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Today Canon announced several new products, among them the Canon EOS 20D 8.2MP Digital SLR. This is the replacement for the EOS 10D DSLR which was introduced in February of 2003 at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) show.
The major new features are as follows
The EOS 20D retains the 22.7mm x 15.1mm sensor size used in the 300D (Digital Rebel) and 10D, giving an effective 1.6x focal length "multiplier" compared to a full frame 35mm camera.
Of the new features
I'd say that the most significant are the increased pixel count (6.3MP to 8.2MP),
faster startup time and the EF-S lens mount. The lens mount change is important
because Canon have also announced two new EF-S lenses to go along with the EF-S
18-55/3.5-5.6 zoom supplied with the Digital Rebel. First is a EF-S 17-85/f4-5.6
IS ( image stabilized) lens. This is pretty much the analog of the
28-135/3.5-5.6IS for a full frame camera. However the more exciting lens is, I
think, the 10-22/3.5-4.5 wideangle zoom, equivalent to a 16-35 zoom on a full
frame 35mm camera. The startup time has been reduced from about 1.5s to 0.2s, a
significant improvement. I know I've missed a few shots while my 10D "woke up",
so this is a welcome change.
2 more AF zones are good for those who use them, but I personally mostly use the center AF zone, so 9 vs. 7 AF points isn't a big deal for me. I don't remember the last time I shot at 1/4000, so the new top speed of 1/8000 isn't a big deal for me either. 5fps is nice, as is the larger buffer, and this will be of significant interest to action shooters. E-TTL II flash is good, though I'm not sure that E-TTL II is all that much of an improvement over E-TTL. The flash on the 20D pops up higher that that on the 10D. This may give less shadowing when using large lenses and might slightly reduce redeye when using the built in flash.
Clearly of some concern
will the the potential increased noise due to the use of smaller pixels. Noise is
roughly a function of pixel area. In the 10D the pixels have an area of about 55
sq. microns, while in the 20D that is reduced to 42 sq. microns in order to fit
the extra 1.9MP onto the sensor. Since noise is a function of pixel area, there's
some concern that this change could result in increased noise. That remains to be
seen. It's certainly possible that an improved sensor, electronics and processor
could compensate for a small amount of increased noise. I think some of the
concern comes from experiences with 8MP digicams (e.g. the Sony F828) which do
show a lot of noise at higher ISO settings. However note that the pixel area in
such cameras is only about 7.3 sq. microns, so you can see that there's a
huge difference in pixel area between the 20D and F828 (42 vs. 7 sq.
microns), but a relatively small difference between the 20D and 10D (42 vs. 55
sq. microns).
The table below shows the relative size of some digital camera sensor pixles:
| Camera | Pixel size (microns) | Pixel Area (sq. microns) |
| Canon EOS D60/10D | 7.4 | 55 |
| Canon EOS 1D | 10.8 | 117 |
| Canon EOS 1D Mk II | 8.2 | 67 |
| Canon EOS 1Ds | 8.8 | 77 |
| Sony DSC F828 | 2.7 | 7.3 |
| Canon EOS 20D | 6.5 | 42 |
If you print at 240 dpi, the 10D 6.3MP sensor can yield prints which are 12.8" x 8.5", while the 20D 8.2MP sensor will yield prints which are 14.6" x 9.7", so it's a small, but worthwhile difference. In terms of raw sensor resolution, the 10D 6.3MP sensor should have a theoretical limit of about 65 lp/mm, while the 20D 8.2MP sensor should have a theoretical limit around 75 lp/mm. Only time and testing will tell how actual image quality compares, but I would not expect a huge difference.
The EOS 20D appears to have a slightly different control layout from the 10D. Above the rear control dial and "set" button is a 4 way "joystick". This replaces the direction switching "arrow" button which the 10D uses to move around the playback display.
Overall the 20D appears to be an incremental improvement on the 10D. Maybe not a quantum leap, but a logical development of an excellent camera. It's not yet quite clear what the selling price will be "on the street", but somewhere around the $1500 point looks likely.
As soon as we can get our hands on a sample of the EOS 20D we'll publish a full review. I don't know when that will be, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be fairly soon.
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. Aug. 19, 2004 - Designed for advanced amateurs, photojournalists, wedding photographers and professionals who purchase their own equipment, Canon's new EOS" 20D digital SLR combines speed, image quality, ease-of-use, and ruggedness with compact size and light weight to deliver the highest performance in its class. Available in September, the EOS 20D digital SLR will carry an estimated street price of $1,499* without a lens; $1,599* with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5 -5.6 zoom lens; and $1,999* with the new EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Wide Angle Zoom lens†.
The EOS 20D SLR has a new APS-C (15.0 x 22.5 mm) 8.2 megapixel CMOS image
sensor designed and manufactured by Canon. It is the first mid-range digital SLR
to offer high-speed continuous shooting of five frames-per-second with a burst of
23 frames at highest JPEG resolution. Uncannily responsive, the camera starts up
in 0.2-second and has a shutter release time lag of only 65 milliseconds.
The all-new 9-point AF unit with high-precision cross-type sensor raises the bar
on speed, accuracy and precision in mid-range SLRs. The new AF system has one
full stop better low-light performance than its EOS 10D predecessor. The new
E-TTL II autoflash metering system, inherited from Canon's EOS-1D Mark II
professional model, takes into account the distance, reflectance and position of
the subject for highly stable, accurate and intelligent exposure
calculations.
News Photography/Photojournalism
The new camera's combination of speed and available light shooting capability
make it especially appealing to newspaper photographers. Aside from the five
frames-per-second burst rate, the EOS 20D digital SLR delivers superb low light
performance and exceptionally low noise, even at high ISOs. In fact, images taken
at ISO 1600 are approximately equal in noise to those taken with the EOS 10D
model at ISO 400. The EOS 20D digital SLR can be used as a backup camera for the
high-performance EOS-1D Mark II digital SLR. It is also an excellent choice in
its own right for many professional imaging applications where its smaller size
and lighter weight give it an edge.
Wedding/Portrait Photography
The Canon designed and manufactured CMOS sensor has a maximum resolution of 3504
x 2336 pixels, which is sufficient for very large prints (up to 16 x 24 inches)
with fine detail. Like its big brother, the Canon EOS-1D Mark II, the EOS 20D
digital SLR satisfies the wedding photographer's benchmark: facial details in
group-shots. The wedding photography business is changing. Consumers are now
looking for more natural and candid documentary coverage of their weddings. With
the speed and large buffer of the EOS 20D digital SLR, wedding and portrait
photographers have a cost effective solution for capturing both posed and candid
event photographs.
"Canon continues to endow advanced amateurs, photo enthusiasts and professional
photographers with the highest-quality digital SLR cameras available by combining
sophisticated camera features with the latest digital imaging technology
innovations," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager
of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc.
(NYSE: CAJ). "In addition, Canon is one of the only companies in the industry
that designs and manufactures the three primary components of its digital SLRs:
Optics, Image Sensor, and Image Processor."
Canon uses design and technology for customers' sake, not for the sake of
technology. Canon has listened to owners of the EOS 10D digital SLR and has
considered their opinions carefully. This accounts for the new menu format, the
color-coded menu display icons, the reduction of buttons and the addition of the
highly efficient Multi-controller, among many other features.
When Size Matters
The EOS 20D digital SLR is both smaller and lighter than the 10D model. The 20D
camera is about 3.6 ounces lighter and Canon reduced the width, height and depth
by 5.7, 2 and 3.5 mm, respectively. The shutter unit, mirror box, main mirror,
pentaprism, focusing screen and viewfinder optical unit have all become smaller
as they were optimized for the APS-C sensor. The 20D digital SLR has nearly 100
fewer parts than the 10D model. The new camera retains the rugged stainless steel
chassis and magnesium alloy body covers of its predecessor for outstanding
durability.
New 9-Point Autofocus System
The sophisticated 9-point autofocus system has a high-precision cross-type sensor
in the center position. This new design seen for the first time in the 20D model
provides full cross-type performance with maximum apertures as small as f/5.6,
yet it achieves up to 3 times the standard focusing precision when used with EF
lenses featuring maximum apertures larger than or equal to f/2.8. A new,
convenient Multi-controller provides fast and easy AF point selection.
New High Speed Shutter
The EOS 20D has a newly developed shutter with a top speed of 1/8000 sec.,
user-settable in 1/3 and 1/2 stop increments (in shutter speed priority AE and
manual modes) and a maximum flash synchronization speed of 1/250 sec. First or
second curtain flash sync is possible. The shutter's APS-C configuration allows a
reduction in the size of the unit, smaller shutter blades with lower inertial
mass, and shorter travel distance. Stronger magnets are used for each shutter
curtain, permitting better control of the blades. A semiconductor switch replaces
the traditional sync contacts, ending scorching and frictional wear while at the
same time increasing the limit for trigger circuit voltage to 250V. The result of
these changes is a more rugged and reliable shutter unit with substantially
improved performance.
EF and EF-S Lenses
Particularly among advanced amateur and professional photographers, there has
been a growing need for affordable zoom lenses that support true wide-angle and
ultra-wide-angle photography. In response to this market demand and to provide
users with a truly comprehensive lens system, Canon has expanded its EF-S lens
offerings to now include four lenses - the new EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM and
EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM zoom lenses as well as standard and USM versions of
the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens. (Canon U.S.A., launched the standard EF-S
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens in August of 2003 in conjunction with the EOS Digital
Rebel SLR.) The EOS 20D digital SLR is also fully compatible with all Canon EF
lenses and with the entire system of Canon EX Speedlites and accessories,
including the new Speedlite 580EX flash.
White Balance Compensation
The EOS 20D camera has professional level white balance controls. In addition to
Auto, it has six presets, a Custom setting and direct specification of color
temperature. White balance can be corrected for blue, amber, magenta or green;
white balance bracketing, up to +/- 3 whole stops, can be performed for
magenta-green as well as blue-amber.
Flash Forward: Canon Speedlite 580EX
When the EOS 20D digital camera is used with the built-in flash or the new
Speedlite 580EX, color temperature data transmission is enabled. The camera has
an extensive complement of white balance controls, processing parameters,
bracketing options, shooting modes and custom functions that permit the camera to
be configured for any situation; the revised menu format, simplified control
layout and clever new Multi-controller make the camera easy to use.
Evolved E-TTL II Flash Exposure Control
Though still compatible with all EX-series Speedlites, the "smarter" E-TTL II
system captures the subject as a "plane" and ensures that images containing
various colors and levels of reflection are captured accurately and optimally.
The system compares the ambient light with the reflected pre-flash off the
subject reported in all 35 metering zones and selects the areas with a small
difference to be weighted for flash exposure calculation. This system also
eliminates or under weights areas with large difference recognizing them as an
extremely reflective object in the background or as a highly reflective subject,
smartly ensuring it by considering the distance information data provided from
compatible EF lenses. The system similarly prevents over-exposure when
photographers lock focus and recompose the shot by considering the flash output
level calculated according to the broader distance. The camera also allows users
to select an average metering pattern by using its custom function settings.
New CMOS Image Sensor and DIGIC II Image Processor
The EOS 20D digital SLR includes Canon's latest CMOS image sensor technology as
well as the new DIGIC II Image Processor. The CMOS features high-speed 4-channel
data reading, brilliant new microlens technology, a 2nd generation, on-chip
noise-reduction circuit, and low-noise, high-speed amp, which produces accurate
color, extremely low noise and fast recording even at ISO's of 400 and above.
Canon's DIGIC II image processor is without question, the most powerful imaging
processor that the company has ever put into a digital camera. It boasts improved
color reproduction of high-saturation, bright subjects, improved auto white
balance precision, and wider dynamic range in highlight areas. In addition to its
image quality improvements, the DIGIC II chip is also responsible for speeding up
camera performance in areas such as start-up time, autofocus calculation,
card-writing speed, direct printing and data transfer speed through the new USB
2.0 High Speed interface.
New .CR2 Raw Format
The Canon EOS 20D digital SLR incorporates the same new RAW format featured in
Canon digital cameras from the EOS-1D Mark II model onward. The file extension is
.CR2 (Canon RAW, 2nd edition). The RAW data records the white balance data,
processing parameters, and other settings. All these settings can be edited
freely with compatible RAW file conversion software such as Canon's EOS Viewer
Utility and Digital Photo Professional software, which are supplied with the
camera.
Exif 2.21 Metadata and Adobe Color Space
There is no need to worry about color space any longer. The EOS 20D complies with
DCF 2.0, revised to support Adobe RGB, and Exif 2.21. Images taken in Adobe RGB
will have the Adobe RGB color space information, not the ICC profile, appended to
the Exif information. (If Adobe RGB is selected from the 20D digital camera's
Color Space menu, all processing parameters are available.) Therefore,
applications and devices compatible with DCF 2.0 and Exif 2.21 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.
Camera Direct Printing
As with the EOS 10D model, the EOS 20D digital SLR is compatible with PictBridge,
CP Direct and Bubble Jet Direct print transfer protocol. It also enables DPOF
Print Ordering, Version 1.1. The basic specifications are the same as those of
the EOS-1D Mark II digital SLR. Printer communications can be set to Normal or
PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) with the menu's Communication setting (PTP is
required for PictBridge direct printing). PictBridge compliant and Compact Photo
Direct printers allow up to eight steps of horizontal trimming, up to five steps
of vertical trimming, and a range of print sizes.
Updated Software
The EOS 20D will be supplied with the latest versions of Canon's popular Digital
Photo Professional and EOS Viewer Utility software, as well as Adobe Photoshop
Elements 2.0 for image editing.
Kit Configurations
The EOS 20D will be available in body-only or two separate zoom lens kit
configurations. All three kits include the camera body as well as the BP-511A
lithium-ion battery pack, Battery Charger CG-580, USB Cable IFC-400PCU, Video
Cable VC-100, a wide neckstrap, 3 software CDs, printed instruction manuals, and
a 1-year Canon U.S.A. limited warranty. The first zoom lens kit includes the
standard EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens and the second kitâ€
includes the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Wide Angle Zoom lens.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial
imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired
Companies in America, and is ranked #35 on the latest Business Week list of "Top
100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of
technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2003. Canon Inc. achieved
global revenues of $29.9 billion in 2003; 9.8 billion of which came from Canon
Americas. For more information, visit
www.usa.canon.com.
At the time I'm writing this, none of the reliable stores seem to be taking pre-orders, but I expect that to change very quickly. The camera should hit the streets in late September, but if past experience is anything to go by, if you want one then, you'd better place your order as soon as possible. Check these retailers and see if any are accepting orders yet.
All original text is (©) Copyright 2004 Robert M. Atkins All Rights Reserved
