What To Know
- Choosing the right camera and lens combination can be a daunting task, especially when you’re faced with two popular options like the Canon EOS 90D with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.
- The Canon EOS 90D utilizes an APS-C sensor, while the Canon EOS RP boasts a full-frame sensor.
- Provides a wider field of view for the same focal length compared to APS-C, making it ideal for landscape and architectural photography.
Choosing the right camera and lens combination can be a daunting task, especially when you’re faced with two popular options like the Canon EOS 90D with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and the Canon EOS RP with the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. Both setups offer excellent image quality, versatility, and autofocus capabilities, but they cater to different needs and shooting styles. This comprehensive comparison will delve into the strengths and weaknesses of each combination, helping you decide which one aligns best with your photographic aspirations.
The Contenders: A Quick Overview
Canon EOS 90D with EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM: This combination is a popular choice for enthusiasts and professionals who prioritize versatility and performance. The 90D boasts a powerful APS-C sensor, delivering high-resolution images and impressive low-light capabilities. The EF-S 18-135mm lens offers a wide zoom range, making it suitable for various subjects, from landscapes to portraits.
Canon EOS RP with EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM: This setup is tailored for photographers seeking a compact and lightweight full-frame experience. The EOS RP features a full-frame sensor, producing exceptional image quality and shallow depth of field effects. The EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens is a renowned workhorse, known for its sharpness, versatility, and exceptional build quality.
Sensor Size: APS-C vs Full-Frame
The primary difference between these two setups lies in their sensor size. The Canon EOS 90D utilizes an APS-C sensor, while the Canon EOS RP boasts a full-frame sensor. This distinction has significant implications for image quality, low-light performance, and depth of field.
APS-C Sensor (Canon EOS 90D):
- Offers a crop factor of 1.6x, effectively increasing the focal length of your lens. This is beneficial for wildlife and sports photography, allowing you to get closer to your subject without physically moving.
- Provides a smaller sensor area, resulting in a shallower depth of field compared to full-frame. This can be advantageous for isolating subjects and creating a pleasing bokeh effect.
- Generally, APS-C sensors are more affordable and compact than full-frame sensors.
Full-Frame Sensor (Canon EOS RP):
- Offers a larger sensor area, capturing more light and resulting in better low-light performance and higher dynamic range. This allows for cleaner images with less noise at higher ISO sensitivities.
- Delivers a shallower depth of field compared to APS-C sensors, enabling you to blur backgrounds and isolate subjects more effectively.
- Provides a wider field of view for the same focal length compared to APS-C, making it ideal for landscape and architectural photography.
Lens Choice: Versatility vs Performance
Both camera setups come bundled with versatile zoom lenses, but they differ in their focal lengths and optical performance.
EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM (Canon EOS 90D):
- Offers a wide zoom range, encompassing a focal length equivalent to 29-216mm in full-frame terms. This versatility makes it suitable for various genres, from landscapes to portraits.
- Features a maximum aperture of f/3.5 at the wide end, which is adequate for general shooting but may not be ideal for low-light situations or creating shallow depth of field.
- The STM motor provides smooth and silent autofocus, making it suitable for video recording.
EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM (Canon EOS RP):
- Offers a slightly narrower zoom range, encompassing a focal length of 24-105mm. This is still a versatile range, covering most common photographic needs.
- Features a constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range, providing consistent light gathering capabilities and allowing for better low-light performance.
- The USM motor delivers fast and accurate autofocus, making it suitable for fast-paced action photography.
Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy
Both cameras boast impressive autofocus systems, but their performance differs depending on the lens used.
Canon EOS 90D:
- Features a 45-point all-cross-type autofocus system, providing fast and accurate focusing in various lighting conditions.
- The EF-S 18-135mm lens uses a stepping motor (STM) for smooth and silent autofocus, making it suitable for video recording.
Canon EOS RP:
- Features a 47-point all-cross-type autofocus system, offering exceptional focusing accuracy and speed.
- The EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens utilizes a ring-type USM motor, known for its rapid and precise autofocus.
Image Quality: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Low-Light Performance
Both camera and lens combinations deliver exceptional image quality, but their strengths vary slightly.
Canon EOS 90D:
- Offers a 32.5-megapixel APS-C sensor, delivering high-resolution images with excellent detail and sharpness.
- Provides a good dynamic range, allowing for recovery of detail in highlights and shadows.
- Performs well in low-light conditions, producing clean images at ISO sensitivities up to 1600.
Canon EOS RP:
- Features a 26.2-megapixel full-frame sensor, capturing more light and delivering superior image quality with exceptional detail and dynamic range.
- Boasts excellent low-light performance, producing cleaner images with less noise at higher ISO sensitivities compared to the 90D.
Video Capabilities: 4K vs 1080p
Both cameras offer video recording capabilities, but their video resolutions and features differ.
Canon EOS 90D:
- Records 4K video at 30fps, providing high-resolution footage with excellent detail and sharpness.
- Offers a variety of video recording features, including slow motion, time-lapse, and intervalometer.
Canon EOS RP:
- Records 4K video at 25fps, providing high-resolution footage.
- Features a variety of video recording features, including 1080p recording at up to 60fps.
Ergonomics and Design: Comfort and Control
Both cameras offer comfortable ergonomics and intuitive controls, but their designs cater to different preferences.
Canon EOS 90D:
- Features a deep grip and a well-placed button layout, making it comfortable to hold and operate.
- Provides a bright and clear optical viewfinder for traditional shooting.
- Offers a tilting touchscreen LCD for framing shots from different angles.
Canon EOS RP:
- Offers a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to carry around.
- Features a bright and clear electronic viewfinder (EVF) for accurate framing.
- Provides a fully articulating touchscreen LCD for flexibility in framing and reviewing images.
Battery Life: Endurance for Long Shooting Sessions
Both cameras offer decent battery life, but the EOS 90D has a slight edge in this regard.
Canon EOS 90D:
- Provides an estimated battery life of 1,300 shots per charge.
Canon EOS RP:
- Offers an estimated battery life of 250 shots per charge.
Price and Availability: Finding the Best Value
Both camera and lens combinations are available at competitive prices, offering excellent value for their features and performance.
Canon EOS 90D with EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM:
- This combination is typically priced lower than the EOS RP with the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM.
Canon EOS RP with EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM:
- This combination is priced higher due to the full-frame sensor and the premium L-series lens.
Which Camera and Lens Combo is Right for You?
Canon EOS 90D with EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM: This combination is ideal for photographers who prioritize versatility, affordability, and performance. It’s a great choice for enthusiasts and professionals who shoot a variety of subjects, from landscapes to portraits to wildlife.
Canon EOS RP with EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM: This setup is perfect for photographers who seek exceptional image quality, shallow depth of field, and a compact full-frame experience. It’s an excellent choice for professionals and enthusiasts who prioritize low-light performance and image detail.
Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Photographic Journey
Ultimately, the best camera and lens combination for you depends on your individual needs, shooting style, and budget. The Canon EOS 90D with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM offers a versatile and affordable option for enthusiasts and professionals, while the Canon EOS RP with the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM provides a premium full-frame experience for those seeking exceptional image quality and low-light performance.
Basics You Wanted To Know
Q: What is the main difference between the Canon EOS 90D and the Canon EOS RP?
A: The primary difference lies in their sensor size. The EOS 90D features an APS-C sensor, while the EOS RP boasts a full-frame sensor. This affects image quality, low-light performance, and depth of field. Full-frame sensors offer better low-light performance and shallower depth of field, while APS-C sensors are more affordable and compact.
Q: Which lens is better, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM or the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM?
A: Both lenses offer versatility, but the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is considered a superior lens due to its constant aperture, sharper optics, and exceptional build quality. However, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM offers a wider zoom range, making it more suitable for certain genres like wildlife photography.
Q: Which camera is better for video recording, the Canon EOS 90D or the Canon EOS RP?
A: The Canon EOS 90D offers 4K video recording at 30fps, while the Canon EOS RP records 4K video at 25fps. Both cameras offer various video recording features, so the best choice depends on your specific video recording needs and preferences.
Q: Which camera is more suitable for beginners?
A: Both cameras are user-friendly and suitable for beginners. The Canon EOS 90D offers a more traditional DSLR experience with a bright optical viewfinder, while the Canon EOS RP provides a more modern mirrorless experience with an electronic viewfinder and a fully articulating touchscreen LCD.
Q: Is it worth upgrading from the Canon EOS 90D to the Canon EOS RP?
A: Upgrading to the Canon EOS RP from the Canon EOS 90D depends on your priorities. If you prioritize low-light performance, shallow depth of field, and exceptional image quality, the EOS RP is a worthy upgrade. However, if you value versatility, affordability, and a more traditional DSLR experience, the EOS 90D remains a solid choice.
