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Canon EOS 90D Camera Review

Tested using Methodology v0.12.1
Reviewed Mar 09, 2021 at 07:51 am
Latest change: Writing modified Jan 29, 2024 at 09:10 am
Canon EOS 90D Picture
7.5
Travel Photography
7.3
Landscape Photography
7.9
Sport & Wildlife Photography
7.4
Raw Photo Performance
7.3
Vlogging
8.2
Studio Video
4.1
Action Video

The Canon EOS 90D is a versatile APS-C DSLR camera. It takes sharp, clear images with a relatively high dynamic range and little noise, even at high ISO settings. It's also equipped with an autofocus system that delivers very good performance in photography and does a remarkable job of tracking and maintaining focus on subjects in 4k and FHD video. It's comfortable to operate and has a well-laid-out menu system that's easy to navigate. Unfortunately, it's quite bulky and does poorly smoothing out camera shake while recording.

Our Verdict

7.5 Travel Photography

The Canon 90D is good for travel photography if you don't mind a bulkier kit. Image quality is very good overall. Though it doesn't have the best noise handling in low light, you can still get great results. Its autofocus system is also reasonably quick, reliable, and consistent, and it has sufficient battery life to last you throughout extended shooting sessions. Unfortunately, it's quite bulky, which can make it a hassle to carry around, though it's comfortable to use.

Pros
  • Comfortable to use.
  • Good overall image quality.
  • Good autofocus performance in photography.
  • Excellent battery life.
Cons
  • Bulky construction.
  • Some controls feel a little sluggish.
  • Image sharpness can decrease at high ISO levels.
7.3 Landscape Photography

The Canon 90D is decent for landscape photography. It offers good overall image quality with a relatively wide dynamic range, though it isn't the best low-light option, depending on your lens. Also, its fully articulated screen is easy to see even under direct sunlight. It feels quite comfortable to use and has a weather-sealed construction. Unfortunately, some of its controls feel slightly sluggish, and the camera's bulky design can make it challenging to carry around for extended periods.

Pros
  • Comfortable to use.
  • Good overall image quality.
  • Brightly-lit fully articulated touchscreen interface.
Cons
  • Bulky construction.
  • Some controls feel a little sluggish.
  • Image sharpness can decrease at high ISO levels.
7.9 Sport & Wildlife Photography

The Canon 90D is a good option for sports and wildlife photography. Image quality is good overall, and its decently high maximum shooting speed, combined with its fast maximum shutter speed, make it easy to capture clear images of fast-moving subjects. Its autofocus system also does a good job of acquiring and maintaining focus on faces and objects. It's comfortable to operate, though some of its controls are a little sluggish, and its bulky size can present a bit of an annoyance.

Pros
  • Comfortable to use.
  • Good overall image quality.
  • Decently fast maximum continuous shooting speed.
  • Good autofocus performance in photography.
Cons
  • Bulky construction.
  • Some controls feel a little sluggish.
  • Image sharpness can decrease at high ISO levels.
7.4 Raw Photo Performance

The Canon 90D has decent RAW image quality. Its dynamic range is good, so it captures a fair range of detail and is pretty well-suited to high-contrast scenes for an APS-C sensor. Its high-resolution sensor also captures a good level of fine detail, even when punching in. It doesn't have the best noise handling in low light.

Pros
  • Good dynamic range.
  • High-resolution sensor.
Cons
  • Noise handling is just okay.
7.3 Vlogging

The Canon 90D isn't meant for on-the-go vlogging. While it's quite heavy and bulky, it does have a fully articulated screen that allows you to monitor what's being recorded even when the camera is facing you. Video quality in 4k is sharp and clear, though it performs slightly worse in FHD. Its autofocus system does an excellent job of acquiring and maintaining focus on faces. However, it can struggle to smooth out camera shake while recording handheld video.

Pros
  • Fantastic autofocus performance while recording video.
  • Brightly-lit fully articulated touchscreen interface.
Cons
  • Bulky construction.
  • Poor video stabilization performance.
8.2 Studio Video

The Canon 90D is good for studio video work. Video quality in 4k is good, with sharply rendered object edges and surfaces and decent visual noise handling capability. FHD recording quality is slightly inferior, though still okay overall. Its autofocus system does an exceptional job of tracking moving subjects, too. The menu system is easy to navigate while the camera itself features a wide range of inputs for accessories, including a clean HDMI output for using an external recorder without any overlays, as well as headphone and microphone jacks.

Pros
  • Easy to use menu system.
  • Fantastic autofocus performance while recording video.
  • Wide selection of ports and inputs.
Cons
  • Lack of very high-speed frame rate recording options.
4.1 Action Video

The Canon 90D isn't designed for action video. It's too big and bulky to be mounted on a chest or a helmet rig and struggles to smooth out camera shake in handheld video. It's also incapable of recording at high frame rates in 4k or FHD for generating smooth slow-motion video. On the plus side, its construction is rated as being weather-sealed.

Pros
  • Weather-sealed construction.
Cons
  • Bulky construction.
  • Poor video stabilization performance.
  • Lack of very high-speed frame rate recording options.
  • 7.5 Travel Photography
  • 7.3 Landscape Photography
  • 7.9 Sport & Wildlife Photography
  • 7.4 Raw Photo Performance
  • 7.3 Vlogging
  • 8.2 Studio Video
  • 4.1 Action Video
  1. Updated Jan 29, 2024: Added text to the 'Raw Photo Performance' verdict box and updated existing verdict boxes for clarity and accuracy.
  2. Updated Jan 29, 2024: Converted to Test Bench 0.12.1.
  3. Updated Apr 24, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.12.
  4. Updated Apr 12, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.11.
  5. Updated Apr 05, 2023: Added a link to the Canon EOS R7 in the 'Photo Shooting Speed' section.
  6. Updated Oct 03, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.10.
  7. Updated Aug 31, 2022: Updated 'Advertised Battery Life in Photo' to show the advertised battery life when using the viewfinder rather than Live View, since this aligns more closely with real-world DSLR usage and better reflects the camera's capabilities.
  8. Updated Aug 05, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.9.
  9. Updated Apr 22, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
  10. Updated Jan 27, 2022: Updated 'Lens Mount' from 'EF Mount' to 'EF/EF-S Mount'.
  11. Updated Mar 09, 2021: Review published.
  12. Updated Mar 04, 2021: Early access published.
  13. Updated Feb 22, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
  14. Updated Feb 22, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Canon 90D is only available in one color variant: 'Black', and you can see its label here. We tested it in conjunction with the Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM lens, but it can be purchased with other EF and EF-S mount lenses, including the Canon EF-S 18-135 IS USM lens, though we haven't tested it in any other configuration. It can also be purchased without a lens at all.

If you come across a different variant, let us know in the discussions so we can update our review.

Compared To Other Cameras

Canon EOS 6D Mark II

The Canon EOS 6D Mark II and the Canon EOS 90D are both great DSLRs but have different-sized sensors. The 6D Mark II is an entry-level pro camera with a full-frame sensor, while the 90D is a mid-range model with an APS-C sensor. Depending on your needs, one may suit you better than the other. If you need full-frame image quality and don't need extras like 4k video capability, go with the 6D Mark II. On the other hand, the 90D is better suited to faster subjects like sports and wildlife, thanks to its faster burst rate, more effective autofocus system, and smaller, higher-resolution sensor.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

While these are both premium Canon DSLRs, they're differently classed. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a professional-grade camera with a larger, sturdier build and a full-frame sensor, whereas the Canon EOS 90D is a mid-range camera with an APS-C sensor. The 5D Mark IV is overkill for most people, especially considering its size and weight. Because the 90D is a newer model, it offers a few advantages in areas like battery life, autofocus performance, and burst speed.

Canon EOS Rebel T8i/850D

The Canon EOS 90D is better than the Canon EOS Rebel T8i/850D, which isn't surprising, as it sits at a higher price point. It's a better-built camera, with weather-sealing and slightly better ergonomics. It also has a higher-resolution sensor, faster burst shooting, and a longer battery life.

Canon EOS R7

The Canon EOS R7 is better overall than the Canon EOS 90D, but they use different camera technologies. The R7 is a mirrorless model, so it has the advantage of being a bit more portable and has a newer, more advanced autofocus system. Unlike the 90D, it includes in-body image stabilization, more advanced video specs, and dual SD card slots. The 90D, on the other hand, is a DSLR, so it has a much better battery life and a more established lens ecosystem.

Sony α7 III

The Canon EOS 90D and Sony α7 III are different types of cameras. The Canon is a mid-range APS-C DSLR, whereas the Sony is a hybrid full-frame camera. The Canon is a good option for wildlife photography thanks to its high-resolution APS-C sensor and for those who prioritize battery life and ergonomics. However, the Sony camera is better overall for hybrid and video shooters, with better video capabilities, a more intuitive overall autofocus system, and better noise handling in low light.

Canon EOS R10

The Canon EOS 90D and the Canon EOS R10 are both great mid-range cameras, but each has its own advantages. The R10 is more portable and has a more effective overall autofocus system, faster burst shooting, and better video features. In contrast, the 90D has a higher-resolution sensor, a longer battery life, weather-sealing, and a more established lens ecosystem.

Canon EOS R6

While they use different-sized sensors and different camera technologies, the Canon EOS R6 is better overall than the Canon EOS 90D. It's a more well-rounded model, with a better autofocus system and better video features than the 90D, which is an older mid-range DSLR with a smaller APS-C sensor. The longer battery life, smaller but higher-resolution sensor, and more established lens ecosystem of the 90D do make it a good fit for things like wildlife photography or landscapes. However, we still recommend the more modern R6 for most uses.

Canon EOS R8

The Canon EOS 90D and the Canon EOS R8 are different camera types with different-sized sensors, so each has its own advantages. The 90D is less portable than the R8, but it's better-constructed, with a weather-sealed body, and a longer battery life. It also uses a higher-resolution but smaller APS-C sensor, making it a bit better suited to uses like wildlife photography. The R8, on the other hand, is more lightweight and has significantly better video features, making it a better option for hybrid shooters. 

Nikon D780

The Nikon D780 is better overall than the Canon EOS 90D, but they're aimed at people with different experience levels. The Canon is a mid-range DSLR with an APS-C sensor, while the Nikon is an enthusiast-grade DSLR with a full-frame sensor. The Nikon performs better in low light and has a more versatile hybrid autofocus system that tracks subjects a little more reliably for photography. It also has a second SD card slot and a longer battery life. The Canon is more portable, has a fully articulated screen, and shoots at a faster max burst rate.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
3.3
Design
Portability
Height
4.3" (10.8 cm)
Width
5.7" (14.4 cm)
Depth
3.3" (8.3 cm)
Volume
78.8 in³ (1,291.0 cm³)
Weight
1.57 lbs (0.71 kg)
6.5
Design
Build Quality

  • Command dials and mode wheel feel sluggish
  • Buttons offer okay physical feedback
  • Weather-sealed construction is made of glass-fiber-reinforced polycarbonate resin
  • Articulated screen mechanism feels quite solid
  • Input door is covered by a rubber flap
  • Hinged solid door covers SD card compartment

Design
Body
Body Type
DSLR
Water Resistance
Weather-Sealed
Mirrorless
No
Rugged
No
Hot Shoe
Yes
Customizable Button
Yes
Command Dial
2
Tripod Mount
Yes
Lens Mount
EF/EF-S Mount
Built-In Flash
Yes
Fastest Shutter Speed
1/8,000 s
Design
In The Box

  • Canon 90D camera body
  • Canon EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM lens
  • Lens cover
  • Lens cap
  • Shoulder strap
  • 1x LP-E6N battery
  • Sensor cap
  • Battery charger
  • Instruction manual

8.5
Design
Ergonomics & Comfort
Hand Grip: Small Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Medium Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Large Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Extra-Large Hand
Yes

  • Rubber eyecup around the viewfinder feels comfortable
  • Hand grip should accommodate a wide variety of hand sizes, without fingers getting pinched between the body and lens
  • Hand grip has a textured surface that provides a secure hold
  • Backrest is sufficiently large for most finger sizes
  • Dedicated controls for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO make it easy to change exposure settings quickly
  • SD card can be accessed while the camera is on a tripod due to the side-opening door

Design
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type
Optical
Advertised Coverage
100%
Advertised Resolution
N/A
Advertised Magnification
0.95
9.1
Design
Screen
Screen Articulation Type
Fully-Articulated
Screen Max Brightness
633 cd/m²
Advertised Resolution
1.04 million dots
Size
3.1" (7.8 cm)
Touchscreen
Yes
9.0
Design
Menu System
Guide Mode
Yes
App Name
Canon Camera Connect

  • Intuitive to navigate via touchscreen or with physical controls
  • Guide mode provides a short description of different camera features
  • Q menu lets you access frequently-used functions

not tested
Design
Built-In Lens
Maximum Aperture
No built-in lens
Max Aperture (Full-Frame Equivalent)
N/A
Minimum Focal Length
N/A
Maximum Focal Length
N/A
Max Focal Length (Full-Frame Equivalent)
N/A
Optical Image Stabilization
No
Luminance
N/A
Light Falloff
N/A
Design
Sensor
Sensor Type
CMOS
Advertised Effective Pixels
32.5 MP
Sensor Size
APS-C
Processor
DIGIC 8
Extended ISO Minimum
N/A
Native ISO Minimum (Base ISO)
100
Native ISO Maximum
25,600
Tested Firmware
Ver. 1.1.1
8.5
Design
Battery
Battery Type
Canon LP-E6N
USB Charging
No
Power Delivery While Recording
No
Advertised Battery Life In Photo
1,860 photos
Tested Battery Life In Video
168 min
Photo General
7.1
Photo General
Photo Shooting Speed
Low Speed Continuous
4 fps
High Speed Continuous
11 fps
Silent Shooting Continuous
4 fps
Raw Buffer Size
24 Photos
JPEG Buffer Size
45 Photos
Buffer Empty Time
10 s

If you want a camera with a faster max burst rate, consider the Canon EOS R7.

7.8
Photo General
Photo AF-C Tracking
Autofocus Tracking Shots
Perfect Focus Hit Rate
68%
Usable Focus Hit Rate
74%
9.9
Photo General
Photo AF-C Center Point
Autofocus Center Point Shots
Perfect Focus Hit Rate
98%
Usable Focus Hit Rate
100%
8.8
Photo General
Photo Image Stabilization
Minimum Shutter Speed Achieved
1/6 s
In-Body Image Stabilization
No
Photo Image Quality
7.6
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Dynamic Range
Dynamic Range At Base ISO
9.8 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/500s Exposure Time
7.9 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/2000s Exposure Time
6.9 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/4000s Exposure Time
6.5 f-stops
7.9
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Sharpness
Vertical Edge MTF50 At Base ISO
1,669 LW/PH
Horizontal Edge MTF50 At Base ISO
1,876 LW/PH
6.6
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Noise
SNR 18% At 1/8 Exposure Time (125 ms)
32.1dB
SNR 18% At 1/30 Exposure Time (33 ms)
29.4 dB
SNR 18% At 1/125 Exposure Time (8 ms)
24.7 dB
SNR 18% At 1/500 Exposure Time (2 ms)
19.5dB
Pictures Sample Gallery
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Skate Park Picture
JPEG Skate Park Picture Download
RAW Skate Park Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Polish Church Picture
JPEG Polish Church Picture Download
RAW Polish Church Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Studio Picture
JPEG Studio Picture Download
RAW Studio Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Stairway Picture
JPEG Stairway Picture Download
RAW Stairway Picture Download
Video General
Video General
Video Features
Full HD Video
Yes
4k Video
Yes
6k Video
No
Clean HDMI Output
Yes
Advertised Max Chroma Sampling Over HDMI
4:2:2
Advertised Max Bit Depth Over HDMI
8 bits
Log Picture Profile
No
Recording Light
No
Video General
Audio
Audio Test Sample
Audio Recording
Stereo
Microphone Level Display
No
Video General
Video File Format And Compression
MP4 H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
Yes
MP4 H.265 / HEVC
No
MOV H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
No
MOV H.265 / HEVC
No
AVCHD H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
No
All-I Compression
No
4k Video
8.5
4k Video
4k Video Frame Rate
240 fps In 4k
No
120 fps In 4k
No
60 fps In 4k
No
30 fps In 4k
Yes
24 fps In 4k
Yes
4k Crop At Max Available fps
1 x
7.8
4k Video
4k Video Internal Recording
Bitrate Maximum In 4k
125 Mbps
Bitrate Minimum In 4k
125 Mbps
Chroma Sampling In 4k
4:2:0
Bit Depth In 4k
8 Bit
Record Time Limit In 4k
30 min
Overheat Recording Interruptions in 4k
0
9.2
4k Video
4k Video Autofocus Performance
Object Tracking In 4k
9.3
Face Tracking In 4k
8.7
Face Detection In 4k
Yes
Eye Detection In 4k
Yes
7.9
4k Video
4k Video Quality
Low Light Capability In 4k
7.0
Test Scene Extract In 4k
8.8
6.6
4k Video
4k Video Rolling Shutter Effect
4k Rolling Shutter
5.0°
Full HD Video
8.5
Full HD Video
FHD Video Frame Rate
240 fps In FHD
No
120 fps In FHD
No
60 fps In FHD
Yes
30 fps In FHD
Yes
24 fps In FHD
Yes
FHD Crop At Max Available fps
1 x
7.6
Full HD Video
FHD Video Internal Recording
Bitrate Maximum In FHD
60 Mbps
Bitrate Minimum In FHD
30 Mbps
Chroma Sampling In FHD
4:2:0
Bit Depth In FHD
8 Bit
Record Time Limit in FHD
30 min
9.0
Full HD Video
FHD Video Autofocus Performance
Object Tracking In FHD
9.3
Face Tracking In FHD
8.4
Face Detection In FHD
Yes
Eye Detection In FHD
Yes
7.3
Full HD Video
FHD Video Quality
Low Light Capability In FHD
7.0
Test Scene Extract In FHD
7.5
7.1
Full HD Video
FHD Video Rolling Shutter Effect
FHD Rolling Shutter
3.7°
Storage And Connectivity
Storage And Connectivity
Storage
Card 1 Slot
SD Card UHS-II
Card 2 Slot
No 2nd Card Slot
8.8
Storage And Connectivity
Inputs / Outputs
USB
Micro USB
HDMI
Mini (Type C)
Headphones
Yes
Microphone
Stereo
Wi-Fi
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes