• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 32.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon J1 advantages over Canon 90D

  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    396g vs 1216g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    57.9 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon 90D advantages over Nikon J1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1300 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 81 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    32.5 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    57 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 90D

Review Excerpt

  • Very small body, with solid feel; Fast AF; No-nonsense interface. Excellent video capture, Good picture quality.

  • Body could be smaller for sensor size; High ISO isn't as good as other compact system cameras; Battery life below average; Weak flash; Confusing controls.

  • 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 Nikon J2

Nikon J1
Nikon J2
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
Canon 90D
Nikon J2
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon J1
Nikon J3
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dots on screen
Canon 90D
Nikon J3
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon S1

Nikon J1
Nikon S1
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
Canon 90D
Nikon S1
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon 80D

Nikon J1
Canon 80D
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
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 J1
Nikon D7500
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Canon 90D
Nikon D7500
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
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