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Canon 20D vs Nikon D780

Portability
59
Imaging
46
Features
39
Overall
43
Canon EOS 20D front
 
Nikon D780 front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
89
Overall
81

Canon 20D vs Nikon D780 Key Specs

Canon 20D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 770g - 144 x 106 x 72mm
  • Released November 2004
  • Old Model is Canon 10D
  • Later Model is Canon 30D
Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Launched January 2020
  • Previous Model is Nikon D750
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Canon 20D vs Nikon D780 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Canon 20D and Nikon D780, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the 20D (8MP) and D780 (25MP) and the 20D (APS-C) and D780 (Full frame) feature different sensor sizing.

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The 20D was introduced 16 years earlier than the D780 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the 20D grades against the D780 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 20D over the Nikon D780

 20D D780 

Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Canon 20D

 D780 20D 
LaunchedJanuary 2020November 2004Newer by 184 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.4")
Screen resolution2359k118kCrisper screen (+2241k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon 20D and Nikon D780

 20D D780 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Canon 20D vs Nikon D780 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon 20D enjoys external measurements of 144mm x 106mm x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") and a weight of 770 grams (1.70 lbs) while the Nikon D780 has dimensions of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs).

Look at the Canon 20D and Nikon D780 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the 20D and the D780.

Canon 20D vs Nikon D780 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 20D and D780 is 59 and 57 respectively.

Canon 20D vs Nikon D780 top view buttons comparison

Canon 20D vs Nikon D780 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by researching specifications. The image below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 20D and D780.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The 20D having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Nikon D780 will provide you with more detail using its extra 17 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged 20D will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 20D vs Nikon D780 sensor size comparison

Canon 20D vs Nikon D780 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 20D vs Nikon D780 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 20D Portrait photography info
Nikon D780 Portrait photography info
47
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
no manual control
resolution not great (8MP)
86
you can focus manually
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 20D as a Street photography camera
Nikon D780 as a Street photography camera
53
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
71
has a tilting screen
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
includes touch focus
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon 20D
Sports photography with Nikon D780
44
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (8MP)
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery power (2,260 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon 20D Travel photography information
Nikon D780 Travel photography information
46
built-in flash
resolution not great (8MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
better than average battery power (2,260 CIPA)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
MP count amazing (25MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 20D Landscape photography info
Nikon D780 Landscape photography info
46
manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (1.8 inches)
does not have liveview
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (8MP)
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
better than average battery power (2,260 shots)
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 20D
Vlogging with Nikon D780
9
can't shoot video
32
touchscreen capability
offers face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
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Canon 20D vs Nikon D780 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 20D and Nikon D780
 Canon EOS 20DNikon D780
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS 20D Nikon D780
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2004-11-03 2020-01-07
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 22.5 x 15mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 337.5mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3504 x 2336 6048 x 4024
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Max boosted ISO 3200 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 51
Cross focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF/EF-S Nikon F
Available lenses 326 309
Crop factor 1.6 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 1.8 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 118k dot 2,359k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 900 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 770 grams (1.70 pounds) 840 grams (1.85 pounds)
Dimensions 144 x 106 x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 62 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 721 not tested
Other
Battery life - 2260 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL15b
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots One Two
Price at launch $1,300 $2,297