• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Canon EOS M50

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.50 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 850 vs 235 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 72 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 36 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon EOS M50 advantages over Nikon D90

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Thinner
    58 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    484g vs 1133g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M50

Review Excerpt

  • Comfortable ergonomics and solid build; Versatile EVF and tilt-swivel, touch-screen LCD; Good image quality; Great performance for its class; New C-RAW format saves on raw file size; 4K video is an M-series first.

  • Somewhat limited dynamic range; JPEGs a little soft at base ISO, and more so at higher ISOs; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Poor battery life; Raw buffer is still shallow (but C-RAW helps).

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D90
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon EOS M50
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D90
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon EOS M50
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax K-5

Nikon D90
Pentax K-5
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon EOS M50
Pentax K-5
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Nikon D90
Canon EOS M5
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS M5
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony A6400

Nikon D90
Sony A6400
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Canon EOS M50
Sony A6400
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Compare Other Cameras?