• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Canon EOS M50

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.50 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 850 vs 235 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 72 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 36 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon EOS M50 advantages over Nikon D90

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Thinner
    58 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    7 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    484g vs 1133g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon D90

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Buy the Canon EOS M50
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 15-45mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 15-45mm Lens (White)
  • Kit with with 15-45mm and 55-200mm Lenses (Black)
  • Video Creator Kit (Black)
All EOS M50 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Comfortable ergonomics and solid build; Versatile EVF and tilt-swivel, touch-screen LCD; Good image quality; Great performance for its class; New C-RAW format saves on raw file size; 4K video is an M-series first.

  • Somewhat limited dynamic range; JPEGs a little soft at base ISO, and more so at higher ISOs; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Poor battery life; Raw buffer is still shallow (but C-RAW helps).

  • Read our Canon EOS M50 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 EOS M50
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 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 EOS M50
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 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 EOS M50
Pentax K-5
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Nikon D90
Canon EOS M5
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D90 vs Canon EOS M5

Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS M5
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Canon EOS M5

Compared to Sony A6400

Nikon D90
Sony A6400
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony A6400

Canon EOS M50
Sony A6400
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Sony A6400

Compare Other Cameras?