Sony a290 vs Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a290 and Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a290 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a290 were released 2010 and Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography was released 2005. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a290 2010
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. Sony a290 has a "Sony APS-C"-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 **
Sony a290 75 mm
Sony APS-C 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 (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony a290 has a 14 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
Sony a290 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336

Sony a290 has a 71 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography. 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

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a290 100-3200
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 Sony a290
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. Sony a290 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a290 2,5
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Sony a290 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 40% heavier than Sony a290 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a290 549 gr
1.21 lb
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 770 gr
1.7 lb

Sony a290 vs Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a290 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
Sony a290
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Name Sony a290 Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a290
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Release Year 2010 2005
Release Date 2010-06-09 2005-06-01
MSRP 499 USD 1499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a290
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a290
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 3504 x 2336 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 8,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 2
Image
Sony a290
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a290
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 9 9
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (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
Sony a290
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2.7” 1.8”
Screen dots 230400 118000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a290
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Frames per second 2,5 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 10 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 +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a290
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
Sony a290
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a290
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a290
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Pack BP-511A
Battery Life (CIPA) 290 shots 1000 shots
Width 128 mm 144 mm
Height 97 mm 106 mm
Depth 86 mm 72 mm
Weight 549 gram 770 gram