As we can clearly see that Nikon Z5 camera features a FF sensor and Canon 90D uses an APS-C CMOS sensor. With Nikon, we will get added advantage of better low-light performance and more DR range due to lower resolution and more sensor area.
1. IBIS Factor
Nikon added the IBIS mechanism inside the Nikon Z5 camera. With S line of lenses, the camera helps you to get 5 axis IS and when used with the older generation of FX line of lenses added with FTZ adapter the Camera IBIS unit effective up to 3 Stops.
2. Nikon Z5 is more suitable for wedding and event photography
As usual, you can clearly see that Nikon Z5 camera features a larger sensor and a built-in IBIS unit inside. So, if you are a wedding and event shooter I highly recommend you go with Nikon Z5 camera. Working in a variable light condition is easy with Nikon Z5.
3. High ISO Test Between Canon 90D vs Nikon D750
Before we begin, let me tell u that Nikon Z5 is using a re-designed sensor of Nikon D750 Camera. So, more or less the image quality is expected to remain the same as of Nikon D750. As usual, you can see the High ISO performance of Nikon D750 is more clean compared to Canon 90D.
4. Canon 90D two-stops down (ISO 1600 vs 6400)
The low light images of Canon 90D captured at ISO 1600 look similar to Nikon Z5 images captured at ISO 6400. So, We have two-stops of ISO advantage with Nikon Z5 Sensor.
5. Studio Work – Canon 90D
When you are working on a controlled light environment Canon 90D camera may help you bit more with its higher resolution sensor to gain more details in every shot. So, if you are working in a controlled light environment I highly recommend you to go with Canon 90D Camera.
6. Canon 90D Grabs More Details at Base ISO
Canon 90D Picking Up more details / Color information at base ISO range. From the images, the Nikon D750 images look slightly flat when compared to Canon 90D at base ISO range.
| Nikon Z5 | Canon 90D | |
| Lens Mount | Nikon Z | Canon EF-S |
| Camera Format | Full-Frame (1x Crop Factor) | APS-C (1.6x Crop Factor) |
| Pixels | Actual: 24.93 Megapixel Effective: 24.3 Megapixel |
Actual: 34.4 Megapixel Effective: 32.5 Megapixel |
| Maximum Resolution | 6016 x 4016 | 6960 x 4640 |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1, 3:2, 16:9 | 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Size | 35.9 x 23.9 mm | 22.3 x 14.8 mm |
| Image File Format | JPEG, Raw | JPEG, Raw |
| Bit Depth | 14-Bit | 14-Bit |
| Image Stabilization | Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis | Digital (Video Only) |
7. Better Low-Light Performance with Nikon Z5
Nikon Z5 with a larger FF sensor and low-resolution sensor is able to give you better low-light performance without any doubt. As usual, if you shoot in a controlled light environment like studio then you can buy the Canon 90D camera otherwise go with Nikon Z5.
8. Canon 90D – Bliss for Sportographer
If you shoot sports, then Canon 90D camera is made for you. As usual, being a DSLR camera, you have an option to dip your hand on sea of high-quality EF / EF-S Lenses. With Canon 90D camera you can shoot up to 30FPS @ 33MP.
| Nikon Z5 | Canon 90D | |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100 to 51200 (Extended: 50 to 102400) | Auto, 100 to 25600 (Extended: 100 to 51200) |
| Shutter Speed | Electronic Front Curtain Shutter 1/8000 to 30 Second Bulb Mode |
Mechanical Shutter 1/8000 to 30 Second Bulb Mode Electronic Shutter 1/16000 to 30 Second |
| Metering Method | Center-Weighted Average, Matrix | Center-Weighted Average, Evaluative, Partial, Spot |
| Exposure Modes | Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority | Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority |
| Exposure Compensation | -5 to +5 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps) | -5 to +5 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps) |
| Metering Range | -3 to 17 EV | 1 to 20 EV |
| White Balance | Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Manual, Shade | Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Custom, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent (White), Shade, Tungsten |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 4.5 fps at 24.3 MP | Up to 10 fps at 32.5 MP for up to 25 Frames (Raw) / 58 Frames (JPEG) Up to 11 fps at 32.5 MP Up to 7 fps at 32.5 MP |
| Interval Recording | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Timer | 2/10-Second Delay | 2/10-Second Delay |
| Yes |
9. Best Video Camera – Canon 90D
Canon 90D is the best Camera when we compare the 4K video modes of both the camera. With Nikon Z5 you get 1.7x crop in 4K video mode which literally makes the 4K video mode of the Nikon Z5 camera un-usable. So, if you are into videography buy Canon 90D camera.
10. Best Camera for youtube – Nikon Z5 OR Canon 90D?
As usual Canon 90D features a perfect Var-angle Display screen and an un-cropped 4K video mode. But, unfortunately, Nikon Z5 camera features tilting display unit and un-usable 4K video recording mode.
| Nikon Z5 | Canon 90D | |
| 4k Crop | Yes, 1.7x | No Crop |
| Recording Modes | H.264/MOV/MP4 UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p |
MP4/H.264 UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p HD (1280 x 720) at 50p/59.94p |
| External Recording Modes | 8-Bit UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 29.97p |
4:2:2 8-Bit UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 25p/29.97p |
| Recording Limit | Up to 29 Minutes, 59 Seconds | Up to 29 Minutes, 59 Seconds |
| Video Encoding | NTSC/PAL | NTSC |
| Audio Recording | Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input |
Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input (Stereo) |
11. Auto-Focus – 5K vs 273 AF Points
Canon 90D features a very dense AF system fabricated with more than 5K AF points on the other side we have Nikon Z5 with 273 AF points. But, Nikon improved it’s AI tracking dramatically in this Camera and AF speed and face and eye tracking almost same as Canon’ DPAF System.
| NIkon Z5 | Canon 90D | |
| Focus Type | Auto and Manual Focus | Auto and Manual Focus |
| Focus Mode | Continuous-Servo AF (C), Full-time Servo (F), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S) | Continuous-Servo AF (C), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S) |
| Autofocus Points | Phase Detection: 273 | Phase Detection: 45 (45 Cross-Type) Phase Detection: 5481 |
| Autofocus Sensitivity | 3 to +19 EV | -3 to +18 EV |
12. Viewfinder and Monitor
I love the Display of the Canon 90D camera. The Vari-angle display of the camera actually helps a lot while you are composing images as well as when you are creating content for youtube. BTW, Nikon Z6 features a high-quality EVF, and Canon 90D uses a traditional Optical viewfinder. The choice is yours.
| Nikon Z5 | Canon 90D | |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic (OLED) | Optical (Pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder Size | 0.5″ | 22 mm |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3,690,000 Dot | 100% |
| Viewfinder Eye Point | 21 mm | Approx. 0.95x |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | -3 to +1 |
| Viewfinder Magnification | Approx. 0.8x | 3″ |
| Diopter Adjustment | -4 to +2 | 1,040,000 Dot |
| Monitor Size | 3.2″ | Articulating Touchscreen LCD |
| Monitor Resolution | 1,040,000 Dot | |
| Monitor Type | Tilting Touchscreen LCD |
Dual Card Slots and Battery Life
Nikon Z5 camera features Dual card slot which is missing inside the Canon 90D. On, the other side we have Canon 9D with extended battery life.
| Nikon Z5 | Canon 90D | |
| Memory Card Slot | Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) | Single Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) |
| Connectivity | 3.5mm Headphone, 3.5mm Microphone, HDMI C (Mini), USB Type-C (USB 3.1) | 3.5mm Headphone, 3.5mm Microphone, HDMI C (Mini), USB Micro-B (USB 2.0) |
| Wireless | Bluetooth Wi-Fi |
Bluetooth Wi-Fi |
| GPS | No | None |
| Battery | 1 x EN-EL15c Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Approx. 470 Shots) | 1 x LP-E6N Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 7.2 VDC, 1865 mAh (Approx. 1300 Shots) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 5.28 x 3.96 x 2.74″ / 134 x 100.5 x 69.5 mm | 5.54 x 4.13 x 3.02″ / 140.7 x 104.8 x 76.8 mm |
| Weight | 1.3 lb / 590 g (Body Only) | 1.54 lb / 701 g (Body Only) |
Conclusion & Recommendation
| Recommendation | |
| Wedding & Event | Nikon Z5 (Low-light + IBIS) |
| Studio Work | Canon 90D (More Resolution) |
| Video | Canon 90D (Un-cropped 4k) |
| Sports | Canon 90D ( 11 FPS @ 32MP) |
Get Canon 90D Camera From – Amazon US – Amazon UK –
Buy Nikon Z5 from Amzon.com | B&H Store
Image source – dpreviewimagecomparison
Why would somebody compare these two? ?♂️
Short answer: Canon 90D = $1345 vs Nikon Z5 = $1399
Longer answer: Because they can.
Some website, and YouTube channels, love to compare all contemporary cameras up against each other, even cameras you don’t see the point in comparing.
Fun thing is, sometimes you can learn a more about a camera from those comparisons, than the obvious ones.
You can´t compare even if the sensor is the same when the D750 has an EXPEED 4 Image Processor VS EXPEED 6. That´s one of the highest point with the Z system. If you compare real photos of Nikon D7500 EXPEED 4 VS Z50 EXPEED 5 which share same sensor, the diference is huge!
The 90D is missing 2 things: An ISO 64/50 handle to better control WHITE and FLUORESCENT colors, and the long-awaited backlit sensor from the competition.
A la 90D le echo en falta 2 cosas: Un 64/50 asa para controlar mejor los BLANCOS y colores FLUORESCENTES, y el tan añorado sensor retro iluminado de la competencia.