Nikon D800 vs Canon EOS 20D
This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D800 and Canon EOS 20D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Nikon D800 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 20D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.
Nikon D800 were released 2012 and Canon EOS 20D was released 2004. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Nikon D800 | 2012 |
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 D800 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 D800 | 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 D800 has a 36,3 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 D800 |
36,3 MP
36152320 pixels 7360 x 4912 |
Canon EOS 20D |
8,2 MP
8185344 pixels 3504 x 2336 |
Nikon D800 has a 342 % 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 D800 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 20D. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 20D has 100 to 3200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Nikon D800 | 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 D800
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 D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 20D can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Nikon D800 | 6 |
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 D800. 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 D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 17% heavier than Canon EOS 20D and its 770 gr (or 1.7 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Nikon D800 | 900 gr 1.98 lb |
Canon EOS 20D | 770 gr 1.7 lb |
Nikon D800 vs Canon EOS 20D Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D800 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 D800 |
Canon EOS 20D |
Name | Nikon D800 | Canon EOS 20D |
Manufacturer | Nikon | Canon |
Release Date and Price |
Nikon D800 |
Canon EOS 20D |
Release Year | 2012 | 2004 |
Release Date | 2012-02-07 | 2004-08-19 |
MSRP | 2999 USD | 1499 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Nikon D800 |
Canon EOS 20D |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Nikon D800 |
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 | 7360 x 4912 pixels | 3504 x 2336 pixels |
Megapixels | 36,3 MP | 8,2 MP |
Image Processor | EXPEED 3 | DIGIC 2 |
Image |
Nikon D800 |
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 | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Nikon D800 |
Canon EOS 20D |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area 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 D800 |
Canon EOS 20D |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 3,2” | 1,8” |
Screen dots | 921000 | 118000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle | 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 D800 |
Canon EOS 20D |
Frames per second | 6 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 | 12 meters | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | Yes | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Average |
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 D800 |
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 D800 |
Canon EOS 20D |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Nikon D800 |
Canon EOS 20D |
HDMI Output | Yes | No |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A) |
No |
Remote Control | Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) | Yes (N3 connector) |
GPS |
Yes Optional with GP-1 |
No |
Body & Dimensions |
Nikon D800 |
Canon EOS 20D |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
|
BP-511A Lithium-Ion battery pack
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 900 shots | 700 shots |
Width | 146 mm | 144 mm |
Height | 123 mm | 106 mm |
Depth | 82 mm | 72 mm |
Weight | 900 gram | 770 gram |