent to ISO400 on the 10D do to improved technology.

Now THAT makes me want a 20D! Damn!

if thats true, then alot of us will be gettin' 20D's.

[Pekka]

"The signal to noise ratio of the 20D compared to the 10D is essentially identical."

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/20d-part1.shtml

[Tom W]

"The signal to noise ratio of the 20D compared to the 10D is essentially identical."

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/20d-part1.shtml

On the other hand:

""What's so surprising about the 20D's noise levels is that Canon has actually managed to reduce image noise (at least at high ISO), even as they've crammed more pixels onto the same size chip. As noted in the main review, this is the combined result of better microlens design, an improved sensor cell layout, and more advanced noise-reduction processing integrated into the sensor chip itself. Regardless of how they achieve it, the fact that Canon could cut image noise while simultaneously reducing the pixel pitch is very impressive.

For the real geeks out there, here's one of the snazzy noise-analysis plots from Imatest, showing what's going on with noise in the 20D's images at ISO 1600. (You'll have to visit the Imatest site for a description of what the various elements here mean, it really takes a full site to explain it. I hope to expand my use of this data, as I work more with the program, and develop a better understanding of how things like the noise spectrum relate to visual noise characteristics. I've also been dialoging with Norman about how best to characterize noise in digicam images, and expect that those discussions will bear fruit in the form of further improvements to Imatest going forward. - Look for more in future reviews.)""

Imaging Resource likes the noise improvement.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E20D/E20DA12.HTM

[drisley]

I was just reading that robgalbraith.com that even thought the 20D allows 5 fps shooting, it only has a 6 frame buffer for Raw. Isn't that smaller than the 10D?
I was initially excited when I saw 23 frame buffer, but that's only for jpg.
I never shoot jpg.
Even my Rebel has a 4 frame raw buffer.

[CoolToolGuy]

I was just reading that robgalbraith.com that even thought the 20D allows 5 fps shooting, it only has a 6 frame buffer for Raw. Isn't that smaller than the 10D?
I was initially excited when I saw 23 frame buffer, but that's only for jpg.
I never shoot jpg.
Even my Rebel has a 4 frame raw buffer.

I saw that, and it said that regardless of which JPG you chose with your raw, it only held 6. The 20D also does the JPG differently than all the previous DSLRs in that it creates 2 files with raw as opposed to embedding the JPG within the raw file. Perhaps the 6-shot limit is related to the internal processing that is required to handle the 2-file thing. In point-of-fact, shooting 6 raw shots actually creates 12 files. That is still only half of the 25 shots for JPG, but maybe it has something to do with it. But I am truly guessing.

Have Fun,

[drisley]

That sux big time!
When shooting sports I rarely wish for a faster framerate than my rebel's 2.5fps. But I DO wish for a larger buffer all the time!
Why would they REDUCE the frame buffer from the 10D?

As far as noise is concerned the 20D is supposed to be very good, perhaps slightly better than even the MKII.

From Rob Galbraith's site:

"We can say, after shooting a soccer match at ISO 3200 with a preproduction EOS 20D in available darkness, that this camera's upper ISO range is impressive. In fact, quickly comparing side-by-side frames at ISO 3200 from an EOS-1D Mark II and EOS 20D, the 20D's noise levels appear to be slightly lower. But this assessment should be considered preliminary at best."

However, I just read that the 20D uses a long exposure frame subtraction technique where it takes a second shot and subtracts from the first. Thus a 20 second exposure would take 40 seconds. ARGH! I HATED that on the G3.

[CoolToolGuy]

If they are marketing this to newspapers (as I saw somewhere) those photogs will likely stick with JPG for the workflow speed of getting the shots off in a hurry.
Maybe this is the beginning of a de-emphasis on raw

Have Fun,

[Radtech1]

The two things that I was most looking for have not been mentioned. 1) Viewfinder size and brightness. My 10D is too small and dark for me. And 2) the non-availability of intrchangable focussing screens. I was hoping for a split prism, but, alas.

Guess I will be waiting for the 30D

Rad

[drisley]

I guess the 3.5x faster CF speeds of the 20D will help make up for the small buffer a little. :roll:

[evilenglishman]

The two things that I was most looking for have not been mentioned. 1) Viewfinder size and brightness. My 10D is too small and dark for me. And 2) the non-availability of intrchangable focussing screens. I was hoping for a split prism, but, alas.


Looks like you will be disappointed then:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/20d-part1.shtml


As mentioned, the 20D has been reduced in size over the 10D and previous models in this line from Canon. Such shrinkage is not without its price though. It has been achieved by reducing the size of both the pentaprism and the instant return mirror. This makes the viewfinder a bit dimmer and a bit coarser than the previous generation. The coarseness isn't all that apparent indoors or under low contrast outdoor light conditions, but outdoors on a bright sunny day it's painfully obvious. (Canon claims that the coarseness to aid manual focusing, but that's just marketing BS; simply an attempt to turn a deficiency into a feature).