Let’s talk about which one is better, Nikon Zfc or Canon 90D. Specification comparison review between Nikon Zfc vs Canon 90D
1. The design part- Nikon Zfc Missing proper handgrip
Nikon Zfc camera features extensive manual control, but without a proper grip for professional photographers. Yes, do have the grip accessory, but not available in the USA and also in some other parts of the world. Canon 90D does offer a reasonable amount of physical controls but not as extensive as we have in the Nikon Zfc. But, begin a DSLR camera the Canon 90D offers an amazing handgrip and allows you to work hours without being uncomfortable with your camera.
2. Optical vs EVF viewfinder, battery backup, and joystick
Nowadays EVF becomes better, but using an optical viewfinder gives nostalgic goosebumps. Even now in the Phase AF module, the Canon 90D supports Face AF tracking. Nikon Zfc camera EVF features full control / allows you to utilize all 205 hybrid AF point systems.
The only problem is Canon 90D has a fully functional kinda joystick controller at the rear side, and ZFC we have a 4-way controller. So, with Canon, you can do some more precise activity than Nikon in the display area.
Both cameras feature vari-angle display screens but Canon 90D has a monster backup battery that keeps pushing you until you reach at the finish line.
also, see Best Lenses for Nikon Zfc
3. Nikon Zfc vs Canon 90D – Specification Comparison
Lens Mount | Nikon Z | Canon EF-S |
Camera Format | APS-C (1.5x Crop Factor) | APS-C (1.6x Crop Factor) |
Sensor Resolution | Actual: 21.51 Megapixel Effective: 20.9 Megapixel (5568 x 3712) |
Actual: 34.4 Megapixel Effective: 32.5 Megapixel (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 | 23.5 x 15.7 mm | 22.3 x 14.8 mm |
Image File Format | JPEG, Raw | JPEG, Raw |
Bit Depth | 14-Bit | 14-Bit |
4. Controlled vs uncontrolled light
Canon 90D features a 32 MO sensor that needs good lenses for proper resolving power (and a good amount of light also). And Nikon Zfc features 20MP low-light sensitive sensor. So, select your camera depending upon your work situation, if you work 90% time in the uncontrolled light environment then for sure Nikon Zfc is best for you and if you work in your studio or you carry a professional light setup with you the Canon 90D will help you more.
ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100 to 51200 (Extended: 100 to 204800) | Auto, 100 to 25600 (Extended: 100 to 51200) |
Shutter Speed | Electronic Front Curtain Shutter 1/4000 to 30 Second Bulb Mode Time Mode Electronic Shutter 1/4000 to 900 Second Bulb Mode Time Mode |
Mechanical Shutter 1/8000 to 30 Second Bulb Mode Electronic Shutter 1/16000 to 30 Second |
Metering Method | Center-Weighted Average, Matrix, Spot | 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 | -4 to 17 EV | 1 to 20 EV |
Continuous Shooting | Up to 11 fps at 20.9 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 |
5. Over Sampling vs Pixel Binning
Canon 90D does pixel binning in 4k when you do a full sensor readout, although cropped HQ 4k is also an option in the camera. Nikon Zfc easily does the oversampling with a 20MP sensor and delivers a high-quality video with better low-light performance. In my opinion, if you are not a big-fan of Canon color science you should buy the Nikon Zfc camera for video purposes.
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/100p/119.88p |
H.264/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/100p/119.88p HD (1280 x 720) at 50p/59.94p |
Recording Limit | Up to 29 Minutes, 59 Seconds | 4:2:2 8-Bit UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 25p/29.97p |
ISO Sensitivity | Auto/Manual: 100 to 25600 | Up to 29 Minutes, 59 Seconds |
Audio Recording | Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input (Stereo) |
NTSC |
Live Streaming | Yes | Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input (Stereo) |
Webcam Functionality | Yes | AAC |
6. The AF points – 5481 vs 205
Despite of having 205 AF points Nikon ZFC doesn’t fail to impress, the AF performance is very good, and being a Nikon camera it never fails to impress you. As usual, we know over 5K+ AF points which are further grouped into 143 AF zones
Focus Type | Auto and Manual Focus | Auto and Manual Focus |
Focus Mode | Automatic (A), Continuous-Servo AF (C), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S) | Continuous-Servo AF (C), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S) |
Autofocus Points | Phase Detection: 209 | Phase Detection: 45 (45 Cross-Type) Phase Detection: 5481 |
Autofocus Sensitivity | -4.5 to +19 EV | -3 to +18 EV |
7. Concusion / Verdict
Nikon Zfc is a new and excellent option for those who love to have a camera with extensive manual control and suitable for an uncontrolled light environment. Canon 90D is also an excellent shooting matching but due to the high-resolution sensor, the camera needs better lenses and also a good amount of light for sharp output.
Nikon Zfc camera at Amazon.com and B&H Store
Get Canon 90D from Amazon