Bison Bud

At least to me, the best feature of the 7d's was that they had excellent auto focus. This was at least partially due to the fact that they had a separate processor for the auto focus functions, which helped to make it both quick and accurate. Now that the 7D series appears to be discontinued and the 90D appears to be the replacement for Canon's top of the line cropped sensor bodies, I've been trying to find out if the 90D also has the separate microprocessor for the auto focus functions. While it sounds like the 90D's autofocus is quite good, I can't seem to find information on a dedicated processor and decided to ask here if anyone knew more about this feature. I'd also be interested in reviews from anyone that has used both bodies and how their performance compares, especially in this area, but overall as well. Thanks for any info. you might provide and good luck and good shooting to all.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

The 90D has a single processor, the Digic 8. My R5 has only one processor and the auto-focus is excellent. It appears that advances in technology have eliminated the need for dual processors. I would be more concerned about what generation the camera is then how many processors it has. I had a 7DII but not a 90D. From what I understand the 90D is darn near as capable as the 7DII. Never heard any complaints about the auto-focus.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You're right, there is not a separate dedicated processor in the EOS 90D. But, you may find a) the wider array of AF points covering the frame, b) the ability to use the entire frame for AF with f/8 configurations and c) the updated DIGIC-8 processor off-set the lack of a second dedicated processor. With the subtle changes of the EOS 90D, you might find a battery pack to power the system helps more to 'power' the equipment rather than finding 1 processor is a 'loss' over prior bodies.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I own a 7D mk II and a 90D and I now use my 90D far more often than my 7DII. I usually take a full frame and a crop frame when I go out looking for things to photograph; a utility lens on the FF and a tele-zoom on the crop. But now, when I do two crop cameras, it's the 90D and either my 7DII or my D7200, or my M50. Anyway, I've not noticed any significant difference in the AF speed between the 90D and the 7DII, and if there is one it's insignificant as far as I'm concerned. It doesn't matter to me if the camera focuses a second faster or slower than the other. As long as it does focus accurately and I get the photo. As far as dual processors or things like that; I quite like the idea of a more powerful single chip processor. The fewer components they have to use in today's cameras, the lighter they can make them; not that there's a significant difference in weight. In my mind, the fewer actual components needed to make it work, the fewer parts that may fail. It kinda reminds me of a video I saw a while ago; It was about North Korea. They pointed out the number of phones on little Kim's desk; an indication of how important he is. To me it simply means their technology is lagging behind because they apparently can't design a decent multi line telephone system. More doesn't always mean better.

LEWHITE7747 Loc: 33773

I have heard the 90d is somewhat difficult to use beacause of the amount of megapixels creammed into a crop sensor. Have you had any problems or difficulties when using this vs the 7D Mkll.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Why would more megapixels make any camera difficult to use?

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

No, I can't recall any incidents where the 90D was really any different to use than the 7DII. I like both cameras but use the 90D more often.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

It shouldn't make it more or less difficult to use, just maybe slightly different, but not so much that it really matters.

Doc Mck Loc: Terrell,Texas

I have both. No problems with 90D

LEWHITE7747 Loc: 33773

I just have read articles that the pixels are so small that the noise is more than the old 7D MKll and a full stop off of even the Nikon D500. Pixel size matters.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Yes, pixel size can be a factor in camera performance, but that doesn't make it more difficult to use. Like any other camera you just have to be aware of the it's capabilities and limitations and shoot accordingly.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The 90D does not have a separate processor for the AF system. In fact, it uses a single processor for everything.

Both the 7D and the 7D Mark II use dual image processors plus a separate chip dedicated to just the AF system.

The 90D actually does pretty well because it uses a Digic 8 processor (now one generation old, some newer cameras use Digic X). The Digic 8 is quite a bit more powerful than the processors that were used in the 7D models. The 90D has a 45-point AF system. It also got a "joystick" for AF points selection (similar to what the 7D's have, but simpler). The 90D's AF system is "f/8 capable", which means that it's able to autofocus more lens/teleconverter combos than many older and less advanced cameras. Mostly this is limited to just the center AF point. But a few lens/TC combos allow more AF points to work.

The 90D has a 32.5MP image processor... the most of any APS-C camera and more than a lot of full frame cameras. This is both good and bad. To some extent it limits how high ISO you can use. And it also is more susceptible to camera shake than lower resolution cameras. The Digic 8 processor is powerful enough to handle those large image files at up to 11 frames per second!

Canon rates the 90D to be have a life span of 120,000 shutter actuations (this is an increase over the 80D, which was rated to do 100K).

The original 7D is 18MP and uses dual Digic 4 image processors and has a 19-point AF system. It is not f/8 capable. Overall they are quite well built cameras, but being that they are now 12 years old are a bit out of date. The 7D were rated to last for at least 150,000 clicks (both of mine exceeded that and still work fine). A couple years after it was introduced, Canon provided a major firmware update that really refreshed the camera by significantly increasing it's buffering capabilities and improving it's high frame rate consistency. Originally it would often slow from the max 8 fps, presumably in order to focus and meter. It still did this even after the FW update, but much less noticeably.

The 7D Mark II is 20MP and uses dual Digic 6 processors and has a more sophisticated 65-point AF system. This is f/8 capable (center point only) and has a lot of user customizability. Although introduced in 2014, I was surprised to learn that Canon discontinued the 7DII. For my purposes (a lot of sports) the 7DII has been a great camera and I had no desire to trade in on a 90D. It's also quite well built and rated to last for 200,000 clicks (I haven't accumulated that much mileage on either of mine yet). The 7DII has a large buffer that handles it's 10 fps max speed well. Only very rarely have I had to wait for one of my 7DII to clear a buffer, only after unusually long bursts of shots. FYI, I shoot RAW almost all the time. If shooting JPEG with 7DII there is virtually no chance of buffer delays... the only thing that would stop a continuous burst is running out of space on the memory cards.)

I have no idea what "chip" the two 7D models use for their AF. They don't specify. But this and the dual image processors are what Canon been doing for many years with their top-of-the-line 1D-series cameras (incl. 1Ds and 1DX models). I believe the 7D and 7DII are the only APS-C models to use this high performance architecture. In a sense, the 7D models were Canon's "pro" APS-C cameras.... much as their 1D-series models have been their pro-oriented full frame (also APS-H, at one time).

Canon came up with the 7D-series sort of in response to Nikon's success with their D200, D300 and D300s "semi pro" APS-C cameras. The D300 and slightly upgraded D300s had an extremely long product run for DSLRs... from mid-2007 through the end of 2013. Nikon shooters were beginning to think there would never be an update! Then, a little over a year after Canon introduced the 7D Mark II, Nikon finally brought out the D500. That's probably the most pro-oriented APS-C that anyone has ever produced. The Canon 7D-series cameras have competed well, though, and also have enjoyed unusually long product life for DSLRs. The 7DII was produced for nearly 7 years, while the earlier 7D was offered for around 5 years.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Only one thing bothers me about my 8 year old 7D. Why has it gotten heavier?

LEWHITE7747 Loc: 33773

I am glad you see the shortcomings of the 90D. I would never give up my old 7DMKll for the newer 90D. I feel I would be regressing in camera performance.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Wipe the dust off.
Mine got heavier as well.