Just Out 10/04

New gear that has impressed our editors

Digital testosterone

With what promises to be one of the most exciting cameras of the 2005 model year, Canon has announced the EOS 20D ($1,500 street). This new 8.2MP digital SLR is slated to replace the popular 6.1MP EOS 10D. While Canon could have made photographers happy with just higher resolution and minor performance tweaks on the 10D, the company instead is promising a category-thumping, knockout camera.

The EOS 20D shows a family resemblance to the 10D, with a similar magnesium-alloy outer shell and stainless-steel chassis, plus many of the 10D's controls. It also packs a similar pop-up flash and AF-assist light, accepts the same rechargeable Li-ion batteries, and also uses CF Type I or II cards for storage. But for all this, the 20D is still slightly smaller and 3.5 ounces lighter (a welcome improvement).

Most attention will be focused on the 20D's 8.2MP resolution-the same offered by the $4,500 (street) EOS-1D Mark II. However, the EOS 20D uses a smaller, APS-C-sized CMOS sensor, which could lead to higher noise levels than the Mark II.

This smaller sensor also means that the camera has a 1.6X 35mm lens factor-not the more desirable 1.3X factor of the Mark II. So an 18mm ultrawide-angle lens is needed to get a 27mm-equivalent field of view.

Unlike other DSLR upgrades, the 20D's higher resolution doesn't slow its performance. According to Canon, it turns on in 0.2 sec (compared with the 10D's 2.2 sec), and has a faster and more accurate AF system, as well as a blazing 5-fps burst mode for up to 22 frames in JPEG mode, or up to six frames in RAW. (That's far faster than the 10D.) The 9-point, diamond-patterned AF system may even be slightly faster in some situations than the Mark II's 45-zone system. Its cross-type sensor at the center automatically switches AF sensors based on the lens in use. Shutter speed also has been increased to 1/8000 sec from 1/4000, and the flash sync is now 1/250 sec, instead of 1/200 sec.

In addition, the camera sports a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connector and an E-TTL II flash system that takes into account distance data provided by compatible lenses. This feature works with existing Speedlites, while a new white-balance fine-tuning feature will be packed into a new Speedlite replacing the 550EX.

Once we get our hands-and lab-on a working model of the 20D, we'll see if it captures photos with the similar high image quality and low noise (from ISO 100 to 1600) of the Mark II. If it does, this digital SLR will be hard to beat for the price.

New Lenses: Wide & Superwide

Like its lower-priced sibling, the EOS Digital Rebel, the EOS 20D is compatible with Canon's relatively low-priced EF-S series of lenses, in addition to all standard EF-mount lenses. Canon also announced the arrival of two new EF-S lenses for use with these cameras. The 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM EF-S ($599 estimated street) is the first EF-S lens with image stabilization, but is overshadowed by the exciting superwide 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM EF-S ($799 estimated street). This lens was designed to offset the 1.6X 35mm lens factor that limits the ultrawide capabilities of the Digital Rebel and 20D. Now, both of these cameras can capture a true 16-35mm equivalent field of view, while the EOS-1D Mark II can capture a superwide 13-29mm field of view. (Canon U.S.A.; www.usa.canon.com; 800-652-2666)