Canon 20Da vs Pentax K-30
59 Imaging
46 Features
39 Overall
43


63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60
Canon 20Da vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs
(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
- Released June 2005
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Announced October 2012
- Updated by Pentax K-50

Canon 20Da vs Pentax K-30 Overview
Let's take a closer look at the Canon 20Da versus Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Canon and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the 20Da (8MP) and K-30 (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

The 20Da was introduced 8 years earlier than the K-30 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the 20Da matches up vs the K-30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon 20Da vs Pentax K-30 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 20Da & Pentax K-30. The whole galleries are available at Canon 20Da Gallery & Pentax K-30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 20Da over the Pentax K-30
20Da | K-30 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Canon 20Da
K-30 | 20Da | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | October 2012 | ![]() | June 2005 | Fresher by 90 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 1.8" | Bigger screen (+1.2") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 118k | Crisper screen (+803k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 20Da and Pentax K-30
20Da | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Canon 20Da vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry your camera often, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon 20Da has outer measurements of 144mm x 106mm x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") and a weight of 770 grams (1.70 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
Contrast the Canon 20Da versus Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the 20Da against the K-30.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 20Da and K-30 is 59 and 63 respectively.

Canon 20Da vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by reading through a spec sheet. The visual here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the 20Da and K-30.
Clearly, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Pentax K-30 to give extra detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older 20Da is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 20Da vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 20Da vs Pentax K-30 Specifications
Canon EOS 20Da | Pentax K-30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon EOS 20Da | Pentax K-30 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2005-06-01 | 2012-10-29 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Prime M |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 22.5 x 15mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 337.5mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 8 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 3504 x 2336 | 4928 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Highest boosted ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF/EF-S | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 326 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 1.8" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 118k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.56x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/6000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/250 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 770g (1.70 lb) | 650g (1.43 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 144 x 106 x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 13.0 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1129 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 410 pictures |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | D-LI109,4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $1,499 | $525 |