The Canon EOS 80D was one of the most remarkable cameras available a few years ago for anyone who desired a mid-range snapper that could go beyond basic photography without adding pro-level complexity. It was one of the best cameras around.
It is still a perfectly robust DSLR even to this day; nevertheless, to make the series relevant in the age of mirrorless cameras, Canon has constructed something more current to replace the huge shoes that it left behind. This is the Canon EOS 90D, rumored to be the last enthusiast-level DSLR camera the firm will ever produce.
The Canon EOS 90D is a full-frame DSLR released simultaneously with the Canon EOS M6 Mark II. It builds on the typical characteristics of DSLRs, such as superb handling and long battery life, and adds some rather cutting-edge specifications. This incorporates Canon’s most recent imaging engine and a new sensor that significantly increases megapixels compared to the 80D (32.5MP as opposed to 24.2MP), which helps crop photographs.
Canon EOS 90D Features
At first look, there does not appear to be a significant change in the appearance of the EOS 80D and its subsequent model. On the other hand, the device’s guts are entirely redesigned, and a 32.5-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor takes center stage. The sensor resolution of most APS-C cameras has traditionally peaked at around 24 megapixels, meaning that the Canon EOS 90D (and the Canon EOS M6 Mark II with the same sensor) provide the most significant resolution available in the crop-sensor class of cameras.
Canon EOS 90D Performance
The most remarkable aspect of the Canon EOS 90D is its brand-new 216-zone metering system, which compiles information from an RGB and infrared sensor with an incredible 220,000 pixels. The exposure of each of the 216 parts is evaluated, which does an excellent job of controlling the level of brightness over the whole frame.
Evaluative is the metering mode that is selected when the camera is first turned on; however, you can also choose Partial, Centre-weighted, and Spot metering. The evaluative system performs exceptionally well in most scenarios, but the other methods are best utilized when photographing backlit subjects.
Even while the high-resolution sensor of the Canon EOS 90D and the most up-to-date image processor work together to provide the new camera a stunning speed boost over its predecessor, the camera’s buffer capacity is not nearly on par with that of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. This camera, which is five years old, has the ability to save either 31 RAW files or 1,030 JPEGs to a memory card. On the other hand, the buffer capacity of the Canon EOS 90D is just 58 JPEGs and 25 RAW files.
The fact that the 90D has a burst speed of 11 frames per second enables Canon to pitch the camera as a fantastic all-around alternative. Even while it can’t keep up with the new EOS M6 Mark II’s 14 frames per second, the 90D does admirably when it comes to photographing animals and sporting events.
Canon EOS 90D Image Quality
Because of the upgraded sensor, we were anticipating the Canon EOS 90D to generate some outstanding images, and the camera did not disappoint us in this regard. The findings exhibited a great deal of detail in both the images’ highlights and shadows.
However, due to the increased sensor resolution, you will need to handle the camera slightly more carefully. This is because even the camera could pick up the tiniest movements and become visible in the images; therefore, you may need to use faster shutter speeds to achieve the best possible sharpness.
When photographing moving subjects, having an electronic shutter that can operate at a speed of 1/16,000 a second is helpful. This enables the use of wider apertures.
This is not the case with the 90D, in contrast to the 80D and the 7D Mark II, both of which maintained a shallow level of noise across their full native ISO range. Noise is kept under control extremely effectively at lower ISO settings, but it becomes highly noticeable if the sensitivity is raised over 8000. The luminance noise will now be evident at most viewing sizes from this point on.
We took most of our photographs during our testing using Canon’s Standard picture style. This was sufficient to demonstrate that the 90D carries over the camera manufacturer’s outstanding color reproduction, resulting in photographs with enough saturation.
The Vivid and Landscape settings are also quite good, with the former providing more vibrant colors and the latter doing a remarkable job of not oversaturating the blue of the sky or the green of the landscape, as other cameras tend to do. Both of these settings can be found in the shooting menu.
If you want to take pictures of people but don’t want to spend too much time fiddling with the settings on your camera, the Portrait picture style is an excellent option because it doesn’t make people’s skin tones seem strange.
Focus bracketing is also featured on the Canon EOS 90D, which enables users to take a sequence of shots with slight shifts in focus points that can then be combined in post-production to get a greater sense of the depth of field.
Canon EOS 90D Specs
| Body type | Mid-size SLR |
|---|---|
| Body material | Aluminum alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6960 x 4640 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 33 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 34 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | DIGIC 8 |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-25600 (expands to 51200) |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 51200 |
| White balance presets | 6 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.31)Raw (Canon CR3, 14-bit) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 45 |
| Number of cross-type focus points | 45 |
| Lens mount | Canon EF/EF-S |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.6× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/16000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramShutter priorityAperture priorityManual |
| Scene modes | Portrait, Group Photo, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, Handheld Night Scene, HDR Backlight Control, Food, Kids, Candlelight, Panning |
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/250 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleContinuous lowContinuous highContinuous shooting (panning)Silent single shootingSelf-timer/remote |
| Continuous drive | 11.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpotPartial |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 120 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 120 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n with Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes (Wired , wireless or smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | LP-E6N lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 1300 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 701 g (1.55 lb / 24.73 oz) |
| Dimensions | 141 x 105 x 77 mm (5.55 x 4.13 x 3.03″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Canon EOS 90D Verdict
The degree of adaptability that a camera offers is the primary determinant of whether or not it is considered an enthusiast-grade model. These latter allow you to shoot in a greater variety of settings, with finer degrees of control, without ever being overly complicated or expensive. Even if speculations are circulating that Canon will unveil two new EOS M cameras at the beginning of 2020, the Canon EOS 90D performs a superb job of delivering on that score, just as its predecessor did.
Because of this, the 90D indeed plays to the strengths of DSLR cameras, which some photographers naturally prefer over mirrorless cameras. This is because the 90D plays to the forces of DSLR cameras. Because it is resistant to water and dust, it is suitable for every environment, save for the most severe weather. It is also comfortable to wear for extended periods.
It has an excellent metering system can produce nicely exposed photographs in various settings, and its burst speed is enough for most users.
