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Canon 20D vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
59
Imaging
45
Features
39
Overall
42
Canon EOS 20D front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
77
Features
82
Overall
79

Canon 20D vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Canon 20D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 770g - 144 x 106 x 72mm
  • Revealed November 2004
  • Old Model is Canon 10D
  • New Model is Canon 30D
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Older Model is Pentax K-1
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Canon 20D vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Here is a extensive comparison of the Canon 20D and Pentax K-1 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the 20D (8MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the 20D (APS-C) and K-1 II (Full frame) possess different sensor measurements.

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The 20D was introduced 14 years earlier than the K-1 II and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the 20D matches up vs the K-1 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon 20D over the Pentax K-1 II

 20D K-1 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Canon 20D

 K-1 II 20D 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018November 2004Fresher by 161 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.4")
Screen resolution1037k118kClearer screen (+919k dot)

Common features in the Canon 20D and Pentax K-1 II

 20D K-1 II 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Canon 20D vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon 20D offers exterior dimensions of 144mm x 106mm x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") along with a weight of 770 grams (1.70 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 II has specifications of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Compare the Canon 20D and Pentax K-1 II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the 20D and the K-1 II.

Canon 20D vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 20D and K-1 II is 59 and 55 respectively.

Canon 20D vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Canon 20D vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to picture the difference in sensor sizing only by looking through technical specs. The graphic underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the 20D and K-1 II.

As you can tell, each of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 20D having a smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-1 II will provide you with extra detail using its extra 28MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older 20D will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon 20D vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Canon 20D vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 20D vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 20D Portrait photography info
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography info
47
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
86
manual focus
excellent MP (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 20D Street photography factors
Pentax K-1 II Street photography factors
52
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
70
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
very good ISO range (819,200)
more heavy than average in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 20D Sports photography info
Pentax K-1 II Sports photography info
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
77
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.4 frames/s)
terrible battery life (670 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 20D Travel photography details
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography details
45
built-in flash
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
weather proofing
excellent MP (36MP)
terrible battery life (670 per charge)
more heavy than average in class (1,010g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 20D as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (1.8")
no liveview
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8MP)
82
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (819,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has double storage slots
terrible battery life (670 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 20D as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (1,010 grams)
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Canon 20D vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 20D and Pentax K-1 II
 Canon EOS 20DPentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS 20D Pentax K-1 Mark II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2004-11-03 2018-02-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME IV
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 8 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 3504 x 2336 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 1600 819200
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF4
Available lenses 326 151
Crop factor 1.6 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 1.8 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 118k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 4.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 770 grams (1.70 lbs) 1010 grams (2.23 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 106 x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 670 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots One Two
Cost at release $1,300 $1,737