Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography vs Nikon D3500
This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography and Nikon D3500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D3500 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography were released 2005 and Nikon D3500 was released 2018. That is a 13 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.| Camera | Released |
| Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography | 2005 |
| Nikon D3500 | 2018 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3500 has a "Nikon DX"-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 Astrophotography | 80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6 |
| Nikon D3500 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** 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 Astrophotography has a 8,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3500 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
| Camera | Megapixels |
| Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
8,2 MP
8185344 pixels 3504 x 2336 |
| Nikon D3500 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Nikon D3500 has a 193 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography. 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 D3500 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography. Nikon D3500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography has 100 to 3200.
| Camera | ISO Range |
| Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography | 100-3200 |
| Nikon D3500 | 100-25600 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3500 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3500 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3500
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
| Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
| Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography | 5 |
| Nikon D3500 | 5 |
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 D3500. Sadly, the Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 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.
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography weighs 770 gr (equal to 1.7 lb) which is 111% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).
| Camera | Weight |
| Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography | 770 gr 1.7 lb |
| Nikon D3500 | 365 gr 0.8 lb |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography vs Nikon D3500 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography and Nikon D3500, 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 Astrophotography |
Nikon D3500 |
| Name | Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography | Nikon D3500 |
| Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D3500 |
| Release Year | 2005 | 2018 |
| Release Date | 2005-06-01 | 2018-08-30 |
| MSRP | 1499 USD | 499 USD |
| Buy it today |
|
|
Camera Type |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D3500 |
| Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D3500 |
| Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Resolution | 3504 x 2336 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
| Megapixels | 8,2 MP | 24 MP |
| Image Processor | DIGIC 2 | EXPEED 4 |
Image |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D3500 |
| ISO Range | 100 - 3200 | 100 - 25600 |
| 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 |
Optics & Focus |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D3500 |
| Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
| Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
| Focus Points | 9 | 11 |
| 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 |
DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D3500 |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
| Screen size | 1.8” | 3” |
| Screen dots | 118000 | 921000 |
| Touch screen | No | No |
| Screen type | N/A | TFT LCD |
| Live view | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 95% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.) | 0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D3500 |
| Frames per second | 5 fps | 5 fps |
| Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash Range | 12 meters | 7 meters |
| External Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
| Time-lapse | Yes | No |
| 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 steps) |
Videography features |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D3500 |
| Video recording | No | Yes |
| Video format | N/A |
MPEG4 H.264 |
| Video resolution | N/A |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Built-in Speakers | No | Yes |
Storage |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D3500 |
| Memory Card |
Compact Flash |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D3500 |
| HDMI Output | No | Yes |
| Microphone Port | No | No |
| Headphone Port | No | No |
| Wireless | No |
Yes Built-in, SnapBridge (Bluetooth only) |
| Remote Control | Yes (N3 connector) | Yes (via Smartphone) |
| GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D3500 |
| Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery Details |
Battery Pack BP-511A
|
EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
|
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 1000 shots | 1550 shots |
| Width | 144 mm | 124 mm |
| Height | 106 mm | 97 mm |
| Depth | 72 mm | 70 mm |
| Weight | 770 gram | 365 gram |