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Back to Full Canon EOS-10D Review
Go to Canon EOS-10D Data Sheet
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	*	Canon EOS SLR designed ground-up to be digital
	*	6.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, 3,072 x 2,048 pixel images
	*	ISO of 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
	*	Three frames per second, photo-centric design – touch shutter button in Play mode and camera returns to Record mode.
	*	Compatible with all Canon EOS system lenses and accessories, focal length multiplier of 1.6
	*	Multiple improvements and enhancements throughout the camera.

Manufacturer Overview
Look along the sidelines of any professional sports game, and the array of big, white Canon lenses will speak volumes of Canon's presence and reputation in the world of professional photography. If you ask experienced photographers what the Canon name means to them, many would suggest that they associate the name with innovation, the company having brought such technological advances as Eye-Controlled Focusing (Canon EOS 5, 1992) and the USM ultrasonic motors used in the more recent Canon EF lenses, which are extremely quiet and very fast.

Canon film cameras cover the full range from models such as those targeted at professionals (the EOS 1 and 1N for example, and more recently the EOS 1V, to those aimed toward the consumer (such as the tiny ELPH series or the EOS Rebel cameras). Back at the Spring 2000 PMA show, Canon announced the EOS-D30, their first digital SLR, in the process turning the Digital SLR market on its ear with its excellent features and image quality and surprisingly aggressive price.

Now, Canon has once more upped the ante and upset the D-SLR pricing apple cart (to mix metaphors a little), by updating last year's already highly affordable D60 SLR with the new EOS-10D, in the process dropping the price to an announced Suggested Retail price of $1999 at introduction. (Note that this is the "suggested list price," not the "Minimum Advertised Price," which is generally lower, and usually the price that cameras are sold for in the US. - We'll have to see what the actual street price ends up being once quantities of the EOS-10D appear on dealer shelves.

While the EOS-10D has the same roughly six megapixel resolution as the D60, Canon has built in a host of improvements, from a metal-alloy outer housing to a greatly improved autofocus system, improved electronics, with a faster processing chip, improved signal processing algorithms to reduce noise and improve color fidelity, and many more besides. There are so many improvements to so many aspects of camera performance and image quality that I suspect even some D60 owners will be tempted to upgrade. Or to simply purchase a 10D to have a second body. All in all, an impressive upgrade to an already excellent camera, and accompanied by a respectable price drop. Read on for all the details!

Highlights

• 6.3-megapixel, 22.7 x 15.1mm, 12-bit RGB CMOS sensor delivering 3,072 x 2,048-pixel images. Effective count of 6.29-megapixels and 2:3 aspect ratio.
• Single-lens reflex digital camera with interchangeable lenses (supports all Canon EOS series lenses). Focal length multiplier of 1.6x as compared to a 35mm camera.
• Variable ISO (100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600, and 3,200 settings).
• TTL optical viewfinder with detailed information display, diopter adjustment, and depth-of-field preview.
• 1.8-inch, low-temperature TFT LCD with 118,000 pixels.
• Automatic, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Depth-of-Field AE, Programmed AE (Landscape, Macro, Night Portrait, Portrait, Sports, and Flash Off), and Manual exposure modes.
• Operates in "shooting priority mode," meaning the camera does not need to be set in "play" mode to view pictures. Pictures can be viewed in between shots, and even if camera is showing a picture or in a menu, pressing the Shutter button halfway prepares camera to take a photo immediately.
• Continuous Shooting mode capturing as many as nine images as fast as three frames per second with shutter at 1/250 second or faster.
• Variable white balance with Auto, six manual presets, Custom (reads from a neutral gray or white card), and a color temperature setting. White balance can be changed on-capture for RAW-format files, using either presets or manually selecting a neutral target in the image from which to reference white point
• TTL autofocus with seven focusing points, manually or automatically selectable. One shot AF, AI Servo AF with focus prediction, AI Focus AF, and manual focus with AF assist beam. Working range of EV 0.5 to 18 at ISO 100.
• Built-in E-TTL type retractable-type flash with red-eye reduction. Guide Number is 13/43 at ISO 100, m/ft, flash angle covers the field of an 18mm lens. Topside hot shoe for external flash connection of EX Speedlite flashes as well as a PC flash sync socket.
• Flash exposure compensation of +/- 2 stops in one-half or one-third stop increments. Flash exposure lock function. First and second curtain sync function. External shoe supports E-TTL, FEL, and FP (high speed sync) flash metering with Canon 550EX speedlight.
• Redeye Reduction by built-in illuminator.
• TTL maximum aperture metering with a 35-zone silicon photocell. 35-zone Evaluative metering linked to all focusing points, Center weighted average metering, or nine percent central-area spot metering. Metering range of EV 1 to 20 (at normal temperatures, EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, ISO 100).
• Adjustable exposure compensation from -2 to +2 EV in 1/2 EV or 1/3 EV increments in all exposure modes.
• Auto exposure bracketing (AEB) from -2 to +2 EV in 1/2 EV or 1/3 EV increments in all autoexposure modes.
• White balance bracketing. (JPEG file format only)
• Shutter speeds from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds, and a Bulb setting for longer exposures.
• Electronic self-timer with a fixed duration of 10 seconds.
• Optional external hand grip/battery pack adds secondary shutter release and control wheel, as well as AE lock and focus point buttons for vertical-format shooting.
• Image storage on CompactFlash Type I or II, compatible with IBM MicroDrives
• USB connectivity with TWAIN driver for PC and Adobe Photoshop plugin for Macintosh. NTSC/PAL selectable video out connectivity. N3 remote control socket.
• 24-bit JPEG and 36-bit RAW data file formats. Available resolution settings are: 3,072 x 2,048; 2,048 x 1,360; and 1,536 x 1,024.
• Backlit LCD data readout, for easier operation in the dark.
• Magnesium-alloy body panels.
• DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) and DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) compliant.

Comparison with the EOS-D60
Many of our readers will be familiar with Canon's earlier D60 SLR, a hugely popular model throughout 2002. The table below highlights similarities and differences between the EOS-10D and the EOS-D60. Areas in which the 10D's specs constitute an improvement over the D60 are highlighted. (Thanks to Canon USA Technical Info Department and Chuck Westfall for concisely assembling this information.):

Executive Overview
Canon's EOS-D60 digital SLR was arguably one of the most in-demand digital cameras throughout all of 2002. Consequently, it was great surprise to many of us (myself included) when dealers began running out of them in early 2003, and word came down that it was no longer being manufactured. Now, just prior to the Spring 2003 PMA show, the reason becomes clear: Not content to rest on their laurels, Canon had something even better up their corporate sleeve. What's most impressive about the EOS-10D though (apart from the astonishing $700 drop in retail price relative to the D60) is the sheer number and scope of the improvements that Canon has made in it. Apart from the specifications of pixel count and sensor size, shutter speed and basic metering system, there's hardly an aspect of camera operation that hasn't been significantly improved. The new model offers the same excellent exposure control and image quality (actually, better image quality), but with an improved, seven-point autofocus system, updated electronics, a faster processing chip, improved signal processing algorithms to reduce noise and improve color fidelity, improved autofocus performance, multiple color space capability, direct printing capability, and much more. The camera body itself looks much the same as that of the D60, but now sports magnesium-alloy body panels and an enhanced control layout. The camera's 6.3-megapixel CMOS sensor captures the same maximum resolution of 3,072 x 2,048 pixels, with two JPEG compression levels and a RAW format, but image quality appears to have been stepped up another notch. Exposure control is very similar to the previous D60, with the addition of a new "Flash Off" shooting mode, and the EOS 10D continues to operate and feel much like its 35mm EOS cousins.

Like the D30 and D60, the EOS 10D features Canon's standard EF lens mount, which accommodates a host of lenses. Aperture and focal ranges will vary with the lens in use, but the camera itself has an improved autofocus system that uses a seven-point array for more accurate focus (as opposed to the D60's three-point AF system). Seven AF points are laid out in a cross pattern in the viewfinder display, and the camera assesses all seven points to determine the proximity of the subject and consequently the best point to use in determining focus. The same One-Shot and AI Servo AF modes are available, the latter adjusting focus continuously for moving subjects, and the 10D's AF system is considerably more nimble than that in the D60 and the D30 before it. The EOS 10D offers what Canon terms "Predictive AF," which basically tracks the rate at which a subject is approaching or receding from the camera, and accurately focuses based on the subject's predicted position. (A features that sports photographers will no doubt appreciate.) An AI Focus AF mode switches back and forth between One Shot and AI Servo AF modes, depending on whether or not the subject is moving. Additionally, you have the ability to manually select one of the seven AF points as the controlling focus point, or leave the area selection under automatic control. The EOS 10D offers a TTL optical viewfinder, which displays an impressive amount of exposure information. The 1.8-inch, rear-panel, color LCD monitor is for image review and menu display only. The EOS 10D also features a small status display panel on its top panel, which reports a large number of camera settings as well.

Exposure control on the EOS 10D is exceptional, with a full range of exposure modes to choose from. Basic exposure modes include full Auto, Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, and Auto Depth of Field modes. Auto Depth of Field mode is quite useful, in that it intelligently uses the seven AF points to determine the nearest and most distant points of the subject. It uses that information to get the best depth of field while using the fastest shutter speed possible. Within what Canon calls the "Image Zone," are a handful of preset scene modes, including Portrait, Landscape, Close-up (Macro), Sports, Night Portrait, and Flash Off. The newest addition here is the Flash Off mode, which essentially disables the flash but leaves exposure under automatic control. With these scene modes, the 10D becomes approachable for even rank amateurs. Shutter speeds on the EOS 10D range from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds, with a Bulb mode available in Manual mode that allows shutter times as long as 999 seconds. Metering modes include Evaluative (can link to any AF point), Partial, and Center-Weighted. The camera's Exposure Compensation function increases or decreases the overall exposure from -2 to +2 exposure equivalents (EV) in either 1/2 or 1/3-step increments. The EOS 10D also features Auto Exposure Bracketing, ISO values from 100 to 3,200, and AE lock. White balance options include six presets, an Auto setting, Custom setting (manual adjustment), and a Kelvin temperature setting with a range from 2,800 to 10,000 degrees Kelvin. You can also bracket white balance through an LCD menu option. Color space options include sRGB and Adobe RGB, and the Parameters setting lets you adjust contrast, saturation, sharpness, and color tone.

The EOS 10D has a Self-Timer mode, which provides a (fixed) 10-second delay after the Shutter button is pressed before the shutter actually opens. You can also trip the shutter remotely with the optional wired remote control, which plugs directly into the camera body. A Continuous Shooting mode captures a maximum of nine frames at approximately three frames per second, while the Shutter button is held down. In addition to the top-mounted external flash hot shoe and PC sync terminal, the EOS 10D has a built-in, pop-up flash with Redeye Reduction and Slow Sync settings. A Flash Exposure Compensation function controls the flash exposure, and a Flash Exposure Bracketing option works similarly to the normal Auto Exposure Bracketing.

Images are stored on CompactFlash Type I or II memory cards, and the EOS 10D is compatible with the IBM MicroDrives. (The 10D also supports FAT 32 directory structures, allowing it to use memory cards more than 2GB in size.) The camera doesn't come with memory card, so I highly recommend picking up at least a 128MB card for starters (really though, plan on at least a 512MB), given the camera's high resolution and handy RAW+JPEG file format. A USB cable connects the camera to a computer, and accompanying software CDs feature Canon's EOS DIGITAL Solution Disk software and a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0. The Canon software is required for processing the camera's RAW files, including those saved with an embedded JPEG image. The EOS 10D also features a Video Out jack, and comes with a cable for connecting to a television set. For power, the EOS 10D uses a Canon BP-511 battery pack, and comes with one battery and a charger. (I highly recommend picking up a spare and keeping it charged and ready.)

Design
With a control layout and body design similar to the earlier EOS D30 and D60, Canon's latest in the"Compact" EOS line of digital cameras, the EOS 10D, also carries forward the same body style as the film cameras with which it shares the EOS name. Photographers already accustomed to EOS film cameras will find the transition to digital much easier with these digital models, as the camera's layout is very similar. With a weight of some 2.05 pounds (932.6 grams) or so with the batteries and flash card, but minus the lens, the 10D has a bit more heft than the D60, perhaps due in part to the addition of metal body panels to more parts of the camera. This makes it the heaviest of the "consumer" digital SLRs, tipping the scales relative to the Fuji S2 Pro, the Nikon D100, and the Sigma SD9. Still, it doesn't feel at all heavy in the hand, is well-balanced, and certainly a lot lighter than the "industrial strength" Canon EOS-1D and 1Ds. Along with its greater heft though, the 10D conveys a much greater sense of ruggedness than the D60, thanks in large part to the extensive use of metal body panels throughout. Both the D60 and the 10D have metal internal frames, but the D60 used a good deal of plastic in its outer body covering. On the 10D, most of this has been replaced with metal. Despite the increase in weight and a slightly different body styling though, the EOS-10D measures almost exactly the same as its predecessor, being only couple tenths of a millimeter wider and about a millimeter taller than the D60. Body dimensions of the 10D are 5.9 x 4.2 x 3.0 inches (149.7 x 107.5 x 75 millimeters).

The front of the camera features a standard Canon EF lens mount. There's also the lens release button, a depth of field preview button (on the lower left of the lens mount as viewed from the rear), a flash head release button (on the upper left of the lens mount) and the redeye reduction lamp/focus illuminator light (the frosted window at upper left in the view above).

The top of the camera features the Shutter button, Mode dial and a small status display panel that reports most of the camera's settings. An LCD Illuminator button next to the status display panel backlights the display for better viewing in dark shooting conditions. Also on top are the Main dial and several control buttons (Metering Mode / Flash Exposure Compensation, Drive Mode / ISO, and AF Mode / White Balance). The top of the camera also contains a hot shoe for mounting an external flash unit. The hot shoe has the usual trigger terminal in the center, as well as four other contacts for interfacing to Canon EX Speedlite flash units, and hole for a locking pin to prevent rotation of the speedlight. Fixed neck strap eyelets are located on both sides of the top panel as well.

The top-panel data readout conveys a wealth of information about the current status of the camera and its settings. Here's an illustration showing all possible segments and icons and their interpretation:

The opposite side of the camera features a hinged rubber flap covering the digital (USB) and Video Out sockets. Below this are two more sockets, likewise protected by a rubber flap. The forward of these sockets is a standard PC flash sync terminal, while the rear socket is for an N3 remote control. (While the large flap does a good job of sealing the digital and video sockets against dust and moisture, I found it a little tricky to get its various projections and dimples properly seated after having it open. To really protect the sockets, you'll have to exert extra care to get the flap firmly seated on all sides.) This picture also shows the Depth of Field Preview button (bottom) and Flash Pop-up button (top) on the side of the lens mount a little more clearly.

The rear panel of the EOS 10D is home to the bulk of the camera's controls, as well as the large, bright LCD screen. Beneath the LCD monitor's lower right corner is the main power on/off switch. Lining the left side of the LCD monitor are several buttons related to menus and playback, including the Menu, Info, Jump, Direction, and Playback buttons. Underneath the LCD screen is the Delete button, and to the right of the screen is the Quick Control dial, in the center of which is the Set button. Above and to the left of the Quick Control dial is the Quick Control Dial switch, which enables or disables the Quick Control dial. The Set button in the center of the Quick Control Dial acts as a menu selection button. On the top right corner of the optical viewfinder is the diopter adjustment knob, recessed slightly to prevent accidental changes, and featuring a ridged surface to give grip. Finally, the top right corner of the rear panel features the Assist, AE/FE Lock / Index, AF Point / Enlarge buttons. After testing as many Canon cameras as I have, I think I'm finally coming to terms with the Quick Control dial. - While Canon has always seemed exceptionally proud of this control device, at first approach, I didn't like it at all. Now, five or six camera reviews later, I've actually become quite attached to it, really appreciating how quickly you can use it to navigate the 10D's menu structure. Consequently, for any photographers who might share my initial reaction to it, I'd suggest that you give it a fair chance, and try living with it for a while before dismissing it as unwieldy.

The very flat bottom of the camera reveals the metal tripod mount, as well as the cover for the CR2025 clock-backup button battery, and the main BP-511 Lithium Ion battery chamber cover. The main battery compartment cover is removable, necessary when installing the optional portrait grip on the camera. A small latch lever at the outside edge of the battery chamber cover unlocks it so that it may be opened. The battery compartment cover is far enough from the tripod socket that you should be able to swap batteries without removing the camera from your tripod mount. The large surface area of the camera's bottom provides a stable mounting surface for use with a tripod, even with fairly large lenses attached.

CMOS Versus CCD & What's It All Mean?
Back when the D30 was first introduced, Canon's use of a CMOS image sensor was seen as pretty revolutionary, and it still is to some extent. To my mind, the D30's widely noted superb tonality can be traced directly to the CMOS sensor technology Canon used in building it. Accordingly, I think it appropriate to include the following section (copied from our D30 review) here, to give a little background on CMOS vs CCD sensor technology. (Thanks to IR News Editor Mike Tomkins for his work in researching and largely writing this technology briefing.)

To understand what CMOS sensor technology can bring to a digital camera, first of all you need some understanding of how CCD and CMOS sensors work, and what they do differently. CCD, or Charge-Coupled Device image sensors, were invented at the end of the 1960s by scientists at Bell Labs, and were originally conceived not as a method of capturing photographic images, but as a way of storing computer data. Obviously this idea didn't catch on; today we instead have RAM (Random Access Memory) chips in our computers which are, ironically enough, manufactured using the CMOS process.

Where CCDs did catch on, however was recording images — by 1975 CCDs were appearing in television cameras and flatbed scanners. The mid 80s saw CCDs appearing in the first "filmless" still cameras… CCDs rapidly attained great image quality, but they weren't perfect. Perhaps most significantly, CCDs required a manufacturing process which was different to that used for manufacturing other computer chips such as processors and RAM. This means that specialized CCD fabs have to be constructed, and they cannot be used for making other components, making CCDs inherently more expensive.

Interline Transfer CCDs consist of many MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) capacitors arranged in a pattern, usually in a square grid, which can capture and convert light photons to electrical charge, storing this charge before transferring it for processing by supporting chips. To record color information, colored filters are placed over each individual light receptor making it sensitive to only one light color (generally, Red, Green and Blue filters are used, but this is not always the case). This gives a value for one color at each pixel, and the surrounding pixels can provide eight more values, four each of the two remaining colors from which they may be interpolated for our original pixel.

After the exposure is complete, the charge is transferred row by row into a readout register, and from there to an output amplifier, analog/digital converters and on for processing. This row-by-row processing of the CCD's light "data" is where the sensor gets the term "Charge-Coupled" in its name. One row of information is transferred to the readout register, and the rows behind it are each shifted one row closer to the register. After being "read out", the charge is released and the register is empty again for the next charge. Repeat the process a number of times, and eventually you read out the entire contents of the CCD sensor. (Think of a bucket brigade, moving water from point A to point B by pouring it from one bucket into the next...)

A number of disadvantages to this approach to sensor design now become apparent, in addition to the already mentioned cost. For one thing, the entire contents of the CCD must be read out, even if you're only interested in a small part thereof (for example, when using the digital zooms that are all the vogue in digital cameras, you have no interest in a large part of the sensor's data, so why take the time to read it out?) There are also a number of supporting chips required for the CCD sensor, each of which adds to the complexity and size of the camera design, increasing cost and power consumption. CCDs also suffer from blooming (where charge "leaks" from one light receptor into surrounding ones), "fading" (a loss of charge as it is passed along the chain before being read out), and smearing (where the image quality can be adversely affected by light arriving during the readout process, leaving streaks behind bright scene areas).

There's also the issue of speed. The step by step process used in a CCD is not exactly conducive to very high speed, and for just this reason a second type of CCD exists. The Frame Interline Transfer CCD features a readout register as large as the light receptor area is, allowing the entire contents of the CCD to be read out in one pass. This, though, adds significantly to the area of silicon required, and hence to the cost of the CCD.

This is where CMOS image sensors step in. CMOS, or Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor, is actually a generic term for the process used to create these image sensors, along with numerous other semiconductor items such as computer RAM, processors such as those from Intel and other manufacturers, and much more. CMOS image sensors can be made in the same fabs as these other items, with the same equipment. This technology is, of necessity, very advanced with the amount of competition in processor and other markets contributing to new techniques in CMOS fabrication. Add to this that there is a very significant economy of scale, when your fab can make not only CMOS image sensors, but other devices as well, and you find that CMOS image sensors are much cheaper to make than CCDs.

This cost advantage is even more significant when you consider the way a CMOS sensor works. The Active Pixel CMOS image sensors used in digital imaging are very similar to a CCD sensor, but with one major difference — supporting circuitry is actually located alongside each light receptor, allowing noise at each pixel to be canceled out at the site. Further to this, other processes can be integrated right into the CMOS image sensor chip, eliminating the need for extra chips — things such as analog/digital conversion, white balancing, and more can be built into the CMOS sensor. This reduces cost of supporting circuitry required, as well as camera complexity, and also power consumption, as does the fact that CMOS sensors require a significantly lower voltage than CCD sensors. CMOS sensors themselves also claim lower power consumption than CCD sensors, with one manufacturer claiming their CMOS sensors draw some 10x less power than equivalent CCD sensors.

CMOS sensors have other advantages, as well. For one thing, they can be addressed randomly. If you're only interested in a certain area of the image, you can access it directly and don't need to deal with the unwanted data. Blooming and smearing are also less of a problem with CMOS sensors. CMOS sensors are capable of much higher speeds than their CCD rivals, with one CMOS chip we've heard of capable of running at over 500 frames per second at megapixel resolution.

With these advantages, you'd think CMOS would be a shoe-in to replace CCD in digital cameras, but thus far it has really only impacted the lower end of the market, with CMOS rapidly becoming dominant in the entry level digital cameras and tethered cameras. Why hasn't CMOS taken over at the high end? Well, up until now, image quality has not been on a par with CCD… CMOS sensors, with their many amplifiers at each pixel, suffer from so-called "fixed pattern noise". The amplifiers aren't all equal, and this creates a noise pattern across the image. In their CMOS sensors, Canon has tackled this by first taking the image off the sensor in 10 milliseconds, and then reading just the fixed-pattern noise from the sensor in the following 10 milliseconds. Subtract the second image from the first, and you neatly remove the noise.

There's also the fact that CMOS sensors are generally less sensitive than their CCD counterparts. High end "Full Frame" CCD image sensors have a "fill factor" of 100%, because the whole CCD sensor area is being used for light capture — but in a CMOS sensor the fill factor is lower, because the extra circuitry alongside each pixel takes up space. This space can't be used to capture light, and so you lose some of it… Two techniques exist to combat this — firstly reducing the size of this support circuitry, and secondly the microlens. Reducing the size of the support circuitry is the less ideal of the two methods — the smaller you make it, harder the sensor is to manufacture, and the more expensive it becomes. The microlens is considered to be the better answer, then. Essentially, the support circuitry is covered by an opaque metal layer, and a microscopic lens is placed over the entire area of the light receptor and support circuitry, redirecting the light that would otherwise fall on the support circuitry and focusing it on the light receptor.

Canon's EOS 10D is now the third high-end digital camera we've seen using CMOS technology, and it is likely that the apparent price advantage the camera has in comparison with its nearest rivals (the Nikon D100, Fuji S2 Pro, and Sigma SD9) is in large part due to the choice of the CMOS image sensor. (Not to mention Canon's in-house semiconductor fabrication capability.) The image sensor in the EOS 10D is only ever so slightly smaller than those used in these two cameras, and significantly bigger than the sensors used in consumer cameras, as can be seen in the comparison photo above, which shows the CCD sensor from Canon's PowerShot S20 digital camera alongside the CMOS sensor from the original D30. The illustration below shows the difference in sizes (to scale) of a consumer CCD, the EOS D30/60/10D sensor (all three are the same size), the D1/D1x/Fuji S1 Pro sensors (also all the same size), an APS film frame, and a standard 35mm frame.

Canon has continued to be fairly closed-mouthed about their CMOS sensor technology, but have talked about a few details of it. As with other Active-Pixel CMOS sensors, theirs does in fact have a signal amplifier located at each pixel site. More intriguing though, is that they also claim to have an A/D (analog to digital) converter at each individual pixel site as well. If this last is true, then it must be a very different sort of A/D than is normally used with CCDs, as those circuits are quite complex and space-consuming. I keep expecting that we'll hear more details as Canon's patent position is solidified, but so far not much information has been forthcoming. It does seem though, that there's been some genuine innovation in Canon's back labs. It's unusual these days to see a company moving toward vertical integration, developing component technology in-house rather than farming it out to specialist companies. Canon has been moving strongly in the opposite direction, bringing not only sensor technology in-house, but the processing circuitry as well, with their much-vaunted DIGIC chip. Based on the pricing of the 10D, it does appear that there's been some monetary advantage in this approach.

Viewfinder
Virtually identical to the D60's viewfinder, the 10D's optical viewfinder is again excellent, providing a wealth of information and great accuracy. Because the 10D now features seven AF points, the viewfinder shows seven focus point boxes arrayed in a cross pattern. (This is the only difference I can see in the 10D's viewfinder, relative to that of the D60.) Lining the bottom of the display is a strip of information reporting everything from aperture and shutter speed to flash status and the maximum number of burst shots available. While I don't have a formal test for it, the "eyepoint" of the viewfinder seemed fairly high, making it usable with eyeglasses, although I had to press the lenses of my glasses up against the eyecup to see the full viewfinder area. The dioptric correction is also excellent, covering a broad range from -3 to +1 diopters. I measured its accuracy at 95.6 percent, closely agreeing with Canon's official specification of 95 percent frame coverage. (I have to say though, that I'd really like to see it be a full 100% coverage. Viewfinder inaccuracy is a pet peeve of mine.) The viewfinder display conveys a lot of information about exposure and camera status, as shown in the illustration below. (Courtesy Canon USA, Inc.)

Optics

As with other digital SLRs I've tested, there's not a great deal to report in the "optics" section of this review. The Canon EOS 10D accepts all standard EF-series Canon lenses, a collection that includes roughly 56 currently produced models, and more than 100 released since the series began in 1987. Key features of the Canon EF lens series are models with the exceptionally fast, silent "ultrasonic" focusing mechanism ( a coreless motor built into the lens body itself), and the exceptional range of optically stabilized models that permit hand-holding way beyond light levels that would normally require the use of a tripod.

Like most digital SLRs, the sensor in the EOS 10D is smaller than a 35mm film frame. This means that the "effective" focal length of your lenses will be 1.6x their normal values on 35mm cameras. Just to be clear, nothing's changed about the lenses or their behavior, it's just that the CMOS sensor is effectively cropping a smaller area out of the lens' coverage circle. The net result is that shooting really wide angle photography is tough with digital SLRs, the 10D included. At the other end of the scale though, it's like having a 1.6x teleconverter on your lenses with no cost in light loss or sharpness. Thus, a 300mm telephoto has the same "reach" as a 480mm on your 35mm film camera. And of course, a f/2.8 300mm is a lot cheaper than a f/2.8 500mm! The net of it is that a 31mm focal length has the same angular coverage as a 50mm lens on a 35mm SLR, and the common 16-35mm zoom lenses have a range equivalent to 25.6-56mm on film cameras.

When I tested the original D30, I asked Canon for a fair range of lenses to test as well. (My favorite was the 100-400mm optically-stabilized zoom, equivalent to a 160-640 mm zoom on a 35mm camera. Great fun at my son's soccer game, and the optical stabilization was really a dream to use, worked extremely well.) The surprise contender was their 24-85mm lens (shown above), equivalent to a 38-136mm. It showed some bad coma in the upper left-hand corner of the frame when wide open, but outperformed a costly 28-70mm L-series lens overall. The hands-down winner for corner to corner sharpness though was a 100mm f/2.8 fixed focal length macro lens. I've found that digital cameras really show up the least lens defects, so getting good glass to use with your high-end SLR is very important. That said, the relatively inexpensive 24-85mm EF-series zoom mentioned earlier turned in a surprisingly good performance. (For my testing of the 10D, I had on hand the 100mm macro lens again (for res-target shots, to insure maximum sharpness), the L-series 28-70 f/2.8, and a sample of their new L-series 16-35mm f/2.8. I haven't done any definitive lens testing of the new 16-35mm yet, but have to say it's a very sweet little lens. - More compact than I'd expected for it's f/2.8 constant aperture.)

Autofocus System
This is an area where I'm probably least qualified to comment, given the relatively small amount of time I spend in "live" shooting situations with professional-grade SLRs, but my impression of the 10D's AF system was very favorable overall. The 10D has an autofocus system with seven sensors, arrayed in a cross pattern in the center of the frame. You can manually select which of these you want the camera to pay attention to (handy for off-center subjects), or you can let the camera decide. When it's operating in automatic AF mode, it will use the sensor corresponding to the part of the subject closest to the camera. When shooting in full Automatic exposure mode, the camera selects either One Shot or AI Servo AF focus modes, depending on the state of the subject. (You can also set the camera to do this in other modes, by selecting the AI Focus AF mode.) If the subject remains stationary, the camera remains in One Shot AF mode. However, if the subject begins to move, the camera automatically switches over to AI Servo AF and begins tracking the subject as it moves. This is a handy feature, letting you automatically track moving subjects without having to manually adjust the focus mode. In any of the Creative Zone modes, you can set the AF mode to One Shot, AI Focus AF, or AI Servo AF. The 10D employs a technology that Canon calls Predictive AF, which means that if the subject approaches or retreats at a constant rate, the camera can track the subject and predict the focus distance before the image is captured. Thus, you get the correct focus exactly at the moment of exposure. The AF system's low light limit is EV 0.5, which combined with the AF assist lamp, provides excellent focusing in dim lighting conditions.

The AF system is one of the areas in which the EOS-10D has been significantly upgraded relative to the system used in the D30 and D60 before it. Besides the expansion to 7 AF zones, the new system is a good bit faster as well. Canon rates the performance of their AF systems by the point at which they cease to be able to track an object moving at a constant speed toward the camera, using a given lens. - The closer an object gets, the more rapidly the focusing point will change, so minimum focusing distance at a constant approach speed does provide a good measure of AF speed. Using Canon's EF 300/3.8 IS USM lens as the basis of comparison, the EOS-10D can track an object moving at 30 mph (50 kph) down to a minimum distance of 26.4 feet (8 meters). Under the same conditions, the D60 would lose focus tracking at a distance of 39 feet or 12 meters. Thus, by this measure, the EOS-10D's AF system is half again as fast as that of the D30 and D60 before it.

The above notwithstanding, I did encounter a few situations where the 10D's autofocus had problems, delivering out-of-focus images. Significantly though, these were all situations where I'd manually selected an AF point, wanting to set focus on a specific part of the subject. (One of Marti's eyes, for example, in my standard "Outdoor Portrait" shot.) What I suspect happened was that the AF sensor I'd chosen ended up over a low-contrast region (for example, Marti's cheek) as I pressed the shutter, giving the camera little to judge focus with. The AF point indicator I'd chosen would flash to indicate that the camera was focusing, but I was given no sign that the focusing hadn't been successful. Operator error, in other words. As far as I can tell, I never experienced a focus failure when using the camera in any of it's automatic focusing modes. The moral of this tale is to exercise particular caution when you're working with a manually-selected AF point, to insure that you're giving the camera something usable to focus on.

The Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes work much the same as on any other camera, allowing you to adjust one exposure variable while the camera selects the other for the best exposure. A Custom menu setting enables a "safety shift," which automatically adjusts the exposure to compensate for sudden changes in brightness. Program mode keeps both variables under automatic control, while Manual mode gives you control over everything. The Automatic Depth-of-Field mode (A-DEP) uses all seven autofocus zones to determine the depth of field in the active subject area. Once it has determined the range of focusing distances present across the seven zones, it automatically computes the combination of aperture and shutter speed needed to render the nearest and furthest points in sharp focus. This is a remarkably useful feature, even for professional photographers. In many situations, you want to keep several subjects in focus, while at the same time trying for the highest shutter speed (largest aperture) that will permit that. In practice, faced with such situations, I've usually resorted to just picking the smallest aperture feasible and hoping for the best. With the 10D's A-DEP mode, the camera takes the guesswork out of this process and gives you the fastest shutter speed it can manage while still keeping things in focus. (In playing with this, I was often surprised by how large an aperture in fact would work. I frequently would have chosen a much smaller aperture to stay on the safe side.)

A new feature on the EOS 10D is an ISO speed extension, which increases the 10D's maximum ISO speed to 3,200. (Default ISO is 100, other normal options are 200, 400, 800, and 1,600.) For adjusting the exposure, the 10D's Exposure Compensation setting increases or decreases overall exposure from +/-2 EV in either one-half or one-third EV increments. The default step size is 1/2 EV, but you can set an increment of 1/3 EV via the camera's Custom menu. (Frankly, I've always found that one-third EV compensation is just about ideal for digicams. One-half EV steps are just too broad to set critical highlight exposures accurately.) Automatic exposure bracketing on the EOS 10D lets you set the total exposure variation (across three shots) at anywhere from +/- 1/2 or 1/3 EV all the way up to +/- 2 EV. The nice part is that the automatic variation is centered around whatever level of manual exposure compensation you have dialed in. Thus, you could set positive compensation of 0.7EV, and then have the camera give you a variation of +/- 2/3 EV around that point. Whatever EV step size is set through Custom menu also sets the bracketing step size.

I really like the amount of information the 10D gives you about its exposure, not only in terms of the settings it's using, but in the form of feedback on how pictures you've captured turned out. You can select an "Info" display mode when viewing captured images on the rear-panel LCD screen, which produces the display shown at right. Notable here is that you not only can see all the exposure parameters, but you get excellent feedback on the tonal range of the image itself. One form of feedback is the histogram display at upper right, which shows how the tonal values are distributed within the image. Histogram displays are useful for directly seeing how the overall exposure turned out in an image, but I've found them to be of limited usefulness for making critical judgments about highlight exposure.

Digital cameras need to be exposed more or less like slide film, in that you need to zealously protect your highlight detail. Once you've hit the limit of what the sensor can handle, the image "clips" and all detail is lost in the highlight areas. The problem is that it's quite common for critical highlights to occupy only a very small percentage of the overall image area. Because they correspond to such a small percentage of the total image pixels, the peak at 100 percent brightness can be very hard to distinguish in the histogram display. To handle such situations, the 10D blinks any pixels that are 100 percent white on its screen, alternating them between black and white. This makes localized overexposure problems leap out at you, making it very easy to control the critical highlight exposure precisely. (The sample image shown in the display above is a pathological example, chosen to show how the feature works. In practice, you'd probably never overexpose an image that badly.)

Besides the abovementioned exposure information and feedback, the 10D's playback options include a thumbnail index display, normal full-frame viewing of captured images, and a zoomed view, as shown at right. There's also a "jump" mode, activated via the Jump button on the rear panel of the camera. Jump mode lets you very quickly move through images stored on the memory card, jumping 10 shots at a time. The zoomed playback option is another area where the 10D improves greatly on the performance of the D60. The D60 had only a 3x fixed zoom level, and you could only view 9 separate segments of the image, moving stepwise between them. In contrast, the E10D's image playback can be zoomed in very small steps anywhere from 2-10x. Once you've zoomed in at any level, you can scroll the zoomed window all around the image area, using the large rear-panel control dial and one of the rear-panel buttons to control direction and movement. Very slick, a welcome improvement!

Another feature deserving comment is the 10D's separation of the autoexposure and autofocus lock functions. In consumer-level digicams, half-pressing the Shutter button locks exposure and focus simultaneously. You can use this to deal with an off-center subject by pointing the camera at the subject, locking exposure and focus, and then reframing the picture before finally snapping the shutter. The only problem is that you sometimes need to perform a more radical recomposition of the subject in order to determine the proper exposure. For instance, you may want to zoom in on the subject, grab an exposure setting, and then zoom back out before taking the picture. Situations like that require locking the exposure independently of the focusing, and the 10D provides for just such eventualities by way of a separate AE lock button on the back of the camera, right under your right thumb. A very handy feature indeed, for those times you need it.

The EOS 10D offers a full range of White Balance settings, including six presets, an Auto setting, Custom setting, and Kelvin temperature setting. The six presets include Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, and Flash. The Custom setting bases color balance on a previous exposure, meaning you can snap an image of a gray card and base the color temperature on that image. The Kelvin temperature setting lets you get even more specific, and offers a range of temperatures from 2,800 to 10,000 degrees Kelvin. A White Balance bracketing option snaps three images at different color balances, much like the Auto Exposure Bracketing feature. Bracketing steps are from -/+ 3 stops in whole-stop increments. (Each stop corresponds to 5 mireds of a color conversion filter.) The EOS10D also offers a Parameters option through the LCD menu, which lets you select Adobe RGB color space, or set up as many as three Parameters setups. Each setup lets you adjust Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, and Color Tone, but the custom setups are all based on the sRGB color space. The white balance bracketing and Adobe RGB color space option are both new features on the 10D.

Low Light Capability
When operating the camera in full-manual exposure mode, the EOS 10D offers a Bulb exposure setting for very long exposures. Normally, exposure times are limited to a maximum of 30 seconds in Aperture- or Shutter-Priority modes, but in Manual mode, you can expose for as long as 999 seconds by selecting Bulb mode and holding down the Shutter button for as long as you want the shutter to remain open. Obviously, 999-second exposures aren't a practical reality, as sensor noise will totally swamp the signal long before that point is reached. Still though, the 10D seems quite able to take very long exposures with very little image noise resulting. - Like the D60, the 10D employs noise reduction algorithms that automatically reduce excess image noise from long exposures.

A full discussion of image sensor noise is beyond the scope of this review, but the simple story is that the most obvious and objectionable noise you'll see in long digicam exposures is so-called "fixed pattern" noise, caused by variations in "dark current" between sensor pixels. "Dark current" is just what it sounds like. Current (a signal) appears even when the sensor isn't being exposed to light. When you look at a long time exposure shot with a digital camera, you'll often see very bright pixels, where minor manufacturing defects have resulted in unusually high "dark current" levels. Often called "hot pixels," these flecks of color are very distracting visually.

The normal way to deal with hot pixels is to take an exposure with the camera's shutter closed, immediately after shooting the subject. If this "dark frame" is exposed for the same time as the subject was, you can largely eliminate the hot pixel problem by subtracting the dark frame information from the actual exposure. In practice, this works fairly well, but has the disadvantage that you have to wait for the dark frame exposure to be taken, requiring an appreciable amount of time in the case of long time exposures. (If you shot a one-minute exposure for the photo itself, you'll have to wait another minute for the dark frame exposure to be made.)

While most other high-end digicams on the market use a dark frame subtraction method to deal with image noise, the 10D (like the D60 before it) appears to be doing something very different, as there's very little delay between the end of the primary exposure and the writing of the image file to the memory card. There's clearly no "dark frame" exposure involved. I suspect that this advanced noise reduction processing in the 10D is another consequence of the "active pixel" CMOS technology Canon developed internally. Having active circuitry associated with each pixel in the sensor array allows lots of fancy processing that would be impossible otherwise, and it looks like Canon's noise reduction system takes advantage of this.

What's up with RAW?

Like many high-end digicams, the has a "RAW" file format as an option. If you're new to the world of high-end digital cameras, you may not be familiar with the concept of the "RAW" file format. Basically, a RAW file just captures the "raw" image data, exactly as it comes from the camera's CCD or CMOS image sensor. So why would you care about that? - RAW files let you manipulate your images post-exposure without nearly as much loss of image quality as you'd get with JPEG files. A full discussion of RAW file formats is way beyond the scope of this article, but Charlotte Lowrie of MSN Photo has written an excellent article describing the benefits of the RAW format, titled A Second Chance to Get It Right. Check it out, it's one of the clearest tutorials on RAW formats I've seen yet.

Flash
The EOS 10D's built-in flash has a guide number rating of 43 feet (13 meters) at ISO 100, translating to a range of about 15 feet at ISO 100 with a f/2.8 lens. (Reasonably powerful, but not dramatically so.) The 10D gives you a great deal of control over flash exposure, allowing you to adjust flash and ambient exposure independently of each other, in one-half or one-third EV increments. This makes it very easy to balance flash and ambient lighting for more natural-looking pictures. The camera also boasts a custom function for "Auto Flash Brightness Reduction" (Custom Function 14) which is particularly useful when using the flash for fill illumination in daylight shooting conditions. With this mode enabled, if the ambient light is above a certain level, the camera will assume you're using the flash in a "fill" mode, and will automatically back off its intensity a bit, to avoid washing out the natural lighting.

Another nice touch was the Flash Exposure Lock button, which fires the flash under manual control before the actual exposure, to determine the proper exposure setting. This struck me as very handy, akin to the more conventional autoexposure lock function for handling difficult ambient lighting conditions. A Flash Exposure Compensation feature controls the flash exposure +/- 2 stops in 1/2 or 1/3-stop increments.

Several of the more impressive features of the Canon flash system depend on the dedicated 550 EX speedlight. (While a number of Canon speedlights will work just fine with the 10D, their previous top-end 540EX unit apparently does not, so you'll need the new 550EX to fully tap the 10D's flash potential.) Among these are true FP (focal plane) flash sync, flash exposure bracketing with external flash units, and flash modeling. FP sync requires a flash unit to provide uniform light output for a relatively long period of time, long enough for the focal plane shutter curtain to fully traverse the "film" plane (sensor plane in the case of the 10D). On the 10D, this requires a flash duration of 1/200-second. Uniform, long-duration flash pulses like this permit use of shutter speeds as high as the 1/4,000-second maximum that the 10D is capable of. This can be invaluable when you want to exclude ambient light from the exposure.

Here's the rundown on Canon Speedlights and their compatibility with the 10D:

You'll note the references to "E-TTL remote" capabilities in the table above. Canon's Speedlight system permits TTL flash metering with multiple remote units, and even allows you to set differential power ratios between the slaved units, over a six-stop flash exposure range.

The "Flash Modeling" feature of the 550EX speedlight is quite useful. With a F550EX connected to the 10D, pressing the camera's Depth of Field Preview button causes the speedlight to fire at 70 flashes per second for about one second. This creates the illusion of a constant light source for your eyes, letting you preview the lighting on your subject when the flash fires. VERY handy, and likely to save lots of shoot/check/reshoot time!

As alluded to above, the "X-sync" speed of the 10D is 1/200-second. (This is the maximum shutter speed that can be used on the 10D when working with a non-dedicated, FP-capable speedlight.) When used with higher-powered studio strobe systems, Canon recommends a maximum shutter speed of 1/60-second or slower, to accommodate the time/intensity profile of such units. Finally, via a Custom menu setting, you can program the 10D to use a shutter speed of 1/200-second in Aperture-Priority exposure mode regardless of ambient light levels. (I guess this is useful, if you know you're going to be hopping in and out of flash mode, but other than a convenient preset for the shutter speed, it's little different than simply using Manual mode to set both shutter speed and aperture.)

A final benefit of the dedicated Canon speedlights is that they carry powerful autofocus assist illuminators that can extend the range of the built-in AF assist light of the 10D. The AF assist beam on the 550EX is rated as good to about 50 feet, versus the roughly 13 feet of the lamp on the 10D itself. (Note that the ST-E2 wireless sync transmitter can also be used for AF assist during non-flash photography, a handy trick.)

Overall, I was very impressed with how well the 550EX worked in concert with the EOS-10D. Thanks to the true TTL flash metering, exposures were always spot-on, no matter what sort of wild bounce/diffusion combinations I was experimenting with. The flash exposure compensation control also provided very fine-grained control over the balance between flash and ambient illumination. Very impressive.

Continuous Shooting Mode and Self-Timer
Among digital SLRs currently on the market, the 10D comes in about midway in terms of shooting speed, very competitive with units it'll be stacked up against in the marketplace. The Continuous Shooting mode is rated by Canon at three frames per second, a number that matched almost exactly my own tests (which showed a frame rate of 2.94 seconds). This is about on a par with the 2.88 frames per second of the Fuji S2 Pro, and Nikon D100, but a good bit slower than the blazing eight frames per second of Canon's own EOS-1D. Fast enough for you? You'll have to be the judge of that. Professional sports shooters will doubtless want more (they being a primary target of the EOS-1D), but for most situations, I expect the 10D will be plenty fast enough.

The camera's Drive setting also accesses a Self-Timer mode, which opens the shutter 10 seconds after the Shutter button is pressed, giving you time to dash around in front of the camera.

Shutter Lag/Cycle Times
When you press the shutter release on a camera, there's usually a delay or lag time before the shutter actually fires. This time allows the autofocus and autoexposure mechanisms time to do their work and can amount to a fairly long delay in some situations. Since this number is almost never reported on, and can significantly affect the picture taking experience, I now routinely measure it.

NOTE: My qualitative characterizations of camera performance below (that is, "reasonably fast," "about average," etc.) are meant to be relative to other cameras of similar price and general capabilities. Thus, the same shutter lag that's "very fast" for a low-end consumer camera might be characterized as "quite slow" if I encountered it on a professional model. The comments are also intended as only a quick reference: If performance specs are critical for you, rely on the absolute numbers to compare cameras, rather than my purely qualitative comments.

LCD Illuminator Button: Diagonally up and to the left of the AF Mode / White Balance button, this button illuminates the status display window with an orange backlight for a few seconds. (This is a particularly welcome enhancement over the D60.)


Diopter Adjustment Dial: Located outside the top right corner of the viewfinder eyepiece, this dial adjusts the optical viewfinder's focus to accommodate eyeglass wearers, across an unusually wide range of -3 to +1 diopter.


Menu Button: Topping a column of buttons along the left side of the LCD monitor, this button accesses the 10D's LCD-based operating menu in all modes. Pressing the Menu button a second time cancels the menu display.


Info Button: Just below the Menu button, this button displays the current exposure settings on the LCD screen when pressed. In Playback mode, pressing this button brings up an information screen that reports the exposure settings that the picture was taken with, and also displays a small histogram, which shows the number of pixels having each possible brightness value.


Jump Button: Directly below the Info button, this button allows you to jump 10 frames forward or backward when viewing images in Playback mode. Once pressed, a jump bar appears in the LCD screen, and jumping is controlled by turning the Quick Control Dial forwards or backwards. The Jump button is active only in Playback mode.


Direction Button: Just below the Jump button, this button changes the direction that the Quick Control dial moves an enlarged image view across the screen. When an image has been enlarged, the Quick Control dial either moves the view up and down or left and right, and this button controls the direction of the scroll.


Play Button: The final button on the left side of the back panel, this button puts the camera into Playback mode, regardless of the Mode dial setting. (Turning the Quick Control dial in this mode scrolls through captured images.) Playback mode can be canceled by hitting the Play button again, or by touching the Shutter button. (The 10D is a "shooting priority" camera. It's always ready to shoot a picture, regardless of its current mode. Simply pressing the Shutter button returns it immediately to capture mode.)


Erase Button: Resting beneath the lower right corner of the LCD monitor, this button accesses the Erase menu, which allows you to erase the current image or all images on the card (except for protected ones). There is also an option to cancel. The Erase function works in Playback mode and the quick review mode only.


Quick Control Dial Switch: Located on the back of the camera just above the Quick Control dial, this switch activates and deactivates the Quick Control dial, helping prevent any unintentional changes in camera settings.


Quick Control Dial: To the right of the LCD monitor on the camera's back panel, this dial selects various camera settings and menu options when turned while pressing a control button or while in an LCD menu screen. When shooting in the Creative Zone (except for Manual exposure mode), turning the dial while halfway pressing the Shutter button sets the exposure compensation (from -2 to +2 in one-third or one-half EV increments). In Playback mode, this dial scrolls through captured images on the CompactFlash card. It also navigates the index display and scrolls around within an enlarged image.

Set Button: Located in the center of the Quick Control dial, this button confirms menu selections and camera settings when using the LCD menu system. Through the Custom Function menu, this button can be programmed to control the image quality, parameters, or image playback in conjunction with the Quick Control dial. (The default is for it to have no function in record mode.)

Assist Button: In the top right corner of the rear panel, this button lets you instantaneously switch to a preset registered AF point when pressed in conjunction with the Focus Area Selector button. A Custom menu function lets you program this button to switch to the registered AF point when pressed on its own. It can also be programmed to control Exposure Compensation, aperture setting, or FE Lock functions.


AE / FE Button: To the right of the Assist button and marked with an asterisk, this button locks the exposure until the Shutter button is pressed. When pressed while the flash is activated, this button locks the flash exposure, which signals the camera to fire a small pre-flash to measure the exposure before locking it. (This decoupling of exposure lock from autofocusing is a very useful "pro" feature seldom seen on lower-end cameras.) Through the Custom menu, you can program this button to lock exposure and focus together, or only one of the variables.


Focus Area Selector Button: Just beside the AE / FE button, this button allows you to choose the focus area manually or automatically in Program AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, or Manual Exposure modes. Pressing the button and rotating either control dial cycles through an automatic setting, or your choice of seven manually-selected focus areas. The automatic setting selects the active focus point(s) based on the position of the subject within the frame, and its proximity to the seven focusing points (shown as seven small boxes arranged in a cross pattern in the viewfinder). Whenever you press this button, your current choice of focusing area is reflected in the top-panel LCD data readout by the position of a dash (or series of dashes) in the LCD data readout. Turning the Quick Control dial adjusts the focus area vertically, while the Main dial adjusts horizontally.

Flash Off Mode: The first mode in the Easy Shooting Zone, Flash Off mode disables both the internal flash unit and any external flash unit connected. Focus is set to AI Focus mode, drive mode is set to Single, and metering is set to Evaluative. The camera controls ISO and Auto white balance as well.


Night Scene Mode: This mode is for taking pictures of people at sunset or at night. The autofocus mode is automatically set to One Shot. Drive mode is set to Single Shot, and metering mode is set to Evaluative. Since slower shutter speeds will be used, a tripod is recommended to prevent movement from the camera. The built-in flash is automatically enabled and synched with the slower shutter speed, so subjects need to remain still after the flash fires to avoid ghostlike afterimages. ISO is automatically adjusted by the camera. (For night exposures without the flash, Canon recommends shooting in Landscape mode.)


Sports Mode: This mode uses a faster shutter speed to capture fast-moving subjects. The autofocus mode is automatically set to AI Servo. Drive mode is set to Continuous Shooting, ISO is set to Auto, and metering mode is set to Evaluative. The onboard flash isn't available in this mode (since it can't cycle fast enough to keep up with the continuous exposure mode).


Close-up Mode (Macro Mode): Turning the Mode dial to the macro flower symbol sets the camera for capturing smaller subjects such as flowers, jewelry, and other small details. The autofocus mode is automatically adjusted to One Shot, the drive mode is set to Single Shot, and the metering mode is set to Evaluative. ISO is set to Auto. Close-up mode takes advantage of the current lens' minimum focal distance. However, an EOS dedicated macro lens and the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX are recommended for better close-up photography. (Unlike the macro mode on most consumer digicams, Macro mode on the 10D has no effect on lens focusing range, as that parameter is entirely determined by the lens being used.)


Landscape Mode: Landscape mode combines slower shutter speeds with smaller aperture settings to increase the depth of field when shooting broad vistas and sweeping landscapes. This mode is also good for night scenes without people in them. The built-in flash is automatically disabled, even if it's already raised. Because this mode uses slower shutter speeds, a tripod may be needed. Metering is again set to Evaluative and ISO to Auto.


Portrait Mode: This mode uses a large aperture setting to decrease the depth of field, which blurs the background to emphasize the subject. ISO is set to Auto, metering to Evaluative, and AF mode to One Shot.

Full Automatic Mode: The final mode in the Easy Shooting Zone, Full Automatic is indicated on the Mode dial by a green rectangular outline. In this mode, the camera makes all exposure decisions with the exception of image quality. Autofocus mode is set to AI Focus. (AI Focus evaluates subject movement, automatically sets either one-shot AF or AI Servo AF automatically.) Drive mode is set to Single Shot, and the metering mode is set to Evaluative.


Program AE: This is the first mode in the Creative Zone of the Mode Dial. Program AE works similarly to the Full Automatic exposure mode, but allows more control over the exposure variables. Aperture and shutter speed are automatically selected by the camera, but you can bias the exposure to larger or smaller apertures by turning the Main control dial, which will change the combination of aperture and shutter speed so as to maintain the same exposure value, but with a different choice of aperture/shutter speed. Turning the Quick Control dial in this mode adjusts the exposure compensation setting, to increase or decrease overall exposure.


Shutter-Priority AE: This mode allows you to manually set the shutter speed anywhere from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds, while the camera chooses the best corresponding aperture setting. You have control over all other exposure variables, including exposure compensation.


Aperture-Priority AE: The opposite of Shutter-Priority mode, Aperture-Priority AE allows you to set the lens aperture (with available ranges depending on the lens in use), while the camera selects the most appropriate shutter speed. Again, you have control over all other exposure variables, including exposure compensation.


Manual Exposure: This mode provides the same range of exposure control as the other Creative Zone exposure modes (except for exposure compensation), but lets you control both shutter speed and lens aperture independently. The shutter speed range is extended to include a Bulb setting, allowing long exposures from one to 999 seconds. A display in the top LCD panel reports whether the camera thinks your settings will result in under, over, or correctly exposed photos.


Automatic Depth of Field AE: This is the final mode in the Creative Zone, and is meant for taking pictures of large groups of people, landscapes with foreground detail, or any subject with elements of interest at varying distances from the camera. This mode puts the camera in control of both the shutter speed and aperture values, but you can adjust the other exposure variables. (This mode cannot be used if the lens focus mode is set to manual.) When shooting in Automatic Depth of Field AE, the camera sets both the exposure and focus distance to achieve a sharp focus over a wide depth of field. It uses the autofocus system to measure the distance to the subjects covered by each of the three autofocus zones, and then attempts to set the focusing distance and lens aperture so as to render all three subject areas in sharp focus.

Playback Mode: This mode is entered by pressing the Play button on the back panel. Playback mode lets you erase images, protect them, or set them up for printing on DPOF compatible devices. You can also view images in an index display, enlarge images to 3x, view a slide show of all captured images, or rotate an image. The Info button activates an information display, which reports the exposure settings for the image and graphs the exposure values on a small histogram.

Operating Menu: This menu is available in all of the camera modes, though a few of the capture-related options are only available in the Creative Zone. Pressing the Menu button calls up the Operating menu.

• Quality: Sets the image size and the compression ratio. Options are Large/Fine (3,072 x 2,048 pixels), Large/Normal (3,072 x 2,048 pixels), Medium/Fine (2,048 x 1,360 pixels), Medium/Normal (2,048 x 1,360 pixels), Small/Fine (1,536 x 1,024 pixels), Small/Normal (1,536 x 1,024 pixels), and RAW (3,072 x 2,048 pixels, with lossless compression).
• Red Eye Reduction: Turns the Red Eye Reduction flash mode on or off (when on, the Red Eye pre-flash fires before every flash exposure).
• Auto Exposure Bracketing: Sets the bracketing range for Auto Exposure Bracketing in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV from -2 to +2 EV (Creative Zone only).
• White Balance Bracketing: Adjusts the white balance bracketing series, in arbitrary units from -3 to +3 in full-stop increments.
• Beep: Turns the camera's beep sounds on or off.
• Custom White Balance: Lets you manually establish the white value by referencing a shot of a white card (Creative Zone only). (This mode on the 10D is a little different from the implementation used by other camera makers, in that it makes use of a previously-shot image of a white card, allowing you to store several white-point references on the camera's memory card and switch between them. It also allows a white reference to be shared between multiple photographers shooting the same event, simply by putting the same white reference image on each of their memory cards. Very handy!)
• Color Temperature: Sets the color temperature in degrees Kelvin for the Kelvin white balance option. Choices range from 2,800 to 10,000 Kelvin in 100-Kelvin degree increments.
  
  
  
• Parameters: Lets you reference any of up to three sets of image-processing parameters loaded into the camera through the accompanying software. These parameters can affect contrast, sharpness, color saturation, and color tone adjustments in the same way that the Canon's RAW Image Converter software does when processing RAW format images. Also available are Standard and Adobe RGB settings.
• ISO Expansion: Turns the ISO Expansion function on or off, which enables the H (3,200) ISO setting.
• Protect: Protects the currently displayed image against accidental deletion, apart from card formatting.
• Rotate: Rotates the currently displayed image 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise.
• Print Order: Allows you to set up images for printing on any DPOF compatible device. Print options include setting the number of prints, and whether or not the date and/or file number is printed as well.
• Auto Playback: Automatically plays captured images in sequential order as a slide show.
• Auto Power Off: Sets the length of inactivity before the camera shuts itself off. Options are 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, or 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can disable the automatic shutoff entirely.
  
  
  
• Review: Determines whether images appear on the LCD monitor immediately after they are taken. Options are On, On (Info), or Off. The On (Info) setting displays the image along with an exposure information readout and histogram.
• Review Time: When the Review function is set to On or On (Info), this setting controls the amount of time that images are displayed in the review, with options of two, four, or eight seconds, or Hold (which displays the image until the Set button is pressed, or the Shutter button is halfway pressed).
• Auto Rotate: When enabled, records the camera orientation information with the image. This makes portrait-format images to appear right-side up on the camera's LCD screen, but doesn't affect the picture data itself in the camera's JPEG or RAW-format files.
  
  
• LCD Brightness: Adjusts the LCD brightness.
• Date/Time: Sets the camera's internal date and time.
  
  
• File Numbering: Extends consecutive file numbering between media cards or resets numbering with each new card.
• Language: Sets the menu language to one of 12 languages.
• Video System: Selects either NTSC or PAL video timing formats.
  
  
• Format: Reformats the CompactFlash card, which erases all files (even protected ones).
  
• Custom Functions: Sets a variety of custom camera functions for individual camera users. (See the list below for details on the functions offered.)
  
  
• Clear Settings: Resets all custom settings to their defaults.
• Clean Sensor: Locks up the mirror and opens the shutter, allowing you to clean the sensor of any dust.
• Firmware Version: Reports the camera's current firmware.
  
  
  
  
  

Custom Functions: The custom function submenu is accessed through the main operating menu (see above). The custom functions let you adjust how many of the EOS-10D's more basic functions operate. Here's a list of the contents of the Custom Function menu, and the options associated with each:

• 01-Set Button Function when Shooting: Controls the function of the Set button when in shooting mode. Options are:
  • 0-Default.
  • 1-Change Quality. Changes image quality settings.
  • 2-Change Parameters. Selects which processing parameters to use. PR-0 is Normal, PR-1 through PR-3 are sets. PR-A is Adobe RGB.
  • 3-Menu Display.
  • 4-Image Replay.
• 02-Shutter Release without CF Card: Determines whether the shutter can be released without a CF card.
  • 0-Possible without CF card.
  • 1-Not Possible.
• 03-Flash Sync Speed in Av Mode: Sets the flash sync speed or places it under automatic control when shooting in Aperture Priority mode.
  • 0-Auto.
  • 1-1/200 second fixed. Prevents a slow shutter speed from being set in very dark conditions.
• 04-Shutter Button/AE Lock Button: Allows you to determine focus and exposure either separately or together when the Shutter button is halfway pressed.
  • 0-AF/AE Lock.
  • 1-AE lock/AF. AE Lock button sets focus, Shutter button sets AE lock.
  • 2-AF/AF Lock, No AE Lock. In AI Servo AF mode, pressing the AE Lock button stops AF operation momentarily when there is an obstruction passing in front of the lens. This prevents the AF from being thrown off. Exposure is set when the shot is taken.
  • 3-AE/AF, no AE Lock. Useful for subjects that move and stop repeatedly in AI Servo AF mode. Pressing the AE Lock button starts or stops the AI Servo AF operation, and exposure is set when the shot is taken.
• 05-AF Assist Light/Flash Firing: Sets whether the AF assist beam is emitted by the camera or the external flash unit, and determines whether the flash fires from the built-in flash or Speedlite.
  • 0-Emits/Fires. Enables AF assist beam to be emitted and the flash to fire.
  • 1-Does not emit. Disables AF assist beam and enables the flash.
  • 2-Only external flash emits/fires. Enables the AF assist beam to light only via the external speedlight and enables the flash to fire.
  • 3-Emits/Does not Fire. Enables the AF assist beam but disables the flash.
• 06-Exposure Level Increments: Sets the adjustment increment for exposure compensation, as well as for shutter speed and aperture adjustments.
  • 0-1/2 stop.
  • 1-1/3 stop.
    
    
• 07-AF Point Registration: Lets you register a frequently-used AF point as the home position.
  • 0-Center AF Point.
  • 1-Bottom.
  • 2-Right.
  • 3-Extreme Right.
  • 4-Automatic Selection.
  • 5-Extreme Left.
  • 6-Left.
  • 7-Top.
• 08-RAW+JPEG Recording: Designates the quality of JPEG images recorded simultaneously with RAW files.
  • 0-RAW+Small/Normal.
  • 1-RAW+Small/Fine.
  • 2-RAW+Medium/Normal.
  • 3-RAW+Medium/Fine.
  • 4-RAW+Large/Normal.
  • 5-RAW+Large/Fine.
• 09-Bracket Sequence/Auto Cancellation: Selects the shooting sequence for Auto Exposure Bracketing and White Balance Bracketing.
  • 0-0,-,+/Enable.
  • 1-0,-,+/Disable. Disables bracketing mode after sequence completed.
  • 2--,0,+/Enable.
  • 3--,0,+/Disable.
• 10-Superimposed Display: Turns on a superimposed display feature, which illuminates the current focus area in red, in the viewfinder display.
  • 0-On.
  • 1-Off.
• 11-Menu Button Display Position: Designates whether the menu returns to the last setting changed or to the first menu option when the Menu button is pressed.
  • 0-Previous (top if powered off).
  • 1-Previous Menu (regardless if powered off).
  • 2-Top Menu.
• 12-Mirror Lock Up: Enables or disables the mirror lockup function, to minimize blurring from camera vibration caused by mirror movement in close-up and telephoto shots. When enabled, the first press of the Shutter button locks up the mirror, while the second press actually triggers the shutter.
  • 0-Disable.
  • 1-Enable.
    
    
• 13-Assist Button Function: Controls the function of the Assist button.
  • 0-Normal. Pressing Assist and AF Mode Selection buttons simultaneously selects registered AF point.
  • 1-Select Home Position. Pressing Assist button returns to registered AF point.
  • 2-Select HP (while pressing). Registered AF point is selected only while the Assist button is held down. When let go, returns to the previous AF point.
  • 3-AV+/- (AF point by Quick Control dial). Assigns the exposure compensation and manual aperture setting functions to the Assist button, when turning Main dial. Turning the Quick Control dial selects the AF point.
  • 4-FE Lock. The Assist button sets the flash exposure lock. (Note: if C.Fn. 04-1/2/3 is set, FE lock will be enabled. In this case, the AE/AF Lock button does not set FE lock.)
• 14-Auto Reduction of Fill Flash: Programs the flash to cut back its power for fill-flash operation under daylight shooting conditions.
  • 0-Enable. Obtains natural, daylight flash shots automatically.
  • 1-Disable. Prevents underexposure of a backlit subject.
• 15-Shutter Curtain Sync: Sets the flash to fire with either the first or second shutter curtain.
  • 0-1st curtain sync.
  • 1-2nd curtain sync.
• 16-Safety shift in AV or TV: Activates a function that automatically shifts the exposure for sudden changes in brightness in either Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority modes.
  • 0-Disable.
  • 1-Enable.
• 17-Lens AF Stop Button: Controls the operation of the "AF Stop" button on the lens, if present. (Many lenses do not have this option.) Determines whether the AF stop button disables or enables auto focusing, or whether it serves to lock exposure and start the exposure timer.
  • 0-AF Stop.
  • 1-AF Start.
  • 2-AE lock while metering.
  • 3-AF point: M, Auto/Auto, Ctr. In manual AF point selection mode, switches to automatic AF point. In automatic AF point selection mode, switches to center AF point.
  • 4-One Shot, AI Servo. Switches between both modes.
  • 5-IS Start. With lens' IS switch already on, the Image Stabilizer operates only while holding the AF stop button.

Image Storage and Interface
The EOS 10D utilizes CompactFlash (Type I and II) memory cards as its image storage medium, which should never be removed from the camera while in use. (Removing a card while the camera is still writing to it could cause permanent damage to the card.) The EOS 10D does not ship with a memory card, so you'll want to purchase a large capacity card right away. I'd recommend picking up at least a 128MB card for starters, given the EOS 10D's large, 3,072 x 2,048-pixel maximum resolution. The table below shows card capacities and approximate compression ratios for the various file sizes and types, based on a 138MB memory card. Like the D60 before it, the 10D is fully compatible with IBM MicroDrives and other Type II CompactFlash devices.

New on the EOS-10D is support for the so-called FAT 32 directory structure. (Like most other digicams on the market, the earlier D60 supported only FAT 16.) The larger address space provided by FAT 32 is necessary for managing high-capacity memory cards of 2GB or greater capacity. This hasn't been an issue until now, but recently announced CF cards with capacities as high as 4 GB require FAT 32 support to use them.

Video Out

A video cable comes packaged with the 10D, allowing you to connect the camera to your television set for image playback. The video signal can be switched between NTSC and PAL via a menu preference. All menus, etc. appear on the external video monitor, but do note that it won't work as a viewfinder for the same reason that the rear-panel LCD won't. (The SLR optics mean that the sensor is only exposed to light when the shutter is open.)


Power

The EOS 10D uses the same BP-511 battery form factor first seen on the D30, and now appearing as a standard design in many of Canon's camera and camcorder lines. These batteries are a bit larger than a 2CR5 lithium cell, and look like two of the smaller LiIon batteries, now becoming popular in compact digicams, glued together. The BP-511 battery pack provides 1100 mAh at 7.4 volts for a hefty charge of 8.1 watt-hours. A separate charger comes in the box with the 10D, but the 10D does not appear to include the "dummy battery" pigtail to power the camera from AC power. The charger that ships with it doesn't have any provision for connecting the dummy battery pigtail to it, nor is a pigtail included in its standard bundle - You'll need to purchase the AC adapter kit ACK-E2 if you need to run the camera from AC power.

Lacking the ability to power the camera from an external power source, I wasn't able to conduct my usual power-consumption measurements. For what it's worth though, battery life seemed to be very good, as I could shoot literally all day before getting a low-battery indication. (The D60's circuitry drew very little power when it was in capture mode but not actively capturing an image. Assuming that the 10D works more or less the same, you could expect a single BP-511 cell to power it for as much as 10 hours in capture mode.)

Of course, regardless of how good a camera's battery life is, there's rarely an excuse to not purchase at least one extra battery to bring along as a hot spare. Plan on buying a second battery along with your 10D, it'll save you a world of grief later on when the battery that you were sure was full of juice runs out of gas in the middle of an important shoot.

Test Results
While Canon told me that there could be minor tweaks made to the camera between the unit I was given and the final production models, they felt that any such changes would be minor. Based on the excellent performance turned in by my test unit, I'd have to agree. Still, there's a remote chance that production models may differ.

In keeping with my standard test policy, comments given here summarize only my key findings. For a full commentary on each of the tests, see the EOS-10D's "Pictures" page. Also, for more "pictorial" sample images, check out the Gallery Page, with a number of shots taken by resident Pro Gibbs Frazeur.

As with all Imaging Resource product tests, I encourage you to let your own eyes be the judge of how well the camera performed. Explore the images on the pictures page, to see how the EOS-10D's images compare to other cameras you may be considering.

• Color: The EOS-10D turned in a nearly flawless performance in terms of color. Its photos were just about spot-on accurate in daylight, and it did very well even under the extreme color cast of the household incandescent lighting of my "Indoor Portrait" test. Colors were hue-accurate and neither under- nor oversaturated. I did feel that its skin tones in the outdoor shot were just slightly yellowish, but the effect was quite minor. Its white balance system did very well with most lighting sources, even under the very dim lighting of my low-light tests. To my eye, the manual white balance option often resulted in very slight cool (blue or green) color casts, but again the effect was minor. Overall, really excellent, accurate color.
  
  
• Exposure: The EOS-10D's exposure system performed very well in the majority of conditions I tested it under. It was considerably more accurate than most with the high-key, high-contrast "Outdoor Portrait" shot, requiring little if any positive exposure compensation. Most of its other outdoor shots were properly exposed as well, without any manual compensation. The one shot it seemed to have trouble on was the "Indoor Portrait" test (under household incandescent lighting), where it required 1.0 - 1.3 EV of positive compensation, more than average. Tonal range was excellent, with very good tonality in both highlights and deep shadows, and the Parameters-menu contrast adjustment covers a very useful range, with appropriately-sized steps between settings. On my "Davebox" test, the 10D had no trouble distinguishing the subtle pastel tones on the Q60 target, while still holding excellent detail in the deep shadows. Overall, an excellent performance, although I would have liked to have seen more accurate exposures on the indoor portrait test.
  
  
• Resolution/Sharpness: The EOS_10D did an excellent job on the "laboratory" resolution test chart, helped by the excellent characteristics of the Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens that I used to test it with. It didn't start showing artifacts in the test patterns until around 900 lines per picture height, and they were very faint even at that point. I found "strong detail" out to at least 1,400 lines horizontally and 1200 vertically, although there was still meaningful detail beyond that point. "Extinction" of the target patterns didn't occur until about 1,550 lines. As I observed in other shots with the10D, the image is just slightly soft, but takes unsharp masking very well in Photoshop.
  
  
• Closeups: This isn't properly a category that would apply to an SLR body, since it's a function of the lens that you use with the camera. Still, I went ahead and shot my macro target with the 100mm Canon macro lens, and found that it captured a very tiny minimum area of only 0.96 x 0.64 inches (24 x 16 millimeters). Resolution was exceptional, with very strong detail in the fibers of the dollar bill.
  
  
• Night Shots: This was an area where the 10D really shone, but also one where it revealed some of its limitations as well. It captured really beautiful, clear, bright, and low-noise images all the way down to the 1/16 foot-candle (0.67 lux) limit of my test, at all ISO settings, from 100 to 3200. However, I found that the autofocus system only worked reliably down to somewhere between 1/2 and 1/4 foot-candle. (This is about one and a half stops darker than typical city streetlighting.) With the 550EX speedlite attached, the strobe's AF-assist illuminator would let the 10D focus in total darkness, but the camera by itself was somewhat limited. - I'd really like to see an AF assist light on the camera itself. Perhaps on the next generation? Back on the noise issue, this looks to be one of the 10D's real strengths. At lower ISO settings, it seems to perform about the same as the D60, but once you get to ISO 400 and beyond, the 10D walks away from its predecessor. In moderate lighting (where the AF system has enough light to focus by), the 10D will be a stellar performer, as it's images at ISO 1600 (and even 3200) are amazingly "clean."
  
  
• Viewfinder Accuracy: The EOS 10D's through the lens viewfinder showed about 96 percent frame accuracy, just slightly above Canon's assessment of 95 percent accuracy. I personally prefer viewfinders to be as close to 100 percent accuracy as possible, so feel that the EOS 10D falls just a little short here. - But this is the level of frame coverage that most competing cameras offer, so no points off in this area.
  
  
• Optical Distortion: Again, this is a function of the lens, not the camera body. Still, it deserves noting how well the Canon lenses performed throughout my testing. Lenses are one area where quality really shows...
  
  
• Battery Life: Canon didn't send me one of their AC adapter units with the 10D, so I couldn't perform my usual in-depth power testing. That said though, Canon claims that the 10D will deliver slightly better battery life than the D60, which was an excellent performer in this area. (Still, there's no excuse for not purchasing a second battery along with your 10D - I promise you'll never regret it!)
  
  

Conclusion

Oh - in case it wasn't obvious, this one is *highly* recommended!

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