• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 32.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D7100 advantages over Canon 90D

  • Less expensive
    $849 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)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Canon 90D advantages over Nikon D7100

  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1300 vs 950 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 158 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • More cross-type AF points
    45 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    5 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.25 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    32.5 vs 24.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    57 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    27 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 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

  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D7100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 90D

Review Excerpt

  • Solid, ergonomic body design; Stunning, highly detailed photos, thanks to 24.1MP sensor upgrade and removal of optical low-pass filter; Cool 1.3x crop mode extends reach to nearly 2x the full-frame equivalent; Records Full 1080p HD video at up to 30fps with full-time AF; Many pro-level features packed into a consumer-friendly body at reasonable price.

  • Shallow buffer that hampers continuous burst shooting; AF slightly slower than average for its class; No real-time aperture control while in Movie mode (among other quirks); More noticeable moire patterns and aliasing artifacts (but only found when shooting fabrics with strong, distinct patterns).

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 70D

Nikon D7100
Canon 70D
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon 90D
Canon 70D
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100
Pentax K-3
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 90D
Pentax K-3
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D5300

Nikon D7100
Nikon D5300
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon 90D
Nikon D5300
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 80D

Nikon D7100
Canon 80D
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon 90D
Canon 80D
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D7500

Nikon D7100
Nikon D7500
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $864
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Canon 90D
Nikon D7500
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $864
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
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