Introduced just a few weeks ago, the Canon EOS 90D is a DSLR for what is often called the “enthusiast user”. Namely, a mid-range camera that wants to become the best friend of many of those advanced photographers who still prefer DSLRs to a mirrorless one for some of its advantages . We have tested it and we tell you our impressions and the results obtained.
But first let’s talk a bit about the context, since it is interesting to know that this model appears in a complicated scenario . And it is that what we say that it is for users who resist mirrorless , is because all the indicators say that the SLRs are definitely in the doldrums and that they are the future.
Canon Eos 90d Review
Of course, and considering that we have been hearing about the death of SLRs for more than ten years, we did not expect models like this to stop being launched. However, we are sure that all this has influenced when developing one like the one we have in hand (and will influence its sales).
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In fact, it is also curious that it was presented alongside the Canon EOS M6 Mark II , a mirrorless model with which it shares many characteristics . So much so that we could even say that they are the same camera in a different format, mirrorless and reflex, designed to cover both audiences. Be that as it may, we are going to tell you what we think about this Canon and we start, as always, by looking at its specifications.
Canon EOS 90D Technical Specifications
SENSOR 32.5 effective megapixel APS-C CMOS
SENSITIVITY ISO 100 to 25,600 (expandable to 51,200)
PROCESSOR DIGIC 8
VIEWFINDER Optical with pentaprism; magnification 0.95x approx. and 100% coverage approx.
5STORAGE MEDIA SD, SDHC and SDXC (UHS-II) cards
6PHOTO / VIDEO FILE FORMATS JPEG (EXIF 2.31), RAW and CRAW / MP4
AF SYSTEM TTL-CT-SIR with a CMOS sensor (optical viewfinder) / Dual Pixel CMOS AF system. 45 AF points
CONTINUOUS SHOOTING 10 fps (approx.)
MONITOR Variable-angle 3-inch (1040K-dot) TFT Clear View II
MAXIMUM VIDEO QUALITY 4K: 3840 x 2160 (29.97; 25 fps)
CONNECTIVITY WiFi 2.4 GHz 802.11b / g / n and Bluetooth 4.1
DIMENSIONS 140.7 x 104.8 x 76.8 mm
WEIGHT 701 grams (without battery and memory card)
PRICE 1,399.99 euros only body / 1,799 euros with the Canon EF-S 18–135mm IS USM lens
Design, construction and ergonomics
Canon Eos 90d Review
Successor to the EOS 80D, it has hardly changed with respect to it although it must be said that it was not necessary either
The analyzed model came to replace the EOS 80D (which dates back more than three years) and, therefore, it is inevitable to look at it to verify that externally the model has evolved little , even if we look at the EOS 70D . Still, it is fair to say that the camera’s design is attractive and that it is very well finished.
Despite not being a professional model, its robustness is remarkable, without implying an exaggerated weight. In that it probably has a lot that plastic is the main material of its body, but the result is not bad at all and it is also sealed against dust and splashes .
Canon Eos 90d Review
Special mention should be made of the generous grip, which allows a very good grip , making it possible that even mounting a telephoto lens of a certain size we can take the camera with one hand without at any time being afraid that it might fall off. We can see this with the Canon EF 70–300mm f / 4–5.6 IS II Nano USM , a relatively recent lens that pairs well with the EOS 90D if we think about using it for sports or animal photography.
Canon Eos 90d Review
Apart from this, for our test we also have the Canon EF 18–135mm IS USM , an all- rounder for APS-C that can be obtained in one of the kits in which this camera is marketed.
Regarding the design, we already say that little has changed, and it keeps intact the lines of the previous model as well as the arrangement (and number) of controls and buttons. The biggest change we have in the inclusion, at the rear, of the joystick that is appearing in many of the new cameras of practically all brands.
Canon Eos 90d Review
This command, by the way, is used to select menu options and move the focus point, but curiously this is disabled by default and you have to find how to activate it. Be that as it may, the truth is that the direct access buttons are very numerous, making the body look almost professional, although not very customizable (the buttons have their function, period).
In addition, it still has a single wheel for aperture and shutter speed control, which seems like a lag for an advanced model like this one. It is true that the wheel that surrounds the rear crosshead serves this function, but it does not seem like the best option, and it was also uncomfortable to use.
Canon Eos 90d Review
For the rest, we cannot finish without talking about the size and weight of the camera. An eminently subjective value because it will depend a lot on who we talk to. If the prospective user is used to SLRs of a certain level, this camera will surely seem relatively light and ergonomic. If we are talking about a beginner who is not used to this area, it is very possible that it seems a “monstrosity”, overwhelming in an age when there are much smaller options that offer a similar quality.
Handling and performance
The problems discussed about design are directly reflected in the handling. For example, the discomfort when using the rear control wheel makes the use of the associated functions less pleasant , such as setting an exposure value or simply scrolling through the photos taken.
Canon Eos 90d Review
Of course, this hit is sure not to be noticed by those who come from the previous model, or even from another similar Canon, since the driving mode remains without major changes. On the other hand, they are things that with practice are surely forgotten in a short time.
As for the joystick (which we already said is a novelty), in principle its use is practically restricted to navigating through the menu options. Because to directly handle the focus point on which we want to work we will have to activate it first. The problem is that the camera comes without a complete instruction manual, so if we don’t bother to investigate, we may come to think that this function cannot be used.
Canon Eos 90d Review
The selection of the focus point, and the working mechanics in general, change a lot depending on whether we use the viewfinder or the LCD screen.
And, if we limit ourselves to the factory settings, to select a specific focus point or area you have to first press a small button next to the shutter-release button. In addition, this control makes it change the focus area to be used if it is pressed repeatedly. The result is that the advantage of having a joystick to directly select where we want to focus is lost, unless we make this function work directly.
However, working on the screen (instead of the viewfinder) the thing is as simple as touching with the finger where we want to focus, we can even take the photo directly this way if we wish (the tactile response very well, by the way ). The feeling, as it has already happened to us with other Canon models ( for example the EOS 250D ), is that there is a lot of difference between taking photos in one way or another , something that should not happen.
Canon Eos 90d Review
Leaving this aside, we cannot fault the speed and precision of it, especially working on the screen where the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system shines with its own light and improves quite a lot to the AF used when shooting with the viewfinder.
Perhaps that is why the efficiency of the system in tracking objects, through the viewer that is how professionals work, has not seemed very successful . In fairness we must say that we have not been able to squeeze its possibilities, because it usually takes some practice to know which is the best AF method for different situations, especially those with moving subjects.
Canon Eos 90d Samples
Canon EOS 90D at 1/160 sec, ƒ4.5, ISO 100 with Canon EF 70–300mm f / 4–5.6 IS II Nano USM lens at 70mm.
Even so, trying to capture scenes of this type we achieved a good percentage of correct shots, but for this we had to prioritize that the main subject was in the center of the frame. In this vein, we were not very convinced by the eye-tracking option (the previous model was limited to faces), whose operation seemed erratic . That is, sometimes it found (and focused) the eyes, and sometimes it didn’t.
Changing the third, of course we must talk about the rate of fire, a section where the EOS 90D offers better numbers than its predecessor: from seven to ten shots per second . A significant improvement that can be very useful if (indeed) we use this camera in action shots and that makes us consider the camera as a new one (because the term we have used it before) “harmless submachine gun”.
About autonomy little to say, but very decisive. Used to testing mirrorless cameras that require constant recharging if subjected to intensive use, in that case we only had to charge it out of the box . With that it held us perfectly during our tests (about 750 shots ), since it is a value that is far from the promised autonomy (1,300 shots) if, as we did, the viewfinder is used preferentially and live view is not abused. .
Canon Eos 90d Samples
Canon EOS 90D at 1/640 sec, ƒ8, ISO 100 with Canon EF 70–300mm f / 4–5.6 IS II Nano USM lens at 300mm
By the way, since we mentioned the viewfinder (with autonomy, another reason to choose a SLR over a mirrorless one), it must be said that we can not put any problem except for the little information that the LCD shows , which does that we have to move away from the viewer too often to activate certain functions (perhaps we have already become used to electronic viewers that offer all the information — and more — we need).
Canon Eos 90d Samples
Canon EOS 90D at 1/320 sec, ƒ6.3, ISO 160 with Canon EF 70–300mm f / 4–5.6 IS II Nano USM lens at 182mm
Image quality and noise levels
Once again, all the possible drawbacks that we find with a camera are minimized when we look at the result of the photos taken. In this sense, it must be taken into account that the Canon EOS 90D has a new APS-C type sensor with 32.5 Mpixels, the highest resolution chip in its class.
Canon Eos 90d Samples
Canon EOS 90D at 1/500 sec, ƒ5.6, ISO 200 with Canon EF 70–300mm f / 4–5.6 IS II Nano USM lens at 300mm
Thanks to this, the image quality improves in practically all areas compared to the 80D, in addition to maintaining the qualities that have always characterized the sensors of this brand (which, we remember, are of our own manufacture): Excellent color reproduction, great level of detail, good dynamic range and very acceptable signal-to-noise ratio .
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This is based on JPEGs (RAWs cannot be opened yet) which, as is also usual, offer a very attractive and perfectly finished image for many uses. Perhaps the processing of photos taken with high levels of sensitivity is a bit aggressive, causing a little more detail to be lost than would be desirable, but considering that noise does not bother up to 6,400 ISO it is not a problem either.
Canon Eos 90d Iso Comparison
Canon EOS 90D at different ISO levels with the Canon EF 18–135mm IS USM lens at 42mm
What we like the most is the color, which is very real and attractive , especially in warm tones. The level of detail is also good, although here the camera can surely give much more of itself with higher quality optics than those used in the test.
Canon EOS 90D at 1/400 sec, ƒ7.1, ISO 12,800 with Canon EF 70–300mm f / 4–5.6 IS II Nano USM lens at 300mm
Canon Eos 90d Sample Noise 100
Regarding the video, we cannot fail to mention that another of the novelties of the model was the possibility of recording in 4K in this case without pixel clipping on the sensor. The result is a notable improvement over the 80D, and a good performance in general, although it does not come with the option of recording in 4K (or 1080) at 24p as standard (although this will be fixed shortly ), and it is not the same. better than digital stabilization is done with pixel cropping.
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Thus, we are faced with a mid-range SLR that, either due to the market situation or the competition, offers very good arguments for those looking for a complete camera. An excellent device for the type of user it is aimed at, with possibilities even for the professional field and guaranteed results in almost all terrains .
Canon EOS 90D at 1/500 sec, ƒ8, ISO 100 with Canon EF 70–300mm f / 4–5.6 IS II Nano USM lens at 200mm
Its ergonomics are excellent and the new sensor seems that it can give a lot of joy to those who are willing to carry a “old-fashioned” camera. A type of user who, with good reason, does not want to worry about autonomy or prefers a traditional viewer since he anticipates that he will spend many hours looking through it .
Of course, it will require some practice to be able to squeeze its AF system, something that is precisely crucial if we think (as Canon suggests) of users who want to use it “hunting” animals or in sports. Interestingly, the camera performs much better using the screen to focus, which is still a contradiction in terms . It is not that it is not useful, but in principle it does not seem that anyone is going to buy a camera of these characteristics to use it through the screen.
Canon EOS 90D at 1/400 sec, ƒ6.3, ISO 320 with Canon EF 70–300mm f / 4–5.6 IS II Nano USM lens at 238mm
Finally, a note on the price (1,379.99 euros only body) that we think is adequate for what it offers. Of course, a lower figure could make the model an even more attractive camera in the eyes of those who still refuse to buy one without a mirror.
Canon EOS 90D at 1/500 sec, ƒ8, ISO 100 with Canon EF 70–300mm f / 4–5.6 IS II Nano USM lens at 79mm
