Canon EOS 5D Mark IV vs Canon EOS 90D: The Ultimate DSLR Face-Off for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing between Canon's venerable full-frame workhorse, the 5D Mark IV, and the versatile APS-C powerhouse, the 90D, is no trivial matter for photographers aiming to invest wisely. I’ve spent years testing Canon’s DSLR lineup extensively, and today, I’m excited to bring you a side-by-side comparison based not on specs sheets alone, but on real-world use across multiple photographic domains. Let’s peel back all the layers - sensor performance, autofocus, handling, video, and more - to find out which Canon DSLR truly fits your style and needs.

Seeing Them Side by Side: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

At a glance, these cameras share Canon’s familiar mid-size DSLR footprint, but some key differences emerge when you actually hold them. The 5D Mark IV tips the scale at about 890 grams and measures 151mm wide, sitting firmly in the full-frame DSLR category with solid heft. The 90D, by contrast, comes in lighter at 701 grams and is notably more compact at 141mm width, reflecting its crop sensor design and streamlined approach.

When I compared grip comfort and control placement over hours shooting both in the field and studio, the 5D Mark IV exhibits a slightly larger grip that feels more substantial when paired with heavier lenses - a boon for wildlife and sports shooters who rely on stability for large telephoto glass. The 90D’s grip is well contoured and ergonomically pleasing, though it naturally feels more modest, making it more travel-friendly for street and walkaround photography.

Top Controls and Usability: Intuitive Design Matters

Digging into the control layout on top, the 5D Mark IV includes the classic Canon design with two intuitive top LCD panels - a small, monochrome status display sits atop the right-hand side showing key exposure and battery info without powering on the rear screen. Conversely, the 90D retains a single top screen but with richly detailed exposure info and integrates a built-in pop-up flash - a notable difference, as the 5D MIV lacks any built-in flash and thus demands external lighting gear for fill or bounce.

From a workflow perspective, the 5D Mark IV’s top LCD combined with fully customizable physical buttons and dials offers quicker access to settings under challenging conditions (think cold weather gloves or fast-paced sports action). The 90D’s layout favors a touchscreen LCD-based interface, plus a convenient mode dial switch and good tactile feedback - often preferred by enthusiasts and hybrid shooters who alternate between stills and video.

Sensor and Image Quality: Full-Frame vs APS-C – The Pixel Battle

The sensor is the beating heart of any camera, so let’s unpack the core specs:

• Canon 5D Mark IV: 30.4MP full-frame CMOS sensor (36x24mm), DIGIC 6+ processor
• Canon 90D: 32.5MP APS-C CMOS sensor (22.3x14.9mm), DIGIC 8 processor

While the 90D offers a megapixel advantage on paper, the larger sensor size of the 5D Mark IV means physically bigger photosites with better light gathering - a crucial advantage for image quality, dynamic range, and noise control, especially in low light or demanding conditions.

The 5D Mark IV scores a strong 91 on DxOMark’s overall rating, with excellent color depth (24.8 bits) and an impressive dynamic range (~13.6 stops). Shadow recovery and highlight detail remain clean even when pushing exposure in post-processing - great news for landscape and studio photographers.

The 90D doesn’t have official DxO sensor scores yet, but its backlit sensor design and DIGIC 8 processor support high-resolution, clean images with respectable noise levels up to ISO 25600. The 1.6x crop factor does have its perks, giving telephoto reach for wildlife and sports, but you sacrifice shallow depth of field control and some highlight retention compared to full-frame.

In my hands-on testing, the 5D Mark IV consistently delivered superior color gradation in skin tones and smoother bokeh, while the 90D held its own for details in good lighting, yielding excellent results for portraits with smaller apertures and natural light.

Rear LCD and Live View: Articulated vs Fixed

Rear LCD design heavily influences usability, especially for video shooters and macro photography where unusual angles come into play. The 5D Mark IV features a fixed 3.2-inch touchscreen with a sharp 1.62M-dot resolution - bright and legible under sunlight, but limited in flexibility.

Meanwhile, the 90D’s fully articulated 3.0-inch touchscreen (1.04M dots) swings out and rotates, making it far more versatile for vlogging, street shooters crouching low, or astrophotographers framing upward at stars. Touch responsiveness and menu navigation are smooth on both cameras, but the 90D just edges the 5D Mark IV for ergonomics during live view shooting.

Live View autofocus on both models uses Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, known for rapid, accurate focusing in video and stills, though the 90D benefits from updated firmware refinements with the newer DIGIC 8 processing.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed for Action and Portraiture

Both cameras employ Canon's dependable phase-detection autofocus systems, but there are distinctions:

• 5D Mark IV: 61 AF points, with 41 cross-type points spread widely across the frame. Includes face detection in live view but lacks animal eye AF.

• 90D: Slightly reduced 45 AF points, all cross-type, offering solid tracking ability. Face detection plus solid live view performance with Dual Pixel AF.

For portrait photographers, the 5D Mark IV’s broader coverage and dense focus points translate to higher accuracy locking on subjects, especially for capturing subtle expressions and eye details. Sports and wildlife photographers will appreciate its stiff tracking under erratic motion and lower latency shooting at 7 fps.

The 90D bucks the trend with a higher continuous shooting speed of 11 fps, appealing to sports and action shooters working on a tighter budget or preferring APS-C crop reach. From my field testing, the 90D remains snappy, but tracking fast-moving subjects (especially with longer lenses) is marginally more challenging than on the 5D Mark IV, which benefits from the larger sensor's better phase-detection array.

Shooting Speeds and Buffer Depth: Burst Mode Demands

• Canon 5D Mark IV: 7.0 fps continuous shooting, large buffer supporting JPEG+RAW
• Canon 90D: 11.0 fps, smaller buffer by comparison

While the 90D’s 11 fps sounds impressive, burst depth is shallower, requiring fast CFexpress or SD cards to maximize sustained shooting. The 5D Mark IV’s slower frame rate is balanced by a deeper buffer, especially helpful for event photographers shooting extended sequences.

For professionals focused on wildlife or fast sports action, I would recommend the 90D if burst speed is paramount and APS-C is acceptable, but the 5D Mark IV for a more reliable and stable shooting experience overall.

Video Performance: 4K Quality and Specialized Features

Video has become an essential consideration beyond stills. Both cameras offer useful features, but differences are notable:

• 5D Mark IV: 4K DCI (4096×2160) at up to 30 fps, but with a significant 1.74x crop on 4K video, reducing the field of view. Offers 1080p up to 60 fps and a 720p 120 fps slow-motion mode. Available microphone and headphone jacks enable serious audio monitoring.

• 90D: 4K UHD (3840×2160) at 30 fps with no crop, giving wider angle shots and more framing freedom. Supports Full HD at up to a smooth 120 fps for impressive slo-mo. Also includes mic and headphone ports, plus USB Power Delivery - a first in Canon DSLRs - meaning longer recording sessions with external power packs.

In real shooting, the 90D’s uncropped 4K is a big advantage for video creators who value wide angle and versatility. However, the 5D Mark IV’s cinematic DCI 4K standard is still preferred in certain professional video workflows, despite crop. The older DIGIC 6+ processor on the 5D means fewer codec options and larger files; the 90D’s newer processor handles modern codecs like H.264 more efficiently.

If your workflow mixes serious stills and video with a leaning toward video, the 90D strikes a better balance. If still photo quality remains priority, the 5D Mark IV edges out.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ruggedness in the Field

Both DSLRs are designed to endure professional usage, and Canon has built them to last:

• 5D Mark IV: Magnesium alloy chassis, robust weather sealing including dust and moisture resistance. Perfect for challenging environments like rainforests or dusty stadiums.

• 90D: Also sports weather sealing, though with a polycarbonate exterior and lighter frame. Suitable for rough outdoor use but with slightly less insulation against the elements.

The 5D’s weight and build imply a more professional, reassuring device you can trust under demanding conditions. I tested both cameras in cold rain and dusty trails; the 5D Mark IV showed less susceptibility to grime ingress and metered more consistently under low temperatures.

Lens Compatibility and Ecosystem

Canon 5D MIV front Canon 5D MIV screen back Canon 90D front Canon 90D screen back

Canon’s strength lies in its lens mount ecosystem:

• 5D Mark IV: Uses Canon EF mount with access to over 250 full-frame lenses including pro-grade L-series primes and zooms.

• 90D: Compatible with Canon EF and EF-S lenses - the latter designed for crop sensors, giving more budget choices and compact options.

For users invested in Canon primes and L-series optics, the 5D Mark IV fully exploits the strengths of these glass masters on a full-frame sensor. The 90D offers more affordability and flexibility, and Canon’s EF-S lineup includes many sharp, lightweight zooms great for travel or street photography.

From my perspective, the 5D Mark IV is your pick if you need ultimate image quality from high-end optics or shoot commercial assignments that demand full-frame sensor characteristics. The 90D suits enthusiasts and semi-pros exploring a broad range of lenses who want a balance of speed and resolution.

Battery Life and Storage: Marathon Shooting

• 5D Mark IV: Canon LP-E6 battery, rated at around 900 shots per charge, with dual card slots (CompactFlash + SD) for backup and overflow - critical for professionals who cannot afford interruptions.

• 90D: Uses LP-E6N battery offering approximately 1300 shots - notably better endurance for longer sessions. Single SD card slot supporting UHS-II cards offers fast write speeds but less redundancy.

If your workflow involves extended shoots or travel, the 90D’s impressive battery life and lightweight design shine. However, the 5D Mark IV’s dual card slots give you peace of mind safeguarding images on the spot.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Newer technology is more prominent in the 90D:

• 90D: Built-in Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth for instant image sharing and remote control via Canon’s Camera Connect app. USB charging is a game changer for field charging from portable batteries.

• 5D Mark IV: Wi-Fi and NFC are present but lack Bluetooth, and charging via USB isn’t supported - you’ll need to swap batteries or carry spares.

Wireless tethering is more straightforward on the 90D, which excels for active social shooters and journalists who need speedy delivery.

Price-to-Performance: What’s Your Investment Worth?

The 5D Mark IV asks for nearly triple the price of the 90D - a steep step up justified by full-frame dynamics, superior low-light ability, better build, and dual card slots.

The 90D offers an attractive proposition for photographers seeking a robust DSLR with modern processing, excellent burst speeds, and sharp 4K video without breaking the bank.

Evaluating Genre Performance: Which Camera Excels in What Field?

Putting these cameras to the test across various genres reveals distinctive winners:

• Portraits: 5D Mark IV shines with smoother skin tones and better bokeh control from larger sensor and lens options.
• Landscape: 5D Mark IV’s dynamic range and full-frame resolution grants more latitude.
• Wildlife: 90D’s crop factor combined with 11fps burst favors wildlife telephoto reach and action.
• Sports: 90D edges out with faster continuous shooting.
• Street: 90D’s lighter body and articulating screen are advantageous on the go.
• Macro: Both capable, but 5D’s sensor facilitates cleaner high-ISO shots.
• Night/Astro: 5D Mark IV provides better high-ISO performance with lower noise.
• Video: 90D’s no-crop 4K gives more framing versatility.
• Travel: 90D wins for lightweight and battery life.
• Professional Work: 5D Mark IV excels with durability, dual cards, and RAW image fidelity.

Final Ratings Summary from Our In-Depth Testing

Based on my extensive hands-on testing:

These scores are reflective of the 5D Mark IV’s position as a seasoned professional tool, and the 90D’s role as a feature-packed, affordable enthusiast DSLR.

Which One Should You Buy?

Consider the Canon 5D Mark IV if:

• You demand the absolute best image quality with superior dynamic range
• You shoot frequently in low-light, studio, or landscape environments
• Your workflow depends on professional reliability, full weather sealing, and dual card slots
• You prioritize robust build and premium lens compatibility (EF full-frame lineup)
• Your budget permits a higher tier investment

Put your money on the Canon 90D if:

• You need a DSLR that balances high resolution with excellent burst speeds for wildlife and sports
• You want uncropped 4K video with an articulating screen for multimedia projects
• You value battery endurance and portability for travel or street photography
• You’re stepping up from entry-level bodies and desire a feature-rich, affordable DSLR
• Your lens collection includes both EF and EF-S formats

Closing Thoughts: Own the Right Tool for Your Vision

Over thousands of hours testing DSLRs, I’ve seen how gear choice can subtly influence creativity and workflow efficiency. Canon’s 5D Mark IV, a true classic, remains a formidable ally for demanding professionals and passionate advanced amateurs who prize image quality, durability, and full-frame allure. Meanwhile, the 90D represents a mature, thoughtful evolution in Canon’s APS-C lineup - tech-savvy, nimble, and versatile enough for demanding enthusiasts juggling stills and video.

Neither is outright better across the board - they serve complementary roles. By aligning camera choice with your photographic ambitions, shooting style, and budget realities, you’ll set yourself up for rewarding capturing experiences whether that’s chasing sports adrenaline, crafting daylight portraits, or exploring starry skies.

And as always, remember: the best camera is the one you use confidently, creatively, and consistently.

If you want to see side-by-side comparison images and more detailed test shots, here’s a gallery showcasing the 5D Mark IV and 90D in diverse shooting conditions:

Canon 5D MIV front Canon 5D MIV screen back Canon 90D front Canon 90D screen back

Hopefully, this hands-on expert breakdown helps you navigate the decision to select your next Canon DSLR with confidence. Feel free to reach out with questions about specific use cases or real-world scenarios!

Happy shooting!

• Your Trusted DSLR Expert