Nikon D1 vs Canon EOS 20D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D1 and Canon EOS 20D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D1 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 20D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D1 were released 1999 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
Nikon D1 1999
Canon EOS 20D 2004

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D1 has a "Nikon DX"-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 **
Nikon D1 75 mm
Nikon DX 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D1 has a 2,7 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
Nikon D1 2,7 MP
2624000 pixels
2000 x 1312
Canon EOS 20D 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336

Canon EOS 20D has a 212 % larger resolution than Nikon D1. 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 20D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D1. Canon EOS 20D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 3200 while Nikon D1 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D1 200-1600
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 Nikon D1
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. Nikon D1 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 20D can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D1 4,5
Canon EOS 20D 5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Nikon D1 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.

Nikon D1 weighs 1200 gr (equal to 2.65 lb) which is 56% heavier than Canon EOS 20D and its 770 gr (or 1.7 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D1 1200 gr
2.65 lb
Canon EOS 20D 770 gr
1.7 lb

Nikon D1 vs Canon EOS 20D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D1 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
Nikon D1
Canon EOS 20D
Name Nikon D1 Canon EOS 20D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D1
Canon EOS 20D
Release Year 1999 2004
Release Date 1999-06-15 2004-08-19
MSRP 4999 USD 1499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D1
Canon EOS 20D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D1
Canon EOS 20D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 2000 x 1312 pixels 3504 x 2336 pixels
Megapixels 2,7 MP 8,2 MP
Image Processor Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration) DIGIC 2
Image
Nikon D1
Canon EOS 20D
ISO Range 200 - 1600 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
Nikon D1
Canon EOS 20D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 5 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier DX / APS-C (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
Nikon D1
Canon EOS 20D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2” 1,8”
Screen dots 130000 118000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 96% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D1
Canon EOS 20D
Frames per second 4,5 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/16000 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 +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D1
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
Nikon D1
Canon EOS 20D
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D1
Canon EOS 20D
HDMI Output No No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Supported Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D1
Canon EOS 20D
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable EN-4 Ni-MH battery
BP-511A Lithium-Ion battery pack
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 700 shots
Width 157 mm 144 mm
Height 153 mm 106 mm
Depth 85 mm 72 mm
Weight 1200 gram 770 gram