At the time of writing, the 90D is retailing for less than R20 000, but its performance and features are comparable to those found in far more expensive models in the Canon line-up.
The image sensor has the APS-C format and at 22mm wide it is smaller than the 35mm (full-frame) sensor found in cameras such as the Canon 6D Mark 2, the 5D Mark 4 and the 1DX Mark 2. A major advantage to the smaller image sensor is that it reduces the cost of the camera, but a drawback is compromised image quality when ambient light is low. In bright light, there is less noticeable difference in image quality output between an APS-C sensor camera and a full-frame. How much that matters will depend upon each user’s interpretation of image quality and their respective needs, be they for screen or print.
The 90D replaces the 80D and it has an impressive list of improvements. Notable among these are several that affect performance in areas that really matter to bird and wildlife photographers, for instance speed, continuous shooting, and resolution.
Build quality
The camera has a chassis constructed of alloy and composite material and it is well covered with grippy rubber. The camera build is somewhat tougher than the entry-level Canon bodies, but not quite as rugged as the 7D Mark 2 or the 5D Mark 4.
Controls
The 90D has a set of controls nearly as complete as any DSLR, with both front and rear dials, as well as assigned buttons for changing focus modes. A new addition to this range (last seen in the 50D) is a dedicated autofocus multi-controller, which makes it very easy to move the active focus point around the frame, enabling you to compose quickly. The camera also has a well-designed rear touch screen that can be used for selecting or checking your settings. Reviewing images is fun on the touch screen and it supports swipe gestures.
Ergonomics
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Denne historien er fra January - February 2020-utgaven av African Birdlife.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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EXPLORING NEW HORIZONS
Keith Barnes, co-author of the new Field Guide to Birds of Greater Southern Africa, chats about the long-neglected birding regions just north of the Kunene and Zambezi, getting back to watching birds and the vulture that changed his life.
footloose IN FYNBOS
The Walker Bay Diversity Trail is a leisurely hike with a multitude of flowers, feathers and flavours along the way.
Living forwards
How photographing birds helps me face adversity
CAPE crusade
The Cape Bird Club/City of Cape Town Birding Big Year Challenge
water & WINGS
WATER IS LIFE. As wildlife photographer Greg du Toit knows better than most.
winter wanderer
as summer becomes a memory in the south, the skies are a little quieter as the migrants have returned to the warming north. But one bird endemic to the southern African region takes its own little winter journey.
when perfect isn't enough
Egg signatures and forgeries in the cuckoo-drongo arms race
Southern SIGHTINGS
The late summer period naturally started quietening down after the midsummer excitement, but there were still some classy rarities on offer for birders all over the subregion. As always, none of the records included here have been adjudicated by any of the subregion's Rarities Committees.
flood impact on wetland birds
One of the features of a warming planet is increasingly erratic rainfall; years of drought followed by devastating floods. Fortunately, many waterbirds are pre-adapted to cope with such extremes, especially in southern Africa where they have evolved to exploit episodic rainfall events in semi-arid and arid regions. But how do waterbirds respond to floods in areas where rainfall - and access to water - is more predictable? Peter Ryan explores the consequences of recent floods on the birds of the Western Cape's Olifants River valley.
a star is born
It’s every producer’s dream to plan a wildlife television series and pick the right characters before filming.
