20D cross-type AF sensor

How many of you folks noticed this? According to Canon's press release the 20D has a cross-type AF sensor in the center which provides cross-type performance with lenses having apertures equal to or wider than f/5.6! Now that's even better than the cross-type sensor that's in the 1DmkII which only provides full cross-type performance in the center with lenses of f/4 and wider, thanks to the newly designed cross-type AF sensor in the 20D.

Now, in retrospect, this is interesting because one of the reasons I wanted to upgrade to the 1DmkII was because of the ability to use my 100-400L with the 1.4x TC and still retain AF. So, if I'm reading the press release correctly, I'm thinking I should now be able to do that with the 20D as well. Hmmm.

The high-precision aspect of the cross sensor doesn't kick in until you use a lens that has a maximum wide-open aperture of f2.8 or less.

So, I don't think this is as much of improvement as you might think...

On the other hand,. both Rob Galbraith and DPReview have allready indicated that the 20D's AF performance is MUCH improved over the 10D...

To me this is VERY big news for anyone who isn't in the "1 series" price range.


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In the meantime.. we've had three new 20D threads in the last 30 minutes and two new 1Ds threads..

Let's try to keep things in the sticky posts please

thanks CDS