Canon is known for making some of the best digital cameras on the market today, with each product featuring the latest technology and upgrades. Two of the company’s top-of-the-line products include the Canon 80d and Canon 90d. Given how good these two models are, it can be challenging to choose one.
For their diversified consumer base, these mirrorless cameras offer an equally diverse range of features. Although the Canon 90d is a more recent release than the 80d, the two share several similarities while still being unique enough to justify a comparison.
Why Canon 90d?
We chose the Canon EOS 90d as the better model because, as the latest Canon EOS model, it offers more than its older sibling. While both cameras use the same underlying technologies and have the same body design, the Canon 90d has been updated to include new features such as iRT face tracking AF and longer battery life.
Overall, these improvements make the 90d the clear winner, as well as a product that is well worth the money.
Overview of the Canon 80d
![Canon DSLR Camera [EOS 90D]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61zvtQSBokL._AC_SL300_.jpg)
Features and Specifications
- The sensor is a 24.2 Megapixel CMOS APS C
- Viewfinder shooting
- Dual Pixel AF is fast with autofocus
- 45-point AF System, all cross-type points
- ISO speeds range from 100 to 16000 for pictures and up to 12800 for videos
- DIGIC 6 processing capability
- Weatherproof construction
- 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen
- 04M dot LCD Resolution
- 7560-pixel RGB+IR Metering sensor
Overview of the Canon 90d
Features and Specifications
- 5 Megapixel CMOS APS C sensor
- With DICIG 8, the processor has been updated and made faster
- 45-point AF system
- Bluetooth works at low energy
- 4K video shooting with flexibility in cropping
- C-RAW storage option saves storage space
- Face and tracking with the EOS iRT AF
- Dual Pixel AF with Live View and video modes
- The ISO range is set at 100 to 25600 for photos and up to 12800 for videos
- Manual option for around 5,481 AF points
- The viewfinder has a low lag time
- Electronic shutter with good capture speed
- Articulating LCD touchscreen
- Webcam capabilities
More About the Canon 80d
The Canon 80d is, by all accounts, an excellent camera. It has a 24.2 Megapixel APS C CMOS sensor with the Dual Pixel AF image sensor. The Dual Pixel AF allows for continuous shooting focus when capturing still figures and even during video filming. Canon has programmed the 80d Canon with their AF technology. The concept behind that technology is to guide the sensor’s pixels to find the focus point. As a result, it also offers better DR and higher image resolution.
ISO is the sensor’s sensitivity to light in a camera, and the canon 80d offers incredible ISO rates. A good ISO is when your camera is more responsive to light and can work well in low light. The Canon 80d has a 16000 ISO for still images and a 12800 ISO for videos, making it one of the best. Additionally, it has the DIGIC 6 that offers excellent processing speed.
The Canon 80d has an intelligent viewfinder that makes photography even more fun. The viewfinder offers a grid display and shows both AF modes and AF points. It also comes fitted with a horizontal electronic level and other information points. Furthermore, the camera makes excellent videos with its 1080p 60 fps (frames per second) captures and autofocus, which helps with continuous shooting.
The Canon EOS 80d also has 45 points in the AF system, with all the points being cross-type. Although the camera lacks an AF menu, it offers a wide area and has a focused sensitivity of EV3. Plus, an AF adjustment section inside the custom function menu offers four different selection modes for the AF area.
The body of the Canon EOS 80d weighs 730g and has a magnesium alloy chassis with an exterior made of polycarbonate. They both protect the camera from water and dust. Moreover, you can control the camera with the touchscreen in the rear or with physical control points. The touchscreen is 3 inches, and the 1.04M dot LCD touchscreen is movable, so you can reposition it using a pivot or a hinge.
Armed with the 7560-pixel RGB+IR Metering Sensor, the Canon 80d has an astute awareness that allows it to track subjects with the viewfinder. It also offers a burst rate of 7 fps. Similarly, it comes equipped with Wi-Fi and NFC. Short for Near Field Communication, NFC allows you to connect your camera with your smartphone with the Canon Camera Connect app. As a result, you can wirelessly transfer files from your camera to your smartphone.
Likewise, you can turn your camera into a webcam with Mac and Windows devices. For this, you need the EOC Utility Webcam beta software, and your camera needs to be compatible. It also offers a time-lapse filming option and a port for flash sync. In addition, the body comes equipped with an external port for connecting a headphone jack and a microphone.
More About the Canon 90d
The Canon 90d is a better version that has all the features of the Canon EOS 80d and more. With a 32.5 Megapixel CMOS APS C sensor, you can capture life moments in higher image quality. It allows for fast continuous shooting with autofocus for focus. Moreover, the DIGIC 8 processor offers quick execution with excellent results. It gives sharp image results with almost no grain or noise, even at higher ISO. It works well in all lighting, including low-light situations like low-light areas.
Canon 90d is excellent for video filming and offers movie shooting up to 4K UHD at 25-30 FPS, or 3840 x 2160. It also has 1080p at 120 FPS for Full HD, which is 1920 x 1080. Furthermore, the ISO setting has an upper limit at 12800 for movies and 25600 for photos. The 90d Canon EOS offers the same 45-point system as the Canon EOS 80d, with all the points being cross-types. However, Canon updated the Dual Pixel CMOS sensor for live viewing, video and video coverage, and eye detection. It also has 27 points for F/8 aperture autofocusing and also in-camera video and image stabilization.
With the EOS Canon 90d, you have the option of selecting around 5,481 AF points manually, depending on the lenses or camera setting. The range of AF points can differ if you’re shooting in movie mode or AF cropping too. Selectable options in AF include zone AF and Face and Tracking AF, etc. The Canon 90d offers a broader AF area coverage, mainly when using it with particular EF-S or EF lenses. Area coverage is about 88% in the horizontal direction and all 100% in the vertical direction.
Furthermore, the Canon 90d’s 20K Pixel metering sensor comes with face detection. It has an intelligent tracking and recognition system or the EOS iTR AF that automatically detects and tracks people’s faces. Face detection even works with the optical viewfinder, and it’s rarely added to any traditional camera DSLR.
It has Canon’s signature 3-inch LCD touchscreen that is varied-angle, meaning it’s not fixed in place and works great at all angles. You can look through the viewfinder with almost no lag time or glare and take shots of fast-moving objects and take photos with high image quality. Similarly, Canon 90d comes equipped with an electronic shutter with a maximum capture speed of 1/8000 of one second. The shutter’s design lets you take about 10 FPS when shooting with a viewfinder and 11 FPS in Live View mode.
Canon 90d is available to buy with different kit lenses, and each kit has a price that reflects it. It also comes fitted with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which works at low energy. With them, you can connect your camera and smartphone via the Canon Camera Connect app. Furthermore, the body weighs 701g and has multi-control buttons. These buttons allow you to use the customizable functions of the camera while you use the optical viewfinder. It has a joystick control button that helps control the menu and fast movement of AF points.
The LP-E6N is a rechargeable battery made of lithium-ion that the Canon EOS cameras use. Canon 90d has a longer battery life with its Battery Grip BG-E14, which contains two packs of battery LP-E6N. The battery grip on the Canon 90d is comfortable to hold and increases stability when you’re shooting using telephoto lenses mounted on your camera. Moreover, it offers a C-Raw option to store images in compressed form. The files help to save space with minimal quality change.
Similarities Between the Canon 80d and 90d
Construction and Battery Performance
These two cameras in the Canon EOS are both similar in their body style and build. Both have weather-resistant bodies that are black and sleek. The battery used in both of them is the same; it’s the battery grip BG-E14 with LP-E6N. In other words, they both have a comfortable grip and a good battery life.
ISO and AF
Both cameras have the same ISO for movies, up to 128000. The mechanical shutter in the Canon EOS 80d and the Canon EOS 90d is the same. They both come equipped with 45 AF points, and all the AF points are cross-type in both cameras. Moreover, they both have the Dual Pixel AF, which comes with autofocus capabilities.
Webcam and Connectivity
You can use both Canon EOS cameras as webcams with the EOS Utility Webcam beta software on Windows and Mac. They both offer built-in wireless that helps to connect the two cameras with a smartphone to transfer data.
Viewfinder and Screen
Likewise, they both have an optical viewfinder that offers a clear and sharp view for shooting. The viewfinder magnification works just as well. Similarly, the 3-inch touchscreen is the same, and the varied-angle LCD touchscreen offers a dynamic range in both cameras. In addition, the touchscreen is relatively responsive, so it’s easy to navigate the menus and options. They both also have a built-in flash and offer RAW support. The LCD resolution is the same at 1.04M dot, and the camera bodies have a headphone and a microphone port.
CMOS APS C Sensor
Like the other Canon EOS, both the Canon 80d and the Canon 90d are fitted with the CMOS APS-C sensor technology. Also, you can control both of them remotely with the Canon Camera Connect app and wireless internet.
EF Lens Mount, Timelapse, and AE Bracketing
Both the Canon 80d and the Canon 90d have an EF lens mount, and both are friendly for beginners to intermediate and expert level photographers. Moreover, both come with a timelapse filming option and an AE bracketing option, which is helpful for photography in low light. You can rotate the LCD touchscreen in both EOS cameras for selfies and vlogging.
Canon 90d vs. 80d: What’s the difference?
While the Canon 80d and Canon 90d share many standard features, the Canon 90d has a lot of updates and additions that make it different from the Canon 80d.
Resolution
The big difference is that the Canon 80d has a 24.2-megapixel APC S CMOS sensor while the Canon 90d has a 34.2-megapixel APC S sensor. 24-megapixel translates to 6000 x 4000 while 34 is 6960 x 4640. In short, it means that 90d has a higher resolution sensor than 80d. You may not feel that 90d has a higher resolution in softcopy. But you will notice the difference when you print out an image in hardcopy form.
Processor and Continuous Shooting
Another significant difference is the DIGIC update from the DIGIC 6 in the EOS 80d to the DIGIC 8 in the 90d. The Canon 90d is a lot faster due to its new processor. Also, the burst mode or burst rate for the Canon 80d is at 7 FPS. It’s 11 FPS for the Canon 90d in continuous shooting.
Weight and Battery Life
Moreover, the Canon 90d is lighter than the Canon 80d in weight since the Canon 80d is 24g heavier than the Canon 90d. Both cameras have the same battery type, and the Canon 90d has a longer battery life than the Canon 80d. 90d supports 1300 photos or videos, but 80d only supports 960.
Video Capabilities
The Canon 90d has better video shooting capabilities, and you can shoot a 4K movie with it. The Canon 80d shoots decent videos, but it doesn’t offer slow-motion. Meanwhile, the 90d also works better for shooting slow-motion movies than the Canon 80d. It also has HDR mode for video shooting in which the camera combines an underexposed picture and an exposed picture. It helps the camera return a photo with a more extensive dynamic range.
Other Differences
The Canon 90d has a shutter that can be used for a more extended period without charging, whereas you can only use the Canon 80d shutter for 100000 cycles. Furthermore, the Canon 80d has NFC for connecting with other devices, while the new EOS 90d has Bluetooth. Regarding the 45-point AF system, the Canon 80d has one point with f/8 metering. In contrast, the Canon 90d has 27 points with F/8 metering. Unlike the 80d, the new EOS 90d also has a face tracking feature with EOS iRT AF, including advanced face detections and tracking features. It can even shift the focus point when taking multiple shots, which the Canon 80d is incapable of doing.
While the Canon 80d has a slightly larger sensor size than the Canon 90d, the latter offers better image quality due to several factors. The ISO settings for photos are also different, as they are between 100 and 16000 for the Canon 80d and 100 to 256000 for the EOS 90d. Moreover, the Canon 90d has UHS-II card support, while the Canon 80d has UHS-I card support. Both have weather-resistant bodies, but the Canon 90d is more water-resistant, and getting it wet won’t cause any problems.
Which One is the Superior Product?
Canon EOS 90d is the superior of the two EOS cameras in the Canon 80d vs. 90d comparison. Both EOS cameras are different, and it can be tough to make a decision. This guide will help you to choose between them, depending on your needs. It lists all the features of both cameras and then bisects how they are similar and what makes them different.
Canon 80d works well for high-quality pictures and good video footage, and it’s a fantastic Canon camera. It works with its 45-AF point system and other features that aid in a great photography experience. The menu navigation is easy to use, and the NFC is a legit feature.
However, the Canon 90d is still a step up from the 80d. A significant advantage of using Canon 90d, aside from the 4K movie capabilities, is the higher photo quality. Also, the responsive iRT face tracking AF is a great bonus. You should go for Canon 90d if you’re looking for a good video camera for movie shooting. Canon 90d offers higher resolution photos and many other sweet features, such as image stabilization, sensor size, and sensor width. Therefore, it’s a better model than the Canon 80d.
