How to Change Settings on Canon EOS 90D
If you want to get more from Canon’s 32.5MP APS-C DSLR, learning how to change settings on Canon EOS 90D is the fastest way to improve your results.
This guide shows where key controls live, what they do, and how to adjust them without getting lost in the menus.
The Canon EOS 90D combines a mode dial, Quick Control screen, multi-controller, and deep menu system, so most settings can be changed in more than one way.
Once you understand the layout, you can move from basic setup to advanced customization with confidence.
Know the main controls before changing settings
The EOS 90D is designed to let you change settings quickly from the body itself.
The most important controls are the mode dial, Main Dial, Quick Control Dial, Multi-controller, AF-ON button, INFO button, and the Q button.
- Mode dial: selects exposure modes such as Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Program.
- Q button: opens the Quick Control screen for common shooting options.
- Main Dial: changes values like aperture, shutter speed, or menu selections depending on the mode.
- Quick Control Dial: adjusts settings and navigates some menu items.
- Multi-controller: moves focus points and menu selection.
- INFO button: cycles display views on the rear screen and viewfinder overlay.
If you are trying to learn how to change settings on Canon EOS 90D efficiently, start by using these controls before diving into the full menu.
How to change shooting mode
The shooting mode determines how much control the camera gives you.
Turn the mode dial on top of the camera to switch between automatic, semi-automatic, and fully manual options.
Common modes you should know
- Auto: the camera handles most decisions.
- P (Program AE): the camera sets shutter speed and aperture, while you adjust other settings.
- Av (Aperture Priority): you choose aperture, and the camera selects shutter speed.
- Tv (Shutter Priority): you choose shutter speed, and the camera selects aperture.
- M (Manual): you set both shutter speed and aperture.
- B or Bulb: useful for long exposures.
For beginners, Av is often the easiest place to start because it gives direct control over depth of field.
For action, Tv helps you lock in fast shutter speeds.
How to change exposure settings
Exposure settings control brightness, motion blur, and depth of field.
On the EOS 90D, these can be changed with the dials while you are in an exposure mode that allows manual input.
Adjust shutter speed
In Tv or M mode, rotate the Main Dial to change shutter speed.
Faster speeds such as 1/1000 sec help freeze movement, while slower speeds allow more motion blur and more light.
Adjust aperture
In Av or M mode, use the Main Dial or Quick Control Dial depending on the camera’s current operation mode and customization.
Lower f-numbers like f/1.8 create shallow depth of field, while higher numbers like f/11 increase depth of field.
Adjust ISO
Press the ISO button and use the dial or touch controls to change sensitivity.
Lower ISO values preserve image quality in bright light, while higher ISO settings help in dim scenes but can increase noise.
Auto ISO is useful when light changes quickly.
Many photographers use it with Manual mode to keep consistent shutter speed and aperture while letting the camera manage sensitivity.
How to change autofocus settings
Autofocus is one of the most important areas to customize on the Canon EOS 90D.
You can modify AF operation, AF area, and subject-tracking behavior from the Quick Control screen or the menu.
Change AF operation
AF operation determines how the camera focuses:
- One Shot AF: best for still subjects.
- AI Servo AF: best for moving subjects.
- AI Focus AF: switches automatically between still and moving subjects.
Change AF area mode
The EOS 90D offers several AF area options, including Spot AF, Single-point AF, Zone AF, Large Zone AF, and 45-point automatic selection.
Each one balances precision and tracking differently.
Use Single-point AF for portraits, Spot AF for exact focus placement, and Zone AF or Large Zone AF for sports and wildlife.
Change subject tracking settings
For moving subjects, review the camera’s tracking sensitivity and AF point switching options in the Custom Functions menu.
These settings can improve how the camera reacts when a subject suddenly changes direction or passes behind another object.
How to change metering, drive, and white balance
Many everyday settings on the EOS 90D are available through the Q menu.
Press Q, highlight the setting you want, and use the Main Dial, Quick Control Dial, or touch screen to adjust it.
Metering mode
Metering determines how the camera reads light:
- Evaluative metering: general-purpose and reliable for most scenes.
- Partial metering: useful when the subject is brighter or darker than the background.
- Spot metering: measures a very small area for precise exposure control.
- Center-weighted average: emphasizes the center of the frame.
Drive mode
Drive mode controls whether the camera shoots one frame at a time or in bursts.
Choose single shooting for landscapes and portraits, or continuous shooting for action and wildlife.
The Canon EOS 90D’s fast burst capability makes drive mode an important setting to check before each shoot.
White balance
White balance corrects color temperature.
Auto White Balance works well in many cases, but daylight, shade, tungsten, and custom white balance can produce more accurate color under specific lighting conditions.
How to use the Quick Control screen
The Q button is the fastest way to change settings on Canon EOS 90D during a shoot.
After pressing Q, the rear LCD shows the most commonly used items in a grid layout.
From there, you can change items such as ISO, drive mode, metering, autofocus mode, picture style, and exposure compensation.
On the touchscreen, tap the item you want and turn the dial or slide to adjust.
This method is especially useful when you need to make quick changes without opening the full menu.
It is also one of the easiest ways to avoid missing a setting before a shot.
How to change settings in the main menu
Some options are not available in the Q screen and require the full menu.
Press the Menu button to open the camera’s tabbed menu system, then use the dials or touchscreen to navigate.
Important menu categories
- Shooting menu: image quality, white balance, picture style, noise reduction, and more.
- AF menu: autofocus behavior and tracking controls.
- Playback menu: image review options and protection tools.
- Setup menu: date, language, card formatting, power saving, and sensor cleaning.
- Custom Functions: button behavior, exposure steps, and control customization.
When you are learning how to change settings on Canon EOS 90D, the menu becomes easier once you recognize which tab handles each category of setting.
How to customize buttons and dials
Canon includes customization options so the camera can match your shooting style.
In the Custom Functions area, you can assign or refine controls for the shutter button, AF-ON button, AE lock, multi-function buttons, and dials.
Useful customizations include back-button focusing, changing the dial direction, and adjusting how quickly settings change when you turn the dial.
These changes can improve speed and reduce accidental adjustments.
Back-button focus is especially popular because it separates focusing from shutter release.
That makes it easier to hold focus on a subject and recompose without refocusing every time you press the shutter.
How to reset or restore settings
If the camera behaves unexpectedly, you can reset settings from the Setup menu.
The EOS 90D usually offers options to clear shooting settings, clear Custom Functions, or restore the camera to factory defaults.
This is helpful if you have changed too many controls and want to start over.
Before resetting, note any custom button assignments or AF preferences you may want to restore later.
Practical tips for changing settings faster
- Use the Q screen for common changes instead of browsing the full menu.
- Keep your most-used settings on a sticky mental checklist before a shoot.
- Use Av mode for portraits and M mode for consistent lighting.
- Set Auto ISO when you need flexibility without losing exposure control.
- Check AF mode and drive mode before photographing action.
- Use the touchscreen when you want faster navigation than the dials alone.
With a little practice, the EOS 90D becomes much quicker to use.
The main advantage is not just knowing where the settings are, but understanding which controls matter most for the kind of photography you are doing.