Mastering Photography: Canon EOS 90D EF 75-300mm vs. EOS R RF 35mm – Which Pair Will Elevate Your Shots?

Choosing the right camera and lens combination can be a daunting task, especially when faced with the vast array of options available. Two popular choices among photography enthusiasts are the Canon EOS 90D with the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III lens and the Canon EOS R with the RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro lens. This blog post delves into a detailed comparison of these two systems, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.

Camera Body: EOS 90D vs. EOS R

The Canon EOS 90D is a DSLR, while the Canon EOS R is a mirrorless camera. This fundamental difference impacts their overall design, features, and performance.
EOS 90D:

• Pros:
• Optical Viewfinder: Offers a traditional viewfinder experience, providing a real-time view of the scene without any lag.
• Durable Build: Built with a weather-sealed body, making it suitable for various shooting conditions.
• Affordable: Generally more budget-friendly compared to the EOS R.
• Cons:
• Bulky: The DSLR design makes it larger and heavier than the EOS R.
• Limited Autofocus: While offering good autofocus performance, it lacks the advanced autofocus capabilities of the EOS R.
• No In-Body Image Stabilization: Requires lenses with optical image stabilization for shake reduction.

EOS R:

• Pros:
• Compact and Lightweight: The mirrorless design allows for a smaller and lighter body, making it more portable.
• Advanced Autofocus: Features a superior autofocus system with Dual Pixel CMOS AF, providing faster and more accurate focusing.
• In-Body Image Stabilization: Built-in image stabilization ensures sharper images, especially in low light conditions.
• Cons:
• Expensive: The EOS R and its RF lenses are generally more expensive than the EOS 90D and EF lenses.
• Electronic Viewfinder: The EVF provides a digital view of the scene, which can have some lag and might not be as natural as an optical viewfinder.
• Limited Battery Life: Mirrorless cameras tend to have shorter battery life compared to DSLRs.

Lens Selection: EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III vs. RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro

The choice of lens significantly impacts the photographic experience. Let’s compare the two lenses in this comparison.
EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III:

• Pros:
• Versatile Zoom: Offers a wide zoom range, making it suitable for various subjects, including wildlife, sports, and landscapes.
• Affordable: A relatively inexpensive lens compared to the RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro.
• Cons:
• Limited Aperture: The maximum aperture of f/4-5.6 limits its ability to capture shallow depth of field and shoot in low light.
• Lower Image Quality: The lens produces softer images compared to the RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro.

RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro:

• Pros:
• Fast Aperture: The f/1.8 maximum aperture allows for shallow depth of field and better low light performance.
• Sharp Image Quality: Known for its exceptional sharpness and detail.
• Macro Capabilities: Allows for close-up photography with a minimum focusing distance of 0.17m.
• Cons:
• Fixed Focal Length: Limits versatility compared to the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III.
• More Expensive: A premium lens with a higher price tag.

Choosing the Right System for Your Needs

The best choice between the Canon EOS 90D with EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III and the Canon EOS R with RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Canon EOS 90D with EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III:

• Ideal for:
• Budget-conscious photographers: Offers a cost-effective solution for shooting a wide range of subjects.
• Wildlife and sports photographers: The zoom range is beneficial for capturing distant subjects.
• Travel photography: The versatility of the lens makes it suitable for capturing various scenes.

Canon EOS R with RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro:

• Ideal for:
• Photographers seeking image quality: Delivers exceptional sharpness and detail.
• Low light photography: The fast aperture enables shooting in challenging lighting conditions.
• Macro photography: The macro capabilities allow for capturing close-up details.
• Street photography: The compact size and fast aperture are perfect for capturing candid moments.

Exploring Other Options

While the Canon EOS 90D and Canon EOS R offer excellent performance, it’s important to consider other options that might align better with your specific needs.

• Canon EOS 90D with other EF lenses: Explore different EF lenses to find the perfect combination for your photography style.
• Canon EOS R with other RF lenses: The RF lens system offers a wide range of options, including telephoto, wide-angle, and macro lenses.
• Other camera brands: Consider exploring camera systems from other manufacturers, such as Sony, Nikon, and Fujifilm.

Beyond the Camera Body and Lens

Choosing the right camera and lens is only the first step. Other factors play a crucial role in creating stunning photographs.

• Composition: Understanding basic composition rules can elevate your photography.
• Lighting: Mastering natural and artificial lighting techniques can dramatically impact your images.
• Post-processing: Editing software can enhance your photographs, but don’t rely on it to fix poorly captured images.

The Final Verdict: Finding Your Perfect Match

Both the Canon EOS 90D with EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III and the Canon EOS R with RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro offer unique advantages. The EOS 90D with its zoom lens is a versatile option for various subjects, while the EOS R with its prime lens excels in image quality and low light performance. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences.

What You Need to Learn

Q: Which system is better for beginners?
A: The Canon EOS 90D with EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III is a good starting point for beginners due to its affordability and versatility.
Q: Which system is better for professional photographers?
A: The Canon EOS R with RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro offers superior image quality and advanced features that are appealing to professional photographers.
Q: Which system is better for wildlife photography?
A: The Canon EOS 90D with EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III is a better choice for wildlife photography due to its zoom range.
Q: Which system is better for low light photography?
A: The Canon EOS R with RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro is better suited for low light photography due to its fast aperture.
Q: Which system is better for macro photography?
A: The Canon EOS R with RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro is the clear winner for macro photography due to its dedicated macro capabilities.