20D: Worth the money?

[scraggles]

I know that the 20D is a great camera. I plan on picking one up by this time next month. However, I've been watching this forum for a while, and the 20D apparently has one problem after another. Should I be worried about that? Dropping 1500$ is a lot on a camera if it's going to be out of commission half the time.

[jerrythesnake]

the 20d is an excellent camera and i have never had any problems, just nice sharp images.

[Dannes]

I know that the 20D is a great camera. I plan on picking one up by this time next month. However, I've been watching this forum for a while, and the 20D apparently has one problem after another. Should I be worried about that? Dropping 1500$ is a lot on a camera if it's going to be out of commission half the time.

I have a 20 D. Occasional dust problems but is a fantastic camera. I'm very happy with it!

[Maxima]

Is it true that it'll be replaced by something else by the end of the year? The XT is very close in comparison to the 20D, however the darn thing is way toooooooooooo small for me. Couldn't they make a XT in a larger size? Cuz that would be my camera!!! However, in the mean time, I'll have to decide if I can deal w/ the smaller size or shell out the extra $$$. So far, leaning towards the 20D, just cause it feels so much better to handle.

[Andy_T]

Relax,

it's a great camera.
I haven't had any problems (apart from not earning enough money to satisfy my lens lust :wink: ) at all, with about 3,000 images so far.

Best regards,
Andy

[Lenny_D]

The 20D is fabulous. Responsive, very fast AF, never had problems with it.

Oh, well, sometimes I forget to switch off the camera when I change a lens, then it locks up. I just have to switch off and switch on the camera and it is working again. I consider this as my own sloppy behaviour.

But again, the camera is worth the money. Responsive, fast AF, robust, low noise sensor, many possibilities for costum tuning, good battery life. I'm using it for 6 months now but never regretted buying it.

[scraggles]

I haven't held it yet, or the XT. I have held the 300D and I just want something that I won't have to replace anytime soon. I'm still leaning towards the 20D, I just hope it doesn't cause me any pain.

[fatrat]

20D is great , no probs here, just little grips (memory card hatch and sometimes over exposer in the bright aussie light) but i getting good with it now VERY HAPPY

No Camera is perfect

[elbirth]

What "one problem after another" are you talking about? I've had my 20D since a couple weeks after they were released and I've never had a problem with the camera itself, only one of my lenses back-focusing a little, which is a fault with the lens, not camera. I've forgot to turn it off when changes lenses and it has NOT locked up, I've cleaned dust off one time and haven't had issues with that since, and overall everything is great, no complaints here (other than needing more money for lenses). The grip is the main problem I've heard people talk about, but that's an issue with the poor design of the grip, not the camera.



Is it true that it'll be replaced by something else by the end of the year? The XT is very close in comparison to the 20D, however the darn thing is way toooooooooooo small for me. Couldn't they make a XT in a larger size? Cuz that would be my camera!!! However, in the mean time, I'll have to decide if I can deal w/ the smaller size or shell out the extra $$$. So far, leaning towards the 20D, just cause it feels so much better to handle.

I wouldn't get the XT over the 20D even if it WERE bigger... the 20D is still far superior in features and functionality. And even if something else is going to replace the 20D, it's not the end of the world... you'll be getting a new camera every few years anyway (if you're really serious about things or the camera dies.... though I know some serious people that have had their same film camera for 18+ years and it hasn't failed them yet). Digital cameras are like computer parts- don't play the waiting game so you can get the biggest and best, because it's going to be outdated very soon anyway. If you keep waiting, you'll wait forever, because it's a never-ending game of the companies getting out new technology. Just get a camera that fits your needs and try to not lust after what might come out in a few months.

[thomasrhee]

Definitely worth the money. In fact, for the price, it's a killer deal and these days you can get a body only for closer to $1300 than $1500.

The people who are having or have had problems are a small minority compared to the ones who have no problems and are enjoying their camera.

As for sensor dust problems, it's a fact of life with DSLR's. If you lose sleep over sensor dust, either learn how to clean your sensors or don't buy one.

[Jon, The Elder]

If all you do is hang around forums - then a lot of the threads you see come up - start out with a "I've got a problem...." "my camera doesn't do this or that...." "my lens front/back focus is all wrong...." How long does a battery last...."? "How high is up"? "the sky is falling"

buy a camera and go out and shoot a few hundred shots a week - then come back. You will find many "problems" are not problems at all - ever figure that for every "problem" there are hundreds of owners who don't hang out on forums - and don't have "problems"?

Photography isn't about "problems" - it is about the thrill and enjoyment from capturing that elusive instant.

[elbirth]

If all you do is hang around forums - then a lot of the threads you see come up - start out with a "I've got a problem...." "my camera doesn't do this or that...." "my lens front/back focus is all wrong...." How long does a battery last...."? "How high is up"? "the sky is falling"

exactly. I've said it before, others have said it before, so I'll say it again:
You're going to hear more about people's problems than their normal problem-free daily lives.

Do you think a doctor's office thinks the world is full of nothing but sick people? People don't make an appointment to just stop by and say "hey, I'm feeling great today doc, no need for a checkup."

[Reminisce]

The thing is, the threads where people have problems get more response than the ones of people rejoicing and praising their gear. Why? Well because if someone has a problem here, everyone jumps on board to offer their assistance, experience, or recommendations, and threads like that stay up longer and have more responses than someone who just got their 20D. So dont be led astray by stuff like that, the 20D is arguably the best camera in its price range, and I'm not saying that biased because before I went with Canon I was looking at the D70.

As far as it being replaced goes, it doesnt really matter. Think of it this way, the 10D was discontinued a long time ago, and is still one of the better DSLRs you can get nowadays. The D60 was discontinued years ago and is still a stellar camera. And the 300D will probably be phased out by the 350XT but its still the best camera for the price and uses the superb imaging system that all EOS cameras use. So I wouldn't worry about that, even if there is a new cam to replace the 20D in a year or more,the 20D is still one helluva camera bar none.

[Perfect_10]

I haven't held it yet, or the XT. I have held the 300D and I just want something that I won't have to replace anytime soon. I'm still leaning towards the 20D, I just hope it doesn't cause me any pain.
If you buy something and are happy with it (and it suits your needs .. takes excellent pics) then why would you have to replace it ? If you always think you'll have to replace it you'll never be happy.

[eosster]

every pennies for me, LOL.

[mgchan]

From day one, I've had nothing but problems with my 20D...

... problems with staying away from B&H and buying a lens for it, a new bag, new filters, and finally... once it's in my hands... I've had a problem with not shooting pictures with it. I just can't put it down!

Seriously, it's a fantastic camera. Once you buy it, you'll wish you would've done it sooner. I had the Rebel for a year before I sold it last month for the 20D. It is a sweet camera!!!

[tim]

Is it worth the money? Definitely yes.

[malla1962]

problems?no problems with my 20d, or grip.

[scraggles]

I was planning on getting an XT, because I've seen amazing photos come out of the Drebel however, after a month of saving up for the camera, I realized that the 20D is just flat out better.

I'm one of those people who overbuys. I buy better than I need. It's never been a bad thing. I've never had to worry if this will suit my needs. I'm convinced that the 20D is the solution for me.

[scraggles]

oh.. and whats the problem with the grip? Does it fall apart? Does it attack your fingers with venomous fangs? I can't see how someone could complain.

[tacos3]

This camera is everthing I ever wanted for less than $1500. 5000 images in 5 months with no issues. I have a grip and no issues. I bought it for it's high ISO low noise performance and it has met my expectation. It's not a 1D mkII, but it's the best DSLR for less than $2k USD.

If you wait 3 months, there might be something better from another manufacturer, but then again, there always will be.

Good luck,

Darren

P.S. I probably jinxed myself to an eternity of err 99's. Oh well, I'll take the chance.

[elbirth]

oh.. and whats the problem with the grip? Does it fall apart? Does it attack your fingers with venomous fangs? I can't see how someone could complain.

I don't own one yet, so I'm only speaking from what I hear... and this is the sole reason stopping me from getting one yet.

But the grip's design has it off-balanced where it screws into the bottom of the 20D, so if you hold it vertically by the grip, it can flex and lose power to the camera. In some instances you'd have to use a lot of force, in others simply the weight of a flash and lens can be enough to cause this. Either way, if you have pictures in the buffer when it loses power, all of those pictures are gone.

[Bsmooth]

Well heres my two cents worth.I have had mine now for almost a month and the biggest issue I've had with mine is twofold.The main one is getting used to the images produced by a digital SLR.There not the same If your coming from a film SLR.They tend to look soft,even in Jpeg.If your serious about going digital ,and I would assume you are If your ready to drop $1500 then you also will become somewhat of a computer geek also. Its a great camera and I did one hell of a lot of research before I bought mine.But it also is a very steep learning curve.I have one which is even worse because I am also learning Photoshop at the same time.The other minor problem so far is focusing with my 18-55,but I think its the lens not the camera.I also have a 70-200 and thats as sharp as a tack.
Its a great camera by all means and its amazing what images it will take.If you have the time and patience to put into learning about it,the 20D will give back some truly wonderful images.

[scraggles]

I'm not worried about the learning curve. I already know photoshop like the back of my hand, I'm willing to learn more about cameras.

[GyRob]

i think its a good camera, however not as good as i was hopeing most images need further process on a computer mostly sharpning, even with L lenses its hard to take a pin sharp photo with this camera, not everyone has a computer and i really think there should be 1 setting that sets it up to alow for this, Parameters settings do help as do set's but in my humble view its not as good as i thought it would be.
have a test drive first any decent shop will let you put a cf card in a demo then you can decied if its what you want , the big plus point for me is the large buffer and fast drive .
Rob.

[scraggles]

pretty much anyone with a 1500$ digital camera has a computer to view them on.

[mgchan]

pretty much anyone with a 1500$ digital camera has a computer to view them on.
or anyone with a digital camera! :)

[cruzyn56]

Have had the 20d since xmas and couldn't be happier. Very impressed with performance and images. My wife got it for me and at the time compared the 20d with the rebel and decided that I would be happier with the 20d. I haven't used the rebel but she made a good call.

[canon2od]

It is worth every penny--go get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sydor25]

I've loved my 20D since the day that it arrived in the mail.

I had a Canon Digital Rebel for about three weeks and after spending 20 minutes with a 20D, I returned the DRebel for the 20D. :)

I've only had the Err 99 twice in 5 months and none since I've been turning off the camera when changing the lens.