Nikon D5500 vs Canon 90D

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Nikon D5500 vs Canon 90D

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5500.
Compare Nikon D5500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5500 conclusion.

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.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5600
Compare D5500 vs D5600
Compare Nikon D5600 vs Canon 90D

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Canon 90D

Less expensive
$697 vs $1349
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 3.23 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Lighter weight
668g vs 1216g
Lighter weight
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 57 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon 90D advantages over Nikon D5500

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
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

1300 vs 820 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 83 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
45 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Newer
5 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.20 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
32.5 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
27 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 90D User Reviews

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Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Red)
Kit with 18-140mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-140mm lens (Red)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Red)

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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

Review Excerpt

Amazingly small for a DSLR; Great image quality for its class, including superb low light and high ISO performance; Generous JPEG buffer depth; High resolution.
Buffer depths are shallow when shooting RAW; Lacks GPS from the predecessor; No AA filter means it's susceptible to aliasing artifacts.
Read our Nikon D5500 Review

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 Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D5500

Pentax K-3 II

$797
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Canon 90D

Pentax K-3 II

$1099
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Canon 90D vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Canon 80D

Nikon D5500

Canon 80D

$797
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$935
APS-C

NFC
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon D5500 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 D3400

Nikon D5500

Nikon D3400

$797
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D3400

Canon 90D

Nikon D3400

$1099
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D5500

Nikon D5600

$797
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$898
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D5600

Canon 90D

Nikon D5600

$1099
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
On-sensor phase detect

$898
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Nikon D7500

Nikon D5500

Nikon D7500

$797
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$897
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7500

Canon 90D

Nikon D7500

$1099
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
On-sensor phase detect

$897
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Nikon D7500

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