Nikon D4s vs Canon EOS 20D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D4s and Canon EOS 20D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D4s is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 20D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D4s were released 2014 and Canon EOS 20D was released 2004. That is a 10 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D4s 2014
Canon EOS 20D 2004

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D4s has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS 20D has a "Canon APS-C"-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 **
Nikon D4s 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D4s has a 16 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
Nikon D4s 16 MP
16163840 pixels
4928 x 3280
Canon EOS 20D 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336

Nikon D4s has a 97 % 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 D4s has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 20D. Nikon D4s has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 20D has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D4s 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 Nikon D4s
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. Nikon D4s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 20D can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D4s 11
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 Nikon D4s. 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.

Nikon D4s weighs 1350 gr (equal to 2.98 lb) which is 75% heavier than Canon EOS 20D and its 770 gr (or 1.7 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D4s 1350 gr
2.98 lb
Canon EOS 20D 770 gr
1.7 lb

Nikon D4s vs Canon EOS 20D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D4s 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
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS 20D
Name Nikon D4s Canon EOS 20D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS 20D
Release Year 2014 2004
Release Date 2014-02-25 2004-08-19
MSRP 6499 USD 1499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS 20D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS 20D
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4928 x 3280 pixels 3504 x 2336 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 8,2 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 DIGIC 2
Image
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS 20D
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS 20D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 51 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS 20D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 1,8”
Screen dots 921000 118000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD with brightness and color adjustment N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS 20D
Frames per second 11 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS 20D
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS 20D
Memory Card Compact Flash
XQD
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS 20D
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Optional via WT-5A or WT-4A
No
Remote Control Yes (wired or wireless) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Yes
Optional via GP-1A
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D4s
Canon EOS 20D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL18a rechargeable battery & charger
BP-511A Lithium-Ion battery pack
Battery Life (CIPA) 3020 shots 700 shots
Width 160 mm 144 mm
Height 157 mm 106 mm
Depth 91 mm 72 mm
Weight 1350 gram 770 gram