Is the D10 adequate?

[jorge velasquez]

Hey sports photogs.....

Do you find the CanonD10 to be a good enough sports shooting camera? Does it track action well? Or should I make the next big jump to the 20D?

Love to hear your experiences.

[SunnySideUp]

If you are buying new, buy the 20D. It takes great photos, but when it comes to tracking and speed I think that is going to be determined more by the quality of lens.

[Photo-John]

The 10D is great, but the 20D is significantly better. I've been using the 10D for over a year and have had a bunch of mountain bike photos I took with it published. I know a bunch of other pro cycling photographers who've also been successfully using it. That said, there are problems with focus accuracy. The AF speed and tracking ability of the camera are great. The problem has to do with sensor size. The AF sensors are rather large and if you focus on small, moving objects, you may have trouble getting what you want. I've had that problem and have had to adjust my technique and expectations accordinly. I can't do big open landscape shots with large apertures and little tiny cyclists in them. It's nearly impossible to focus precisely. However, when I'm filling the frame, or most of the frame, or I have something large to pre-focus on, it's no problem at all.

The 10D has served me well and I don't intend to sell mine. I'd rather save my money. But if were buying a new Canon digital SLR, I'd definitely choose the 20D over the 10D. And even better, get the 1D Mark II. I also have an EOS 1D and it's the best camera I've ever owned.