Camera Labs

Have you held either in your hand? As you're already aware, they're rather different beasts so you are best off holding each camera and playing around with it before you buy as the one you feel most comfortable with is probably the one you'll make the most use of.

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Bodies: Canon EOS 550D w/ Magic Lantern
Lenses: Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX f/2.8, Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Accessories: YongNuo Speedlite YN-468 Flash, Neewer Macro LED Ring Light, Meike Battery Grip, YongNuo RF-602 Wireless Flash Trigger & Receiver YongNuo WR-128 Wireless Remote Control

The D90 is a mid-range camera, while the 550D is still in the realm of entry level (arguably high entry-level though).

I personally prefer the D90 for it's heft in hand, top-mounted LCD, and direct controls on the body - including two control wheels -- one for aperture and one for shutter speed. It is also more solidly built. It may be heavier than the 550D, but it is way more camera, imo. ymmv.

Get both in your hands properly, take some pics, and choose the one which feels best to you.

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Olympus e-620 / 14-42mm / 40-150mm
Metz 48 AF-1
Kata 3-N-1 20, LowePro Orion Mini, LowePro Nova 2
My Flickr

I agree with Rorschach. You need to see what feels best in your hand.

I had the same dilemma as you for 3 weeks. I ended up reserving both at Jessops (Canon with 18-135mm kit lens and Nikon with 18-105mm kit lens).

I took them both home, unpacked them, and played with them for a few hours. I took a few pictures with each (not too many as i was conscious one would go back) under different lighting conditions. After those trials it was decision made; the Canon 550d with 18-135mm kit lens was the one for me.

Both are great cameras, and TBH the Nikon felt more solid and professional. However, the Canon 550d was not so heavy (but not overly light and cheap), more comfortable in the hand for longer periods and (IMO) had noticably better image quality straight from the camera.

The video function on the 550d was also much better than the D90, but to be honest I could not be less interested in video!

The menu system on the Canon for me was more intuitive and the new "Q" menu made it very easy to change settings.

I had previously owned a Nikon D40 and Canon 450D, so have no axe to grind in the Canon versus Nikon war; accepting that my more recent camera was the 450d.

All that said, at the end of the day, only you can decide, others on here will have completely differing opinions because we are all different.

What i did with Jessops (in buying both cameras and trying extensively) was a bit cheeky, but for me I pay a little extra to buy from Jessops for this cheeky little act

Apologies for those non UK members. Jessops is a high street camera shop here in the UK.

Jessops is one of Camera Labs' sponsors so I'd hope at least several non-UK members are aware of them.

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Bodies: Canon EOS 550D w/ Magic Lantern
Lenses: Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX f/2.8, Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Accessories: YongNuo Speedlite YN-468 Flash, Neewer Macro LED Ring Light, Meike Battery Grip, YongNuo RF-602 Wireless Flash Trigger & Receiver YongNuo WR-128 Wireless Remote Control

I agree you should definitely go and try both out. Just out of interest how big is the price difference in India as in the UK they are both the same price?

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

Did you take the other camera back to them to be refunded as B Grade?
(used stock in good condition)

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Canon EOS 500D
Lenses: EFS 18-55mm IS, EF 50mm F/1.8 II