Sony NEX-3 vs Canon EOS 20D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-3 and Canon EOS 20D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-3 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 20D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony NEX-3 were released 2010 and Canon EOS 20D was released 2004. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-3 2010
Canon EOS 20D 2004

Type of camera

Sony NEX-3 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 20D is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-3 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 NEX-3 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 NEX-3 has a 14 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 NEX-3 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Canon EOS 20D 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336

Sony NEX-3 has a 71 % 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 NEX-3 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 20D. Sony NEX-3 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Canon EOS 20D has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-3 200-12800
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 NEX-3
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 NEX-3 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 20D can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-3 7
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 Sony NEX-3. 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 159% heavier than Sony NEX-3 and its 297 gr (or 0.65 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-3 297 gr
0.65 lb
Canon EOS 20D 770 gr
1.7 lb

Sony NEX-3 vs Canon EOS 20D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-3 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 NEX-3
Canon EOS 20D
Name Sony NEX-3 Canon EOS 20D
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 20D
Release Year 2010 2004
Release Date 2010-05-11 2004-08-19
MSRP 599 USD 1499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 20D
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony NEX-3
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 4592 x 3056 pixels 3504 x 2336 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 8,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 2
Image
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 20D
ISO Range 200 - 12800 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
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 20D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 25 9
Lens Mount Sony E

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 NEX-3
Canon EOS 20D
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 1,8”
Screen dots 920000 118000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Xtra Fine LCD N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 20D
Frames per second 7 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 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 NEX-3
Canon EOS 20D
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 20D
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 20D
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control No Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 20D
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
BP-511A Lithium-Ion battery pack
Battery Life (CIPA) 330 shots 700 shots
Width 117 mm 144 mm
Height 62 mm 106 mm
Depth 33 mm 72 mm
Weight 297 gram 770 gram