Canon EOS 850D vs Canon EOS 20D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 850D and Canon EOS 20D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 850D were released 2020 and Canon EOS 20D was released 2004. That is a 16 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 850D 2020
Canon EOS 20D 2004

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 850D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS 20D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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)

Resolution

Canon EOS 850D has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 20D has 8,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 850D 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Canon EOS 20D 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336

Canon EOS 850D has a 193 % 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

Canon EOS 850D has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 20D. Canon EOS 850D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 20D has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 850D 100-25600
Canon EOS 20D 100-3200

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 850D
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 20D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 850D can shoot up to 7,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 20D can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 850D 7,5
Canon EOS 20D 5

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Canon EOS 850D. Unfortunately Canon EOS 20D does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 weighs 770 gr (equal to 1.7 lb) which is 50% heavier than Canon EOS 850D and its 515 gr (or 1.14 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 850D 515 gr
1.14 lb
Canon EOS 20D 770 gr
1.7 lb

Canon EOS 850D vs Canon EOS 20D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 850D and Canon EOS 20D, 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 850D
Canon EOS 20D
Name Canon EOS 850D Canon EOS 20D
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 850D
Canon EOS 20D
Release Year 2020 2004
Release Date 2020-02-12 2004-08-19
MSRP 749 USD 1499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 850D
Canon EOS 20D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 850D
Canon EOS 20D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 3504 x 2336 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 8,2 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 8 DIGIC 2
Image
Canon EOS 850D
Canon EOS 20D
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 6
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 850D
Canon EOS 20D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 45 9
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 850D
Canon EOS 20D
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 1,8”
Screen dots 1040000 118000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.) 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 850D
Canon EOS 20D
Frames per second 7,5 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 4 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 850D
Canon EOS 20D
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS 850D
Canon EOS 20D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Canon EOS 850D
Canon EOS 20D
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth)
No
Remote Control Yes (via wireless remote or smartphone) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 850D
Canon EOS 20D
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
BP-511A Lithium-Ion battery pack
Battery Life (CIPA) 800 shots 700 shots
Width 131 mm 144 mm
Height 103 mm 106 mm
Depth 76 mm 72 mm
Weight 515 gram 770 gram