Imaging Resource (imaging-resource.com) has some comparison shots between the 90D and the 80D, and the 90D and EOS R (full frame 24 MPix). The display on the web site is out of camera jpeg, I think but those interested can download and pixel peep CR3 studio test shots. I presume you would need Canon's DPP to read these at this early stage (not sure if the main third party raw processors have yet updated for the 90D files).

At the jpeg level there seems to be a little more detail in the 90D files, although they seem to have a little less microcontrast (this may just be the jpeg processing). What is more interesting is how the ISO 1600 files seem to hold up - at least as good as the 80D and not too much off the full frame camera (which was criticised for its dynamic range by some reviewers).

Simonj

One of the more comprehensive early reviews of the 90D is by The Digital Picture, on the following link:

The Digital Picture Canon 90D review

One interesting point is advice from Canon that the new sensor should show no increased noise levels cf. previous 24 MP models, despite the jump to 32.5 MP. The review also tabulates specification comparisons between the 80D and 90D, and also a very comprehensive tabulation of the comparison between the 7D II and the 90D. The latter makes interesting reading for assessing both the pluses and minuses of replacing a 7D II with a 90D.

Cheers, David

Some good-looking bird pics with the new camera here.

Thanks Ian,

Given the near-perfect lens used (EF 600 mm f/4 L II), these images should be a test of the sensor characteristics, at least up to the maximum ISO 1000 used. The poster does mention that "In some really simple testing, the noise cleans up well", which may suggest these images have had some NR applied in post. Nonetheless, it looks promising. All things considered, the 90D may prove a better solution for bird photography with the 100-400 mm L II than either of my current two camera bodies (7D II and 5D IV), though obviously I wouldn't expect to match the optical performance of the 'great white'.

In personal experience I've found 560 mm to be a minimum FL requirement for bird photography with the full-frame camera, which means constant use of the 1.4x TC with the 100-400 mm L II on the 5D IV, i.e. maximum aperture f/8. This has also been the case most of the time with the 7D II, due to having 50% less pixels, but an f/8 maximum aperture really puts the pressure on this camera for bird photography. However it is looking increasingly like the TC could be dispensed with much of the time when using the 100-400 mm L II zoom on the 90D - which yields a number of advantages.

Cheers, David

DP Review has now published its review of the 90D. In short they find that there are useful gains in terms of the new sensor, but that autofocus using the viewfinder is scarcely improved over the 80D and still has problems tracking accurately in servo mode. The new autofocus sensor seems primarily aimed at improving things like eye detection, particularly in Live View, and the viewfinder experience is not much enhanced according to their (somewhat limited) tests. I suspect Canon is putting its autofocus resources more and more into the live view experience, in view of the likely expansion of the R line, and to compete with the current market leader in this area (Sony).

I noticed that The Imaging Resource has also commenced its review of the 90D. IR tends to do their reviews over a longish time period, with field test reports, so it probably won't be completed for a week or two.

Simon

I share your thoughts on the DPR review, Simon. I guess we need to allow that this was one review of one example of the 90D, but if the assessment holds up in other reviews it will indeed be disappointing that Canon was not able to improve the through-viewfinder servo AF performance given the extra functionality they've put into the AF system.

For bird photography using Canon's APS-C SLRs this may leave current users of the 80D and 7D Mark II with no clear upgrade path except to move into full-frame (whether it be current DSLRs or potential future R series bodies). But, if your main birding lens is the 100-400 mm L II zoom, my experience of this lens with a full-frame camera is that 400 mm is just too short a maximum focal length for bird photography. So, you tend to be compelled to use the zoom with the 1.4x TC, a 560 mm f/8 combination which on the 5D Mark IV, excellent camera though it is, has some autofocus speed issues with that lens combination.

In short, unless you want to make the very large outlay to step up in Canon's lens line to the top-end telephotos (which enable focal lengths including 560 mm at f/5.6, 600 mm at f/4, or 700 mm at f/5.6), I'm fairly convinced the Canon APS-C sensor camera has a place in bird photography - but ideally with something like the 90D sensor in a camera body representing what the 7D Mark III might legitimately have been expected to achieve in regard to improved AF performance (both speed and accuracy).

One thought in closing - the Canon R series sports/action camera rumoured to be in development is reportedly not going to appear until 2021, which given that current 80D and 7D II owners may get itchy feet in the meantime, may put some pressure on Canon to bring out a 7D III upgrade at some stage in the meantime. One interesting aside to this is a clear statement attributed to Canon USA and reported in the Digital Picture preview of the 90D that I posted above, that the 90D is not a replacement for the 7D Mark II. Intriguingly, this contradicts most other media opinions about what the 90D represents.

Cheers, David