Nikon D90 vs Canon SL2

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Nikon D90 vs Canon SL2

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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 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon SL2 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL2 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.
Compare Canon SL2 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon SL2 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D7000
Compare D90 vs D7000

Succeeded by the Canon SL3
Compare SL2 vs SL3

Compare NIKON D7000 vs CANON SL3

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Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Canon SL2

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 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

850 vs 650 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
158 mm vs 88 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
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.54x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 22 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
10 vs 5 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon SL2 advantages over Nikon D90

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
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
668g vs 1133g
Lighter weight
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.08 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
Faster JPEG shooting
5.0 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.1 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
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

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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D90 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D90

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Buy the Canon SL2

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (White)

All SL2 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D90 Full Review

Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.
Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.
Read our Canon SL2 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 SL2

Sony DSLR-A550

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$859
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL2 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 SL2

Sony DSLR-A500

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL2 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 SL2

Pentax K-5

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL2 vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D90

Nikon D3400

$1300
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$497
APS-C

Built-in Bluetooth
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D90 vs Nikon D3400

Canon SL2

Nikon D3400

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Canon SL3

Nikon D90

Canon SL3

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D90 vs Canon SL3

Canon SL2

Canon SL3

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$632
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon SL3

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