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Canon 20D vs Canon 30D

Portability
59
Imaging
45
Features
39
Overall
42
Canon EOS 20D front
 
Canon EOS 30D front
Portability
58
Imaging
46
Features
39
Overall
43

Canon 20D vs Canon 30D Key Specs

Canon 20D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 770g - 144 x 106 x 72mm
  • Revealed November 2004
  • Older Model is Canon 10D
  • Successor is Canon 30D
Canon 30D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 784g - 144 x 106 x 74mm
  • Introduced April 2006
  • Succeeded the Canon 20D
  • Successor is Canon 40D
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Canon 20D vs Canon 30D Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Canon 20D vs Canon 30D, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are built by Canon. The resolution of the 20D (8MP) and the 30D (8MP) is very close and both cameras offer the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The 20D was announced 17 months before the 30D making them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the 20D grades vs the 30D in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 20D over the Canon 30D

 20D 30D 

Reasons to pick Canon 30D over the Canon 20D

 30D 20D 
IntroducedApril 2006November 2004Fresher by 17 months
Display dimensions2.5"1.8"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution230k118kClearer display (+112k dot)

Common features in the Canon 20D and Canon 30D

 20D 30D 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon 20D vs Canon 30D Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Canon 20D features exterior measurements of 144mm x 106mm x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") having a weight of 770 grams (1.70 lbs) whilst the Canon 30D has specifications of 144mm x 106mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") and a weight of 784 grams (1.73 lbs).

Look at the Canon 20D vs Canon 30D in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the 20D vs the 30D.

Canon 20D vs Canon 30D size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the 20D and 30D is 59 and 58 respectively.

Canon 20D vs Canon 30D top view buttons comparison

Canon 20D vs Canon 30D Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizing purely by researching specs. The visual here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 20D and 30D.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP and you can expect comparable quality of images but you have to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The older 20D will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 20D vs Canon 30D sensor size comparison

Canon 20D vs Canon 30D Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 20D vs Canon 30D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 20D Portrait photography information
Canon 30D Portrait photography information
47
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (8MP)
51
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
low MP (8MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon 20D as a Street photography camera
Canon 30D as a Street photography camera
52
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
52
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 20D Sports photography advice
Canon 30D Sports photography advice
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
44
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (8MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 20D
Travel photography with Canon 30D
45
flash built-in
low megapixels (8MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
42
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low MP (8MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 20D as a Landscape photography camera
Canon 30D as a Landscape photography camera
46
has manual focus
change lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (1.8 inch)
no liveview
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
46
you can focus manually
change lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low MP (8 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 20D Vlogging details
Canon 30D Vlogging details
9
can't shoot video
9
no video recording
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Canon 20D vs Canon 30D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 20D and Canon 30D
 Canon EOS 20DCanon EOS 30D
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model type Canon EOS 20D Canon EOS 30D
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2004-11-03 2006-04-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.5 x 15mm 22.5 x 15mm
Sensor area 337.5mm² 337.5mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 8 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 3504 x 2336 3504 x 2336
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest boosted ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Canon EF/EF-S Canon EF/EF-S
Total lenses 326 326
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.6
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 1.8" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 118k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.56x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (ISO 100) 12.00 m (ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 770g (1.70 pounds) 784g (1.73 pounds)
Physical dimensions 144 x 106 x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") 144 x 106 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 62 59
DXO Color Depth rating 21.9 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 10.8
DXO Low light rating 721 736
Other
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $1,300 $773