[en] A series of measurements have been made of the electromagnetic moments of high spin states in the isobares ⁸³Zr (N=43) and ⁸³Y aiming to better understanding of this transitional region. All experiments have been performed with heavy ions beams of the Koeln FN tandem accelerator. It is reported on the determination of level lifetimes, sidefeeding times and magnetic moments of high spin states in ⁸³Y, following ³²S and ²⁸Si induced fusion-evaporation reactions, and on recoil distance and DSA lifetime measurements in ⁸³Zr, by means of the reaction ⁵⁴Fe (³²S, 2pn)⁸³Zr. The results highlight several features of these neutron deficient isotopes, such as large quadrupole deformation, the coexistence of prolate and oblate shapes and the competition between g_9/2 (2gp) neutron and proton alignment. 7 figs., 3 tabs., 40 refs