Canon 450D vs 90D

The Canon EOS 450D (called Canon XSi in some regions) and the Canon EOS 90D are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2008 and August 2019. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The 450D has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the 90D provides 32.3 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 450D		Canon 90D
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses		Canon EF mount lenses
12.2 MP – APS-C sensor		32.3 MP – APS-C sensor
no Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-1,600		ISO 100-25,600 (100 - 51,200)
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 230k dots		3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Swivel touchscreen
3.5 shutter flaps per second		11 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
500 shots per battery charge		1300 shots per battery charge
129 x 98 x 62 mm, 524 g		141 x 105 x 77 mm, 701 g

Check 450D offers at
ebay.com
Check 90D price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 450D and the Canon EOS 90D? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 450D and the Canon 90D is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 90D is notably larger (17 percent) than the Canon 450D. Moreover, the 90D is markedly heavier (34 percent) than the 450D. It is noteworthy in this context that the 90D is splash and dust-proof, while the 450D does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 450D gets 500 shots out of its Canon LP-E5 battery, while the 90D can take 1300 images on a single charge of its Canon LP-E6N power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon 450D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	524 g	500	n	Jan 2008	EUR 699	ebay.com
2.		Canon 90D	141 mm	105 mm	77 mm	701 g	1300	Y	Aug 2019	EUR 1 299	amazon.com
3.		Canon 50D	146 mm	108 mm	74 mm	822 g	800	Y	Aug 2008	EUR 1 099	ebay.com
4.		Canon 60D	145 mm	106 mm	79 mm	755 g	1100	Y	Aug 2010	EUR 1 149	ebay.com
5.		Canon 70D	139 mm	104 mm	79 mm	755 g	920	Y	Jul 2013	EUR 1 099	ebay.com
6.		Canon 80D	139 mm	105 mm	79 mm	730 g	960	Y	Feb 2016	EUR 1 285	ebay.com
7.		Canon 400D	127 mm	84 mm	65 mm	556 g	370	n	Aug 2006	EUR 799	ebay.com
8.		Canon 500D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	520 g	400	n	Mar 2009	EUR 699	ebay.com
9.		Canon 650D	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	575 g	440	n	Jun 2012	EUR 799	ebay.com
10.		Canon 750D	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	555 g	440	n	Feb 2015	EUR 699	ebay.com
11.		Canon 760D	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	565 g	440	n	Feb 2015	EUR 749	ebay.com
12.		Canon 1000D	126 mm	98 mm	65 mm	502 g	500	n	Jun 2008	EUR 399	ebay.com
13.		Canon 1100D	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	495 g	700	n	Feb 2011	EUR 399	ebay.com
14.		Canon G1 X	117 mm	81 mm	65 mm	534 g	250	n	Jan 2012	EUR 749	ebay.com
15.		Canon G1 X Mark II	116 mm	74 mm	66 mm	553 g	240	n	Feb 2014	EUR 849	ebay.com
16.		Canon R	139 mm	98 mm	84 mm	660 g	370	Y	Sep 2018	EUR 2 499	ebay.com
17.		Nikon D5000	127 mm	104 mm	80 mm	590 g	510	n	Apr 2009	EUR 699	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The 450D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 33 percent) than the 90D, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the 90D is 3 percent bigger. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, the 90D uses a more advanced image processing engine (DIGIC 8) than the 450D (DIGIC 3), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

With 32.3MP, the 90D offers a higher resolution than the 450D (12.2MP), but the 90D has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.23μm versus 5.19μm for the 450D). Yet, the 90D is a much more recent model (by 11 years and 7 months) than the 450D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 90D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 90D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 34.8 x 23.2 inches or 88.4 x 58.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 27.8 x 18.6 inches or 70.7 x 47.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 23.2 x 15.5 inches or 58.9 x 39.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 450D are 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.3 x 36.2 cm for good quality, 17.1 x 11.4 inches or 43.4 x 28.9 cm for very good quality, and 14.2 x 9.5 inches or 36.2 x 24.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The 90D has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon EOS 450D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS 90D are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-51200.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon 450D	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	none	21.9	10.8	692	61
2.		Canon 90D	APS-C	32.3	6960	4640	4K/30p	24.0	13.5	1848	83
3.		Canon 50D	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	none	21.8	11.4	696	63
4.		Canon 60D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.2	11.5	813	66
5.		Canon 70D	APS-C	20.0	5472	3648	1080/30p	22.5	11.6	926	68
6.		Canon 80D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.2	1135	79
7.		Canon 400D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.0	664	62
8.		Canon 500D	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	1080/20p	21.7	11.5	663	63
9.		Canon 650D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	722	62
10.		Canon 750D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.7	12.0	919	71
11.		Canon 760D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.6	12.0	915	70
12.		Canon 1000D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.0	10.9	719	62
13.		Canon 1100D	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	720/30p	21.9	11.0	755	62
14.		Canon G1 X	1.5-inch	14.2	4352	3264	1080/24p	21.7	10.8	644	60
15.		Canon G1 X Mark II	1.5-inch	13.0	4160	3120	1080/30p	21.5	10.8	581	58
16.		Canon R	Full Frame	30.1	6720	4480	4K/30p	24.5	13.5	2742	89
17.		Nikon D5000	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/24p	22.7	12.5	868	72
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The 90D indeed provides for movie recording, while the 450D does not. The highest resolution format that the 90D can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 450D and the 90D are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinder in the 90D offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the 450D (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the 90D has a higher magnification (0.59x vs 0.54x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 450D, the Canon 90D, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon 450D	optical	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5/s	Y	n
2.		Canon 90D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	11.0/s	Y	n
3.		Canon 50D	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.3/s	Y	n
4.		Canon 60D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	n	1/8000s	5.3/s	Y	n
5.		Canon 70D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0/s	Y	n
6.		Canon 80D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0/s	Y	n
7.		Canon 400D	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
8.		Canon 500D	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.4/s	Y	n
9.		Canon 650D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
10.		Canon 750D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
11.		Canon 760D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
12.		Canon 1000D	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
13.		Canon 1100D	optical	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
14.		Canon G1 X	optical	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	n	1/4000s	1.9/s	Y	Y
15.		Canon G1 X Mark II	optional	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	5.2/s	Y	Y
16.		Canon R	3690	Y	3.2 / 2100	swivel	Y	1/8000s	8.0/s	n	n
17.		Nikon D5000	optical	n	2.7 / 230	full-flex	n	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The 90D has a touchscreen, while the 450D has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the 90D is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Canon 90D has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The 450D writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the 90D uses SDXC cards. The 90D supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the 450D cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 450D and Canon EOS 90D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon 450D	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Canon 90D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon 50D	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Canon 60D	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Canon 70D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
6.		Canon 80D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
7.		Canon 400D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Canon 500D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon 650D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Canon 750D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
11.		Canon 760D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
12.		Canon 1000D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Canon 1100D	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Canon G1 X	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Canon G1 X Mark II	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
16.		Canon R	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.1	Y	-	Y
17.		Nikon D5000	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the 90D offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the 450D does not provide wifi capability.

The 90D is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the 450D has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the 450D was succeeded by the Canon 500D. Further information on the features and operation of the 450D and 90D can be found, respectively, in the Canon 450D Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 90D Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon 450D better than the Canon 90D or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS 450D:

• More compact: Is smaller (129x98mm vs 141x105mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 177g or 25 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (33 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in January 2008).

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 90D:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (32.3 vs 12.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 63%.
• Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (DIGIC 8 vs DIGIC 3).
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/30p video.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.59x vs 0.54x).
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 230k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 vs 3.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (1300 versus 500) out of a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-II standard.
• More modern: Reflects 11 years and 7 months of technical progress since the 450D launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the 90D is the clear winner of the contest (21 : 4 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 450D and the Canon 90D place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 450D and the 90D in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon 450D	..	+ +	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	EUR 699	ebay.com
2.		Canon 90D	4/5	+	4.5/5	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2019	EUR 1 299	amazon.com
3.		Canon 50D	..	+ +	..	+ +	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2008	EUR 1 099	ebay.com
4.		Canon 60D	5/5	+	..	79/100	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2010	EUR 1 149	ebay.com
5.		Canon 70D	5/5	+ +	..	83/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2013	EUR 1 099	ebay.com
6.		Canon 80D	4/5	+ +	4.5/5	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	EUR 1 285	ebay.com
7.		Canon 400D	..	+ +	..	+ +	o	4/5	Aug 2006	EUR 799	ebay.com
8.		Canon 500D	..	+ +	..	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	EUR 699	ebay.com
9.		Canon 650D	4/5	+ +	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	EUR 799	ebay.com
10.		Canon 750D	5/5	..	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	EUR 699	ebay.com
11.		Canon 760D	5/5	+	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	EUR 749	ebay.com
12.		Canon 1000D	..	82/100	..	+ +	3.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2008	EUR 399	ebay.com
13.		Canon 1100D	..	80/100	..	69/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	EUR 399	ebay.com
14.		Canon G1 X	5/5	+	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	EUR 749	ebay.com
15.		Canon G1 X Mark II	3/5	+	..	77/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	EUR 849	ebay.com
16.		Canon R	4/5	o	4/5	79/100	4.5/5	4/5	Sep 2018	EUR 2 499	ebay.com
17.		Nikon D5000	..	+ +	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Apr 2009	EUR 699	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

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