Canon 40D vs Pentax K20D

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Canon 40D vs Pentax K20D

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APS-C 369.7mm²
10.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Canon 40D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 40D.

APS-C 368.2mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K20D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K20D.

Succeeded by the Canon 50D
Compare 40D vs 50D

Succeeded by the Pentax K-7
Compare K20D vs K-7

Compare CANON 50D vs PENTAX K-7

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Differences

Canon 40D advantages over Pentax K20D

Bigger pixels
~ 6.10 vs 5.05 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
40D test data on DxO Mark K20D test data on DxO Mark

703 vs 639 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

800 vs 530 shots
Capture more photos
Faster JPEG shooting
6.4 fps vs 2.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 38 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Pentax K20D advantages over Canon 40D

Less expensive
$800 vs $1299 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
More pixels
14.6 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Neither provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 40D Full Review

Read our Pentax K20D Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K200D

Canon 40D

Pentax K200D

$1299
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Pentax K200D

Pentax K20D

Pentax K200D

$800
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K20D vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Canon 40D

Samsung GX-20

$1299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Faster shutter

$1400
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More pixels

Compare Canon 40D vs Samsung GX-20

Pentax K20D

Samsung GX-20

$800
APS-C

Less expensive

$1400
APS-C

Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K20D vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Canon 40D

Sony DSLR-A380

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A380

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Canon 40D

Pentax K-7

$1299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
HDMI out

Compare Canon 40D vs Pentax K-7

Pentax K20D

Pentax K-7

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Canon 40D

Sony DSLR-A500

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Top deck display

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Sony DSLR-A500

Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A500

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Top deck display

$850
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K20D vs Sony DSLR-A500

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