Nikon D70s vs Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D70s and Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D70s is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2005.

Camera Released
Nikon D70s 2005
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 2005

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D70s has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 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 D70s 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 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 D70s has a 6 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography has 8,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D70s 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336

Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography has a 36 % larger resolution than Nikon D70s. 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 20D Astrophotography has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D70s. Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 3200 while Nikon D70s has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D70s 200-1600
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 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 D70s
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D70s can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D70s 3
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Nikon D70s or Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

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 13% heavier than Nikon D70s and its 679 gr (or 1.5 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D70s 679 gr
1.5 lb
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 770 gr
1.7 lb

Nikon D70s vs Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D70s and Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography, 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 D70s
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Name Nikon D70s Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D70s
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Release Year 2005 2005
Release Date 2005-04-20 2005-06-01
MSRP 749 USD 1499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D70s
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D70s
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
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 CCD CMOS
Resolution 3008 x 2000 pixels 3504 x 2336 pixels
Megapixels 6 MP 8,2 MP
Image Processor Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration) DIGIC 2
Image
Nikon D70s
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
ISO Range 200 - 1600 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
Nikon D70s
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 5 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 D70s
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2” 1.8”
Screen dots 130000 118000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.75× (0.5× 35mm equiv.) 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D70s
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Frames per second 3 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 11 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No 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 D70s
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Nikon D70s
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D70s
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
HDMI Output No No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional (ML-L3 or MC-DC1))
Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D70s
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Nikon EN-EL3a Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Pack BP-511A
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots 1000 shots
Width 140 mm 144 mm
Height 111 mm 106 mm
Depth 78 mm 72 mm
Weight 679 gram 770 gram