Canon SL2 vs Canon 90D

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon SL2 vs Canon 90D

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon SL2 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL2 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.
Compare Canon SL2 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon SL2 conclusion.

APS-C 337.5mm²
32.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 90D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 90D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 90D.
Compare Canon 90D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 90D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon SL3
Compare SL2 vs SL3
Compare Canon SL3 vs Canon 90D

Buy From

Differences

Canon SL2 advantages over Canon 90D

Less expensive
$549 vs $1349
Save money for lenses or accessories
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Lighter weight
668g vs 1216g
Lighter weight

Canon 90D advantages over Canon SL2

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1300 vs 650 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 88 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
45 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Newer
5 years vs 7 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.59x vs 0.54x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
32.5 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
45 vs 9
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 5.0 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 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
27 vs 5 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 90D User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL2

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (White)

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 90D

Body Only

Body Only
KIt with 18-135mm Lens
KIt with 18-55mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.
Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.
Read our Canon SL2 Review

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.
Read our Canon 90D Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 80D

Canon SL2

Canon 80D

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$935
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon 80D

Canon 90D

Canon 80D

$1199
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Bluetooth

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Canon 80D

Compared to Nikon D3400

Canon SL2

Nikon D3400

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3400

Canon 90D

Nikon D3400

$1199
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Nikon D7500

Canon SL2

Nikon D7500

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$930
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D7500

Canon 90D

Nikon D7500

$1199
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
On-sensor phase detect

$930
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Canon 90D vs Nikon D7500

Compared to Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3500

Canon 90D

Nikon D3500

$1199
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Nikon D3500

Compared to Canon SL3

Canon SL2

Canon SL3

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$632
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon SL3

Canon 90D

Canon SL3

$1199
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
More telephoto lens reach

$632
APS-C

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Canon 90D vs Canon SL3

Compare Other Cameras?