*If you've used either of these cameras, let us know what you think! Add your own reviews or comment below. We value your views.*
*For individual reviews of these cameras, see SLR Geek's product review pages for the Nikon D90 and Canon 50D.
I've had several people raise this or similar questions in the last week, so I thought I'd write a post. I'll be doing a series of comparison posts over the next two weeks for various Canon and Nikon digital cameras.
Much of the early online discussion of these two cameras (Canon 50D and Nikon D90) was of the opinion that they weren't really comparable, mostly because of the different price points. The 50D was a more expensive camera targeting the "pro-sumer" / light professional market, while the D90 was a less expensive, upper end consumer camera. By now (January 2009), however, the price gap has narrowed somewhat.
Current prices from Amazon:
Canon 40D: $850
Nikon D90: $900
Canon 50D: $1168
Nikon D300: $1470
The 50D is still over $200 more expensive. But in the world of digital SLR cameras, that's not so much. The D90 is closer in price to the 40D, and I'll prep another post on that comparison.
Early commentators thought that the Nikon D300 was more of a competitor for the Canon 50D than the the D90. But the $300 price difference between these two is just as substantial, and I think most would say the D300 is a better camera (another comparison that needs a post).
As for the D90-50D, here are some of the comparisons out there.
Canon 50D vs Nikon D90
...the 50D is clearly a better-featured camera overall. It boasts 3 Megapixels over the D90, double the maximum sensitivity, 14-bit images, greater weatherproofing and quicker continuous shooting at 6.3fps to the D90's 4.5fps. ...But of course the 50D is a much more expensive camera, with its initial retail price coming in comfortably higher than the D90. It’s not a one-sided battle either: the D90 becomes the first DSLR to feature video recording capabilities ... The D90 also has an 11-point AF system, on-demand grid lines in its viewfinder, and the body is smaller and lighter than the 50D. ...Ultimately while some features may draw you to one camera over the other, the 50D is a semi-pro model while the D90 is a mid-range DSLR and as such they’re targeted at different markets and price points. Both have compelling feature-sets though and are likely to become best-sellers.
Canon was almost certainly been feeling some pressure ...to make it something that could compete with the D300 ... Canon did all of that and then some, with the 50D. The problem is, Nikon shuffled things up immediately with their new intermediate camera, the D90. ...Sure, you can get a 50D – a camera that should go toe to toe with the D300 in image quality and performance – for a couple of hundred less than Nikon's most junior professional model, but then Nikon fires back a day later with a camera that does just about everything the D300 does for a couple of hundred less than the 50D. Oh, and by the way, it also meters a wide range of Nikkor's excellent legacy glass just like the big boys and did we mention it records HD video? ...I'm betting Nikon won't have a hard time attracting gadget savvy buyers on that feature alone.
- Canon 50D: The Canon EOS 50D features a higher 15.1MP resolution sensor compared to the 12.3 MP Nikon D90; faster start up and continuos shooting capability up to 6.3 frames per second (fps) compared to the Nikon D90 at 4.5 fps; a more rugged body construction; up to 1/8000 sec shutter speed on the EOS 50D versus 1/4000 sec on the Nikon D90; slightly faster flash sync offered on the EOS 50D at 1/250 sec compared to 1/200 sec with the Nikon D90. Nikon D90: equipped with the same high-performance lateral chromatic aberration compensation as found on the Nikon D3 and D300; D-movie feature on the D90 allows for HD video clip recording up to 720p at 24fps (no AF); In camera retouch menu provided on the Nikon D90; an AF assist beam for low light focusing compared to the Canon EOS 50D were the flash has to be raised; built-in wireless flash support is found in the Nikon D90 with the camera being able to act as a "commander" to communicate with and trigger external speedlights wirelessly; smaller and lighter than the EOS 50D.
Both camera are exceptional cameras in 2008. Canon 50D is a high end camera but it is very friendly to new users (new creative auto, 3 inch lcd screen with live view). Canon 50D also answers many complaints from professional about the lens AF focus system problems by giving the AF-adjustment feature which could be very helpful if you have a broad range of third party lenses. The body of 50D is also tough, able to withstand harsh weather outdoor and couple accidental knocks. It also has higher image resolution that might be helpful to print oversize poster or cropping later in post processing without losing a lot of details....But Canon 50D is not perfect, Nikon D90 has some features that you might excited to use such as video recording capability that you can use with many Nikon lenses. The new kit lens is very versatile and sharp. If you shoot a lot in low light situation without flash, Nikon has a cleaner image in high iso (1600-3200). D90 is also cheaper.
