Nikon D90 vs Canon EOS Rebel SL1

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D90 and Canon EOS Rebel SL1. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D90 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS Rebel SL1 is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D90 were released 2008 and Canon EOS Rebel SL1 was released 2013. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D90 2008
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 2013

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 Rebel SL1 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 Rebel SL1 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 Rebel SL1 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 Rebel SL1 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS Rebel SL1 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 Rebel SL1 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D90. Canon EOS Rebel SL1 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 Rebel SL1 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 Rebel SL1

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 Rebel SL1 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D90 4,5
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 4

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 Rebel SL1 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.

Nikon D90 weighs 703 gr (equal to 1.55 lb) which is 73% heavier than Canon EOS Rebel SL1 and its 407 gr (or 0.9 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D90 703 gr
1.55 lb
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 407 gr
0.9 lb

Nikon D90 vs Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D90 and Canon EOS Rebel SL1, 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 Rebel SL1
Name Nikon D90 Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D90
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Release Year 2008 2013
Release Date 2008-08-27 2013-03-21
MSRP 899 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D90
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D90
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
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) DIGIC 5
Image
Nikon D90
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
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 Rebel SL1
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
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 11 9
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 Rebel SL1
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 96% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.96× (0.64× 35mm equiv.) 0.87×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Nikon D90
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Frames per second 4,5 fps 4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 17 meters 9 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
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 Rebel SL1
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D90
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D90
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional ML-L3 or MC-DC2)
Optional via RC-6
GPS Yes
Optional
Yes
Optional via GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D90
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 850 shots 380 shots
Width 132 mm 117 mm
Height 103 mm 91 mm
Depth 77 mm 69 mm
Weight 703 gram 407 gram