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Canon 20D vs Canon 5D

Portability
59
Imaging
45
Features
39
Overall
42
Canon EOS 20D front
 
Canon EOS 5D front
Portability
55
Imaging
55
Features
41
Overall
49

Canon 20D vs Canon 5D Key Specs

Canon 20D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 770g - 144 x 106 x 72mm
  • Revealed November 2004
  • Succeeded the Canon 10D
  • Replacement is Canon 30D
Canon 5D
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 895g - 152 x 113 x 75mm
  • Revealed November 2005
  • New Model is Canon 5D MII
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Canon 20D vs Canon 5D Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Canon 20D and Canon 5D, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are designed by Canon. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the 20D (8MP) and 5D (13MP) and the 20D (APS-C) and 5D (Full frame) boast different sensor size.

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The 20D was unveiled 12 months earlier than the 5D so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summary of how the 20D scores vs the 5D with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 20D over the Canon 5D

 20D 5D 

Reasons to pick Canon 5D over the Canon 20D

 5D 20D 
RevealedNovember 2005November 2004More modern by 12 months
Display size2.5"1.8"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution230k118kClearer display (+112k dot)

Common features in the Canon 20D and Canon 5D

 20D 5D 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon 20D vs Canon 5D Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon 20D enjoys physical measurements 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 5D has measurements of 152mm x 113mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Examine the Canon 20D and Canon 5D in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the 20D compared to the 5D.

Canon 20D vs Canon 5D size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 20D and 5D is 59 and 55 respectively.

Canon 20D vs Canon 5D top view buttons comparison

Canon 20D vs Canon 5D Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at technical specs. The picture underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the 20D and 5D.

As you have seen, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The 20D with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Canon 5D will give you more detail having an extra 5MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The more aged 20D is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Canon 20D vs Canon 5D sensor size comparison

Canon 20D vs Canon 5D Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 20D vs Canon 5D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 20D Portrait photography details
Canon 5D Portrait photography details
47
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
manual exposure not available
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
65
focusing manually
decent megapixels (13 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Canon 20D Street photography details
Canon 5D Street photography details
52
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
56
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 20D Sports photography factors
Canon 5D Sports photography factors
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
55
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (13 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (800 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 20D Travel photography factors
Canon 5D Travel photography factors
45
has built in flash
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
49
weather proofing
decent megapixels (13MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (800 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 20D as a Landscape photography camera
Canon 5D as a Landscape photography camera
46
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (1.8 inch)
does not have liveview
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
54
focusing manually
change lenses (Canon EF mount)
decent megapixels (13 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (800 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 20D Vlogging advice
Canon 5D Vlogging advice
9
can't record video
9
no video
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Canon 20D vs Canon 5D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 20D and Canon 5D
 Canon EOS 20DCanon EOS 5D
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon EOS 20D Canon EOS 5D
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2004-11-03 2005-11-12
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Digic II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 22.5 x 15mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 337.5mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 13 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 3504 x 2336 4368 x 2912
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Canon EF/EF-S Canon EF
Number of lenses 326 250
Crop factor 1.6 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 1.8 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 118k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off External
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 770g (1.70 lbs) 895g (1.97 lbs)
Physical dimensions 144 x 106 x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") 152 x 113 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 62 71
DXO Color Depth rating 21.9 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 11.1
DXO Low light rating 721 1368
Other
Battery life - 800 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - BP-511A
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $1,300 $2,780