Excellent construction and design, fast performance, and great image quality make the Canon EOS 20D the current top gun among digital SLRs under $3,000—and our current Editors’ Choice in this category. We only wish that Canon offered the kit with a lens better suited to such a high-quality camera, along the lines of Nikon’s 18-70 f3.5-4.5 lens.

The 20D is yet another winner from Canon; the dealers should order plenty of them now—they’re not going to be on the shelf long enough to collect any dust!

The EOS 20D offers one of the cleanest image files we’ve seen available from any digital camera, let alone one at this price. The real test of a camera’s sensor comes with night and low-light photography, however. I took this camera out on the town in New York City and was very pleased with the results. I could use a slower zoom lens, boost the ISO to 400, 800, and even 1600, and still see excellent images.

Positives: Excellent image quality. Extremely fast to start. Very fast burst mode. Excellent long exposures. Entirely useable ISO range, up to 3200 ISO. 18 custom functions. Sturdy construction. Excellent battery life. Negatives: Power switch requires the use of both hands. Red-eye reduction lamp might be better placed with the flash and separate from the self-timer lamp.

Right now I’d say that the Canon EOS 20D represents the “state of the art” in what might be called “prosumer” DSLRs, i.e. those selling in the region of $1500. If it meets your needs I can highly recommend it. If you’re already shooting Canon, I think it’s definately the “best bang for the buck” in the EOS Digital Line.

I have focused on the speed of the 20D, but don’t let that discourage you if your preference is for still life instead of sports. The Canon 20D takes beautiful portrait and landscape photographs, but it’s the speed (which you pay a premium for) that sets the camera apart from its competition.What also sets it apart is the cost: while it comes with a higher price tag than most consumer models (like the Canon 350D, the Nikon D50 and the Minolta Maxxum 5d), it’s half the price of high-end professional digital SLR cameras.

Once again Canon has produced a camera with such low inherent image noise that it can realistically be used at ISO1600, eliminating the need for flash in just about all situations. The low light capability of this camera has to be seen to be believed.

The Canon 20D is an excellent picture taking machine. Given its 8 Megapixel sensor, 5 frames / second shooting capability, instant turn-on, large buffer, extremely low noise, and excellent battery life, it’s hard not to give this camera an A. I might have even been tempted to give it an A+ if it weren’t for the missing ISO setting in the viewfinder and stupid mirror lock up sequence. The smaller dimmer viewfinder also knocks it down a peg.

Though its performance has been surpassed by subsequent models, the Canon EOS 20D remains a top semipro dSLR choice.

The EOS 20D offers professional handling, quality and features at an affordable price. One of the best digital SLRs, for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

The Canon EOS 20D is a professional digital SLR that offers better construction and loads more features than many consumer-level SLRs—plus, it delivers great shots.