Canon 90D vs Nikon D780

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Canon 90D vs Nikon D780

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APS-C 337.5mm²
32.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 90D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 90D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 90D.
Compare Canon 90D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 90D conclusion.

35mm 858.0mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D780 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D780.

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Differences

Canon 90D advantages over Nikon D780

Less expensive
$1349 vs $2097
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 120 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
45 vs 15
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More pixels
32.5 vs 24.5 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D780 advantages over Canon 90D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 3.23 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

2260 vs 1300 shots
Capture more photos
Higher-res screen
786k vs 347k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 29 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
900 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 51200 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
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 90D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D780 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 90D

Body Only

Body Only
KIt with 18-135mm Lens
KIt with 18-55mm Lens

All 90D Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D780

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-120mm f/4 lens

All D780 Deals

Review Excerpt

Highest resolution Canon APS-C camera yet; Great image quality; Faster 10fps burst shooting; Very fast autofocus; Dual Pixel CMOS AF in Live View; 4K video; 1080p120 slow-mo video.
Low-pass filter reduces fine detail from high-res sensor; High ISO performance isn't as good as some rival cameras; Video recording limited to 29:59.
Read our Canon 90D Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon D780, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Nikon D780 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon 80D

Canon 90D

Canon 80D

$1099
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Bluetooth

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Canon 80D

Nikon D780

Canon 80D

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon 80D

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 90D

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1099
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D780

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2249
35mm

NFC
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Canon 77D

Canon 90D

Canon 77D

$1099
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Longer stills battery life

$550
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Canon 90D vs Canon 77D

Nikon D780

Canon 77D

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$550
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon 77D

Compared to Nikon D7500

Canon 90D

Nikon D7500

$1099
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
On-sensor phase detect

$864
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Nikon D7500

Nikon D780

Nikon D7500

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$864
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Nikon D780 vs Nikon D7500

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Canon 90D

Pentax K-1 II

$1099
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon 90D vs Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D780

Pentax K-1 II

$1830
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II

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