The Canon EOS 20-D is an ideal camera for the so-called 'prosumer.' (This is a person who is an advanced amateur with professional leanings.) Professionals as well like the 20-D, as it can serve as an excellent backup for more complete -se cameras, like the EOS 1-D Mark II. At around $1,500, plus a little extra to purchase the requisite EF-S 18 by 55 mm lens, this camera is pricier than the Rebel XT and Nikon D-70, two cameras to which it is often compared.

So what are the advanced features of the 20-D that have earned the enthusiasm of so many semi pros? First and foremost, the EOS 20-D delivers an exceptional burst mode of five frames per second. Whether you're capturing nature on the move, a sports game, or fun human interactions, this cool burst mode gives you an almost film-like take on events as they evolve.

The body of the EOS 20-D is far more stable than that of the D-70 or the Rebel XT, and the DIGIC II processor (which also comes standard with the Digital Rebel XT) is superb in terms of its speed. Another advantage of the EOS 20-D is that it provides more focus points and manual controls than you can get with in-class competitors.

Disadvantages include the camera's loud shutter, lack of spot meter, and 95 percent field of view. If you want to crop your image precisely, you may have to do some editing on your computer after the fact. That being said, all in all, the Canon 20-D EOS is a quality piece of equipment, a great accessory for semi pros and a good learning tool for others.