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Canon 20D vs Nikon D850

Portability
59
Imaging
45
Features
39
Overall
42
Canon EOS 20D front
 
Nikon D850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
77
Features
87
Overall
81

Canon 20D vs Nikon D850 Key Specs

Canon 20D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 770g - 144 x 106 x 72mm
  • Announced November 2004
  • Previous Model is Canon 10D
  • Replacement is Canon 30D
Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Announced August 2017
  • Succeeded the Nikon D810
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Canon 20D vs Nikon D850 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Canon 20D vs Nikon D850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the 20D (8MP) and D850 (46MP) and the 20D (APS-C) and D850 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The 20D was announced 13 years earlier than the D850 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the 20D matches up against the D850 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 20D over the Nikon D850

 20D D850 

Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Canon 20D

 D850 20D 
AnnouncedAugust 2017November 2004More modern by 155 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.4")
Screen resolution2359k118kCrisper screen (+2241k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon 20D and Nikon D850

 20D D850 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon 20D vs Nikon D850 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon 20D has external 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 D850 has dimensions of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") along with a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs).

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Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the 20D against the D850.

Canon 20D vs Nikon D850 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the 20D and D850 is 59 and 54 respectively.

Canon 20D vs Nikon D850 top view buttons comparison

Canon 20D vs Nikon D850 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes simply by researching technical specs. The pic below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the 20D and D850.

As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The 20D with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Nikon D850 will render extra detail with its extra 38MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged 20D will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon 20D vs Nikon D850 sensor size comparison

Canon 20D vs Nikon D850 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 20D vs Nikon D850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 20D as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D850 as a Portrait photography camera
47
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
lack of manual exposure
low resolution (8 megapixels)
86
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is fantastic (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 20D Street photography features
Nikon D850 Street photography features
52
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
no image stabilization
66
has a tilting screen
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
boasts touch focus
environment sealing
good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (1,015 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 20D Sports photography advice
Nikon D850 Sports photography advice
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low resolution (8 megapixels)
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is fantastic (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
great battery power (1,840 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon 20D Travel photography features
Nikon D850 Travel photography features
45
flash built-in
low resolution (8MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
great battery power (1,840 CIPA)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
boasts touch focus
sensor resolution is fantastic (46MP)
more heavy than competitors (1,015 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 20D Landscape photography factors
Nikon D850 Landscape photography factors
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (1.8")
does not have liveview
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
low resolution (8 megapixels)
82
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
sensor resolution is fantastic (46 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
great battery power (1,840 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 20D Vlogging details
Nikon D850 Vlogging details
9
no video
29
screen is touchscreen
includes face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (1,015 grams)
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Canon 20D vs Nikon D850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 20D and Nikon D850
 Canon EOS 20DNikon D850
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS 20D Nikon D850
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2004-11-03 2017-08-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 22.5 x 15mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 337.5mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 46MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3504 x 2336 8256 x 5504
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Highest boosted ISO 3200 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 153
Cross focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF/EF-S Nikon F
Amount of lenses 326 309
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 1.8 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 118k dot 2,359k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.75x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 770 grams (1.70 lb) 1015 grams (2.24 lb)
Dimensions 144 x 106 x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 62 100
DXO Color Depth score 21.9 26.4
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 14.8
DXO Low light score 721 2660
Other
Battery life - 1840 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL15a
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD
Storage slots Single 2
Launch cost $1,300 $2,997