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Canon 20D vs Nikon D800

Portability
59
Imaging
46
Features
39
Overall
43
Canon EOS 20D front
 
Nikon D800 front
Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75

Canon 20D vs Nikon D800 Key Specs

Canon 20D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand 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
  • Newer Model is Canon 30D
Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Superseded the Nikon D700
  • Successor is Nikon D810
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Canon 20D vs Nikon D800 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Canon 20D versus Nikon D800, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the 20D (8MP) and D800 (36MP) and the 20D (APS-C) and D800 (Full frame) have different sensor size.

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The 20D was announced 8 years earlier than the D800 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the 20D scores against the D800 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 20D over the Nikon D800

 20D D800 

Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Canon 20D

 D800 20D 
IntroducedJune 2012November 2004Fresher by 92 months
Screen size3.2"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.4")
Screen resolution921k118kSharper screen (+803k dot)

Common features in the Canon 20D and Nikon D800

 20D D800 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon 20D vs Nikon D800 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon 20D has 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 Nikon D800 has sizing of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs).

Check the Canon 20D versus Nikon D800 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the 20D vs the D800.

Canon 20D vs Nikon D800 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the 20D and D800 is 59 and 54 respectively.

Canon 20D vs Nikon D800 top view buttons comparison

Canon 20D vs Nikon D800 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The visual here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the 20D and D800.

As you can see, the 2 cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 20D having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Nikon D800 will give extra detail with its extra 28 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older 20D is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 20D vs Nikon D800 sensor size comparison

Canon 20D vs Nikon D800 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 20D vs Nikon D800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 20D Portrait photography factors
Nikon D800 Portrait photography factors
47
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (8MP)
83
has manual focus
high megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon 20D Street photography info
Nikon D800 Street photography info
53
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
60
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 20D Sports photography highlights
Nikon D800 Sports photography highlights
44
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
max fps low (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
high megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon 20D Travel photography highlights
Nikon D800 Travel photography highlights
46
flash built-in
MP count low (8MP)
display is not selfie friendly
66
weather proof
high megapixels (36MP)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 20D Landscape photography advice
Nikon D800 Landscape photography advice
46
has manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (1.8 inches)
doesn't have liveview
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
high megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 20D
Vlogging with Nikon D800
9
can't record video
30
has face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Canon 20D vs Nikon D800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 20D and Nikon D800
 Canon EOS 20DNikon D800
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS 20D Nikon D800
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2004-11-03 2012-06-11
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Expeed 3
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 22.5 x 15mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 337.5mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 36MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 3504 x 2336 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 51
Cross type focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Nikon F
Total lenses 326 309
Crop factor 1.6 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 1.8 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 118k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 770g (1.70 lb) 900g (1.98 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 106 x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 62 95
DXO Color Depth rating 21.9 25.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 14.4
DXO Low light rating 721 2853
Other
Battery life - 900 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL15
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant
Card slots 1 Two
Price at launch $1,300 $2,999