Canon Rebel
T2i
 vs
Nikon
D90

Updated (February, 2011): Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs Nikon D7000

Nikon D90

71
Winner

Nikon D90
"The D90 feels very comfortable and natural, with a good grip and logical, ergonomic, button placement."
dpreview.com | talking about the D90's feel
"On a purely specification level, it's a highly competitive piece of kit, but it's the way the features have been chosen and put together that make it the camera that it is."
dpreview.com | talking about the D90's overall-performance

Reasons to buy the Nikon D90

Overall image quality
 Great image quality
73.0
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.5 EV
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.63x
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
300 ms startup delay
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Battery life
 Great battery life
850 shots
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

59
Runner-up

Canon Rebel T2i
"Quite simply, taken as a whole, it is the best camera of its class that we've ever seen, and one of those rare cameras that won't look out of date in a couple of years' time."
dpreview.com | talking about the T2i's overall-performance
"Excellent detail and resolution"
dpreview.com | talking about the T2i's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Canon Rebel T2i

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
1,040k dots
True resolution
 High true resolution
17.9 MP
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Size
 Really small
Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm
Thickness
 Thin
2.4"
Weight
 Light-weight
530 g

differences

Advantages of the Canon T2i
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video at a higher frame rate
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
True resolution Much higher true resolution 17.9 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
 Capture around 50% more detail in your photos
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The T2i's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Size Significantly smaller 129x98x62 mm vs 132x103x77 mm
Help
 Around 30% smaller
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 1,040k dots vs 920k dots
Help
 More than 10% higher resolution screen
Thickness Significantly thinner 2.4" vs 3"
Help
 Around 20% thinner
Weight Significantly lighter 530 g vs 703 g
Help
 More than 20% lighter
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The T2i's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $499.00 vs $849.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $350 cheaper (more than 40% less)
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Learn more about
the Canon T2i

Advantages of the Nikon D90
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 977 ISO vs 784 ISO
Help
 The D90 has a slight edge (0.3 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Overall image quality Better image quality 73.0 vs 66.0
Help
 More than 10% better image quality
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.5 EV vs 11.5 EV
Help
 1 f-stop more dynamic range
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder 0.63x vs 0.54x
Help
 Around 40% larger viewfinder
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 850 shots vs 440 shots
Help
 More than 90% more shots per battery charge
Color depth Better color depth 22.7 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.6 more bits of color
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Help
 More than 10% larger sensor
Viewfinder Has a pentaprism viewfinder Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Help
 Pentaprism viewfinders are typically brighter
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 208 ms vs 252 ms
Help
 Around 20% less delay when taking photos
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 4.5 fps vs 3.7 fps
Help
 More than 20% faster continuous shooting
Startup delay Less startup delay 300 ms vs 400 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
Focus points More focus points 11 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage 96% vs 95%
Help
 Almost the same
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 162 lenses
Help
 Almost the same
Nikon D90 Learn more about
the Nikon D90
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Canon Rebel T2i
59 vs 71
Explain scores
Nikon D90 Nikon D90
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D90.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

CanonRebel T2i
 Canon EOS Rebel T2i vs Nikon D90
NikonD90
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
62
50
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
51
55
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
53
54
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
53
51
Vote Vote
Autofocus performance Video focusing
Speed and accuracy
69
31
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
58
55
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
56
53
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
T2i:1,040k dots
D90:920k dots
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
T2i:162 lenses
D90:169 lenses
Screen size Larger than average screens Help
3.0"
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
T2i:400 ms
D90:300 ms
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
1
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
T2i:6,400 ISO
D90:3,200 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$624 - $800 body only

$869 - $1,100 with 18-135mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is significantly larger
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D90
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$650 - $749 body only

$600 - $750 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D5100 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the D5100 vs the D90
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $984 with 18-55mm lens
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Autofocus Focuses automatically while shootting video
Thickness Is thicker
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D3100 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the D3100 vs the D90
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$379 body only

$459 - $750 with 18-55mm lens
Weight Is slightly lighter
Thickness Is thicker
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D90
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$879 - $1,304 body only

$1,139 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D90
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,097 body only

$1,227 with 55-200mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the D7000 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the D7000 vs the D90
Canon EOS Rebel T1i

Canon Rebel T1i

Entry-level DSLR

$445 - $629 body only

$508 - $609 with 18-55mm lens
Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
Supports 24p Doesn't record movies in 24p
Color depth Has significantly less color depth
Compare the Rebel T1i vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the Rebel T1i vs the D90

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS Rebel T2i.

Nikon D90 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D300S

Nikon D300S

Pro DSLR

$1,700 body only

$2,547 - $4,295 with 18-200mm lens
Focus points Many more focus points
Cross type focus points Many more cross-type focus points
Low light performance More noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Compare the D300S vs the D90

appearance

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Nikon D90
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Nikon D90
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Nikon D90

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these cameras here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 9 comments

MAX (4:58 PM, March 04, 2011)
the t2i over compensates for things the human eye cant even tell the difference. you have to consider your output before buying your input. more megapixels dosent mean better photos.
 
Brandon (2:13 AM, February 02, 2011)
The T2i couldnt keep up with the D90 and the D90 is two years old. Nikon is that far ahead of Canon
 
Steve (7:00 AM, January 17, 2011)
Canons are used by 70% of all pros....you figure out why!
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (9:15 PM, January 15, 2011)
The D90 actually as a slight edge in low light performance, the extra f/stop in ISO doesn't mean much.
 
hohllp (8:59 PM, January 15, 2011)
From my searching the D90 is cheaper than the T2i. At least from photoprice.ca w/ the 18-55 lens.
 
ProPhotographer (3:15 AM, January 13, 2011)
Its funny how the T2i was compared to the D90 and still kept up with it. It is suppose to compare against Nikon's D3000/3100 series cameras...Not fair, but T2i kicked ass. Good job on the comparison. I wish i never bought the D90 after seeing this...embarrassed
 
D90sux (3:09 AM, January 13, 2011)
Not for the price...T2i is by far the better value for the all-around performance over the D90. Especially in maximum light sensitivity which is 1 f-stop better, boost ISO is 1 f-stop better, more lens availability, and better HD recording. Save a few hundred bucks and get better lens...
 
Rosé (10:17 PM, November 27, 2010)
How come D90's score lowered? I dont get it!
 
Avatar for Joe Joe (9:19 AM, April 23, 2010)
The new Canon EOS Rebel T2i is certainly an improvement over the previous EOS Rebel T1i with its higher resolution, large LCD 3:2 i-FCL to 63 areas and ample opportunity for Full HD video recording, but not sufficient in our opinion outpace the rival Nikon D90.

If the video shoot for you is an important requirement for the superiority of the EOS Rebel T2i is clear, if the picture back is your main interest we think globally than the Nikon D90, which also offers its own decent chance of shooting video.

If not already own a set of lenses of either brand or personal preferences toward any of them, we would like to recommend the D90 as the best buy between two cameras.