This morning I awoke to find the latest CPS member newsletter waiting in my inbox. Besides all of the usual tips and articles there was the unveiling of Canon's newest semi-pro DSLR the EOS 20D, its predecessor being the 10D (now discontinued). Canon claims that the camera boasts a new 8.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, improved 9 point AF system, DIGIC II processor (same one as in the 1D Mark II), E-TTL II flash system (also only in the 1D Mk II), and probably best of all, an advance rate of 5 frames per second. Personally I see this as more of an evolutionary step as opposed to a revolutionary one, which is highly unusual for Canon. Usually Nikon is the evolutionary manufacturer, building on what is known and well proven while Canon is always coming up with wild new cameras as opposed to updating existing models a little bit, for example the 1D blew every one away with its speed when introduced (no pro DSLR similar to it before), the Digital Rebel was the most cost effective DSLR on the market, etc. Apparently, the 20D is targeted at advanced amateurs and professionals who usually shoot sports, action, and wildlife. This will hold true with the advanced amateur market, but I doubt that many, if any pro sports or wildlife shooters that will use a 20D as their primary body. All of us Canon sports shooters use 1D’s or 1D Mark II’s as our primary bodies, the 5 frames per second is still just a little too slow for most sports and some wildlife. One of the best things about the 20D is the $1600 price point ($1300 street) and its ability to use the EF-S lenses that Canon is developing. The addition of an 8.2 megapixel sensor is (in my opinion) to lure people in using the "megapixel myth". (Higher MP = Better camera.) The difference in print sizes that can be made using a 6.3 MP 10D and the new 8.2 MP 20D is negligible. (At 240dpi the length and width of the largest possible prints increase by about 2" and 1" respectively.)

With that, I think it will be a great camera and personally, I can’t wait to try one out!

PS: The article didn’t say when they would hit store shelves, but rumor has it that it will be September 20, 2004. Plus, the same supply / demand problems that the 10D experienced might mean a long, long wait for the 20D.

and just around the corner - the Fuji S3 Pro lurks with some interesting party tricks up its sleeve including some as yet unspecified film simulation modes.

Yeah, they were both holding back their schedules until I purchased my new camera... *sulks*

it's always the way :-(

I'm still smarting from my iPod 3G/4G purchase disaster

Actually, I'm going to try out the Minolta Dimage A2 for the near future. I look forward to the affordable true SLR digitals, but for now these semi-pro models are as much as I can handle both in price and features.

just scanning through the Fuji S3 studio master brochure and it's specced at 12.3 Mega pixels which seams very high especially if it's using the four thirds system developed with olympus and kodak. will wait and see what trade discount this puppy gets offered at.

Tracy my wife has one of those Dimage A2s, she's tickled pink with it.

Haha, never look back...awesome piece of machinery:-)

Way to pull out a thread that is almost a year old.

A timely resurrection perhaps in light of the whispers of its replacement arriving in the second week of September featuring a 12MP sensor and probably called either the EOS 3D or 30D Mark II. Upgrades for the 1 series cameras should be out at the same time although, word is they will just be intermediary step-ups with brand new cameras launched at Photokina next year.

My guess being that the 1 range will be reduced to just the one camera, possibly even boasting a Digic III 22MP sensor, to make a significant divide between their amateur and professional model range. Your probably safe with the smaller models for the time being as the 350D has about another year left in its life cycle yet at which time I’d imagine it will be upgraded to come within the 20D’s replacement specs – whatever they turn out to be.

They likely have the 100MP just waiting in storage to be released in 2009. Meanwhile, we are going to have to get past the 20, 50 and 75MP upgrades;-) Will they go to a full sensor in the 30D or is that what the 1 signifies? Imagine the huge crops while still getting good quality for web posts...those 1:1's become 5:1's:-)

not sure but if it gets a digic III chip then you'll be able to look forward to the promised buffer speeds of around 10 full res RAW shots per second with no lag - like you'd ever need that.

** edit ** will be interesting to see what Canon do really as anything around the 20MP+ area at the moment is venturing away from 35mm and into medium format sized photography which provides you with great images but also a camera the size of a small shoebox...

Also guysz don't forget that Mamya is introducing it's first 22 megapixel 35 mm equivalent SLR this year. With the success of there digital backs this should be interesting.

is that going to be 35mm? I thought it was a medium format or am I thinking of another model?

Haha, I could sell my house...anyone want to have a roomy and share a cool camera lol. Those memory cards don't look so big anymore:-)

going to need one of those Ultra III 4GB CF babies or splash out even more and get a wireless transmitter to send your shots to your laptop as your taking them :-)

Yes, there are also those miniature LCD storage devices. The epson sports 40GB I think with a 3" (75mm) screen.

it would be the Jobo Giga Vu Pro for me. 40GB, shock/weather proof and touch screen controls to satisfy my rampaging Magpie complex.

No there it's there introduction to the 35 mm Digital aspect. Imagine a cameras that the average printer can't even handle that type image size. I hope that they step the printer technology real quick her.
I thaought there 2 1/4 version was somewhere in the range of 32 to 44 MGP.

I picked up the D20 4 monthe ago frustraited with nikon and getting ready to sell of all of my nikon equipment. But after seeing the reactions to the new D2X and it's capabilities I think I'm going to stay with nikon before I start dropping cash on the canon lenses. I give the d20 to my daughter. I mean come on a 12 .2 with an 8 frame capture at 12.2 and and up to 10.5 frames at 6.2 and the first camera to actualy capture correct skin tone. Thats got canon beat by what $ 3000.00 USA.

It is taking me so long to save for the 20D that I am starting to wonder about the 30D. When will it be out? Is it worth sticking it out a little longer? Will the price be about as far as I am from understanding advanced calculus?

wait and see until september passes at least I guess and see if the various rumours firm up a bit more

Fret not, for I am in not such dire need of speed. T'will be a while until I have the loot to toss about in a most frivalous manner to commit such an atrocity. My single worry lies with the knowledge of what happened to Sam; how much time dost yon Canon employees consume watching me?

have you been spending all day watching Merchant Ivory movies again? :-)

You just know that memory card prices are going to fall again. This is good news for us 8mpx people. It looks like the 8mxp cameras are going to be "given away" just like film camers now.

speaking of memory cards... CF cards a EXTREMELY cheap on ebay! I bought (did I spell that right?) a Lexar 80X 512mb CF card and it was only $30...which would probably be an easy $100 in the store. Anyway, I really recemmend checking it out! (for some reason "bought" still looks wrong....i need some sleep!)

Memory cards (and camera battery packs) are always a good buy from Ebay. I usually buy from Hong Kong based suppliers like Digital Rev who usually have the product delivered withing a week at much cheaper prices. recently bought 6 high capacity canon battery packs from them for the equivalent price of two back home and 4 x 2GB Kingston CF cards for about half the MRP.

Digital Rev, huh? I will see about giving them a buzz. Would you recommend them for all camera extras that warranty is not a big deal on?

basically anything thats unlikely to be damaged in air mail - filters, batteries, cards, lens hoods etc - bought all these with no problem. Haven't had the bottle to buy lenses from there yet even though they are about 40% cheaper than the UK mainly because I dont fancy having something with such precise optics getting chucked around an airports cargo handling area no matter how well its packed and something as bulky as that would probably attract the attentions of the UK Customs & Excise department who are bested in their crookedness only by the Australian Customs Service.