Canon EOS 20Da

The Canon EOS 20Da which was only available only in Japan will now be available for the rest of the world. This camera is identical to the Canon EOS 20D except for a modification to the low-pass filter.

Read More Canon’s Press Release

Press Release: Canon’s new EOS 20Da – the sky’s the limit

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 1 June, 2005. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces the launch of the EOS 20Da – a digital SLR optimised for astrophotography. Based on the popular EOS 20D camera and joining it as a companion model in Canon’s product line, the new EOS 20Da digital SLR specifically addresses the needs of astrophotography with features such as a live preview on the LCD monitor and a modified low-pass filter optimised for photographing the night sky in brilliant detail .

The low-pass filter positioned in front of the EOS 20Da’s 8.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor has been modified to yield sharper and higher contrast images of various astronomical phenomena such as diffuse reddish nebulae. The modification increases the transmission of light at the wavelength of 656nm, known as the Hydrogen Alpha line, or Hα wavelength, by a factor of 2.5x compared to the standard EOS 20D digital SLR.

“The EOS 20Da digital SLR is a direct result of Canon addressing the specialised needs of the astrophotography market,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “As an affordable digital alternative to their familiar film bodies, the EOS 20D offered semi-professional and serious amateur photographers digital photographic freedom. Now with the
EOS 20Da, we also offer astronomy enthusiasts a new photographic freedom, by providing an easier and more cost effective way to photograph the heavens.”

Enhanced features

While traditional digital SLRs lack a live preview on the LCD monitor due to the reflex mirror and shutter, the EOS 20Da digital SLR resolves this issue by locking up the mirror and opening the shutter to display a magnified live view of the subject on the 1.8” LCD monitor. (This feature is effective for night viewing conditions only. It cannot be used in bright light.) To ensure a sharp focus, the central portion of the image can be magnified on the LCD by 5x (4% of the picture area) or 10x (1% of the picture area). The live view mode can also be viewed through a TV monitor while connected to the EOS 20Da camera’s video OUT terminal.

The EOS 20Da is compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses – the world’s largest selection of interchangeable autofocus lenses – including select image stabilised telephoto lenses. Photographers can also attach the EOS 20Da digital SLR to a telescope through the use of widely available T-mounts.

The EOS 20Da digital SLR features enhanced noise reduction for long exposures; achieved by incorporating an optimised CMOS control system. A custom function is also available for noise reduction, so users can enjoy the wide array of ISO settings ranging from 100-3200.

The EOS 20Da retains the same features that have made the EOS 20D a favourite among discerning photographers, such as Canon’s DIGIC II processor for low noise, high speed operation, and excellent image quality. Other features include an intelligent nine point autofocus system, full manual controls, five frames per second burst mode, and RAW, JPEG, and RAW+JPEG image recording capabilities. To reduce vibration at the start of the exposure, self-timer and mirror lock-up functions are integrated into the camera. The camera also features a backlit LCD display on top for easy setting adjustments in the dark.

Software

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