Canon EOS 20D vs Nikon D3s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 20D and Nikon D3s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 20D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D3s is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 20D were released 2004 and Nikon D3s was released 2009. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 20D 2004
Nikon D3s 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 20D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3s has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 20D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D3s 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 20D has a 8,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3s has 12,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 20D 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336
Nikon D3s 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832

Nikon D3s has a 47 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 20D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D3s has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 20D. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Canon EOS 20D has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 20D 100-3200
Nikon D3s 200-102400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 20D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3s

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 20D can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 20D 5
Nikon D3s 11

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D3s. Sadly, the Canon EOS 20D does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D3s weighs 1240 gr (equal to 2.73 lb) which is 61% heavier than Canon EOS 20D and its 770 gr (or 1.7 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 20D 770 gr
1.7 lb
Nikon D3s 1240 gr
2.73 lb

Canon EOS 20D vs Nikon D3s Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 20D and Nikon D3s, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 20D
Nikon D3s
Name Canon EOS 20D Nikon D3s
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 20D
Nikon D3s
Release Year 2004 2009
Release Date 2004-08-19 2009-10-14
MSRP 1499 USD 5199 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 20D
Nikon D3s
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 20D
Nikon D3s
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 3504 x 2336 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 8,2 MP 12,1 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 2 EXPEED
Image
Canon EOS 20D
Nikon D3s
ISO Range 100 - 3200 200 - 102400
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 20D
Nikon D3s
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 9 51
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 20D
Nikon D3s
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 1,8” 3”
Screen dots 118000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 20D
Nikon D3s
Frames per second 5 fps 11 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 20D
Nikon D3s
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A Motion JPEG
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS 20D
Nikon D3s
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 20D
Nikon D3s
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Optional
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 20D
Nikon D3s
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details BP-511A Lithium-Ion battery pack
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 700 shots 4200 shots
Width 144 mm 160 mm
Height 106 mm 157 mm
Depth 72 mm 88 mm
Weight 770 gram 1240 gram