Nikon D5100 vs Canon EOS 20D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS 20D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D5100 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 20D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D5100 were released 2011 and Canon EOS 20D was released 2004. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D5100 2011
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 D5100 has a "Nikon DX"-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 D5100 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
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 D5100 has a 16,2 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 D5100 16,2 MP
16084992 pixels
4928 x 3264
Canon EOS 20D 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336

Nikon D5100 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 D5100 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 20D. Nikon D5100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 6400 while Canon EOS 20D has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D5100 100-6400
Canon EOS 20D 100-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 20D has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5100 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5100 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 Nikon D5100
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 D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 20D can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D5100 4
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 D5100. 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 26% heavier than Nikon D5100 and its 611 gr (or 1.35 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D5100 611 gr
1.35 lb
Canon EOS 20D 770 gr
1.7 lb

Nikon D5100 vs Canon EOS 20D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D5100 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 D5100
Canon EOS 20D
Name Nikon D5100 Canon EOS 20D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 20D
Release Year 2011 2004
Release Date 2011-04-05 2004-08-19
MSRP 359 USD 1499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 20D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 20D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4928 x 3264 pixels 3504 x 2336 pixels
Megapixels 16,2 MP 8,2 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 2 DIGIC 2
Image
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 20D
ISO Range 100 - 6400 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 RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 20D
Autofocus Motor No 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 11 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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 D5100
Canon EOS 20D
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3# 1,8”
Screen dots 921000 118000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD monitor N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.) 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 20D
Frames per second 4 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 12 meters 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 steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 20D
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 20D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 20D
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional ML-L3)
Yes (N3 connector)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 20D
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
BP-511A Lithium-Ion battery pack
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 700 shots
Width 128 mm 144 mm
Height 97 mm 106 mm
Depth 79 mm 72 mm
Weight 611 gram 770 gram