Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography vs Canon EOS 850D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography and Canon EOS 850D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography were released 2005 and Canon EOS 850D was released 2020. That is a 15 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 2005
Canon EOS 850D 2020

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "APSC") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS 850D 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 (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography has a 8,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 850D has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336
Canon EOS 850D 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Canon EOS 850D has a 193 % 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

Canon EOS 850D has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography. Canon EOS 850D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 100-3200
Canon EOS 850D 100-25600

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 Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 850D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 850D can shoot up to 7,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 5
Canon EOS 850D 7,5

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Canon EOS 850D. Sadly, the Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography does not support this.

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 50% heavier than Canon EOS 850D and its 515 gr (or 1,14 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 770 gr
1,7 lb
Canon EOS 850D 515 gr
1,14 lb