Canon EOS 50D vs Pentax K20D — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 15.1 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS 50D
48
WINNER
|
Pentax · DSLR · 14.6 MP · APS-C
Pentax K20D
47
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 50D and the Pentax K20D are both APS-C DSLRs released in 2008, so the choice turns on shooting style rather than generation. The K20D launched in January 2008 and the 50D followed in August, each using its maker's own lens mount, Canon EF-S and Pentax KAF. The two bodies measure closely, with the K20D slightly smaller at 142 x 101 x 70 mm against the 50D's 146 x 108 x 74 mm, and 22 g lighter. Shared specifications include CMOS sensors of the same APS-C format and a full pentaprism optical viewfinder. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 26, 2008 | January 23, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 146 x 108 x 74 mm | 142 x 101 x 70 mm |
| Camera weight | 822 g | 800 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 50D is the stronger choice for action and sports shooting, with a 6.3 fps burst rate against 3 fps on the K20D, letting you capture the peak moment of a moving subject with more frames to choose from. Its 1/8000 second maximum shutter also gives twice the headroom of the K20D's 1/4000 second for wide-aperture shooting in bright daylight. The K20D answers with in-body sensor-shift stabilisation, which steadies handheld shots with any mounted lens, including old glass with no stabilisation of its own. Its 11 AF points outnumber the 50D's 9. Resolution is nearly tied at 15.1 versus 14.6 megapixels, and both share the standard ISO range of 100 to 3200, while the 50D's expanded ceiling of 12800 ISO exceeds the K20D's 6400. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
15.1 MP050 | 14.6 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4752 x 3168 | 4672 x 3104 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.9 x 22.3 | 16 x 23 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
6.3 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Pentax KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 4 | Prime |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so movie work calls for a different body. The K20D does offer built-in timelapse, letting you capture frame-by-frame sequences such as clouds crossing a landscape without an external remote. The 50D has no built-in interval mode, so that work needs an added remote. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 54/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 50D's 3-inch TFT screen with 920,000 dots is the clear advantage for checking focus and detail after a shot, with four times the dot count of the K20D's 230,000-dot, 2.7-inch panel. Fine focus confirmation and reviewing a bird's eye catchlight are far easier on the larger, sharper display. Both offer weather sealing for dust and drizzle, live view, a built-in flash and an external flash shoe. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch control or a tilting screen. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9200001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 35/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe 50D is rated at 800 shots against 500 for the K20D, a 300-shot advantage when shooting far from a charger. Both use proprietary packs, BP-511A and D-LI50, and neither supports USB charging. Card formats differ, with the 50D taking CompactFlash Type I or II with UDMA support and the K20D taking SD, SDHC and MMC. Cards you already own may steer your pick, since neither body has a second slot. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA | SD / SDHC / MMC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-511A | D-LI50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
800 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 50D if you photograph action, since its 6.3 fps burst, 1/8000 second shutter and 800-shot battery rating suit sports, wildlife and long shooting days.
Choose the Pentax K20D for handheld work with unstabilised lenses, since its in-body stabilisation steadies every lens you attach, and its built-in timelapse covers interval work without extra gear. The standard ISO range, weather sealing and pentaprism finder match, so the decision is speed versus stabilisation, and existing lenses may settle it.