Many of you who are looking at the Canon 50d may also be looking at the Nikon D90. Which is better for you? Read below to find out what consumers think about it.
First of all, the Canon 50D and the Nikon D90 aren’t the same kind of camera. They are pretty different, but it definitely doesn’t change the fact that people do compare them quite a bit. Since their price-range is pretty similar it’s natural to compare them.
To summarize – the Canon 50D is for a photographer, or somebody who really wants to get the best possible pictures in any given situation. The Nikdon D90, on the other hand, is for casual use. It can record video and take pictures — just as a normal point-and-shoot camera would perform. So by this alone you should know which one you want – but let’s get some more information on it below:
How They Feel – Canon 50d vs Nikon D90
The Canon 50D feels a lot better in your hand than its counterpart. The D90 feels inexpensive and breakable. The plastic feel really doesn’t bode much confidence and some feel as though they are holding a toy. The magnesium-alloy, sturdy feel of the Canon 50D really makes you feel like you are holding a world-class camera. Keep in mind that this is very important — the way that you feel when using your camera does matter.
What They Are For – Photography vs ‘Jack of All Trades’
The Canon 50D can’t take video – there’s no mystery there. But that’s simply because the Canon 50D is a “photographer’s camera.” It specializes in being able to take brilliant photographs in any kind of lighting, and gives you full control of the kind of pictures you will end up taking.
However, the Nikon D90 does take video. So if you are trying to get a camera in which you can do a little of everything, it might be worth looking at that one. But if you are trying to get a camera to further your photography and really increase your horizons… then the Canon 50D should be your choice.
Photography Performance
The Canon 50D and Nikon D90 use different kinds of cards. The CF cards, which the Canon 50D use, are better than the SD cards found in the Nikon D90. Why so? Mainly because the CF cards can take much higher-speed photographs. They also hold more data, allowing you to store more photos, or higher resolution photos, without having to run back to your computer every couple pictures.
When you are using the Canon 50D in continual shot mode, it can 6.3 pictures per second. That’s very fast. The quality is much higher than the D90, and just to repeat – that’s because the Canon 50D is a photographer’s camera, meant to take blazing fast pictures. The D90, as one reviewer correctly puts it, is for your family vacations.
Image Quality
Even though we’re talking about how superior the Canon 50D is over the D90 when it comes to straight photography, let’s not forget that the D90 is brilliant as well.
There’s one thing that’s important to note though. The D90 can get away with using an inexpensive lens. The 50D, on the other hand, can’t. If you are planning on buying the Canon 50D, please buy a decent lens. If you don’t you might find that the photographs appear “soft,” and it could be frustrating. That’s because the camera is, quite frankly, too good for cheap lenses. You’ll spot the flaws in them immediately. A high quality lens is necessary to see the Canon 50D’s potential.
Overall Thoughts
This review wasn’t very in-depth, and it wasn’t meant to be. But after reading a lot of reviews it’s very simple. The D90 is cheaper than the Canon 50D. It has video, which is extremely important for a particular type of person (family vacations, etc.) However, it lacks the photographer’s punch and definitely loses to the Canon 50D when it comes to taking brilliant photographs in any kind of situation.
If you don’t care about how good the camera feels in your hand, the live-view system that helps you to take the perfect shot, the focus flexibility, and more – then a “normal” camera like the Nikon D90 should be what you’re looking for.
I hope that this helps a bit! Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you 
Jack
Canon50D.org