Nikon D90 vs Canon 90D

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Nikon D90 vs Canon 90D

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APS-C 372.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D90 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D90.

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 D7000
Compare D90 vs D7000
Compare Nikon D7000 vs Canon 90D

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Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Canon 90D

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.50 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
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 57 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon 90D advantages over Nikon D90

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 720p
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

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 850 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 158 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
45 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
5 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
32.5 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
45 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
27 vs 10 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 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
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
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

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Adorama
Read D90 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 90D User Reviews

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Body Only

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

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D90 Full 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 Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D90

Sony DSLR-A550

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$859
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Canon 90D

Sony DSLR-A550

$1099
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$859
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D90

Sony DSLR-A500

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Canon 90D

Sony DSLR-A500

$1099
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Pentax K-5

Nikon D90

Pentax K-5

$1300
APS-C

Fast startup
More telephoto lens reach

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-5

Canon 90D

Pentax K-5

$1099
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Canon 90D vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Canon 80D

Nikon D90

Canon 80D

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D90 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 D90

Nikon D7500

$1300
APS-C

Bigger pixels
More telephoto lens reach

$897
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D90 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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