Unlocking the Potential of Canon EOS 20Da - The Ultimate Astrophotography Camera

Explore the limitless possibilities of astrophotography using Canon EOS 20Da, a specialized camera designed for capturing stunning images of the night sky. This advanced camera incorporates cutting-edge features and technologies to help you achieve breathtaking results that will leave you spellbound.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon EOS 20Da article cover photo

Key Features

Jun 01 2005

Announced

8 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight770g
MSRP$2199USD

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Overview of the EOS 20Da

Are you a budding astrophotographer looking to take your craft to the next level? If yes, then Canon EOS 20Da is a camera built just for you. This powerful device packs a punch when it comes to capturing images of the night sky that you won't be able to achieve with a regular camera. With its specialized features, the Canon EOS 20Da unlocks a realm of possibilities that will enable you to capture stunning images of celestial objects. The Canon EOS 20Da comes with an infrared blocking filter that allows more hydrogen-alpha light to reach the sensor. This feature is ideal for astrophotography as it helps to capture various objects in the night sky, such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies, in their full glory. The camera's high sensitivity to hydrogen-alpha light enables you to capture faint details that are invisible to the naked eye. Another feature that makes this camera stand out is its high-resolution sensor. The 8.2-megapixel CMOS sensor captures exquisite details that make your images look lifelike. The Canon EOS 20Da also has advanced noise reduction features that help to reduce noise in your images, resulting in clear and crisp photos. Overall, the Canon EOS 20Da is the perfect camera for astrophotographers looking to capture stunning images of the night sky. If you're looking to take your astrophotography to the next level, this is the camera you need.

Canon EOS 20Da Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon EOS 20Da camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High resolution (8.2 megapixels)
Fast autofocus system
Low noise sensor
Large LCD screen
Interchangeable lenses
Durable build quality

Cons

Expensive compared to other entry-level DSLRs
No image stabilization
Limited low light performance
Heavy and bulky
Complicated menu system
Requires knowledge of photography basics to get the most out of it.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon EOS 20Da

Weather sealed
Dimensions144 x 106 x 72mm
Weight770g
Thickness72mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Canon EOS 20Da is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (pentaprism)
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution118k dots
Body typeMid-size SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 1.80" screen, with a display resolution of 118k dots. This makes the Canon EOS 20Da not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

EOS 20Da includes a optical (pentaprism) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 95% and a magnification of 0.56x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon EOS 20Da has a 8MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 8 pixels. Canon EOS 20Da has a native ISO range of 100 - 1600 which can be boosted to null - 3200. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Jun 01 2005

Announced

100 - 1600

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - 3200
Max resolution3504 x 2336 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon EOS 20Da camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the EOS 20Da is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageCompact Flash (Type I or II)
Battery Life
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon EOS 20Da supports Compact Flash (Type I or II) with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Canon EOS 20Da uses the undefined model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Canon EOS 20Da has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Canon EOS 20Da boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Canon EOS 20Da includes phase detection autofocus (AF), with 9 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Canon EOS 20Da?

The Canon EOS 20Da features a CMOS sensor

Is the Canon EOS 20Da weather sealed?

No the EOS 20Da does not have weather sealing.

When was the Canon EOS 20Da announced?

The Canon EOS 20Da was announced on Jun 01 2005

Does the Canon EOS 20Da have in-body image stabilization?

No the EOS 20Da does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Canon EOS 20Da?

The EOS 20Da has a native ISO range of 100-1600, which can be expanded to ISO null-3200 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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