Canon 500D vs Nikon D90
70 Imaging
53 Features
59 Overall
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60 Imaging
50 Features
52 Overall
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Canon 500D vs Nikon D90 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF/EF-S Mount
- 520g - 129 x 98 x 62mm
- Announced June 2009
- Additionally Known as EOS Rebel T1i / EOS Kiss X3
- Older Model is Canon 450D
- Replacement is Canon 550D
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
- Launched October 2008
- Earlier Model is Nikon D80
- Renewed by Nikon D7000
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Below is a extensive review of the Canon 500D versus Nikon D90, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the 500D (15MP) and D90 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (APS-C).
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe 500D was unveiled 8 months later than the D90 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Canon 500D being a Compact SLR camera and the Nikon D90 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the 500D matches up against the D90 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon EOS 500D & Nikon D90. The full galleries are provided at Canon 500D Gallery & Nikon D90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 500D over the Nikon D90
| 500D | D90 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | June 2009 | October 2008 | More recent by 8 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Canon 500D
| D90 | 500D |
|---|
Common features in the Canon 500D and Nikon D90
| 500D | D90 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Dial exact focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent display size | |
| Display resolution | 920k | 920k | The same display resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Neither has Touch friendly display |
Canon 500D vs Nikon D90 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon 500D has physical dimensions of 129mm x 98mm x 62mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4") having a weight of 520 grams (1.15 lbs) whilst the Nikon D90 has sizing of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") and a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).
Check the Canon 500D versus Nikon D90 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the 500D compared to the D90.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 500D and D90 is 70 and 60 respectively.
Canon 500D vs Nikon D90 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements only by researching specs. The graphic here may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the 500D and D90.
All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Canon 500D to render greater detail having an extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos far more aggressively. The younger 500D should have an advantage in sensor technology.
Canon 500D vs Nikon D90 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon 500D vs Nikon D90 Specifications
| Canon EOS 500D | Nikon D90 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Canon | Nikon |
| Model type | Canon EOS 500D | Nikon D90 |
| Also Known as | EOS Rebel T1i / EOS Kiss X3 | - |
| Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
| Announced | 2009-06-08 | 2008-10-13 |
| Physical type | Compact SLR | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Digic 4 | - |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
| Sensor area | 332.3mm² | 372.9mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 15MP | 12MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| Full resolution | 4752 x 3168 | 4288 x 2848 |
| Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
| Max boosted ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Canon EF/EF-S | Nikon F |
| Amount of lenses | 326 | 309 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 920 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Screen technology | TFT color LCD | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 96% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.55x | 0.64x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 4.5fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 13.00 m | 17.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | 1/200 secs | 1/200 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (20 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | Optional |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 520 gr (1.15 lb) | 703 gr (1.55 lb) |
| Dimensions | 129 x 98 x 62mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4") | 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 63 | 73 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 21.7 | 22.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.5 | 12.5 |
| DXO Low light rating | 663 | 977 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 440 photos | 850 photos |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | LP-E5 | EN-EL3e |
| Self timer | Yes (2 sec or 10 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Launch price | $650 | $1,199 |