Nikon D90 vs Canon 550D

O

Orenc78

New member
Hey.

i need to decide between Nikon D90(18-105 VR) and Canon 550D(18-55 IS + 55-250 IS)
most for pictures, but i like to use the video sometimes.
 
If it's for the great stills you're after for, I'd say go for a D90. It rocks, it really does! But when it comes to video, there's not even room for an argument here, 550D beats the hell out of the shitty d-movie.

So you have to decide which one of those features is more important for you. I went for the stills but was fairly interested in videography, too. And got the D90 in February. Now I'm getting more and more interested in videography and I regret a little that I didn't wait a bit to see the 550D released.

You can do a lot with the D90 video, too. Many have proven that. But with 550D you have a lot more power and you actually have control over your camera (shutter speed and ISO).
 
Simple:

Nikon shoots better stills (IMO)
Canon's video ***** slaps the D90 (IMO)


I own both and I use both for their strengths. D90 video is only good for filming yourself taking a dump.

Hope this answers your question.

:)
 
Thanks. i think i'll go with the 550D

Thanks. i think i'll go with the 550D

That's what i thought, and what i've been told by the seller.
The price(for those 2 cam-kits) are the same.


Since i'm not a professional stills photographer, and since i really like the High-quality video comes with the 550D, also i like the weight(only 500g, vs D90 700g), i think it will be better for me to go with the 550D cam.

Thanks.
 
BLUESPIDER said:
D90 video is only good for filming yourself taking a dump.

Hope this answers your question.

:)
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You made me spit up my trailmix...lol

But my thought is if it were not for the codec being so weak the D90 (or Nikons in general) would have the edge in image quality. But for now...the Canons rule.
 
I owned the D90 and shot thousands of stills and made like 6 short films and a documentary with it.

I upgraded tothe Canon 7D because i just couldnt live without manaul control of shutterspeed, aperture etc...

For video the Canons (including T2i) will be worlds better than the D90.

For stills, comparing the 550d id give the edge to the D90. Build quality is better on the D90, etc...

I got my D90 liike a year ago refurbed from j&r for $650 shipped, so you shoud be abel to find it for less now.

If it was me, id go T2i, but then again my focus is like 65% video, and 35% still
 
I agreed with almost all of above reps. I've used both D90 and 550D. D90 is better for still while 550D is better for video :)
 
I upgraded from the T2i to the 7D and I find the image quality to be quite awesome on both cameras! IMO, the image relies on the shooter, not the camera, although it's apparent that a better camera CAN give you a better picture in different situations (why I upgraded to the 7D!)... The only Nikon I have ever used was a crappy little D40 and a D300s once, however both were only for a few minutes. I would love to field test a D90 to see the image quality, but originally, I got a Canon Xsi to shoot pictures, then I started using DSLR's for video when the T2i came out. Basically my point is that I have invested so much into Canon now so I do not have any intentions of switching... And IMO, the specs for the competing Nikon vs. Canon models are a little stronger on the Canon side...
 
Have both a D90 and 550D and agree with what has been said:
D90 for pictures
550D for video
But also consider, if you have not made any investment into lenses see what Nikon or Canon has to offer. Both make great lenses and many really like the L lenses from Canon. Something to consider for the future. Also for me the 550D is to small. D90 is better and with a battery grip very good. Try to hold them and see what feels best to you.
 
shphotovideo said:
Have both a D90 and 550D and agree with what has been said:
D90 for pictures
550D for video
But also consider, if you have not made any investment into lenses see what Nikon or Canon has to offer. Both make great lenses and many really like the L lenses from Canon. Something to consider for the future. Also for me the 550D is to small. D90 is better and with a battery grip very good. Try to hold them and see what feels best to you.
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If I hadn't already gotten an L lens already I would have possibly looked into a Nikon and kept my T2i for video, but I am completely satisfied with my 7D.
 
I also own both, shot Nikon professionally for over 15 years, with a closet full of great glass & old film bodies.

Got the 550d strictly for video, use a Nikon lens adapter with it. It's pretty freakin' amazing for $800, video-wise. If you've held off getting an HVX and a Letus (like, an $8k setup all told) just get one.

But - it just feels like a little plastic toy. Ergonomics & controls are whacked. Everything about it screams that the market is "soccer mom with too much money wants pics of her kids but thinks an SLR looks cooler". Kind of the whole "I bought an SLR so I can be an artist & shoot manual", and then the thing never leaves "P" mode.

The 550d will take beautiful stills if you stick some decent glass on it, and there is now a dedicated grip. Shooting manual just sucks with only one thumb wheel - and the position of the wheel is totally wrong. But for stills, the D90 is simply a stunning bargain in a semi-pro camera that "works" very very professionally. I've owned all kinds of digital bodies - the D90 just does it right. And I think the sensor is the "prettiest" one in the Nikon line right now. Shooting RAW with the D90 is heaven. You can do 100% professional work with the thing. You can shoot pro frames with the Canon, too - you just won't feel like a "pro" doing it, and you really won't get to the whole intuitive, "not thinking just shooting" mental state of the D90.

All my opinions of course. Not hatin' on the 550d - it's a monster for video. Try shooting 60p and transcoding to 24 for gorgeous slowmo, too.
 
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I like that the nikon records mjpeg. Wish the bitrate were higher and shutter control. I still got good stuff out of the nikon. Manual control though is the dealmaker for the 550
 
the nikon has better colors and more dynamic range even when you're shooting its crappy video. this doesn't mean it's better mind you, but it's important to remember that the 550 isn't perfect. i think you need to get the 7d if you're into stills and want great video.
 
Originally Posted by BLUESPIDER
D90 video is only good for filming yourself taking a dump.

Hope this answers your question.
Click to expand...

LOL! I nearly got banned from this lands for statements close to this a long time ago! I still own my D90 and have earned a few thousand dollars shooting stills with it. For video, my beloved GH1 soon to be GH13. The 550d should give you nice stills as well as excellent video if you know what you are doing of course.
 
I had both. Absolutely depends what you're using them for.

How big are your hands? Try holding the 550D for hours, is it comfy? Probably not - I had to buy a hand grip and a battery grip to even give the feeling of weight and size in my hands. The small-form factor of the 550D is useful though, for casual travelling or putting on a cheap light steadicam.

For image quality, and ergonomics, the D90 wins hands on hands down as everyone else says. The grain quality and the colours are win. 550D, abit more uneven, abit more thin really. Even though the 550D has more megapixels than the D90, it's not as good.

For video control and video sharpness, the 550D wins. You can also use the liveview to preview the correct iso/exposure/shutter/focus with many of your manual lenses and take photos. On the D90 you have to guestimate with manual lenses as Nikon disable manual lens metering.
 
nah, yours were never witty, just arrogant, too arrogant for a pixel counter some would say. ;-)
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Really? Flash forward: I was so right all along about the poor performance of the video on the D90! I am so thrill that time has proved me right! Especially now that I have the wonderful GH1 to compare it with! Oh, did I mention that I have earned a living in NYC with the D90 and its wonderful stills since I got it whenever back it was? And use it daily to this day? Oh, it was not meant to be witty at all. Just a reality check.
 
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