Canon EOS D2000/Kodak DCS 520

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.71 of 5,
7 votes

Summary:
I was impressed by the quality of this camera, although I feel that many improvements could be made concerning the buffer size, and the speed at which the images are saved to the microdrive. I can't say that I would invest in such a camera unless I was guaranteed that no time soon would a better model be coming out.

Strengths:
Good resolution; relatively good colour reproduction; easy to use; ability to change 'ISO' settings whilst shooting - unlike analog camera; good battery pack setup; CCD chip is smaller than 24x36mm meaning that a 50mm f/1.4 becomes an interesting portrait lens; when using flash LCD screen allows for rapid assessement of exposure

Weaknesses:
Voluminous; poor vertical handgrip ergonomics; not as tough as the 1n; does not accept 1GB microdrives; CCD chip is smaller than 24x36mm meaning that it is hard to find a true wide-angle lens; I found it harder to focus in the viewfinder; the buffer size is small

Similar Products Used:
Canon D30, EOS 5, EOS 3, EOS 1n

Customer Service:
Canon provides the most up to-date software on its CPS website, which is very useful

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Price Paid:  $10000.00 from given to me for work

Summary:
I shot Nikon for five years and it took me a year or two to get comfortable with this camera. For quality pictures, I would still shoot slide, but for my job as a newspaper photographer it helps with deadline. For the price I would expect better metering. For every day use I really can not complain. Just have to pay attention to every picture. WATCH YOUR METERING.

Strengths:
Big viewing screen. Holds lots of images. Dual focus system. Many choices of custom functions. Auto focus systems is very solid.

Weaknesses:
Dirt on the filter. Low light use limited. Semi spot meter could be better. Heavy and gets heavier with accesories. Very expensive compared to others. Useless in very low lighting.

Similar Products Used:
Nikon D1

Customer Service:
N/A

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.50 of 5,
2 votes

Price Paid:  $7100.00 from Hunt's Show (1999)

Summary:
I have shot 6.5 thousand pictures in the first year. The camera has been to Paris, Bermuda, Moorea, as well as various US locations. It is sturdy, travels well and has been a good investment. With technology changing so fast, today I would recommend buying the Canon D30 which offers somewhat less features but better images at less than half the price or waiting for the next true pro camera to replace the D2000/DCS 520.

Strengths:
Superb images even when compared with 3MP cameras. with magazine quality prints up to 11x17". Very solid construction. Unbelievable array of features, including all of the Canon EOS-1N features plus white adjust, histograms, firewire, 2Gig storage, voice annotation of images, extensive data annotation, GPS capability and even 'pong'!! (I guess as a cpu check) I have the Kodak DCS 520 and hvave been quite pleased with the stream of firmware, driver, and host software updates from the Kodak website http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/products/cameras/camerasIndex.shtml

Weaknesses:
The camera is really quite big and heavy. The EOS D2000 Canon version does not always stay current with firmware and s/w. The camera is susceptible to dust on the imager and it is a delicate process to clean.

Similar Products Used:
Canon EOS 10s, A1, AE1, FTBn
Olympus 1400L (Jpn model)
Highend image acquisition h/w and s/w up to 5.5Kx5.5Kx48 bit.
Have been involved in the design of machine vision systems.

Customer Service:
From Kodak a surprising willingness to exchange the camera. Excellent followup support and developer support.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
3 votes

Model Reviewed:
EOS D2000/Kodak DCS 520

Summary:
MAKES THE PHOTOJOURNALISTS JOB A LOT QUICKER, FANTASTIC IMAGE QUALITY FOR FILE SIZE, REPRESENTED A HUGE LEAP FORWARD FOR DIGITAL IMAGING, STILL THE BEST IN MANY WAYS. My camera is DCS520 (same camera, Kodak badge).

Strengths:
Image quality for 5.7 mb
software
canon lenses
ease of use
easy to learn to use
flexible
reliable
full size PCMCIA cards

Weaknesses:
E-TTL flash
limited 5.7 mb files
anti-aliasing filter

Similar Products Used:
Nikon D1
Nikon AP2000

Customer Service:
Superb. (Leeds Photovisual in London) and Kodak UK