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Canon 20D

 
Canon EOS 20D front
 
Portability
59
Imaging
45
Features
39
Overall
42

Canon 20D summary

Canon 20D is Canon's Advanced DSLR camera originally announced on November of 2004. It comes with a 8 MegaPixel, CMOS APS-C sized sensor and has a full resolution of 3504 x 2336.

Canon introduced this camera as a way to replace the previous Canon 10D (Read Full Comparison) and then released the updated Canon 30D (Read Full Comparison) as a way to update this model.

The 20D is positioned #73 out of 92 in Advanced DSLR cameras and overall #631 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our list. Please look at our Advanced camera search to get camera ratings based on your custom requirements.

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The following is a chart of different factors used in the rating system.

Canon 20D family

The Canon 20D comes with a history of related digital cameras. Underneath, you can take a look at all earlier and most recent models alongside main specs.

ModelVisualizeResolutionSensor SizeMax fpsReleased
Canon-EOS-90D front thumbnailCanon 90D
20D vs 90D
33MPAPS-C11.0 fps2019
Canon-EOS-80D front thumbnailCanon 80D
20D vs 80D
24MPAPS-C7.0 fps2016
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Canon-EOS-70D front thumbnailCanon 70D
20D vs 70D
20MPAPS-C7.0 fps2013
Canon-EOS-60D front thumbnailCanon 60D
20D vs 60D
18MPAPS-C5.0 fps2010
Canon-EOS-50D front thumbnailCanon 50D
20D vs 50D
15MPAPS-C6.3 fps2008
Canon-EOS-40D front thumbnailCanon 40D
20D vs 40D
10MPAPS-C6.5 fps2007
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Canon-EOS-30D front thumbnailCanon 30D
20D vs 30D
8MPAPS-C5.0 fps2006
Canon-EOS-20Da front thumbnailCanon 20Da
20D vs 20Da
8MPAPS-C5.0 fps2005
Canon-EOS-20D front thumbnailCanon 20D8MPAPS-C5.0 fps2004
Canon-EOS-10D front thumbnailCanon 10D
20D vs 10D
6MPAPS-C3.0 fps2003

Canon 20D Pros and Cons

Below is a collection of benefits and drawbacks of the Canon 20D based on things which are oftentimes regarded as necessary in a camera.

above average minimum ISO (100)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
flash built-in
focusing manually
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
includes Top display
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
doesn't have HDMI socket
doesn't have headphone socket
doesn't have liveview
doesn't have microphone socket
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
manual exposure not possible
MP count low (8MP)
no articulating screen
no video
screen has low resolution (118 thousand dots)
tiny screen (1.8")
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Canon 20D Sensor info

The sensor size on the Canon 20D is 22.5mm x 15mm (APS-C). The 338 mm² sensor has the ability to capture 3504 x 2336 pixels and aspect ratios of 3:2.

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The CMOS sensor boasts 8MP and gives a native ISO range of 100 to 1600. This ISO can also be increased digitally to a high of 3200. RAW photos are saved which means that the user has wider room to maneuver in post.

The picture underneath shows the 20D's sensor dimensions in comparison to other common sizes. The 20D sensor comes with a crop factor of 1.6 and is outlined in green.

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To get a sense of various aspect ratios, you should refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Canon 20D dimensions

Canon 20D is 1.70 lb (770g / 27.16 oz) and features outer size of 144mm x 106mm x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8"). The weight of average Advanced DSLR camera is 776g and the Canon 20D is similar as compared to its competitors.

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Down below is a shot of the Canon 20D beside a soda to help you have a sense of its scale.

Canon EOS 20D dimensions scale

The top view underneath will show the button design on the 20D.

Canon EOS 20D topview buttons dials

Canon 20D Lens info

The 20D fits the Canon EF/EF-S mount and has 331 lenses available for sale. Below is a small number of the lenses we have in our collection which will fit the 20D.

ModelVisualizeFocal LengthApertureStabilizedWeight
Tokina-AT-X-17-35mm-f4-Pro-FX-Canon-EF lensTokina AT-X 17-35mm f4 Pro FX17-35mmf/4.0 600g
Tokina-Opera-16-28mm-F2.8-FF-Canon-EF lensTokina Opera 16-28mm F2.8 FF16-28mmf/2.8940g
Photography Glossary
Samyang-Premium-MF-14mm-F2.4-Canon-EF lensSamyang Premium MF 14mm F2.414mmf/2.4791g
Tokina-AT-X-Pro-35mm-f2.8-Macro-DX-Canon-EF lensTokina AT-X Pro 35mm f2.8 Macro DX35mmf/2.8 340g
Canon-EF-16-35mm-f2.8L-II-USM lensCanon EF 16-35mm f2.8L II USM16-35mmf/2.8 635g
Sigma-50-100mm-F1.8-DC-HSM-Art-Canon-EF lensSigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM Art50-100mmf/1.8 1490g
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Canon-EF-28mm-f2.8-IS-USM lensCanon EF 28mm f2.8 IS USM28mmf/2.8 260g
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Canon 20D Connectivity

The 20D has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Digital cameras that have NFC and / or Bluetooth support can be used wirelessly with smartphones. You can easily copy pictures and usually change camera settings without connecting physically to the camera.

Many applications even allow a Liveview and release the shutter when you are not near the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI out, it can be hooked up to an external screen. The majority of cameras enable you to recharge the battery pack using the USB socket.

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Canon 20D Video info

Canon 20D does not record video. If you are shopping for a camera to take only photos, this is not an issue.

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Canon 20D Weather Sealing

There is no environment sealing in the Canon 20D so you need to be careful in wet and dusty situations.

Canon 20D Display and Viewfinder

The Canon 20D comes with a 1.8 inch fixed display supporting a resolution of 118 thousand dots.

Please be aware that the display screen offers no touch support. The 20D also has a builtin Top display so that you can instantly checkout the camera's settings.

Canon EOS 20D screen and viewfinder Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The View Finder specs regarding Canon 20D are as follows:

  • ViewFinder Optical (pentaprism)
  • Coverage 95%
  • Magnification 0.56x

In those sunny outdoor situations which make the camera displays washed out and tough to view, viewfinders are pretty valuable.

Canon 20D Shutter info

Canon 20D has the ability to shoot continuously at 5.0 frames per second. The highest shutter speed is 1/8000 sec.

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Canon 20D Flash and Hot shoe info

Canon 20D boasts both built in flash and also external flash support.

Canon 20D Autofocus info

Canon 20D boasts both Phase Detect Autofocus and Contrast Detect Autofocus. Phase Detection focusing is more quicker & accurate when compared to Contrast Detect focusing.

The AF system comes with 9 focus points to select from. Canon 20D has the ability to use manual focus in case it is required during low light situations or you require more accurate focus control.

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Canon 20D Battery life

The average Advanced DSLR camera battery life is 909. Nikon D780 has got the best (2260) battery life within this range of cameras.

Here is a listing of Advanced DSLR cameras which have the strongest battery life:

ModelVisualizeBattery LifeRAWNFCBluetooth
Nikon-D780 front thumbnailNikon D780
20D vs D780
2260 yesnoyes
Nikon-D850 front thumbnailNikon D850
20D vs D850
1840 yesyesyes
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Nikon-Df front thumbnailNikon Df
20D vs Df
1400 yesnono
Canon-EOS-90D front thumbnailCanon 90D
20D vs 90D
1300 yesnoyes
Nikon-D500 front thumbnailNikon D500
20D vs D500
1240 yesyesyes

Canon 20D for different categories of photography

The following bar chart presents a rundown of the Canon 20D for different categories of photography. To learn more, have a look at the specific section underneath.

Portrait photography with Canon 20D

The Canon 20D gets a points tally of 47 which is modest, meaning that it is fairly acceptable to use for portrait photos. Photographing portrait photos leans heavily to sensor dimension, RAW support along with the option to work with off-camera flash.

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you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
manual mode not possible
MP count low (8 megapixels)

Canon 20D Street photography highlights

With a average rating of 52, the Canon 20D is relatively acceptable to buy for street photography. A decent street photography camera gives a perfect balance of picture quality plus portability.

Photography Glossary
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization

Canon 20D Sports photography factors

A subpar sports photography score of 43 suggests the Canon 20D is not appropriate for shooting sports. A camera really should have great tracking plus fast continuous shooting for sports photography.

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max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
low fps (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)

Canon 20D Travel photography advice

Portability is super crucial in buying a travel camera. Overall, the Canon 20D gets a subpar 45 for a travelling camera which makes it not appropriate to buy for your holidays.

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has built in flash
sensor resolution low (8MP)
does not have selfie friendly display

Landscape photography with Canon 20D

When you are looking to buy a camera for landscape photographs, the biggest aspect will be image quality. The Canon 20D and it's moderate grade of 46 as a landscape camera is fairly appropriate within the current market.

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manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (1.8 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)

Canon 20D Vlogging factors

A camera for vlogging really should come with a articulating screen, mic port and ideally image stabilization. Considering all things, the Canon 20D is not appropriate as a vlog camera as it comes to a subpar score of 9.

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no video shooting

Canon 20D Alternatives

If you want replacements to the 20D, here is a selection of the highest ranked cameras that fall under the family of Advanced DSLR.

The diagram just below gives you an overview of the 20D vs it's highest ranked competitors listed earlier.

Here are a few more cameras you may have a look at as alternative options. To see a full comparison, just click on the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand Name
Canon
Model
Canon EOS 20D
Class
Advanced DSLR
Revealed
2004-11-03
Physical type
Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CMOS
Sensor size
APS-C
Sensor measurements
22.5 x 15mm
Sensor surface area
337.5mm²
Sensor resolution
8 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio
3:2
Peak resolution
3504 x 2336
RAW files
Highest native ISO
1600
Highest enhanced ISO
3200
Minimum native ISO
100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points
9
Lens
Lens mounting type
Canon EF/EF-S
Available lenses
326
Focal length multiplier
1.6
Screen
Display type
Fixed Type
Display diagonal
1.8"
Display resolution
118 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage
95%
Viewfinder magnification
0.56x
DXO scores
DXO Overall score
62
DXO Color Depth score
21.9
DXO Dynamic range score
11.0
DXO Low light score
721
Features
Minimum shutter speed
30 secs
Fastest shutter speed
1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate
5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range
12.00 m (ISO 100)
Flash settings
Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution
None
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
770g (1.70 lb)
Physical dimensions
144 x 106 x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8")
Other
Self timer
Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage
Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Card slots
One
Price at release
$1,300