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Canon 30D vs Pentax K20D

Portability
58
Imaging
46
Features
39
Overall
43
Canon EOS 30D front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Canon 30D vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Canon 30D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 784g - 144 x 106 x 74mm
  • Announced April 2006
  • Old Model is Canon 20D
  • Replacement is Canon 40D
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed June 2008
  • Replaced the Pentax K10D
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Canon 30D vs Pentax K20D Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Canon 30D and Pentax K20D, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the 30D (8MP) and K20D (15MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The 30D was unveiled 3 years before the K20D and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the 30D scores vs the K20D in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 30D over the Pentax K20D

 30D K20D 

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Canon 30D

 K20D 30D 
RevealedJune 2008April 2006Fresher by 27 months
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon 30D and Pentax K20D

 30D K20D 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon 30D vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon 30D has got exterior measurements of 144mm x 106mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") along with a weight of 784 grams (1.73 lbs) whilst the Pentax K20D has dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 30D and Pentax K20D in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the 30D and the K20D.

Canon 30D vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 30D and K20D is 58 and 59 respectively.

Canon 30D vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Canon 30D vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by checking specifications. The graphic here should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the 30D and K20D.

To sum up, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Pentax K20D to give you extra detail having an extra 7 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The older 30D is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon 30D vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Canon 30D vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 30D vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 30D Portrait photography advice
Pentax K20D Portrait photography advice
51
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
72
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 30D Street photography features
Pentax K20D Street photography features
52
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Canon 30D Sports photography advice
Pentax K20D Sports photography advice
44
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
low fps (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 30D Travel photography advice
Pentax K20D Travel photography advice
42
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 30D Landscape photography factors
Pentax K20D Landscape photography factors
46
focusing manually
change lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
71
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 30D as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K20D as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
9
lack of video recording
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Canon 30D vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 30D and Pentax K20D
 Canon EOS 30DPentax K20D
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS 30D Pentax K20D
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2006-04-04 2008-06-25
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 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 337.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 3504 x 2336 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max boosted ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 326 151
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 784g (1.73 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 106 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 59 65
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 11.1
DXO Low light score 736 639
Other
Battery model - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $773 $700