• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 14.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K20D advantages over Canon T1i

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.54x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder

Canon T1i advantages over Pentax K20D

  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    526g vs 802g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.4 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)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K20D

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon T1i

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon XSi

Pentax K20D
Canon XSi
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Pentax K20D vs Canon XSi

Canon T1i
Canon XSi
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon T1i vs Canon XSi

Compared to 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

Canon T1i
Samsung GX-20
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Pentax K20D
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K20D vs Sony DSLR-A350

Canon T1i
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A350

Compared to 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

Canon T1i
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to 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

Canon T1i
Pentax K-7
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Pentax K-7

Compare Other Cameras?