Canon 20D vs Canon 5D MII
59 Imaging
45 Features
39 Overall
42


56 Imaging
64 Features
70 Overall
66
Canon 20D vs Canon 5D MII Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 21MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF Mount
- 850g - 152 x 114 x 75mm
- Revealed February 2009
- Earlier Model is Canon 5D
- Replacement is Canon 5D MIII

Canon 20D vs Canon 5D MII Overview
Its time to look much closer at the Canon 20D versus Canon 5D MII, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both built by Canon. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the 20D (8MP) and 5D MII (21MP) and the 20D (APS-C) and 5D MII (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

The 20D was brought out 5 years prior to the 5D MII and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before getting through a full comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the 20D grades versus the 5D MII with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon 20D vs Canon 5D MII Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 20D and Canon EOS 5D Mark II. The entire galleries are provided at Canon 20D Gallery and Canon 5D MII Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 20D over the Canon 5D MII
20D | 5D MII |
---|
Reasons to pick Canon 5D MII over the Canon 20D
5D MII | 20D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2009 | ![]() | November 2004 | More recent by 52 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 1.8" | Bigger screen (+1.2") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 118k | Clearer screen (+802k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 20D and Canon 5D MII
20D | 5D MII | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Canon 20D vs Canon 5D MII Physical Comparison
If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon 20D has got exterior dimensions of 144mm x 106mm x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") with a weight of 770 grams (1.70 lbs) while the Canon 5D MII has dimensions of 152mm x 114mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") having a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon 20D versus Canon 5D MII in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the 20D compared to the 5D MII.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 20D and 5D MII is 59 and 56 respectively.

Canon 20D vs Canon 5D MII Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reading technical specs. The visual here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the 20D and 5D MII.
As you have seen, each of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 20D featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Canon 5D MII will deliver extra detail having its extra 13MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older 20D is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon 20D vs Canon 5D MII Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 20D vs Canon 5D MII Specifications
Canon EOS 20D | Canon EOS 5D Mark II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Canon |
Model | Canon EOS 20D | Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2004-11-03 | 2009-02-13 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Digic 4 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 22.5 x 15mm | 36 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 337.5mm² | 864.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 8MP | 21MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 3504 x 2336 | 5616 x 3744 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Highest boosted ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Canon EF/EF-S | Canon EF |
Available lenses | 326 | 250 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 1.8 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 118 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 98% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.56x | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames per second | 4.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/200 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 770g (1.70 lb) | 850g (1.87 lb) |
Dimensions | 144 x 106 x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") | 152 x 114 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 62 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.9 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.0 | 11.9 |
DXO Low light score | 721 | 1815 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 850 pictures |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | LP-E6 |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $1,300 | $1,190 |