Canon EOS 90D vs Nikon D5500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 90D and Nikon D5500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 90D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D5500 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 90D were released 2019 and Nikon D5500 was released 2015. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 90D 2019
Nikon D5500 2015

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 90D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D5500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 90D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D5500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 90D has a 33 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5500 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 90D 33 MP
32294400 pixels
6960 x 4640
Nikon D5500 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Canon EOS 90D has a 35 % larger resolution than Nikon D5500. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 90D 100-25600
Nikon D5500 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 90D has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5500 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5500 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 90D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 90D can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 90D 11
Nikon D5500 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS 90D and Nikon D5500 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 90D weighs 701 gr (equal to 1.55 lb) which is 67% heavier than Nikon D5500 and its 420 gr (or 0.93 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 90D 701 gr
1.55 lb
Nikon D5500 420 gr
0.93 lb

Canon EOS 90D vs Nikon D5500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 90D and Nikon D5500, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 90D
Nikon D5500
Name Canon EOS 90D Nikon D5500
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 90D
Nikon D5500
Release Year 2019 2015
Release Date 2019-08-28 2015-01-06
MSRP 1199 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 90D
Nikon D5500
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 90D
Nikon D5500
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6960 x 4640 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 33 MP 24 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 8 EXPEED 4
Image
Canon EOS 90D
Nikon D5500
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 90D
Nikon D5500
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 45 39
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 90D
Nikon D5500
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 1040000 1037000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD Monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 0
Photography features
Canon EOS 90D
Nikon D5500
Frames per second 11 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 90D
Nikon D5500
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 90D
Nikon D5500
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 90D
Nikon D5500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-In 802.11b/g/n with Bluetooth
Yes
Built-In
Remote Control Yes (Wired , wireless or smartphone) Yes (MC-DC2 (wired), WR-1/WR-R10 (wireless))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 90D
Nikon D5500
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E6N lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL14 / EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1300 shots 820 shots
Width 141 mm 124 mm
Height 105 mm 97 mm
Depth 77 mm 70 mm
Weight 701 gram 420 gram