Yeah I know there are tons of reviews out there that make you go envy over both of them so much, it almost feels like you need to own both. I actually did buy both; And returned one. The choice was difficult, albeit reasonably sure. Now my opinion may not be the same as yours but it would be worthwhile to see these two cameras compared from a geek’s perspective. Sans all marketing gimmick, nay!
It’s surprising to see that just like me, most people have compared Canon’s 50D with Nikon’s 90D. These two cameras are not even in the same class! Of course, my point of looking at them and comparing them has a reason too: For a given budget range each one of these could be the viable option. Just shows that Nikon has not just caught up with Canon, its not just an equivalent product anymore but an innovation, a commitment to the community to such an extent that the D90, an XSI level camera is giving a much higher end EOS 50D a run for its money. Nice!
For a more thorough review of the technical specifications of both cameras, you might want to grab the professionals. My point of view is always different. To hear from the professionals, you can go to Photography Review or browse more thoroughly the tests done by DPReview on Nikon D90 and Canon EOS 50D
Alright, so my kind of side by side comparison goes like this. And if you don’t like it, please feel free to use the comments section ;-)
Please do note, I’m not going to be drooling about features that are good on both or known for either. For example, both cameras have an awesome high res rear LCD, both have an awesome MP (okay Canon has a little more, you know that already, what’s the point of repeating information that you can google on your own anyway?) I’ll just talk about what I felt was the decisive factor and not mentioned in the marketing or fanfare.
Canon 50D |
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Wins |
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Nikon D90 |
Menu System |
Clumsy Menu system, takes too long to change settings quickly. Somebody should send these guys to accessibility training. Alright, the Menu system is the same as all other Canons so okay for experienced users but … |
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Easily accessible menu. Whatever one needs is available right there, easy to navigate to. |
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| Button Placement |
If the camera is mounted on the tripod, accidental button push is very likely. Who keeps the horizontal button layout these days? |
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There’s a button for everything. No need to hunt for it. Quick and easily accessible by thumbs or index fingers for on the go convenience |
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| Pre-focus flash assist |
Works like a charm |
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While not as great as Canon’s Flash assist; Nikon’s AF assist LED works just as well. AF does end up hunting more often though, wonder if its … |
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| AF Points |
9 |
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11 |
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| In Viewfinder active AF illumination |
Much easier to know where the camera selected the AF point |
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Guesswork or needs additional time |
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| Weight |
Much heavier than Nikon, although some may call it a “rugged-build” |
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Quite light :-) compared to Canon 50D |
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| Highest FPS |
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Software |
Everything in the box
Supports Direct import to Photoshop
Stable, equally good support on x64 and x32, Vista and Adobe Direct
Works equally well on Mac |
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Basic software only
Camera Control needs to be purchased separately
Supported via Nikon Transfer (1 extra step)
Crashes too often on Vista. Driver does not work on Vista x64
Works well on Mac |
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| Movie mode |
-not present- |
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720p only, not true HD.
No AF-Servo though. |
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| Twain Source |
Yes |
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No. No programming possible (even if I ever get time to, the camera is not available as a programmable interface) |
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So, there you have it. I really did like the Nikon so much, I almost wanted to keep it. In the end though, I know I won’t like to struggle with the software. And I really have a dearth of 32 bit machines in my home (other than my laptop because of the stupid Cisco VPN). So, I’ll have to do without all the coolness of D90. I’ll keep the EOS 50D.
As I said before, image quality, resolution and all other fan boy stuff has already been documented enough. I just spared everybody the trouble of having to go through it again. This is the stuff that mattered to me and may be it won’t matter to you so much. Have fun though, both the cameras pack a big punch and you can’t go wrong with either.
Comments and flames welcome.