Sony a500 vs Canon EOS 20D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a500 and Canon EOS 20D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a500 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 20D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a500 were released 2009 and Canon EOS 20D was released 2004. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a500 2009
Canon EOS 20D 2004

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a500 has a "Sony APS-C"-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 **
Sony a500 75 mm
Sony APS-C 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 (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony a500 has a 12 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
Sony a500 12 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848
Canon EOS 20D 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336

Sony a500 has a 49 % 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

Sony a500 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 20D. Sony a500 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Canon EOS 20D has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a500 200-12800
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 Sony a500
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. Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 20D can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a500 5
Canon EOS 20D 5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Sony a500 or Canon EOS 20D 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 weighs 770 gr (equal to 1.7 lb) which is 22% heavier than Sony a500 and its 630 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a500 630 gr
1.39 lb
Canon EOS 20D 770 gr
1.7 lb

Sony a500 vs Canon EOS 20D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a500 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
Sony a500
Canon EOS 20D
Name Sony a500 Canon EOS 20D
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a500
Canon EOS 20D
Release Year 2009 2004
Release Date 2009-08-27 2004-08-19
MSRP 549 USD 1499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a500
Canon EOS 20D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a500
Canon EOS 20D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 3504 x 2336 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 8,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 2
Image
Sony a500
Canon EOS 20D
ISO Range 200 - 12800 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 a500
Canon EOS 20D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
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 a500
Canon EOS 20D
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 1,8”
Screen dots 230000 118000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a500
Canon EOS 20D
Frames per second 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 12 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 a500
Canon EOS 20D
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 a500
Canon EOS 20D
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a500
Canon EOS 20D
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional)) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a500
Canon EOS 20D
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
BP-511A Lithium-Ion battery pack
Battery Life (CIPA) 520 shots 700 shots
Width 137 mm 144 mm
Height 104 mm 106 mm
Depth 84 mm 72 mm
Weight 630 gram 770 gram