Canon T7i vs Nikon D90: A Hands-On, In-Depth Comparison for the Savvy Photographer

Choosing your next camera can feel like navigating a jungle packed with confusing specs and marketing jargon. Having spent years testing hundreds of DSLRs ranging from entry-level budget models to full-frame beasts, I’m here to help untangle the maze between two well-known workhorses: the Canon EOS Rebel T7i (800D) and the Nikon D90. Both cameras have earned their place in photography history, though they hail from different generations and design philosophies.

In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dissect their real-world performance across every major photographic discipline - plus look under the hood at technical details you'll appreciate only with hands-on testing. If you’re a photography enthusiast, hobbyist, or pro considering these models as an upgrade or backup, let’s get you the clarity you need to make a confident choice.

Getting to Know the Contenders: A Tale of Two DSLRs

Before we dive into nitty-gritty, here’s a quick contextual snapshot:

• Canon T7i debuted in 2017 as a refined entry-level DSLR with modern innovations like a touchscreen, robust autofocus, and solid video. Canon designed it primarily for enthusiasts and beginners stepping up their game.
• Nikon D90, launched back in 2008, has the distinction of pioneering video in DSLRs and appealing to advanced amateurs wanting DSLR features without the pro body price. It’s older but still celebrated for its build and image quality.

Let’s start by sizing them up - literally and figuratively.

Size and Handling: Which Fits Your Hands Better?

Ergonomics can make or break your shooting experience. The Nikon D90 is a bit heavier (703g vs 532g of the T7i) and slightly larger, lending itself to a grippier, more substantial feel in the hand. That extra heft can help stabilize shots, especially with heavy lenses, but it’s not ideal if you favor travel-light setups.

The Canon T7i impresses with a compact and lightweight body, perfect for street photographers, travelers, or anyone who hates lugging around camera clubs for thumbs. Canon’s grip is also sculpted for smaller hands and the buttons are well-spaced for intuitive reach.

If you prioritize a lighter load and modern comfort, the T7i wins the ergonomics contest. But if you need a dense, no-nonsense grip that feels serious, Nikon’s classic design offers a confident hold.

Breaking Down User Interfaces and Controls

Control layout and menus can shape how intuitively you can operate the camera. Speaking from the trenches, a confusing interface can derail your flow and make you miss decisive moments.

Canon’s T7i features a neat, modern top panel with a dedicated mode dial, a customizable multi-controller joystick, and touch-sensitive rear buttons. It’s splendid for beginners yet fast enough for advanced tweaking during action shoots.

By contrast, the D90 sticks to a traditional DSLR layout with fewer direct controls and no touchscreen. Its top plate sports a mode dial and a small LCD screen (a rarity then) showing shooting info - something the T7i omits. For veterans used to Nikon’s menus, it’s comfortable but less customizable.

On the rear, the T7i’s fully articulating touchscreen LCD is a game changer, delivering quick touch focus and menu navigation - a godsend for vloggers and portrait shooters. The D90’s fixed LCD is sharp but non-interactive, limiting flexibility in live view or video modes.

Bottom line: If touchscreen and quick, accessible controls top your priority list, Canon’s newer UI steals the show. Nikon’s tactile experience holds charm but feels dated for this decade’s workflows.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Now to the meat of any camera: how well does it see and capture light?

The T7i sports a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (22.3x14.9mm) with Canon’s DIGIC 7 processor, while the Nikon D90 features a 12.3-megapixel APS-C sensor (23.6x15.8mm) - both delivering the classic cropped-sensor field of view but with different resolution and tech.

Having tested both extensively, here’s what stands out:

• Resolution and Detail: The T7i doubles the pixel count, producing sharper, more detailed images suitable for large prints and cropping. Nikon’s 12MP sensor yields excellent image quality but with lower resolving power, which may show when enlarging photos.
• Dynamic Range: Thanks to newer sensor tech and image processing, Canon can capture a wider tonal range, preserving details in shadows and highlights better. The D90’s dynamic range feels more constrained, requiring careful exposure.
• Low Light Performance and ISO: Canon’s higher max ISO (25,600 native, expandable to 51,200) outpaces Nikon’s (3,200 native, expandable to 6,400), giving the Rebel an edge in dim conditions. Noise control in the T7i at ISO 3200 and 6400 is notably cleaner.
• Color Depth: Both cameras produce natural colors with slight characteristic signatures - Canon leans toward warmer tones (great for skin), Nikon towards cooler, contrasty results.

In my lab, Canon’s sensor and processor combo means cleaner, sharper, and punchier images overall, great for varied lighting and shooting styles. However, Nikon’s 12MP sensor still holds up surprisingly well for web, casual, and print sizes up to A3.

Autofocus Systems: Speed Meets Accuracy

Autofocus is where hands-on experience really pays, especially for high-speed and portrait photographers. Let’s compare.

• Canon T7i: Boasts a 45-point all cross-type autofocus system with Dual Pixel CMOS AF for speedy and accurate live view focusing. This means sharp single shots and strong continuous tracking for moving subjects.
• Nikon D90: Provides 11 autofocus points with fewer cross-type sensors, using traditional phase detection only. It lacks sophisticated tracking features but delivers reliable focus in good light.

In real-world shooting, the T7i’s autofocus is smarter, faster, and more versatile - especially beneficial in sports, wildlife, and street photography where subjects move unpredictably. Nikon’s simpler AF can hunt and miss in low contrast or dim conditions, which frustrated me during indoor events or fast action.

Neither offers animal eye-detection - a newer feature even in midrange bodies - but Canon’s live view AF dramatically outshines Nikon’s limited contrast-detection system.

Burst Shooting and Performance: Catching the Decisive Moment

Sports and wildlife photographers, listen up.

• The Canon T7i offers 6 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting.
• The Nikon D90 maxes out at 4.5 fps.

While neither matches today’s professional sports cameras blasting 10fps+, the faster burst of the T7i makes a tangible difference for capturing fleeting expressions or split-second action.

Buffer depth is decent on the T7i - enough to shoot moderately long bursts in JPEG and RAW without slowdown. The D90’s buffer is smaller, and its older processor can bottleneck performance under heavy RAW shooting.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin Tones and Bokeh

Portraiture demands flattering skin reproduction, accurate focus (especially on eyes), and pleasant background separation (bokeh).

The T7i’s 24MP sensor combined with Canon’s color science results in warm, natural skin tones with smooth gradations. Its 45-point AF system with face detection repeatedly nailed critical eye focus during my portrait sessions. The fully articulating LCD aided my composition from tricky angles.

Pairing the T7i with its compatible EF-S and EF lenses that open wide (like the Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM) produces creamy bokeh that gently isolates the subject.

Conversely, the D90’s 12MP sensor yields less resolution but still respectable skin tone reproduction. Its 11-point AF system is less forgiving for eye detection, so shooting portraits requires more care and manual focus sometimes. Nikon's classic Nikkor lenses deliver pleasant background blur as well, but the slower autofocus can sometimes be frustrating in candid sessions.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Resistance

Landscape photographers prize wide dynamic range and sturdy, weather-resistant bodies.

Neither camera offers professional-level environmental sealing, but both can withstand moderate outdoor use with caution.

The Canon T7i’s superior dynamic range, thanks to its modern sensor, preserves horizon details and shadow areas better in challenging light. The 24MP sensor enables large prints with fine detail - a bonus for landscapes.

The D90’s sensor shows a narrower tonal range, so highlight recovery is less flexible in post-processing. However, its 36.3mm² larger sensor area (slightly bigger than Canon’s) helps slightly in gathering light, offsetting some resolution loss.

For landscape enthusiasts aiming for high-impact large prints and extensive editing latitude, the T7i has a clear advantage.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus and Telephoto Compatibility

Wildlife demands fast focus, good burst speed, and versatile lens options.

Canon’s T7i autofocus system is well regarded for tracking quick animal movements, especially in live view, thanks to Dual Pixel AF. It also supports a vast EF and EF-S lens lineup, including pro-grade telephotos with image stabilization.

Nikon’s D90, although older, pairs with an excellent range of F-mount lenses including legendary Nikkor telephotos and third-party options. Its burst capability is slower and AF tracking less agile, which can hamper success on fast-moving wildlife.

If wildlife is your main gig, the Canon T7i offers more modern AF sophistication and faster continuous shooting, easing subject capture challenges.

Sports Photography: Tracking, Low Light, and Frame Rates

Speed and reliability in focus and shooting rates define sports photography.

Canon’s 45 cross-type AF points, 6fps shooting, and superior high ISO capabilities allow the T7i to thrive in indoor sports and fast action scenarios.

The Nikon D90’s 11-point AF and 4.5fps shooting make it workable, but you’ll struggle in lower light or with unpredictable athlete movement. It’s fine for casual sports but not competitive levels.

Street Photography: Portability, Discreteness, and Low Light

Street shooters often favor stealth, mobility, and responsiveness.

The Canon T7i’s compact body, articulating touchscreen for low-angle shots, and quick AF make it an excellent urban companion. It’s also relatively quiet compared to pro DSLRs.

The Nikon D90’s larger footprint and louder shutter mechanism might attract unwanted attention. However, its solid grip and prism viewfinder aid quick manual framing.

Both cameras handle street lighting reasonably, but on ISO control, Canon’s newer sensor excels in low-light street scenes.

Macro Photography: Focus Precision and Stabilization

Neither camera incorporates in-body stabilization - no surprise given their class.

Macro shooters depend heavily on lens quality and focus precision.

The T7i’s touchscreen focusing and focus peaking (via third-party apps) aid macro precision, while Nikon’s traditional focus system requires careful manual operation.

With appropriate macro lenses, both cameras achieve competitive close-up sharpness, but the Canon’s live view AF gives it a slight edge.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

Long exposures and astrophotography demand stable exposure control and strong high ISO performance.

The T7i offers ISO up to 25600 native, with reasonable noise control and intervalometer support for timelapse - handy for star trails and meteor showers.

The D90 maxes out at ISO 3200/6400 expanded, with heavier noise at higher ISO.

Canon also provides more flexible exposure bracketing modes, aiding HDR night shots.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Audio

Nikon surprised us in 2008 by introducing video in a DSLR with its D90 but in today’s terms:

• T7i delivers Full HD 1080p video at 60fps with H.264 compression and a dedicated mic input.
• D90 maxes out at 720p 24fps with Motion JPEG codec and no microphone port.

The Canon T7i is far superior for content creators needing smooth, high-res video and audio control. Nikon’s video mode is now largely obsolete.

Travel and Versatility: Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery life favors Nikon’s older EN-EL3e batteries, lasting about 850 shots vs Canon’s 600. The tradeoff is bulkiness on the D90.

Connectivity-wise, the T7i includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC - a breeze for wireless photo transfer and remote control. The D90 only offers Eye-Fi card compatibility, which feels antiquated today.

The Rebel’s smaller size and modern features make it more travel-friendly.

Build Quality, Durability, and Lens Ecosystem

Both cameras lack professional weather sealing, so expect no rough rain or dust-proof capabilities.

Lens mounts:

• Canon EF/EF-S offers 326 native lenses, including affordable primes and high-end L-series optics.
• Nikon F mount supports over 300 lenses, known for robustness and optical quality; also compatible with older manual lenses.

Both ecosystems are rich but Canon’s newer camera benefits from recent lens innovations like image stabilization and STM motors.

Storage and Workflow Integration

Both cameras accept SD cards (T7i compatible with faster UHS-I standards).

File formats are similar: RAW (CR2 for Canon, NEF for Nikon) and JPEG.

Canon tends to integrate more smoothly with current photo software, thanks to active firmware support and updated drivers.

Summing Up the Scores

When I compile metrics from image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, video, and connectivity, the T7i outpaces the D90 in nearly every category save battery life and build weight.

How They Rank Across Photography Genres

• Portrait: T7i takes it with better color, focus, and flexible screen.
• Landscape: Slight edge to T7i for dynamic range and resolution.
• Wildlife: T7i due to AF and burst rate.
• Sports: T7i favored for faster shooting.
• Street: T7i for portability and quiet operation.
• Macro: T7i's live view advantages.
• Night/Astro: T7i superior ISO and timelapse.
• Video: T7i is decisively better.
• Travel: T7i wins for weight and connectivity.
• Professional: Both okay, but T7i offers fresher tech.

Sample Images: The Proof Is in the Pixels

Canon T7i front Canon T7i screen back Nikon D90 front Nikon D90 screen back

Reviewing side-by-side photos reveals the Canon’s superior sharpness and color vibrancy, though Nikon produces respectable, contrasty images. Noise is noticeably smoother in Canon’s high ISO shots.

Final Recommendations - Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Canon T7i if:

• You crave up-to-date autofocus, live view, and touch control.
• Video recording is part of your workflow.
• You want higher resolution and better low-light performance.
• Lightweight and travel-friendly matters.
• You prefer extensive wireless connectivity.
• You shoot portraits, street, wildlife, sports, or video regularly.

Go for the Nikon D90 if:

• You’re on a tight budget but want a rugged DSLR body.
• You prioritize longer battery life and don’t care for modern video.
• You already own Nikon F-mount lenses.
• You shoot primarily in good light and don’t require fast continuous shooting.
• Vintage charm outweighs tech frills.

Pros and Cons Recap

In My Experience: Practical Verdict

I've used both cameras across multiple shoots, and while the Nikon D90 is a powerhouse of its era with classic handling and reliable imaging, it shows its age in speed, AF flexibility, and connectivity.

The Canon T7i feels purpose-built for the current photography climate - balancing ease of use, performance, and visual quality in a package that won't wear you out carrying it around.

For most enthusiasts wanting to grow their skills and harness advanced features affordably, the T7i is my clear recommendation. The Nikon D90 remains a respectable alternative if you find a good used deal and your demands are more modest.

If you have any questions or want lens recommendations to pair with these bodies, feel free to ask! Your perfect camera is out there - let’s make sure you pick one that works as hard as you do.