• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 32.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D4 advantages over Canon 90D

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 3.23 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 2600 vs 1300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 57 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 27 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 90D advantages over Nikon D4

  • Less expensive
    $1349 vs $4500*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Newer
    5 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    32.5 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D4
Body Only
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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 90D
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • KIt with 18-135mm Lens
  • KIt with 18-55mm Lens
All 90D 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

The Competition

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4
Canon 1DX
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More dynamic range
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4 vs Canon 1DX

Canon 90D
Canon 1DX
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Canon 90D
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D4
Nikon D4S
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon D4 vs Nikon D4S

Canon 90D
Nikon D4S
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Canon 80D

Nikon D4
Canon 80D
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D4 vs 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

Compared to Nikon D7500

Nikon D4
Nikon D7500
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D4 vs Nikon D7500

Canon 90D
Nikon D7500
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Nikon D7500

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