Nikon D90 vs Canon EOS 7D
This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D90 and Canon EOS 7D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Nikon D90 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 7D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.
Nikon D90 were released 2008 and Canon EOS 7D was released 2009. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Nikon D90 | 2008 |
Canon EOS 7D | 2009 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D90 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 7D has a "Canon APS-C"-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 ** |
Nikon D90 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Canon EOS 7D | 80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6 |
** 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Resolution
Nikon D90 has a 12,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 7D has 18 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Nikon D90 |
12,3 MP
12212224 pixels 4288 x 2848 |
Canon EOS 7D |
18 MP
17915904 pixels 5184 x 3456 |
Canon EOS 7D has a 47 % larger resolution than Nikon D90. 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
Canon EOS 7D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D90. Canon EOS 7D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D90 has 200 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Nikon D90 | 200-6400 |
Canon EOS 7D | 100-12800 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D90
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 7D
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D90 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 7D can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Nikon D90 | 4,5 |
Canon EOS 7D | 8 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Nikon D90 and Canon EOS 7D 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 7D weighs 860 gr (equal to 1.9 lb) which is 22% heavier than Nikon D90 and its 703 gr (or 1.55 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Nikon D90 | 703 gr 1.55 lb |
Canon EOS 7D | 860 gr 1.9 lb |
Nikon D90 vs Canon EOS 7D Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D90 and Canon EOS 7D, 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 |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Name | Nikon D90 | Canon EOS 7D |
Manufacturer | Nikon | Canon |
Release Date and Price |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Release Year | 2008 | 2009 |
Release Date | 2008-08-27 | 2009-09-01 |
MSRP | 899 USD | 1699 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Sensor Size |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4288 x 2848 pixels | 5184 x 3456 pixels |
Megapixels | 12,3 MP | 18 MP |
Image Processor | Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration) | DUAL DIGIC 4 |
Image |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 7D |
ISO Range | 200 - 6400 | 100 - 12800 |
White Balance Presets | 12 | 6 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No | No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 11 | 19 |
Lens Mount |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Canon EF Canon EF-S See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
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 |
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 |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 920000 | 920000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 96% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.96× (0.64× 35mm equiv.) | 1× (0.62× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Frames per second | 4,5 fps | 8 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 17 meters | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | Yes | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 |
H.264 |
Video resolution |
1280 x 720 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 7D |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
No |
Remote Control |
Yes (Optional ML-L3 or MC-DC2)
|
Yes (N3 connector) |
GPS |
Yes Optional |
Yes Optional through GP-E2 |
Body & Dimensions |
Nikon D90 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 850 shots | 800 shots |
Width | 132 mm | 148 mm |
Height | 103 mm | 111 mm |
Depth | 77 mm | 74 mm |
Weight | 703 gram | 860 gram |