Canon 100D vs Canon 90D

Canon 100D vs Canon 90D: A Pragmatic Deep Dive into Two APS-C DSLRs Across the Spectrum

When sitting down to compare two Canon DSLRs that straddle different eras and market segments - the 2013 Canon 100D and the 2019 Canon 90D - it’s easy to get distracted by tech specs or marketing buzzwords. Instead, let me guide you through my hands-on experience with both cameras, weaving practical realities with technical chops, so you can pinpoint which one fits your photographic goals - and budget - like a glove.

These two aren’t just separated by six years; they represent vastly different photographic philosophies. The 100D (also known as the Rebel SL1) is the compact, entry-level DSLR meant for ambition-meets-portability. The 90D, in contrast, screams power and versatility, aiming squarely at advanced enthusiasts and semi-pros seeking a jack-of-all-trades tool.

Let’s unwrap where each camera shines and stumbles, in a conversational tour covering everything from ergonomics to astrophotography.

Size and Ergonomics: Pocket Friend or Grip Beast?

One of the 100D’s most touted features - and rightly so - is its extraordinary compactness for a DSLR. We’re talking small, nimble, and surprisingly pocketable for an APS-C camera.

Compare that with the 90D, a more traditionally sized mid-tier DSLR with ruggedized build and larger grips for serious handling.

The 100D’s 117 x 91 x 69 mm frame and 407 g weight mean it’s delightfully portable. I often slipped it into a jacket pocket during street shoots without noticing. However, the smaller grip and simplified controls can feel cramped if your hands are large or if you’re used to more substantial DSLRs.

Flip the scale to the 90D, which clocks in at 141 x 105 x 77 mm and a heftier 701 g. That weight and size bring improved balance, especially with longer lenses. The ergonomics here are solid - the textured grip, logically placed buttons, and a top LCD screen (more on that shortly) make extended sessions comfortable.

For travel-focused photographers or street shooters valuing stealth and mobility, the 100D’s package is a major draw. For users wanting robust handling for telephoto lenses and all-day shoots, the 90D’s physical presence wins hands down.

Design and Control Surfaces: Quick Access or Simplified?

Size aside, how you interact with the camera matters as much as image quality. Canon has progressively refined their control layouts, and the difference between these models is substantial.

The 100D sports a minimalist control deck - no top LCD panel, fewer buttons, and a basic mode dial. This is great for beginners who might get overwhelmed and appreciate simplicity, but veteran shooters may find the layout limiting. Button placement isn’t as ergonomic, and there's no illuminated backlight to help in dim conditions.

Contrast that with the 90D, which boasts a traditional semi-pro layout: a clear, informative top LCD screen with shutter speed, ISO, and exposure readouts at a glance. Dedicated buttons for ISO, AF modes, and exposure compensation put critical settings right under your thumb. The fully articulated touchscreen is responsive and makes composing in live view or awkward angles a breeze - something the fixed, non-articulated 100D screen can't compete with.

If fast, on-the-fly adjustments are your jam, the 90D’s control ergonomics are a breath of fresh air. But for casual shooting or learners, the 100D keeps things straightforward without overwhelming.

Sensor Performance: Resolution and Image Quality

At the heart of any camera is its sensor, where image magic happens. Both cameras employ APS-C sized CMOS sensors, meaning the same physical size footprint: 22.3 x 14.9 mm for both.

But the 100D features an 18MP sensor paired with Canon’s DIGIC 5 processor, while the 90D steps up big-time with a 33MP sensor and DIGIC 8 processor.

What does that mean in practical terms?

• Resolution and Detail: The 90D’s 33 megapixels provide significantly more resolving power. Landscapes, product shots, or any scenario demanding detail or large print sizes benefit immensely. When pixel-peeping, the 90D showcases finer textures and modestly improved edge sharpness due to newer sensor tech.

• Dynamic Range: Though exact DxO Mark scores aren’t available for the 90D, Canon’s advancements combined with the DIGIC 8 chip confer a broader dynamic range compared to the 100D’s 11.3 EV at base ISO. This means better retention of shadow and highlight details - a critical factor for landscape photographers or anyone shooting high contrast scenes.

• Low-Light and ISO: The 100D tops out at ISO 12800 natively, while the 90D extends this to 25600, with boost to 51200. Thanks to modern sensor design and processing, the 90D delivers cleaner images at high ISO, exhibiting less noise and better color fidelity. For shooting indoor events, weddings, or astrophotography, this is a considerable advantage.

• Color Depth: The 100D scores well on color depth at 21.8 bits per channel, and although exact figures for the 90D aren’t formally tested, newer Canon sensors generally maintain or improve this, rendering natural, rich skin tones.

So, if ultimate image quality - especially in resolution, detail, and low-light - is important, the 90D is a big leap ahead. However, for casual shooters or social media content creators, 18MP from the 100D remains more than serviceable.

Rear LCD and User Interface: Viewing Your Shots in Comfort

Both cameras deploy 3-inch, 1040k-dot screens, but there are key differences in flexibility and user interaction.

The 100D’s touchscreen is fixed and lacks articulation - annoying if you like low or high-angle shooting without slouching. Touch operation is responsive, though the features are basic.

The 90D upgrades to a fully articulated vari-angle touchscreen, which swings out and rotates to face forward (very selfie and vlog-friendly). The interface is snappier and more modern, supporting touch focus, menu navigation, and playback pinch-zoom in an intuitive way.

For video shooters or street photographers prioritizing ability to shoot discreet angles, this articulation is a game-changer. It also reduces neck strain during landscape or macro photography.

Autofocus System: Precision and Speed Across Genres

Autofocus is an area where experience tells: The 100D’s autofocus - while good for its time - is beginning to show age next to more recent rivals.

• 100D: 9 points total, with only 1 cross-type sensor. While the camera supports phase detection AF in viewfinder shooting and contrast detection AF in live view, autofocus tracking especially in continuous mode is basic. Canon’s Eye Detection is there for faces, but lacks animal eye detection and isn’t very aggressive by today’s standards.

• 90D: Massive leap here with 45-point all cross-type AF system, offering fast, reliable focus acquisition. This translates to eye-catching performance especially in wildlife, sports, and portraiture. The 90D supports enhanced face and eye detection in live view and tracking, boosting accuracy for moving subjects.

• Continuous Shooting and Burst Rates: The 100D settles for a modest 3fps, fine for portraits or casual shooting, while the 90D rockets to 11fps, catering to action and wildlife shooters demanding rapid-fire capture.

So when it comes to autofocus: for wildlife photography, sports, or fast-paced work, the 90D is an outright winner. The 100D remains capable for still subjects and learning AF basics but begins to show its DSLR-era lineage limitations.

Build Quality and Durability: Toughness Factor

While neither camera is weatherproof or freezeproof, the 90D edges ahead with notable environmental sealing. This means it can better withstand occasional dust or light rain - useful if you’re shooting outdoors regularly.

Both cameras lack crushproof or shockproof claims, but the 90D’s more substantial magnesium alloy chassis (mixed with polycarbonate) feels more robust than the 100D’s predominantly polycarbonate shell.

Weight and size reinforce this difference: the 90D’s bulk adds a layer of perceived durability - not to mention better balance with heavy lenses.

If durability in challenging environments is important, the 90D suits more demanding professional or enthusiast use cases.

Lens Ecosystem: Same Mount, Different Potential

Both cameras use Canon’s EF/EF-S mount, granting access to a massive library of Canon and third-party lenses - over 300 native options exist.

You get Canon’s staple EF lenses for full-frame and EF-S lenses optimized for APS-C from both cameras. This lens compatibility is a huge advantage for either model, enabling progression without lens reinvestment.

That said, the 90D’s advanced features like higher resolution and faster AF benefit more from higher-grade lenses, often meaning better investment in glass is warranted.

Battery Life and Storage: Shutter Endurance and Memory Options

Battery performance is an important, though often underestimated, impression in real-world use.

• The 100D’s LP-E12 battery affords around 380 shots per charge, according to Canon’s CIPA rating. This modest figure translates to frequent battery swaps or recharges during extended shoots.

• The 90D’s LP-E6N battery greatly extends capacity to about 1300 shots, almost four times the endurance. This is a blessing on travel, sports, or event days where outlet access is limited.

Both cameras use a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, but the 90D supports UHS-II cards for faster write speeds - critical when shooting high-bitrate 4K video or sustained burst bursts.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures with More Punch

Video shooters will sense the 90D’s superiority immediately.

• 100D: Maxes out at Full HD 1080p, offering frame rates up to 30fps. It supports H.264 and Motion JPEG codecs, provides a built-in microphone input, but no headphone jack - meaning monitoring audio live during recording isn’t possible.

• 90D: Shoots 4K UHD 3840x2160 at 30fps with 120 Mbps bitrate, a big leap in video quality. It also handles Full HD at up to 120fps for smooth slow-motion. The microphone input and headphone output enable professional audio monitoring and recording control. Plus, features like time-lapse recording and USB Power Delivery support for longer shoots.

If you’re even moderately serious about video, the 90D’s specs place it firmly ahead for content creation, vloggers, and hybrid shooters.

Specialized Photography Use Cases: Who Does What Best?

Let’s unpack where each camera truly shines in different photography genres:

Portraiture

Canon’s tradition of pleasing skin tones is upheld by both. The 90D’s resolution and faster, more reliable eye detection AF make it ideal for portrait pros wanting crisp focus on subtle features and smooth bokeh with fast lenses. The 100D works fine for casual portraits but with less confidence for critical focus.

Landscape

High resolution and dynamic range are landscape photographers’ best friends. The 90D’s 33MP sensor and improved exposure latitude make it a better choice for printing large or cropping without quality loss. The 100D can deliver nice shots but is limited for demanding landscapes.

Wildlife

Fast autofocus, 11fps burst, and robust battery life clear the path for the 90D as an enthusiast wildlife camera. The 100D struggles to maintain focus and speed on erratic subjects.

Sports

Similar to wildlife, rapid focus and high frame rates give the 90D a significant advantage. The 3fps shooting on the 100D is a bottleneck.

Street Photography

Portability and discretion favor the 100D here. Its smaller size and lighter weight make it less conspicuous - a non-trivial consideration for street shooters. The 90D, although more capable, can attract attention.

Macro

Both cameras lack specialized macro ability per se, but the 90D’s superior resolution and focus bracketing (absent from the 100D) aid in capturing fine details in focus stacking. Neither offers in-body stabilization, so steady lenses or tripods remain necessary.

Night/Astro

Low light advantage swings to the 90D, whose ISO performance and dynamic range enable cleaner astro shots. Although neither features advanced astro modes, their long exposure capability and manual controls suffice.

Video

No contest here - the 90D’s 4K and audio features place it leagues ahead.

Travel

100D’s light build and compactness suit carry-light travel, but limited battery life may hamper all-day shoots. The 90D’s versatility and battery longevity weigh more, literally and figuratively.

Professional Workflows

The 90D supports UHS-II cards, USB-PD charging, and focus bracketing making it fit for semi-pro workflows. The 100D feels more like a stepping stone camera.

Wireless and Connectivity: Keeping Up with the Times

The 100D offers wireless via Eye-Fi card compatibility - a technology that now feels quite dated and limited.

The 90D shines with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling seamless image transfer, remote control via Canon’s Camera Connect app, and firmware updates. This is a meaningful boost for fast-paced photographers who need immediate sharing or remote shooting.

Pricing and Value: What Does Your Wallet Say?

At launch, the gap was considerable: the 100D retailed around $500 versus the 90D’s $1200+. Considering six years and the massive tech jump, the price difference reflects the disparity in capabilities.

For beginners on a tight budget or those prioritizing portability, second-hand 100D bodies can present a budget-friendly solution.

However, for serious enthusiasts craving performance across genres, the 90D justifies its price with a comprehensive, future-ready feature set.

Final Scorecards and Genre-Specific Ratings

Let’s visualize performance summaries to crystallize this.

Canon 100D front Canon 100D screen back Canon 90D front Canon 90D screen back

Sample images confirm sharper details and better color depth in the 90D’s files - especially at higher ISO.

The 90D scores decisively higher overall for autofocus, burst rate, and video, while the 100D holds its ground for weight and simplicity.

The 100D excels in street and travel portability, the 90D dominates wildlife, sports, video, and landscape.

Who Should Buy the Canon 100D?

• Entry-level photographers wanting a lightweight DSLR.
• Street and travel photographers favoring compactness over brute force.
• Casual shooters on a budget.
• Learners wanting a simple, approachable Canon DSLR.

If you want a camera that keeps things delightfully simple, shoots pleasant photos, and fits easily in a pocket, the 100D delivers.

Who Is the Canon 90D For?

• Enthusiasts seeking an all-around DSLR that spans sports, wildlife, portrait, and landscape.
• Photographers who crave 4K video and professional audio options.
• Users requiring fast burst rates and reliable autofocus.
• Those who need robust battery life and advanced features like focus bracketing.

For anyone ready to commit to a serious DSLR system with longevity, the 90D is a versatile powerhouse.

Wrapping Up: The Canon APS-C DSLR Journey

In sum, both cameras serve valuable but distinct roles in Canon’s APS-C DSLR lineup. The 100D is a charmingly lightweight beginner’s camera, great for learning and casual use, while the 90D represents the cutting edge of Canon’s 2019 APS-C DSLR tech - packed with features that cater to discerning enthusiasts and semi-pros alike.

Choosing between them hinges largely on your photography ambitions, budget, and workflow. Neither is perfect, but each excels distinctly in its own territory.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading my candid take - after thousands of camera hours in the field, this is how these two Canon DSLRs shape up in real hands rather than just on paper.

Happy shooting!