Sony NEX-6 vs Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-6 and Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-6 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony NEX-6 were released 2012 and Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography was released 2005. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-6 2012
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 2005

Type of camera

Sony NEX-6 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-6 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 NEX-6 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 NEX-6 has a 16 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 NEX-6 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336

Sony NEX-6 has a 96 % 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

Sony NEX-6 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography. Sony NEX-6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-6 100-25600
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 NEX-6
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 NEX-6 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-6 10
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 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-6. Unfortunately Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 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 Astrophotography weighs 770 gr (equal to 1.7 lb) which is 123% heavier than Sony NEX-6 and its 345 gr (or 0.76 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-6 345 gr
0.76 lb
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 770 gr
1.7 lb

Sony NEX-6 vs Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-6 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 NEX-6
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Name Sony NEX-6 Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-6
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Release Year 2012 2005
Release Date 2012-09-12 2005-06-01
MSRP 749 USD 1499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-6
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony NEX-6
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 CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 3504 x 2336 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 8,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 2
Image
Sony NEX-6
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
ISO Range 100 - 25600 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-6
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 99 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-6
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 1.8”
Screen dots 921000 118000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Xtra Fine LCD with Tilt Up 90° and Down 45° N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.09× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-6
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Frames per second 10 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 6 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 steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-6
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony NEX-6
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony NEX-6
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in
No
Remote Control Yes (InfraRed (optional)) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-6
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Pack BP-511A
Battery Life (CIPA) 360 shots 1000 shots
Width 120 mm 144 mm
Height 67 mm 106 mm
Depth 43 mm 72 mm
Weight 345 gram 770 gram