Canon recently announced the EOS 90D, successor to the Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera. At the recent launch event in Singapore, I had the opportunity to have a short hands on with the latest Canon EOS 90D DSLR camera. I am pretty familiar with the Canon double digit series DSLR cameras, having owned the Canon EOS 30D and Canon EOS 70D previously. The Canon EOS xx series DSLR cameras have been a capable middle level series DSLR cameras, sturdy, reliable and trustworthy. I can’t forget pushing the Canon EOS 30D to its limits over the years that I owned it, photographing, traveling and exploring! The Canon EOS 90D continues to uphold the legacy of the Canon EOS xx series DSLR cameras family.
Upon holding the Canon EOS 90D, trying it out, shooting and getting the feel, I was quite impressed with its built quality, auto focus capabilities and ergonomics. Equipped with a 32.5 megapixel APS-C sensor, an advanced viewfinder and Canon’s unique high-speed, high-precision Dual Pixel CMOS Auto Focus technology, this is a pretty good Canon DSLR for both photography and videography.
While I was thinking, analysing and comparing with the Canon EOS 7D Mark II, I was curious if the Canon EOS 90D would be the convergence model for the Canon EOS 7D Mark II and Canon EOS 80D series. After having a informal discussion with the folks from Canon Singapore, I had a better understanding on the positioning of the Canon EOS 90D, it’s edging closer towards the Canon EOS 7D Mark II lineage, yet it doesn’t mean the end of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II lineage at this point in time.
When the opportunity arises, I would do a review on the Canon EOS 90D, share the photographs and videos shot with this new DSLR camera, share my thoughts, views and opinions in my review article.
Let me share with you more information and details of the Canon EOS 90D below:
“Thoughtfully designed to give professionals and advanced amateurs the operability they seek, the EOS 90D has entered Canon’s EOS DSLR line-up with enhanced ergonomics and high-performance functions,” said Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore. “With the EOS 90D featuring Canon’s unique Dual Pixel CMOS technology and advanced video capabilities, its mid-range pricing gives users an affordable choice packed with all the functions they need.”
Incredible Focus
The EOS 90D features Canon’s unique Dual Pixel CMOS Auto Focus technology that enables a range of auto focus capabilities. The Eye Detection AF detects the eye of subjects and tracks them, allowing users to maintain focus and create striking portraits, even when their subjects are constantly in motion.
With up to an impressive 5,481 AF positions, users can expect greater freedom of movement and composition without losing focus. In addition, the camera’s low intensity limit of up to EV -5 allows for sharp focus and vivid images even in dark environments.
Remarkable Performance
Powered by advanced DIGIC 8 imaging technology, the EOS 90D produces exceptional image quality at 32.5-megapixels with its APS-C CMOS Sensor and ISO sensitivity of up to 51,200. Achievement of up to 11fps in Live View makes sure users do not miss shots of fleeting moments. The silent electronic shutter also goes up to a maximum speed of 1/16,000 sec that could freeze any quick movements, making it the perfect companion for wildlife photographers shooting subjects that easily startle at the slightest sound.
For users preferring to shoot through the optical viewfinder, the precise and extremely fast focusing of the 45 cross-type AF sensor (of which 27 points supporting f/8—ideal for those using teleconverters) is a feature of the EOS 90D they will love. Paired with high speed continuous shooting up to 10fps (even in Servo AF), users will be able to easily capture fast-paced action, ranging from wildlife to sports photography.
To top that off, the optical viewfinder now includes a single-point spot AF as well as EOS iTR (intelligent Tracking and Recognition) for face detection. The 220,000-pixel AE sensor has face detection abilities and corrects exposure even in scenes where detection of skin colour is difficult.
Operability to Suit Even the Needs of Professionals
On top of its water and dust resistance capability, the EOS 90D is designed to give users operability demanded by professionals and sought after by advanced amateurs as well.
A new multi-controller joystick now comes alongside the existing multi-controller to provide more tactile control over the AF point selection. Users will be able to operate the selection of AF points quickly and intuitively while looking through the optical viewfinder or using the Vari-angle LCD monitor. The shutter button on EOS 90D is equipped with a mechanism that reduces fatigue during continuous shooting, a feature that is usually found in high-end camera models.
The EOS 90D uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology that enables users to stay connected to their smart devices, while the Wi-Fi capability function allows wireless tethered remote shooting for stills and videos, image selection and even simultaneous image transfer whilst users shoot. All of these intuitive designs of the EOS 90D allow seamless wireless access to the camera’s content through the Canon Camera Connect App that supports connection with multiple smart devices. In addition, 4K videos are automatically compressed to Full High Definition before they are wirelessly transferred to smart devices.
The EOS 90D Edge on Video
The EOS 90D is equipped with superb video capabilities, empowering users looking to shoot dynamic footage in 4K 30p/25p (cropped or uncropped can be selected) format. Shooting in cropped mode will enable users to achieve more zoom whereas uncropped mode will allow actual field of view for the lens they use. This opens up a wide array of shooting opportunities for videographers, one of the many things made possible with the EOS 90D.
In addition, focusing by Dual Pixel CMOS AF enables high-quality movie shooting. As high frame rate movies of 120p and 100p can be shot in full HD, even fleeting events can be played smoothly and slowly. Users can now treasure their favourite memories even more through experiencing rich details that might have gone unnoticed in the moment.
Pricing and availability
EOS 90D Body – SGD$1,779 (Retail Price)
EOS 90D with EF-S18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM – SGD $1,979 (Retail Price)
EOS 90D with EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM – SGD $2,379 (Retail Price)
Canon EOS 90D Technical Specifications
Image Processor | DIGIC 8 |
Image Sensor Camera Effective Pixels (Total pixels) |
APS-C size CMOS Approx. 32.5 megapixels (Approx. 34.4 megapixels) |
Exposure Control |
• Approx. 220,000 dot RGB + IR metering sensor • 216-zone (18 x 12) full-aperture TTL metering |
Viewfinder AF |
All cross-type 45-point (27-point f/8 compatible, 9-point cross) Single-point Spot AF, Single-point AF, Zone AF, Large Zone AF, and EOS iTR AF (face detection) |
Focal Plane AF |
Dual Pixel CMOS AF Image display area max, approx. 88% x vert. approx. 100% Number of AF positions: max 5,481 positions |
Still image normal max ISO speed |
ISO 25,600 (ISO 51,200 equivalent) |
Movie normal max ISO Speed |
ISO 12,800 (ISO expansion 25,600 equivalent) |
Continuous Shooting |
Max approx. 10 fps (during viewfinder shooting, AF fixed/tracking) Max approx. 11 fps (during Live View shooting, AF fixed) Max approx. 7.0 fps (during Live View shooting, AF tracking) |
Max Shutter Speed |
1/8000 sec. (mechanical) 1/16000 sec. (electronic) |
LCD Monitor |
3.0-type, approx. 1.04 million dot Vari-angle |
Movie |
4K 30p/25p (Cropped or uncropped can be selected) |
Size |
Approx. 140.7 x 104.8 x 76.8mm |
Weight |
Approx. 701 g |
Network |
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth Low Energy Technology |
* Information and pictures courtesy of Canon Singapore and Ogilvy *