Ah ... the Canon 20D

Author's Rating:

Pros: Amazing control over your shots, nice weight, easy to use.

Cons: If anything, the lens. But it's actually not that bad.

The Bottom Line: 
It's an amazing camera.  For the beginner or professional, it's easy as point and shoot!

Author's Review
My review is not based on the technical aspects of the camera, as there are plenty of those posts already. This is simply from my perspective using the camera.

The Canon 20D.

I have always wanted an SLR camera. Specifically a digital SLR. I really wanted the 30D, simply because a friend of mine has it, and it takes really nice shots. But I just couldn't justify shelling out the money for it. I actually didn't even want to spend as much as I did for the 20D I got, but, I got it for a steal!

PURCHASING THE CAMERA

I am cheap. Not sickening cheap. But cheap enough where I look for sales, and am willing to purchase second hand. With that, I wanted 2 things. I wanted a new camera, and I didn't want to pay much for it. A challenge to say the least. BUT! I stumbled across a way of getting that. Refurbished! Oh yes. I never would have thought about it, but when I actually researched what "refurbished" actually meant, I said what the hec!

The funny part is, I found that people actually shy away from something with a description of "refurbished" slapped on the side of it. Like it takes away from it's quality. Well how refurbished was explained to me, refurbished could be almost anything. Anything from something being defective on the device, to some one bringing it home and just not liking it, and bringing it back to the store. The store now being obligated under Canon rule, to send the camera back to Canon, so that they can check it out to be sold again.

BUT! In order to do that, they must slap the word "refurbished" on it. So you can guess what I bought. Exactly that same thing. A camera that someone purchased, opened the box, but changed their mind and brought back to the story.

The person I spoke with regarding the camera said they had been trying to sell the camera for months, but haven't been able to simply because it had the word "refurbished" on the side of the box. But according to the history of the camera, there was nothing wrong with it, and literally had less than 100 actuations. So I bought it. For $400. Yes, $400. Body, lens, ... everything! Yes, even with a warranty. And you know what's really cool? It's gorgeous!

THE CANON 20D

So I get my camera, take it out of the box, and my eyes lit up. YEAH BABY!!!! A digital SLR!!! And it's all mine!!! I literally start doing a jig! Well ... maybe not a jig, but I was slobberingly happy!

Overall, it's a heavy camera. Oh yes! No doubt about it. But for my tastes, I love the weight. I can literally hold the camera at any angle, and always feel steady with taking the shot. The weight for me, reinforces each click of the shutter.

The features are too much too list, and I'm just not that technically savy with the features, yet. But, the camera is pretty straight forward with regards to it's functions. You can either just leave it on Point and Shoot, and get some REALLY amazing shots! Or you can fine tune your shot, with all the manual options. Very cool!

I have a few shots that I timed just right, of my family jumping in a pool. As their body entered the water, I literally was able to stop them in time. The water is half in the air, and their is literally no distortion what so ever. Very cool!!!

The control you have with your shots is freaky! And what's really neat, is it comes with presets. So if you want to just click over to the Action preset, you can have the camera adjust to snapping high action shots. And it really works!!!

THE LENS

I'd say the only real crappy thing about this setup, is the lens. The lens actually does take some nice shots, I can't complain. It's good enough for the average user. But compared to the higher end 28-135 f/2.8 I got, forget it. Trust me, it's all about the lens. Simply because of the options and amount of light a nicer lens lets in. Totally changes the way you look at taking a picture.

BATTERY

I actually got the extended battery mag, that screws in underneath the camera, holding 2 batteries. But I must say. I took almost three hundred pictures at a wedding one day, and used barely 1 battery for the day. Amazing! I almost regret purchasing the extra battery mag. In that sense it was a waste of money -remember, I'm cheap!-.

But the one thing I do like about the battery magazine, is the weight and feel to the camera. It gives it a nice grip.

Again, my apologies this is not more of a technical review. For me, I like to give a perspective on what it's like actually using the product overall. As I find you can get little secrets about a product, that are not typically divulged in a more technical review.

Like for instance, the power up time. Which is almost non-existent. By the time you click the ON button, and put the camera up to your eye to take the picture, this baby is ready to rock and roll! No hesitation.

Remember, this kind of camera is like the intro to a full blown professional model. But for me, I do consider it a professionally classed camera, as you have the options of having such control over your shots, it's a step above other consumer cameras.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, get ready to have a heavy camera around your neck when purchasing this camera. It's definitely not light. Something to consider if you are going to be walking all day. If you can pick up a refurb, do it! It's well worth it. Just make sure it has a warranty. Because most people aren't going to see the difference. A friend of mine purchased the 40D brand new. Cost him some bucks! And after a day of shooting, side by side with mine, he sold the 40D, and picked up a 20D refurb like mine and has loved it ever since! No kidding! AND, saved literally over $1,200 with the exchange.

Happy clicking!