Light propagation through a channel filter based on two-dimensional photonic crystals with elliptical-rod defects is studied by the finite-difference time-domain method. Shape alteration of the defects from the usual circle to an ellipse offers a powerful approach to engineer the resonant frequency of channel filters. It is found that the resonant frequency can be flexibly adjusted by just changing the orientation angle of the elliptical defects. The sensitivity of the resonant wavelength to the alteration of the oval rods’ shape is also studied. This kind of multi-channel filter is very suitable for systems requiring a large number of output channel filters. Light propagation through a channel filter based on two-dimensional photonic crystals with elliptical-rod defects is studied by the finite-difference time-domain method. Shape alteration of the defects from the usual circle to an ellipse offers a powerful approach to engineer the resonant frequency of channel filters. It is found that the resonant frequency can be flexibly adjusted by just just the orientation angle of the elliptical defects. The sensitivity of the resonant wavelength to the alteration of the oval rods’ shape is also studied. This kind of multi -channel filter is very suitable for systems requiring a large number of output channel filters.