• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 32.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Canon 7D advantages over Canon 90D

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 vs 3.23 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)

Canon 90D advantages over Canon 7D

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1300 vs 800 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    45 vs 19
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    5 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    32.5 vs 18.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    45 vs 19
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    29 mm vs 45 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    57 vs 22 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    27 vs 16 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 18-megapixel sensor with impressively low noise and superb detail; Very good high ISO performance, especially for 18-megapixel subframe sensor; Rugged construction with magnesium body and weather sealing; Fast autofocus and fast burst rate of 8 fps; Full HD (1920x1080) movies at 30/25/24p, 60/50p at 1280x720.

  • No dedicated AF-assist lamp (flash is used), and AF-assist adjustment is buried in the Flash Settings menu; Kit lens (28-135mm) isn't quite up to the resolving power of the 18-megapixel sensor, odd focal length for subframe DSLR; No continuous autofocus in Movie mode.

  • Highest resolution Canon APS-C camera yet; Great image quality; Faster 10fps burst shooting; Very fast autofocus; Dual Pixel CMOS AF in Live View; 4K video; 1080p120 slow-mo video.

  • Low-pass filter reduces fine detail from high-res sensor; High ISO performance isn't as good as some rival cameras; Video recording limited to 29:59.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 7D
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Less shutter lag
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
Canon 90D
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Canon 60D

Canon 7D
Canon 60D
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon 90D
Canon 60D
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon 7D
Nikon D7000
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon 90D
Nikon D7000
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Dual card slots

Compared to Sony A77

Canon 7D
Sony A77
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Canon 90D
Sony A77
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 80D

Canon 7D
Canon 80D
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon 90D
Canon 80D
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
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