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.
The Canon 90D is decent for travel photography. Images are detailed and fairly low in graininess as you increase camera ISO, though image sharpness does decrease at high ISO levels. It has a wide shutter speed range, allowing you to freeze the movement of fast-moving subjects or take long-exposure shots with relative ease. 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.
The Canon 90D is a satisfactory option for landscape photography. It offers good overall image quality, with a high dynamic range and good color accuracy out-of-the-box, though some users may notice a decrease in sharpness at high ISO levels. 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.
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.
The Canon 90D is okay for 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you want a camera with a faster max burst rate, consider the Canon EOS R7.