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Canon 20Da vs Sony A99

Portability
59
Imaging
46
Features
39
Overall
43
Canon EOS 20Da front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Canon 20Da vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Canon 20Da
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 770g - 144 x 106 x 72mm
  • Introduced June 2005
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Introduced December 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony A900
  • Refreshed by Sony A99 II
Photography Glossary

Canon 20Da vs Sony A99 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Canon 20Da versus Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Canon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the 20Da (8MP) and A99 (24MP) and the 20Da (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) offer different sensor measurements.

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The 20Da was announced 8 years before the A99 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the 20Da matches up against the A99 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon 20Da over the Sony A99

 20Da A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Canon 20Da

 A99 20Da 
IntroducedDecember 2012June 2005More recent by 91 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution1229k118kClearer screen (+1111k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon 20Da and Sony A99

 20Da A99 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Canon 20Da vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Canon 20Da comes with outside measurements of 144mm x 106mm x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 770 grams (1.70 lbs) while the Sony A99 has specifications of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Compare the Canon 20Da versus Sony A99 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the 20Da against the A99.

Canon 20Da vs Sony A99 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the 20Da and A99 is 59 and 57 respectively.

Canon 20Da vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Canon 20Da vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing a spec sheet. The visual below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the 20Da and A99.

As you can see, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 20Da having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Sony A99 will render greater detail with its extra 16MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The older 20Da will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 20Da vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Canon 20Da vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 20Da vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 20Da Portrait photography highlights
Sony A99 Portrait photography highlights
51
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview
MP count low (8 megapixels)
81
focusing manually
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 20Da Street photography info
Sony A99 Street photography info
53
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
no image stabilization
75
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 20Da Sports photography highlights
Sony A99 Sports photography highlights
44
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
bad battery pack (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 20Da as a Travel photography camera
Sony A99 as a Travel photography camera
42
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
MP count low (8MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
weather sealing
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (500 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 20Da
Landscape photography with Sony A99
46
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (1.8 inches)
no liveview
no image stabilization
MP count low (8MP)
no Timelapse recording
74
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
bad battery pack (500 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 20Da
Vlogging with Sony A99
9
no video
76
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone port
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Canon 20Da vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 20Da and Sony A99
 Canon EOS 20DaSony SLT-A99
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model type Canon EOS 20Da Sony SLT-A99
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2005-06-01 2012-12-12
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 22.5 x 15mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 337.5mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3504 x 2336 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 326 143
Crop factor 1.6 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 1.8 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 118k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 770 gr (1.70 lb) 812 gr (1.79 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 106 x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 89
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1555
Other
Battery life - 500 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Storage slots 1 Two
Price at release $1,499 $1,998