Nikon D60 vs Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D60 and Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D60 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D60 were released 2008 and Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography was released 2005. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D60 2008
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 2005

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D60 has a "Nikon DX"-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 **
Nikon D60 75 mm
Nikon DX 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D60 has a 10,2 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
Nikon D60 10,2 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 8,2 MP
8185344 pixels
3504 x 2336

Nikon D60 has a 23 % 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

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D60 100-3200
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 100-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D60 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D60 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D60
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. Nikon D60 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D60 3
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Nikon D60 or Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 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.

Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography weighs 770 gr (equal to 1.7 lb) which is 48% heavier than Nikon D60 and its 522 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D60 522 gr
1.15 lb
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography 770 gr
1.7 lb

Nikon D60 vs Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D60 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
Nikon D60
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Name Nikon D60 Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D60
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Release Year 2008 2005
Release Date 2008-01-29 2005-06-01
MSRP 649 USD 1499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D60
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D60
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
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 3872 x 2592 pixels 3504 x 2336 pixels
Megapixels 10,2 MP 8,2 MP
Image Processor Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration) DIGIC 2
Image
Nikon D60
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 12 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 D60
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 3 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 D60
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Articulated LCD No Fixed
Screen size 2.5” 1.8”
Screen dots 230000 118000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.9× (0.56× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D60
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Frames per second 3 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 12 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, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D60
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
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 D60
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D60
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
HDMI Output No No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D60
Canon EOS 20D Astrophotography
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details
Battery Pack BP-511A
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots 1000 shots
Width 126 mm 144 mm
Height 94 mm 106 mm
Depth 64 mm 72 mm
Weight 522 gram 770 gram