The mode dial, on the top-left of the camera and shown in Figure D, is where you determine how automatic, or how much control you'll have over your shots.

FIGURE D

The shooting-mode dial on the Canon EOS 20D. Click picture for a larger image.

The mode dial is split between the Basic modes, the picture icons to left of the green square, and the green square itself, and the Creative mode, the lettered settings to the right of the green square. In Basic mode, exposure is automatic and based on the setting you choose, i.e. Portrait, Landscape, Night, Action, Full Auto (the green square), etc. The Basic mode provides very little, if any, exposure control, and files are saved only as JPEGs. This mode is identical to low-end film SLRs, like my wife's Minolta Maxxum 300si that I hate so much. They're ideal for the photographer that isn't experienced in the finer points of photography and has moved up to an SLR from a point and shoot.

On the other end of the spectrum is the Creative mode. This is where the serious photographer will do his work. The Creative mode provides for Program AE, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Full Manual, and Depth of Field Priority. The Program AE mode is a general purpose exposure setting, similar to the green box in Basic mode, except it grants access to most of the higher functions of the camera, such as exposure and white balance compensation, file format selection, metering and drive mode selections, auto focus point selection, and many more features that just aren't available in Basic mode.

I could go on and on about all the features the EOS 20D has, but if I did, I'd never get around to what I think about the camera. Also remember, a lot of these features are new to me because every camera I've used in the past has been 100% manual, with the exception of my wife's Maxxum 300si, which is completely automatic with no exposure control. That's why I hate it so much. So even though some features may be old hat to you, I'm like a kid with a new toy (which I actually am).

My thoughts
What do I think of the Canon EOS 20D? I think it's the most awesome camera I've ever used. I was completely blown away by the quality of images I get from this camera. The funny thing is, the image sensor is smaller than a 35mm film frame, but the quality is a thousand times better than my medium format 645. Below, in Figure E, is a picture of the scarlet reef crab in my saltwater fish tank that was taken with my Mamiya 645.

FIGURE E

A scarlet reef crab on 645 film. Click picture for a larger image.

In Figure F is the same crab shot with the Canon EOS 20D in Program AE mode and RAW file format.

FIGURE F

The same crab shot with the Canon EOS 20D. Click picture for a larger image.

The images look pretty much the same don't they? And at this distance they basically are. But "the proof is in the pudding" as they say. The image in Figure G is the same shot as in Figure F, except now you're seeing it at the image's actual size of 10 x 6.67 inches at 350dpi, and I've cropped it to show only a small portion of the crab's face.

FIGURE G

Note the amazing detail when seen at actual size. Click picture for a larger image.