Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography vs Nikon D4
This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography and Nikon D4. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D4 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography were released 2005 and Nikon D4 was released 2012. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.| Camera | Released |
| Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography | 2005 |
| Nikon D4 | 2012 |
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 D4 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 Astrophotography | 80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6 |
| Nikon D4 | 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 Astrophotography has a 8,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D4 has 16,2 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 D4 |
16,2 MP
16163840 pixels 4928 x 3280 |
Nikon D4 has a 97 % 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 D4 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography. Nikon D4 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 204800 while Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography has 100 to 3200.
| Camera | ISO Range |
| Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography | 100-3200 |
| Nikon D4 | 100-204800 |
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 Astrophotography
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D4
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 D4 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.
| Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
| Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography | 5 |
| Nikon D4 | 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 D4. 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.
Nikon D4 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 74% heavier than Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography and its 770 gr (or 1.7 lb).
| Camera | Weight |
| Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography | 770 gr 1.7 lb |
| Nikon D4 | 1340 gr 2.95 lb |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography vs Nikon D4 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography and Nikon D4, 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 D4 |
| Name | Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography | Nikon D4 |
| Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D4 |
| Release Year | 2005 | 2012 |
| Release Date | 2005-06-01 | 2012-01-06 |
| MSRP | 1499 USD | 5999 USD |
| Buy it today |
|
|
Camera Type |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D4 |
| Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D4 |
| 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 | 4928 x 3280 pixels |
| Megapixels | 8,2 MP | 16,2 MP |
| Image Processor | DIGIC 2 | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D4 |
| ISO Range | 100 - 3200 | 100 - 204800 |
| 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 D4 |
| Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking 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 Astrophotography |
Nikon D4 |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
| Screen size | 1.8” | 3,2” |
| Screen dots | 118000 | 921000 |
| Touch screen | No | No |
| Screen type | N/A | TFT color LCD with brightness control |
| 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 Astrophotography |
Nikon D4 |
| 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 Astrophotography |
Nikon D4 |
| 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 D4 |
| Memory Card |
Compact Flash |
Compact Flash XQD |
Connectivity |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D4 |
| HDMI Output | No | Yes |
| Microphone Port | No | No |
| Headphone Port | No | No |
| Wireless | No |
Yes Optional via WT-5, WT-5A
|
| Remote Control | Yes (N3 connector) | Yes (via ten-pin remote terminal) |
| GPS | No |
Yes GP-1 or GPS device compliant with NMEA0183 version 2.01 or 3.01 (requires optional MC-35 GPS adapter cord and cable with D-sub 9-pin connector)
|
Body & Dimensions |
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography |
Nikon D4 |
| Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery Details |
Battery Pack BP-511A
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL18 rechargeable battery & charger
|
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 1000 shots | N/A |
| Width | 144 mm | 160 mm |
| Height | 106 mm | 157 mm |
| Depth | 72 mm | 91 mm |
| Weight | 770 gram | 1340 gram |