Clicky

Canon 20D vs Canon 40D

Portability
59
Imaging
46
Features
39
Overall
43
Canon EOS 20D front
 
Canon EOS 40D front
Portability
57
Imaging
49
Features
50
Overall
49

Canon 20D vs Canon 40D Key Specs

Canon 20D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 770g - 144 x 106 x 72mm
  • Introduced November 2004
  • Earlier Model is Canon 10D
  • New Model is Canon 30D
Canon 40D
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Released October 2007
  • Superseded the Canon 30D
  • Renewed by Canon 50D
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Canon 20D vs Canon 40D Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Canon 20D vs Canon 40D, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are built by Canon. The sensor resolution of the 20D (8MP) and the 40D (10MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

The 20D was manufactured 4 years prior to the 40D and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the 20D matches up against the 40D for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon 20D over the Canon 40D

 20D 40D 

Reasons to pick Canon 40D over the Canon 20D

 40D 20D 
ReleasedOctober 2007November 2004Fresher by 36 months
Screen dimension3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution230k118kSharper screen (+112k dot)

Common features in the Canon 20D and Canon 40D

 20D 40D 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon 20D vs Canon 40D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Canon 20D enjoys physical dimensions of 144mm x 106mm x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") having a weight of 770 grams (1.70 lbs) while the Canon 40D has specifications of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") with a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs).

Analyze the Canon 20D vs Canon 40D in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the 20D against the 40D.

Canon 20D vs Canon 40D size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 20D and 40D is 59 and 57 respectively.

Canon 20D vs Canon 40D top view buttons comparison

Canon 20D vs Canon 40D Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing just by checking a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 20D and 40D.

As you can see, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should expect the Canon 40D to give you more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older 20D is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 20D vs Canon 40D sensor size comparison

Canon 20D vs Canon 40D Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 20D vs Canon 40D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 20D Portrait photography info
Canon 40D Portrait photography info
47
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
lack of manual mode
low resolution (8MP)
59
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Street Comparison

Canon 20D Street photography factors
Canon 40D Street photography factors
53
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
56
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Canon 20D Sports photography info
Canon 40D Sports photography info
44
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (8 megapixels)
53
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
bad battery life (800 shots)
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Travel Comparison

Canon 20D as a Travel photography camera
Canon 40D as a Travel photography camera
46
flash built-in
low resolution (8 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
48
environment proof
built-in flash
bad battery life (800 shots)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Landscape Comparison

Canon 20D Landscape photography features
Canon 40D Landscape photography features
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (1.8 inches)
no liveview
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (8 megapixels)
58
focusing manually
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
bad battery life (800 per charge)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 20D Vlogging information
Canon 40D Vlogging information
9
lack of video recording
9
no video shooting
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Canon 20D vs Canon 40D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 20D and Canon 40D
 Canon EOS 20DCanon EOS 40D
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model type Canon EOS 20D Canon EOS 40D
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2004-11-03 2007-10-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.5 x 15mm 22.2 x 14.8mm
Sensor area 337.5mm² 328.6mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 3504 x 2336 3888 x 2592
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Canon EF/EF-S
Amount of lenses 326 326
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.6
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 1.8 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 118 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.6x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per sec 6.5 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone 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 770 grams (1.70 pounds) 822 grams (1.81 pounds)
Dimensions 144 x 106 x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 62 64
DXO Color Depth rating 21.9 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 11.3
DXO Low light rating 721 703
Other
Battery life - 800 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $1,300 $1,099