R E V I E W S
Preface: This article has been pending for quite some time. However, better late than never!
When I started looking for a DSLR, much like the G3, I did a lot of research looking for the right camera. However, unlike the G3, I didn’t agonize over every single decision that I made. After using the G3 for a year, I learned a lot about the camera and the limitations it had. I also knew exactly what type of versatility I wanted in a camera.
I wanted something that:
My primary interest was wildlife photography, and with that interest, I knew getting a much longer lens was going to be a requirement. The G3 only had two interchangeable lenses, and the longest teleconverter lens was not even remotely long enough to get the shots I wanted to get. And the slow auto-focus of the G3 meant I lost out on some great potential shots in some sports photography.
Despite the G3 being great camera, I found its limitations inhibiting. I often worked around these limitations, but as I got more and more into certain areas of photography, the limitations of the G3 were annoying. I knew it was time to 'upgrade'.
Don’t get me wrong. The G3 is a great camera, but I wanted to do a lot more than what this little camera could handle. I still use the G3 extensively as just a normal point-and-shoot camera, but I reserve a lot of my general photography for the 20D.
So, after much saving and scrimping, I was able to purchase the Canon 20D; my very first Digital SLR along with my first lens. Because I was very happy with the G3, I was able to wait for a very good sale along with the yearly Canon rebate offer, which made it possible to also purchase the Canon 17-85mm USM IS lens. Because I was able to wait, the cost of these two items was FAR less than the lowest price online at the time.
Unlike some other photographers, I don’t feel the need for the latest and greatest anytime the latest and greatest is announced from the camera manufactures. But, I was still very excited waiting for this camera to show up on my front door after ordering it.
What a departure from the little Canon G3! The 20D offered a lot more versatility in terms of choosing apeture, shutter speed, and other settings. I still love my G3 and won’t get rid of it, but I absolutely adore the 20D!
I won’t bore you with a review of the 20D, there are other places that have reviewed this camera extensively.
However, I will say that the 20D is an absolutely fantastic camera. At 8megapixels, it’s more than enough resolution to print out fairly large prints. The detail is absolutely exquisite. It does all that I require of it, including fast sport shooting (5-6 frames per second) and manual settings for longer exposures. And it’s auto-focus is incredibly fast. It’s really everything I wanted in a camera.
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