Canon 90D: A Bird Photographers Review (Complete with Test Files)

For my detailed review and sample files please see - www.glennbartle...
SUMMARY
To summarize my thoughts on this new offering from Canon I would say that the Canon 90D is a good general-purpose camera for a lot of photographers out there. We bird photographers are always looking for more reach and the 1.6 crop and 30 MP of this body certainly provide that. To get the most from this body though you must have a reasonable amount of light. The wheels come off the track above ISO 800 and unfortunately in the dark tropical rainforest there are certainly times when that is called for.
As we wait for whatever comes next from Canon (i.e. a good mirrorless body for bird photography) many people will be wondering if this camera is a good placeholder to tide us over. Having a 7D II I cant really see myself reaching for this camera very often. The few missing interface options and the lack of dual back button focus kind of kill it for me. What a shame.
I do think that this camera has some use though. If you are a photographer that tends to shoot in relatively open conditions and are able to generally keep the ISO under 800 it could be worth a look. Another user that could definitely find a use for this camera is the bird photographer that does not have a super-telephoto lens. For example, if your longest lens is 300 or 400mm then having all these pixels to crop in on could be a huge advantage over the 7D II. I would also add to the list of interested buyers anyone who has a super-telephoto lens but doesn’t always want to carry it around for hours on end. Slap a 100-400mm lens on this baby and you have a 30 MP 640mm combo that is VERY capable of capturing some great bird images in the right light.
Hopefully we will one day see a 7D III. But if not and we have to sit tight until a mirrorless offering gives us bird photographers what we are looking for this camera may be worth considering. Just keep in mind its strengths (reach and crop-ability) vs its weaknesses (ISO performance and crippled interface) as you make your decision.
Cheers!
Glenn
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[@nan9801]

I decided on90D over the 7Dmkll ... silent shooting, touch screen and 5 years of new technology. Lighter, crop ability... I think it will compare well.

[@julieholland9639]

Looks like Im keeping my 7DII and my 5DIII. The 7DII is still an awesome camera almost five years since I purchased it.

[@Paul_85-]

The 90D has a much better dynamic range and the noise is easily managed in lightroom. People are misunderstanding sharper images with noise. The noise is easily removed and you are left with much much sharper images than the 7d mk2.

[@falloutboy2282]

I had both 7D n 90D and i preferred 90D ..Awesome camera for bird photography, especially i can crop more!

[@BreannaMae]

I own the 90D with several higher end lenses and have had zero issues with it actually. Is it better than let's say the Canon 5D Mark IV? No, but it'll certainly do the job! I don't do wildlife photography personally, though. Apparently this camera doesn't perform as well in that area. My 90D is used for product photography, natural landscapes, architecture, and portraits. Put the 85mm f/1.2 L lens on it, use a strobe flash and this camera becomes a beast for portraits! The shots are just so crisp and clean. No complaints here!

[@GlennBartley]

Great to hear you are enjoying the 90D! :-)

[@keithwhite6096]

I just picked mine up last weekend. Upgraded from 80D and the tracking is much better especially with 100-400 L. I can crop in more during post processing and not lose detail. It uses same batteries so that is a plus. The only negative I found was when shooting raw you will run into buffer after about 2.5 seconds which is about 24 shoots. I like flip out screen for macro work and the familiarity coming from 80 D. I would like to try 7D III but it doesn’t exist.

[@gurug5413]

100-400 l version 1 or the 2 ? Iv heard some resolutions problems for 90d with version 1 is this true plzz reply iv been swimming the internet from months couldn't get answers

[@lanidelacruzramsey927]

I got this camera and noise is not a problem for me, we need to keep in mind that everyone is unique and has their own preference. For me this camera is great I love the photography that's been taken with this camera.

[@GlennBartley]

Awesome. Glad you are enjoying it. Its a great little camera for sure!

[@shademanirvanipour6870]

I am thinking of buying one of these canon cameras for some time and I got 2 canon 80Ds

[@GrymmsPlace]

Welcome back. You are missed. I agree with the other feedback: 9D is not an up from 7Dii, but a kind of fill-in as a new buy. My guess is that Canon have taken a bit of a gamble that 7Dii users that want more will try a higher-end Canon (and not take the $/£ leap to another brand). I think that's an unwise gamble and also wish that a 7D-iii with higher Mp, touch screen and higher framerates would have been trotted out. Oh well.

[@carlosgomez2]

Canon is not listening to his clients and this is something that brands like SONY do, changing brands is heavy, for all that implies, but they are forcing their clients to look at other brands that do offer what the client needs. . I am a 7Dm2 user and I adore her, but if Canon wants to make us happy when they launch 7dm3 (if they are going to do it), it is to improve the noise in high ISO. for me the rest can leave it the same. Less noise at high ISO is what we need in the successor of the 7dm2 period.

[@birdsofray]

Welcome back, Glenn! Canon unfortunately has failed to keep DSLR shooters happy. 90D? really? a 7D mark III would have sold like hotcakes even if the improvements were marginal. Keep the videos coming!

[@GlennBartley]

Ya I was really hoping for a 7D III. Hopefully it still might happen. Fingers crossed!

[@Sharlinator]

Eh, there's certainly a much larger audience for the x0D bodies than a 7D, and Canon knows it better than anyone. Thinking otherwise is just selection bias in action.

[@MrAyybee2cold]

Ray Martinez this is going to kill the 7D II which is why they’re both the same price on canons site. Not as sealed and doesnt have dual slots but it is about the same in most areas.

[@birdsofray]

Austin Bables I may give it a try.

[@shannons76]

@@MrAyybee2cold It's not going to cut it for most wild life shooters who use the 7DII/5D bodies regularly. This is just another option to upgrade from a Rebel/70d/80d body. The macro advantages with higher resolution would be interesting though. Maybe I'll pick one up when they drop below $1000 in another 6 months or even around xmas time.

[@aarhusdc3399]

did you use the 100-400mm mark 1 or 2 lens?

[@GlennBartley]

I use the mark 2

[@punithayasara]

Wellcome back!, Pls share more vlogs please as they are really great

[@nicolekarres9675]

Thanks Glenn! I tried the camera and you are spot on. I tried one for a day and the noise is horrible!

[@rayspencer5025]

One question...How good is the flip-out screen on the 7d mkII?

[@GlennBartley]

The 7D II actually does not have a flip out screen. Cheers! Glenn

[@rayspencer5025]

@@GlennBartley That was the point.

[@definitelyhexed]

Having used both, I didn't find the 90D to be noisier. And noise isn't an issue anymore with tools like Topaz and DXO PureRAW. 90D is more responsive than a 7d2, and the IQ is way better.

[@GlennBartley]

Glad it is working out for you. Its a good little camera!

[@CM-ef8fu]

Nice to see you here again Glenn;-) I still absolutely love my 7D MarkII which I bought also because of your reviews back in the day. Thanks :-)

[@RennsportDoc]

Great video! About focus accuracy and tracking do you find better viewfinder AF or live view AF in the 90D? Thanks.

[@GlennBartley]

I very rarely use Live view AF for wildlife. Almost never.

[@TatraScrambler]

Wait, what? Two back button AF buttons? one for single AF and one for AF-C? Wait a sec, wasn't BBAF all about combining the two modes into one button specifically? for speed? I don't get it.

[@GlennBartley]

Yes I use 2. One for servo and one for one shot. Maximum versatility!!

[@martinhommel9967]

I am very happy with this camera. I have taken some excellent shots of birds in flight at relatively high ISO speeds

[@adamyoung3286]

I think people's expectations are too high. The 90D costs less than the 7D Mk II does today by about £300 - £450 and yet it's expected to perform better.

[@martinhommel9967]

The 90d performs just fine. People just don't want to like it. So they start nit picking

[@TheXaelem]

Lot of reviewers saying its high iso performance is alot better than the 7dii...me, I am stilk happy with my 7dii si syicking with that. A second camera with better video features would be nice though so maybe a 90d still might find a place in my stable

[@sedevacante966]

I don't understand how there can be two contradictory views on the noise of the 90D. Someone's got to be wrong.

[@fintanmctiernan8284]

I switched from the 7Dii to the EOSR and while it is not as good for fast action birds in flight, it is way way better for high noise images and for image quality in general, there is a huge difference between full frame and cropped sensors, in my opinion and in my experience and I personally would not go back to a cropped sensor. I tried the 90D when it came out and found the auto focus for birds in flight to be dreadful, (tested with the 100 to 400 IS ii) compared to the 7Dii and its actually worse than the EOS R.

[@djack41]

Hey Glenn Did your review mention the size of the buffer?

[@ambdxt]

Thanks for your review Glenn. I am into bird photography and want to upgrade from 600D (used with Sigma 150 - 600 mm contemporary) but can't decide whether to go for 90D or 7D ii. The reviews for 90D specific to bird photography are not that great, but also going for a very good but decade old camera (that is not even listed in Canon website now) as a new purchase doesn't seem to make sense. Would love to hear your opinion on ths same.

[@GlennBartley]

if i was buying today id probably go 90d. Hopefully a new R7 is coming soon!

[@ambdxt]

Yes, that's another dilemma. Whether to go for it now or wait for the mirrorless one. Thanks Glenn for your response 👍

[@akmac7559]

I am in the same boat. What I want, doesn't exist at the moment.

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

Tnx for the honest review, I appreciate immensely the work and the associated blog on your website. I have a 7DII and also eagerly awaiting for the next iteration. I never thought that the 7DII will appear as low noise at high ISO but here it comes 5 years down the line still holding its own. As you say maybe for good light the 90D would be a good alternative and I like the flip out screen and better video features but I do not want to spent all that money on it and next year we get the next 7DII iteration.

[@carolinemynott]

Thanks for the review of the camera, Glenn. I don't suppose you tried the focus bracketing feature? I'd really like to know how that would work with close, static bird subjects. Cheers.

[@GlennBartley]

No I'm sorry I didnt try that out.

[@redauwg911]

Welcome back, Glenn! Canon unfortunately has failed

[@ColinRobinson666]

Something is up with your test images, all the 90D images are all much more brightly exposed than the 7D mkII images. I think if you print both to the same image size the 90D images would have less noise.

[@shannons76]

Hi Justin. Regarding the difference in exposer, Glenn uses the same ISO, shutter, and aperture settings for all the photos so you would think they would be equally exposed. I believe the difference comes from the difference in sensor sensitivity and also the way Canon is processing images in body. I've noticed slight differences in exposure when changing from my 7dmkII to the wife's 77d and also going to my 5ds with the same settings. I believe the exposure values in the cameras just aren't exact across the board. It could also be that Canon is adding in lighter colored noise patterns in new cameras so the image doesn't get darker as the ISO gets higher as older cameras tended to do. Maybe some other 90D/7D2 users could compare images and weigh in on their findings. Either way, Glenn is spot on with his comparison of the cameras. Hopefully an 7D Mark II replacement is on the way despite the rumors that the 7D line is dead.

[@ColinRobinson666]

@@shannons76 it must have to do with the increased dynamic range across the whole ISO range then, as well as the sensors increased sensitivity like you said. I'd love to see a pro mirrorless crop body from Canon. The M6 mark 2 has been performing well, but it feels delicate with a 600mm attached. A 7D3 in both DSLR and mirrorless forms would be welcome.

[@soak000]

I just got the 90D and pairing it with the 100-400 II. However, I want to add the 1.4x tele for further reach. Any thoughts or experience with that setup? Thanks.

[@GlennBartley]

I wouldnt recommend use with a TC. Better just to crop in on the 30MP.

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

I have the 100-400+1.4x on a 7DII which means I have to shoot at f/8 and usually up the ISO. IQ takes a bit of a hit but the biggest hit is in AF speed for fast moving subjects even with the limiter engaged. If it is a stationary subject in the sun the combo works. For everything else (esp. if I had the 90D with more pixel density) I would crop in.

[@Rascallucci]

I never had the 7D II, never read about its glowing reviews, I just went straight to the new tech and specs of the 90D. So, when you say the 7D II is better for bird photography, I am assuming you are referring to the 65-point AF and noise control at high ISO? I am just going to take your word for it, but I also wonder whether the cropping in factor of the 90D's 32.5 MP sensor would balance things out. I am shooting with a Sigma 150-600mm, so in effect 960mm and I still crop in a lot. Granted I have never used the 7D II, but I have to believe the 90D has to be sharper given the higher resolution, at least in normal lighting conditions especially when you need to crop in a lot. Either way, at this timing, it is next to impossible to pull the trigger buying a camera this old, it simply wouldn't have made sense. I mean over here in Hong Kong, Canon has already long stopped selling the 7D II. You can only buy parallel import units if you really want one. I think if you have been using the 7D II for all these years, if you want a real upgrade, I believe is time for you to look towards mirrorless, such as the coming R5 (granted you shot this video sometime back before the announcement of the R5). Likewise, the 90D would most likely be my very last DSLR too. Is really time, a good number of people have already switched (and for good reasons), but mostly away from Canon to Sony. But, that was before they announced the R5. For me, I would probably consider migrating to Sony as Canon simply doesn't have a super zoom in their lens line-up and I will never drop US$13K on a 600mm f/4 or 800mm f/5.6. So, if I want better results than the Sigma 150-600mm, I will have to go with the Sony 200-600mm.

[@pavanyaragudi]

Hey Alex.. I too have a sigma 150-600 and I am not sure weather to go for 90d or 7dmk2.. I shoot birds and I’m switching from canon 1300d.. is high noise that big of a deal.?

[@cillyede]

Great to see you! Greetings from Germany.

[@gregwilsonnaturephotography]

Hey Glenn, I too say welcome back.... It's been a while since you have posted so I am sure that means you have been busy! Since I shoot with a Nikon D850 and D500 What Canon brings out is not that big deal. I just enjoy your videos and tips. Greg

[@alanalain4884]

The D500 is a very good camera. Pair it with the 300 f4 and 200-500 Nikon has and it's probably one of the best combo for birding in APS-C...

[@sambathsubbaiah8164]

Great to see you Glenn !! Did you try any of the canon mirrorless for bird photography?? Between am still using the 7D2 as my primary body and use 5D4 for low light situations !

[@GlennBartley]

I have not yet. But from the sounds of things they are not quite "there" yet.

[@sambathsubbaiah8164]

Glenn Bartley yes for Canon . Great to see you sticking around Canon 🙂 . With Sony coming up with a9ii and 600mm G series I believe they have the lead now .

[@shannons76]

Great comparison Glenn. Thank you!

[@johndickinson8848]

With apps like Topaz, noise is not an issue anymore.

[@abelleipardo]

Thanks for this video Glenn, I was actually really hoping you would test this camera! I have a the old 7D and was considering upgrading to the 90D. You only mentioned the fact that it has less autofocus points than the 7Dii, but how do they perform in tracking compared to the 7Dii? Thanks again, and I look forward to more of your videos!

[@actie-reactie]

I am in the same situation....an old 7d and i am going to upgrade to the 90D ...watched a lot of other reviews and it seems more than worth it....this wasnt a very informativ review....i also own a 5D mark 3....thats what i agree with this reviewer.....in most lightsettings, combined with 10 fps, 32 mp, and the crop factor with extra reach for your zoom lenses, its going to be a great camera....the dual focus and tiltscreen and 120 fps is also a Nice bonus for a bit of video ...

[@jeffbackcountry5651]

I’m holding out for the Canon 7D Markiii 🤞🏻

[@mattli911]

Don't think ever is going to happen :(. At this point, probably have to move to R Mount/Mirrorless to get that with them. 1DX III might be one of last DSLRs they make. But who knows.

[@shannons76]

@@mattli911 They are going to need to improve AF tracking a heck of a lot for most 7D2 users to convert. Ergonomics of mirrorless bodies aren't exactly great either.

[@mattli911]

@@shannons76 Yes, AF is one of biggest issues yet and blackout/EVF Lag. Even Sony A9 can lag after time I've heard, if bursting for a while. The R body has some of the better ergonomics I think of mirror-less bodies, sony is terrible. But they all still need to improve. Need a grip for most of them since is too cramped. Especially using huge lenses like 500/600 F/4 and hand holding. I hope Canon can release something much higher end in the next year or something.

[@auttark9815]

All the 'flaws' of the 1st R series indicate a Canon 7D III (and 5D4 - 1D3) will be the better choice for many pro's. This is Conscious policy by Canon. Not until the R series mkIII any dslr will do better. And then still dslr/mirrorless be equal to eternity on many levels. Maybe Canon designs a hybrid Viewfinder in a dslr at one point.

[@mattli911]

@@auttark9815 Yeah. R is not ready yet for wildlife action stuff, and probably not for another 1-2 years. I will get 1DX or something else in meantime. But good news for Canon shooters. I've seen basically Brand new 600 III F/4 lenses going for 3K below new price + save the tax. So 4-6k cheaper. People jumping to Sony.

[@mohan16862]

Noise performance is interesting comment. I would expect brand new sensor and new processor will delivered better noise performance but that extra megapixel ruining the party.

[@jodydavid3753]

But Why in 720?

[@chrisipad4425]

Thanks for the content but please use a microphone for better audio。

[@cropperson5583]

Geez... I want it as my first camera...

[@GlennBartley]

Its a good one!

[@cropperson5583]

@@GlennBartley Some KZbin videos have highlighted the fact that the AF is hit and miss on moving birds. Others report no problems. It is a bit confusing...

[@alg6377]

I concur. I did some test shots at a relatively modest 640 ISO, comparing it to my "old" 70D, and found the 90D to have noticeably more noise under identical settings and conditions. Also, for those who don't shoot raw... I noticed that jpeg files sizes between it and a Sony a6400 (24mp) at max resolution consistently show the Sony's significantly LARGER (??). Something's obviously getting lost. It seems to me that Canon dropped the ball and pandered to all the Spielberg wannabe vloggers with glorious 4K (and now 24p) video, rather than concentrate more on still photograph performance. Disappointing.

[@actie-reactie]

If you would have clicked the tamron 100-400 on to your camera...it would have been way more lighter....it has also great image quality for this "cheaper" lens...

[@michiganwoodsman2199]

As a professional photographer who has taken photos on top of Annapurna, Everest, and K2 i can say you are wrong here in a few ways. Start over dude, I shot all Mountaims with my 90D!

[@GlennBartley]

What does photographing mountains have to do with birds? Or mountaims as you say. Thanks for the useless comment...

[@laranitasantana]

You have to speak louder and more clear. Or reduce the ambient noise. NO LIKE

[@Gabriel-pl8my]

That camera is so expensive can't afford it. Hoping one day i have a digital camera.

[@metalero32]

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