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Canon 90D Wildlife Photography: Best DSLR for Stunning Shots in 2025

Wildlife photography with the canon eos 90d

# Canon 90D Wildlife Photography: Is It Still a Top Choice in 2025?

The Canon 90D wildlife photography capabilities have made it a favorite among photographers for years, offering fast autofocus, impressive image quality, and a high-resolution APS-C sensor. But with newer mirrorless options like the Canon R7 and R6, is the Canon 90D still a viable choice for wildlife photography in 2025? Let’s dive deep into its strengths, weaknesses, and whether it deserves a spot in your wildlife kit.

Canon 90D crop-sensor camera recording Full HD video at 120p

Why Canon 90D Wildlife Photography is Still Popular

1. High-Resolution 32.5MP Sensor for Wildlife Photography

The Canon 90D’s 32.5MP APS-C sensor delivers exceptional image detail, allowing you to crop without losing quality. This is particularly useful for wildlife photography, where you might not always get close enough to your subject.

2. Fast & Accurate Autofocus for Wildlife Photography

  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF ensures quick focus acquisition.

  • 45 cross-type AF points cover a broad area of the frame.

  • Face and Eye Detection AF (when using Live View) enhances subject tracking.

Compared to the older Canon 7D Mark II, the 90D offers better autofocus in Live View mode, making it more versatile for different shooting styles.

3. Canon 90D Burst Shooting for Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photography often demands high-speed continuous shooting, and the Canon 90D delivers 10 frames per second (fps). While this isn’t as fast as high-end mirrorless cameras, it’s more than sufficient for capturing fast-moving animals and birds.

4. APS-C Crop Factor for Extra Reach in Wildlife Photography

Thanks to its 1.6x crop factor, the 90D extends the reach of your telephoto lens. A 300mm lens effectively becomes 480mm, making it a budget-friendly alternative to full-frame cameras when shooting distant wildlife.

5. Weather-Sealed Body for Wildlife Photography in Tough Conditions

Durability matters in outdoor photography. The 90D has a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, providing protection against dust and moisture—ideal for harsh environments.

Canon 90D vs. Mirrorless Alternatives for Wildlife Photography

As mirrorless cameras become more dominant, how does the 90D hold up?

FeatureCanon 90DCanon R7Canon R6
Sensor32.5MP APS-C32.5MP APS-C20MP Full-Frame
Autofocus45 cross-type AF651 AF points (Dual Pixel II)1,053 AF points (Dual Pixel II)
Burst Rate10 fps15 fps (mechanical)12 fps (mechanical)
IBIS (Stabilization)NoYesYes
Price$$$$$$$$$

🔹 Canon R7 offers better autofocus and IBIS (In-Body Stabilization) but at a higher cost.
🔹 Canon R6 has a full-frame sensor, but at 20MP, it has lower resolution than the 90D.
🔹 If you need faster burst speeds, better tracking, and IBIS, mirrorless may be the way to go. However, for budget-conscious photographers, the 90D remains a strong DSLR option.

Canon 90D crop-sensor camera with 32.5-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
Canon EOS 90D Bird photo high speed photo of own -wildlife photography

Best Lenses for Canon 90D Wildlife Photography

📌 Budget-Friendly: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM – Great zoom range and sharpness.
📌 Versatile Choice: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM – Excellent reach, sharpness, and stabilization.
📌 Ultimate Wildlife Lens: Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM – Premium quality, but pricey.

👉 Pro Tip: Pairing the 90D with a fast lens (f/4 or lower) improves low-light performance.

Canon EOS 90D Bird photo high speed photo of swallow - wildlife photography

Best Settings for Canon 90D Wildlife Photography

📍 Shutter Speed: 1/1000s or faster (for birds in flight, go to 1/2000s).
📍 Aperture: f/5.6 – f/8 for balanced depth of field and sharpness.
📍 ISO: Start at ISO 400, adjust based on lighting.
📍 AF Mode: AI Servo AF for moving subjects.
📍 Drive Mode: High-Speed Continuous Shooting (10 fps).

Final Verdict: Should You Use the Canon 90D for Wildlife Photography?

Yes, if:
✔️ You want a high-resolution, budget-friendly DSLR with solid autofocus.
✔️ You need an APS-C crop factor for extra reach.
✔️ You prefer an optical viewfinder and traditional DSLR ergonomics.

Consider a mirrorless upgrade if:
🔹 You need faster burst speeds (15+ fps).
🔹 You shoot in low-light frequently and need IBIS.
🔹 You want the latest autofocus technology.

The Canon 90D remains a fantastic DSLR for wildlife photographers, especially for those not ready to switch to mirrorless. If you already own EF lenses, this camera still delivers excellent value in 2025.

FAQs:

Is the Canon 90D still worth buying in 2025 for wildlife photography?

Yes, if you want a high-resolution DSLR with great autofocus and excellent image quality for wildlife photography at a reasonable price.

Does the Canon 90D perform well in low light for wildlife photography?

While its ISO range (100-25,600) is decent, it struggles in extreme low-light conditions compared to full-frame models. Use a fast lens to improve performance.

What’s the best alternative to the Canon 90D for wildlife photography?

📌 Canon R7 (mirrorless) – Better autofocus and IBIS.📌 Canon 7D Mark II (DSLR) – Faster burst rate but lower resolution (20MP).📌 Nikon D500 – A solid competitor with excellent tracking.

🔥 What’s Your Experience with the Canon 90D? Drop a comment below!
📸 Share this post with fellow wildlife photographers!

Is the Canon 90D still worth buying in 2025?

Yes, if you want a high-resolution DSLR with great autofocus and excellent image quality for wildlife photography at a reasonable price.

Does the Canon 90D perform well in low light?

While its ISO range (100-25,600) is decent, it struggles in extreme low-light conditions compared to full-frame models. Use a fast lens to improve performance.

What’s the best alternative to the Canon 90D for wildlife?

📌 Canon R7 (mirrorless) – Better autofocus and IBIS. 📌 Canon 7D Mark II (DSLR) – Faster burst rate but lower resolution (20MP). 📌 Nikon D500 – A solid competitor with excellent tracking.
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ABOUT AUTHOR
Megren Naidoo
Megren Naidoo (Urbantroop)

Megren Naidoo – a Senior Technology Architect with a photographer’s eye and a writer’s soul. My blog offers insights, lessons learned, and a helping hand to new content creators. I draw from my experiences in technology and creative fields to provide a unique perspective.