Where Canon 90D apply?

For casual video or vlogging, the 90D offers 4K capture with no crop, an articulating touchscreen that flips 180-degrees, good video AF and both microphone and headphone sockets. But a lack of in-body stabilization means you'll want a rig to smooth things out, or pay the price of a heavy crop associated with digital IS. For hardcore videographers, the lack of high-end filmmaking tools and soft 4K video quality will likely mean the 90D is a pass.

Pros:

4K video with no crop
Good-looking 1080p capture with no crop
Touchscreen flips 180-degrees
Microphone and headphones sockets
Well-controlled rolling shutter
Good video AF
Focus peaking

Cons:

Soft 4K video output
No 24p option in 4K or Full HD
1080/120p has no AF
No in-body stabilization and heavy crop from digital IS
Under-powered pre amp
No Log gamma option
No zebra stripes

Candid and street

Edited to taste in Adobe Camera Raw 11.
ISO 100 | 1/2000 sec | F5.6 | Shot on a Canon 16-35mm F2.8 L II @26mm

Street photography is usually about being neither seen nor heard unless of course, you're Bruce Gilden. The 90D has a lot of useful features that'll aide street shooters, like a silent shutter and accurate eye detect in live view, as well as a responsive articulating touchscreen. But the camera's size may draw some attention.

Pros:

Highly-responsive articulating touchscreen
Silent shooting in live view (e-shutter)
Good live view face and eye detect

Cons:

Not as inconspicuous as some mirrorless competitors

Formal portraits

Out of camera JPEG.
ISO 500 | 1/200 sec | F6.3 | Shot on on the Canon 18-135mm 3.5-5.6 @ 113mm
Photo by Carey Rose

The 90D is a decent choice for portraiture, with no shortage of amazing Canon portrait lenses to choose from. Face and eye detection work with good accuracy, though not class-leading, in live view. However, focus accuracy is less reliable through the finder - the likely preferred method of composing images for portrait shooters. For studio photographers, the 90D is compatible with Canon's flash ecosystem; and though there's no flash sync port, one can easily be added via an adapter fitted to the hot shoe.

Pros:

Lots of good Canon EF-mount portrait glass available
Accurate eye detection in live view
Good raw resolution
Compatible with Canon's flash system

Cons:

Unreliable through the viewfinder autofocus
No built-in flash sync (though third party options available)

Lifestyle and people

Edited in Adobe Camera Raw 11.
ISO 160 | 1/320 sec | F1.4 | Shot on the Canon 35mm F1.4 L

The 90D is a solid choice for lifestyle photography due to its relatively large sensor and availability of fast prime lenses to blur out backgrounds. Out of camera JPEGs provide excellent color and the camera's live view eye/face detect has proven quite accurate. Sharing images from the camera to smart devices is also a snap.

Pros:

Nice JPEG color and accurate skin-tones
Fast lenses and large sensor provide the depth of field for subject separation from the background
Accurate face and eye detection autofocus in live view
Articulating touchscreen for 'artsy' angles
Easy sharing to smart device / social media

Cons:

Face detect not very accurate when shooting through the viewfinder
Somewhat bulky for casual carrying

Landscape

Edited in Adobe Camera Raw 11.
ISO 100 | 1/800 sec | F5.6 | Shot on a Canon 16-35mm F2.8 L II @35mm

Whether shooting urban or natural landscapes, resolution and dynamic range - the amount you can push shadows without adding noise - are the two biggest technical factors that will determine final image quality. The 90D offers excellent Raw detail capture for its sensor size and similarly-malleable Raw files to its APS-C peers. Weather-sealing, good battery life, an articulating screen and an excellent lineup of available lenses also add to this camera's appeal if you're an Ansel Adams-type.

Pros:

Good Raw detail capture and dynamic for APS-C
Articulating touch LCD for high and low shots
Easy-to-access controls
Illuminated top plate LCD
Weather-sealed
Adequate battery life
Excellent range of landscape-appropriate lenses

Cons:

Larger sensor cameras (and some APS-C competitors) will provide more resolution and/or better dynamic range
No multi-shot high-resolution mode

Camera Review 24

Where Canon 90D apply?