Canon 20Da vs Nikon D90
59 Imaging
45 Features
39 Overall
42


60 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Canon 20Da vs Nikon D90 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 8MP - APS-C Sensor
- 1.8" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Canon EF/EF-S Mount
- 770g - 144 x 106 x 72mm
- Introduced June 2005
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
- Launched October 2008
- Earlier Model is Nikon D80
- New Model is Nikon D7000

Canon 20Da vs Nikon D90 Overview
Its time to examine more closely at the Canon 20Da vs Nikon D90, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the 20Da (8MP) and D90 (12MP) but they come with the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

The 20Da was introduced 4 years earlier than the D90 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the 20Da grades vs the D90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon 20Da vs Nikon D90 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon EOS 20Da & Nikon D90. The whole galleries are provided at Canon 20Da Gallery & Nikon D90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 20Da over the Nikon D90
20Da | D90 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Canon 20Da
D90 | 20Da | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2008 | ![]() | June 2005 | More recent by 41 months |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 1.8" | Larger display (+1.2") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 118k | Clearer display (+802k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 20Da and Nikon D90
20Da | D90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Absent Touch display |
Canon 20Da vs Nikon D90 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to lug around your camera, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Canon 20Da features external dimensions of 144mm x 106mm x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") and a weight of 770 grams (1.70 lbs) whilst the Nikon D90 has sizing of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") and a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).
See the Canon 20Da vs Nikon D90 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the 20Da compared to the D90.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 20Da and D90 is 59 and 60 respectively.

Canon 20Da vs Nikon D90 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements merely by reading through specifications. The graphic here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 20Da and D90.
To sum up, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon D90 to give more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older 20Da is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon 20Da vs Nikon D90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 20Da vs Nikon D90 Specifications
Canon EOS 20Da | Nikon D90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon EOS 20Da | Nikon D90 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2005-06-01 | 2008-10-13 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 22.5 x 15mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor area | 337.5mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 8 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 3504 x 2336 | 4288 x 2848 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Highest boosted ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF/EF-S | Nikon F |
Number of lenses | 326 | 309 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 1.8" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 118 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | - | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 96% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.56x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames/s | 4.5 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (ISO 100) | 17.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off | Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/200 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video file format | - | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 770 gr (1.70 pounds) | 703 gr (1.55 pounds) |
Dimensions | 144 x 106 x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") | 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 73 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.5 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 977 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 850 photographs |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | EN-EL3e |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD/SDHC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $1,499 | $1,199 |