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Canon 50D vs Nikon D90

Portability
57
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Canon EOS 50D front
 
Nikon D90 front
Portability
60
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Canon 50D vs Nikon D90 Key Specs

Canon 50D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Revealed October 2008
  • Previous Model is Canon 40D
  • Updated by Canon 60D
Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Introduced October 2008
  • Superseded the Nikon D80
  • Replacement is Nikon D7000
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Canon 50D vs Nikon D90 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Canon 50D versus Nikon D90, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the 50D (15MP) and D90 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The 50D was revealed within a month of the D90 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the 50D matches up vs the D90 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Nikon D90

 50D D90 

Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Canon 50D

 D90 50D 

Common features in the Canon 50D and Nikon D90

 50D D90 
IntroducedOctober 2008October 2008Same generation
Manual focus More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution920k920kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon 50D vs Nikon D90 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Canon 50D features physical dimensions of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) while the Nikon D90 has measurements of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Contrast the Canon 50D versus Nikon D90 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the 50D and the D90.

Canon 50D vs Nikon D90 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 50D and D90 is 57 and 60 respectively.

Canon 50D vs Nikon D90 top view buttons comparison

Canon 50D vs Nikon D90 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes purely by viewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the 50D and D90.

As you can see, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Canon 50D to provide you with greater detail because of its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively.

Canon 50D vs Nikon D90 sensor size comparison

Canon 50D vs Nikon D90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 50D vs Nikon D90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 50D Portrait photography information
Nikon D90 Portrait photography information
72
focusing manually
MP count good (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 50D
Street photography with Nikon D90
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
54
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 50D Sports photography details
Nikon D90 Sports photography details
62
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
MP count good (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (800 CIPA)
46
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (4.5 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 50D Travel photography factors
Nikon D90 Travel photography factors
57
weather proofing
MP count good (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery pack (800 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
44
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 50D Landscape photography details
Nikon D90 Landscape photography details
66
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (800 per charge)
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 50D
Vlogging with Nikon D90
9
can't record video
21
comes with face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Canon 50D vs Nikon D90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 50D and Nikon D90
 Canon EOS 50DNikon D90
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS 50D Nikon D90
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2008-10-30 2008-10-13
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF/EF-S Nikon F
Amount of lenses 326 309
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT liquid-crystal color LCD Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.3 frames per sec 4.5 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (ISO 100) 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
Highest flash sync 1/250s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 822 grams (1.81 lbs) 703 grams (1.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 63 73
DXO Color Depth score 21.8 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 12.5
DXO Low light score 696 977
Other
Battery life 800 pictures 850 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-511A EN-EL3e
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $996 $1,199