I'd spent quite a lot of time researching all my options for a decent semi-pro / keen enthusiast camera before taking the plunge with the 7d. I haven't regretted my choice for a single second since purchasing this magniifcent piece of equipment. It'll do everything you ask of it in the pre-set program settings and once you're comfortable to go fully manual it'll happily let you explore some more creative techniques. I've read a multitude of reviews for this camera before and after purchasing it and there's been nothing but praise, the professional reviewers can't fault it and neither can i .
I bought the eos 7d c/w efs 15 x 85 lens about 2 months ago, and am finally getting to grips with it. It's the 4th canon dslr i've owned (500d, 5d, 50d previously), and by far the best, i even include the 5d in this as it's a big bugger, and has it's limitations. I've just returned from a 2 week caribbean cruise and have taken some stunning pictures, as well as some pretty bad ones, the 7d is unforgiving, if you don't get it right, the picture will be pants, but get it right. My primary interest is aviation photography, i'm off to duxford in 2 weeks, where i look forwards to road testing it out. There is an awful lot to learn with the 7d that the manual doesn't cover so it's worth getting a second book (check out the 7d field guide by charlotte lowrie), and just practice and practice, also get a good fast cf card, the duracell 600x udma 16gb is good, but the fast speed can soon fill it up when using raw and jpeg combined. . Absolutely, but it will show up any lack of skills, but it doesn't half make you smile when you get it right.
Pros
- New firmware means the EOS 7D is still the best in class!
- EOS 7D - Stunning
- Hugely compelling upgrade
- total package for the semi pro market
- Stunning upgrade from a Canon Point and Shoot
- Top Spec Camera from Canon
Cons
- Canon 7D Bad focusing!!
Negative Review of Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Camera (Inc EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens Kit)
After months of deliberation,i finally got one. What a disappointmentif you take normal pics ,the results are very good, but if you want it to photograph sporting/ action. The results are very mixedi shoot aircraft and, despite numerous different settings, the results were very poor.
. It seems like it can't focus on fast -moving subjects very wellif you read the internet forums re- focusing, then it is obviously a huge problem - it might pay to wait and see if the rumoured canon 7d mk 2 is better.
Features of Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Camera (Inc EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens Kit)
- 18 Megapixel APS-C Canon CMOS sensor
- Continuous shooting at 8fps with 94 shot JPEG burst
- ISO range 100-6400 expandable to 12800 for excellent low-light performance
- Intelligent Viewfinder with 100% coverage
- 19-point cross-type AF system including Spot AF
Designed by you, built by CanonThe Canon EOS 7D is built to match the passion of demanding professionals or advanced amateur photographers. Its design marries the precision of its 18 Megapixel CMOS sensor, with powerful dual DIGIC 4 image processors to deliver superb resolution, 8 frames per second shooting and high ISO performance. 19-point AF system, iFCL metering system, an intelligent viewfinder with 100% coverage, alongside Full HD 1080 movie shooting means the EOS 7D combines performance with unprecedented versatility. Powerful resolution and performanceThe 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor provides superb quality images with sufficient resolution and detail to enable you to scale your images up and crop in to them, as well as getting creative with your image processing. The EOS 7D is Canon's first dual processor camera outside the EOS 1 range. Working alongside the sensor, two powerful DIGIC 4 processors bring impressive speed - 8 frames per second in bursts of up to 94 JPEGs - and an extremely broad range of ISO performance: from 100 - 6400, expandable to an ultra-sensitive 12800. Not only do you benefit from remarkably low noise and improved performance in low light conditions, Digic technology also gives natural colours and smooth gradations of tone. Fast and precise focusingThe EOS 7D incorporates a newly developed 19-point cross-type AF system. All sensors are cross type f/5.6 - ideal for any subject, with the centre point being f/2.8 - perfect for macro or portrait shots. Five AF selection modes, including Zone and Spot modes, offer new ways to select AF points and ensure you can compose the image exactly as you want to. iFCL MeteringTo complement the 19-point AF system, the EOS 7D features a new, 63 zone dual-layer sensor. By taking into account the color and luminosity surrounding chosen AF points, this new system delivers an entirely new level of accuracy for better results even in difficult lighting situations. Since the metering sensor has a color measurement function, exposure errors and focus errors caused by different light sources are minimised; the EOS 7D gives stable exposure from shot to shot in situations where light changes, such as a theater or concert hall. This makes the EOS 7D ideal for scenes with extreme difference in brightness; the camera balances exposure of the main subject at the background, and exposures are not overly influenced by bright areas in the shot. Intelligent viewfinderThe EOS 7D features a redesigned viewfinder that not only offers an approximate 100 percent coverage, 1x magnification, a 29.4° angle of view and user-controlled dioptric adjustment, it also features a newly-designed transparent LCD display which enables a number of viewfinder displays to be overlaid at the touch of a button. Whereas with other cameras the representation of AF points and metering areas are static, with the EOS 7D, they can be displayed, adjusted and hidden, in camera, with ease. This means less distraction and more clarity to view the image in its entirety. Display options include: grid, spot metering, AF points display, hide all, zone AF, spot (single-point) AF, AF point expansion and Dual Axis Electronic Level display. Live View FunctionThe EOS 7D's 3-inch Clear View II LCD monitor, with Live View, Face Detection and 160° viewing angle, is easy to use even in bright daylight. Switching to Live View Function enables you to view your subjects directly on the LCD monitor. It's easy to magnify any part of the scene 5x or 10x for precise manual focus. You can even choose a grid overlay, perfect for keeping vertical or horizontal lines in your composition straight. Live View Function can be used remotely via a computer through a USB connection, and the included EOS Utility software. In Live View Function you can action three Auto Focus (AF) modes: Quick mode, Live Mode and Face Detection Live. Quick mode uses the camera's standard AF system and is great for capturing action or for shooting in low light. Live mode is a contrast-based AF system that reads the sharpness of subjects right from the imaging sensor, and can be overridden by pressing the AF mode selection button. The target area for Live Mode AF is at the center by default, but it can be moved around most of the picture area with the cross keys on the back of the camera. Face Detection Live optimises the focus based on the faces it detects in the frame, making it easy to capture fast spontaneous portraits. High Definition movie-makingIn addition to being able to take great still images, with the EOS 7D's Full HD (1080p) video recording with manual control and selectable frame rates, you can also shoot stunning high quality movie footage. What's more there's no need to choose: you can capture both at the same time. The camera has a built in mono microphone with wind cut filter and a stereo mini-jack for an external microphone. It is easy to view and share your movies and stills too thanks to an HDMI connection, which allows High Definition playback of footage and images on any HDTV. Choose your styleThe EOS 7D allows you to change the look of your images by customising Picture Style settings for colour, saturation, sharpness and contrast, either in-camera or later with Canon's comprehensive software suite supplied. Six preset Picture Styles include Portrait, which provides a slightly sharp and crisp image with nice skin tones, Landscape, which emphasizes vivid blues and greens, and Monochrome to give you stunning black and white images. Canon also offers additional downloadable 'Picture Style Files' that can be installed into your camera for even more imaging options at your fingertips. Unlock your creativityThe EOS 7D offers a choice of shooting modes. Full Auto allows you to use the camera to 'point and shoot'; Portrait, which ensures the background is out of focus and the foreground is pin sharp. Creative Auto Mode (CA) is a cross between the Basic and Program Modes allowing you to adjust the Flash, resolution, drive mode and Picture Style. You can set aperture and exposure via a slider that's adjusted with the Quick Control dial. For more control over your images you can choose from five Program Modes. In Program AE Mode both the aperture and shutter speed are controlled by the camera but you can select other settings: With Drive Mode you can select from Single Shot, Continuous Shooting or Self-timer; Metering Mode allows you to specify the area of the image you wish the camera to use to calculate exposure; and White Balance setting means you can determine what the camera reads as white to allow for your specific lighting conditions. Aperture Priority AE Mode (Av) mode automatically sets the shutter speed, but allows you to control depth of field by letting you choose the aperture. Shutter Priority AE Mode (Tv) automatically sets the aperture and you select the shutter speed enabling you to change the appearance of motion in your shots. Manual mode allows you to control both aperture and shutter speed so you have total creative freedom with your shots - great for difficult lighting situations or capturing subjects with different effects. Bulb Exposure Mode (B) enables you to take long exposure shots using a cable release and tripod. The shutter remains open all the time your finger is on the shutter button. In these modes you can change your ISO speed. This is the measure of the sensor's sensitivity to light. Altering it allows you to modify the exposure accordingly and gives you more freedom to be creative with your shots in different lighting conditions. You can also pre-program up to three user-defined Custom Modes (C1, C2, C3). Using a menu system you can store the camera set up, including ISO metering pattern, white balance, shooting mode and custom function sets, so that you can automatically reselect that set up simply by choosing the appropriate Custom Mode on the dial. A sports photographer may have favorite settings for motor racing, gymnastics and tennis for example. Setting these as Custom Modes makes switching between them quick and convenient. Reliable and compatibleThe EOS 7D's robust magnesium alloy body has shutter durability of 150,000 releases and highly dust- and weather-resistant environmental seals making it extremely reliable and equally suited to location or studio work. It is compatible with SD and SDHC memory cards for convenient storage options. An Optional Wireless File Transmitter with External HDD and GPS compatibility is available. Professional SoftwareThe EOS 7D allows you to shoot in RAW format and the Digital Photo Professional software which comes free with it enables high-speed RAW image processing, fast previewing for real-time image adjustment and support for sRGB, Adobe RGB and Wide Gamut RGB color spaces. Because it is CMS (Color Management System) compatible, Digital Photo Professional allows for easy image layout and printing in Adobe RGB in conjunction with Easy-PhotoPrint and PictBridge printers.
A world of advantages from Canon technology, In-built geniusThe CMOS sensor lies at the heart of the EOS system. Indeed, Canon is the only camera manufacturer to produce their own sensor and years of imaging experience are borne out by the results - a range of sensors designed to perfectly match the performance requirements of each specific EOS model and superb clean detailed images with minimum noise. The CMOS sensor's larger pixel sizes mean wider dynamic range for greater contrast and detail in shadow and highlight areas and a low-pass filter in front of the sensor suppresses the false colour and moiré that can affect high resolution digital photography. It is extremely powerful and efficient so not only does it improve battery life giving you more shots per charge, but it also enables fast transfer of data to the processor allowing you to keep shooting continuously. Power in your handsCanon's latest generation of DIGIC processor, the DIGIC 4, is the brain of the camera and is responsible for the superb responsiveness of all EOS models. Faster and more powerful than it's predecessor, the DIGIC 4 processor gives exceptional performance and low noise at higher ISO speeds. In the instant between your shot being taken and its appearance on the LCD screen, Canon's cutting-edge DIGIC technology, which was originally developed for Canon's Professional range, is racing to optimise your image. DIGIC processors are able to analyse ultra-detailed image data gathered by the camera sensor then use this to swiftly reproduce the subtlest of tonal graduations and an exceptionally wide colour range. When shooting in darker conditions, even if you are pushing the ISO to the limit, DIGIC processing applies sophisticated Noise Reduction algorithms - helping to eliminate graininess and preserve detail. The speed of DIGIC also means less processing time for long battery life and fast start-up times. EF & EF-S LensesOver 60 years of experience give Canon an inherent advantage when it comes to lens manufacture. EOS digital SLRs are backed up by the world's most comprehensive system of interchangeable lenses. From 15mm ultra wide angle to 800mm super telephoto, the 60+ lenses in the EF series cover all possible shooting requirements. Canon lenses employ advanced optical expertise and micron-precision engineering to deliver unprecedented performance in all facets of the photographic process. Special optical technologies, such as aspherical, ultra-low dispersion, or fluorite elements are featured in the universally acclaimed L Series lenses. And Canon's Optical Image Stabiliser technology is featured in selected lenses to minimise the effect of camera shake. Extend your lighting capabilitiesCanon's extensive range of Speedlites can make it simple to get great results with your flash photography and can be used on or off camera to open up a range of creative possibilities. The Speedlite range is compatible with all EOS cameras and includes a choice of three standard models and two models for specialist macro use. The EOS 7D has an Integrated Speedlite Transmitter making it easier than ever to make the most of them. EOS Integrated Cleaning SystemThis is not a stand-alone feature but a built-in system to minimise the effect of dust in high-resolution digital images - particularly appreciated by those photographers who need to change lenses frequently and in dusty environments. Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit - A key element of minimising dust is preventing it from clinging to the front surface of the imaging sensor. To combat against this EOS cameras feature a Canon-designed Self Cleaning Sensor Unit. The low-pass filter at the front of the sensor shakes off dust automatically with ultrasonic vibrations, removing dust from the sensor assembly. A collar positioned around the sensor then collects the loosened dust. In addition to this a special coating on the front surface of the low-pass filter actually causes it to repel dust. Dust Delete Data Detection - Any dust that still remains on the front of the sensor can be erased with software included in Digital Photo Professional software. A simple test shot of a plain, white object can be taken, using a menu setting. This Dust Delete Data image is analysed in-camera, and the location and size of any remaining dust is added to any subsequent pictures taken. This data is transmitted along with the image, whether JPEG or RAW, and can be either manually or automatically erased. This added software option ensures the cleanest possible image, perfect for printing or archiving.
Hugely Compelling Upgrade. The 7d rocks. Buy one. Here's some more words to justify those 2 short sentences. I'd been looking to upgrade for a while and it came down to the 5d mkii and the 7d. Budget played a part and whilst i would have loved the 5d's monstrous resolution i wasn't keen on its archaic autofocus system which was essentially lifted from the original 5d with little improvement. I own the original 5d and love the image quality but have found the autofocus wanting on many an occasion. My 5d also feels really slow compared to my 40d so i figured the 7d would give me even more responsiveness and was therefore the better choice for what i actually need it for (weddings, fashion, sport)anyway, i've used my new 7d and am very, very happy indeed. It has made my 5d feel like a clunky old brick but it's a hell of an upgrade!the body feels solid and if you've had a canon camera before you'll be right at home finding your way around the buttons. The camera is highly customisable and there are some amazing features in there. One of my favourites was the way you could turn on a grid in the viewfinder to aid composition. It's some kind of lcd overlay that is only visible when the camera is on but what an aid to composition! it removes the need to change the mirror in the camera and is a great function. Also, the individual af points can be turned on or off in the viewfinder. Talking of af there are now 19 points - any of which are selectable. The af system has been updated and the af points can work in small groups to aid accuracy. It's certainly given given me great hit rates so far. We all know about the 8 fps shooting speed so there's not much to say there other than it's a great sports / wildlife camera with a feature like that. I have also found that speed useful on street fashion shoots. The camera is capable of filling even an 8gb card in no time at all when firing bursts so make sure you have pockets full of spares!i think what's always the most important with any camera is simple image quality and again the 7d doesn't disappoint in the least. The 18mp resolution is a large and very noticeable jump from a 40d. The extra detail is immense and allows for a much higher degree of enlargement without pixelation occurring. The overall look of the images is very similar to the 40d so it's a testament to the 40d that its pq is of a similar level to the 7d, it just lacks the outright resolution. With good lenses the camera is simply amazing. The high resolution screen on the 7d is also a huge upgrade from what i'm used to. I can't honestly use the screens on my older camera bodies to make a fully informed judgement on whether an image is sharp or not as the screens just aren't up to it but the 7d's screen is infinitely better. Battery life is superb. One time i fired around 650 shots through the camera with plenty of screen viewing thrown in and only used around 45% of the battery's power. The raw files from the 7d are big - averaging around 23mb. Compared to my 5d which are around 13mb this is again a huge leap. One reason for this is that the 7d captures 14-bits of information per pixel. So every pixel can have one of a possible 16 odd thousand values as opposed to the 12 bit capture of a 5d at 4 thousand odd values per pixel. What this means is on the newer camera there is more scope to pull back blown highlights and eke out extra shadow detail with smoother graduations. I've been using adobe's dng converter to change the 7d's cr2 files into dng's so i can open them in cs3. The latest version doesn't work on vista so i had to downgrade to version 5. 6. High iso operation is also good given how dense the sensor is with pixels. The original 5d still beats it at the higher values but it's usable at 3200 and goes all the way to 12,800. The video modes are one area i've not delved into much being a stills person but the camera can capture full 1080p hd video. It can also do 720 and there are several frame rates including the cinematic 24fps. This is something i will explore in the coming weeks. If you're a canon user and have been trying to decide between the 7d and the 5d i think you have to ask what it is you need the most. If it's outright resolution and you don't want the crop factor the 7d's sensor will impose on you then the 5d mkii is the one to get. If you need more responsiveness and 8 frames a second then the 7d is the one. Yes the 5d will technically give you more pixels but unless you regularly enlarge prints to monstrous sizes or simply love pixel peeping the 7d will provide more than enough detail and pq for any assignment. There are many features i've not covered but they are realistically standard on cameras these days such as live view and custom slots on the mode dial. Needless to say they're all here and are well implemented. I have to chuck in my two pence worth over the quite common use of the term 'semi-pro' when referring to this camera. The term itself gets thrown around like people actually know what they're saying but really its a back handed swipe or way of looking down their nose at this camera because it's not a 1d - if you consider gear, or the photographer themselves, 'professional' purely on the basis that their camera shoots the highest frame rate and resolution then you're missing the point - and features will absolutely not make you a 'better' photographer simply because your camera has them. Yes, professionals tend to have top of the line gear most often because they have the most broad ranging capabilities, but if a camera does what you need it to that's all that matters; let's not forget cartier bresson would still kick all our butts with a leica rangefinder and some grainy b&w film, or simple 3mp point and shoot digicam for that matter, in terms of creating meaningful images. The 7d is (as is any camera) as 'professional' as you are - not the other way around. Rant over. The camera gets an easy 5 star rating. .
Total Package For the Semi Pro Market. I bought this camera while at the airport and benefited from a lower price, i am a canon 1d user but wanted the video and the extra pixels for some of my fashion work, i am very surprised and happy with the build quality of this camera, being a 1d user i had my doubts on the quality of previous lower end camera's for professional work, the video from what i have shot is super quality, i only wish my skills match what the 7d can do, (hopefully in time is will get their) many option are available so it should keep amateurs and professionals very happy, canon have upped their game on this camera, weather sealed, the menu functions great with lots of quick select buttons, shooting at higher iso doesn't seem to damage the quality too much plus the auto iso function comes in handy when shooting video and stills when light drops. The camera handles very well with much less button pushing than other models, the screen looks great also as does the bright viewfinder, there are so many functions on the camera it really pays to have the manual to experiment, though straight out of the box and on program mode it gives very good results with excellent auto focus and metering, the file size is huge and when shooting raw can fill up a card very quickly though canon have give you the a choice of shooting at 3 different raw size settings, (i still have to try out the lower settings. I used it in the studio and was very happy with the results, i shot over 800 images and 5 minutes of video and the battery was still going strong. Having hands like buckets i was surprised at how comfortable it was to us in holiday but as i shoot mostly in vertical (portrait mode) i bought the bg-e7 battery grip, this really helps if you shoot portraits and adds weight and balance to the camera when using l series lens, with the added grip you can add another battery which doubles the frames you can shoot, the shutter release button on my grip works great and doesn't feel any different than the on on the camera body (some reviews of the battery grip have noted that its like a hair trigger) i haven't noticed this. So overall a very fine camera, lots of functions, great image, fast focusing and capture rates of up to 8 frames a sec more or less,it will definately have a place in my camera bag and be used often. .
Stunning Upgrade From a Canon Point and Shoot. I received my canon 7d with 15-85mm kit lens this morning. Whilst i didn't buy it from amazon as they can be had cheaper elsewhere, i thought i'd share my experiences as a customer upgrading from a point and shoot (albeit with some manual control) as most reviews seem to be aimed at someone who already owns a slr camera. The first thing that struck me when i attached the lens and inserted the battery was the sheer solidness of the camera. It genuinely feels like little. Mercedes benz in your hand. There isn't even the tiniest creak if you twist the camera body laterally, build quality feels seriously top notch. Knowing my old canon's menu system inside out and all it's features meant that learning the new one on the 7d took a matter of only about an hours shooting and another hour playing with the camera & manual. As of this evening, i'm comfortable with about three quarters of the available options and being able to create my own menu with just the options i want means i don't have to dig for them either. Perfect. After getting used to the viewfinder and rattling off a hundred or so shots, i can really appreciate just how much more capable this camera is when compared to a pocket digital. Low light performance is stunning in comparison and shots that would previously require a tripod are simple hand held ones with the iso at 1600. Yet are still pretty to look at with very little noise visible. The same applies to well lit scenes, the image quality is gorgeous and his this sort of velvety feel to them. Another huge stepup from my 10mp quick shooter. And although the weight is much more substantial than im used to, bringing it up to focus and carrying it around feels very much worth the extra effort. I don't want to go into all the technical stuff about the camera, other sites have done that to perfection already. I just want to share how my day was with any other would be point-and-shooters also considering upgrading to slr and jumping in at the deep end while they're at it. I know that there is lots more to come from this canon 7d, but my gosh am i in love already. .
Product Info
- Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 14.8 x 11.1 cm ; 821 g
- Boxed-product Weight: 2.7 Kg
- Batteries 1 Lithium ion batteries required.
- Item model number: 3814B028AA
- ASIN: B002LSI1MI
Conclusion of Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Camera
First of all i would like to compliment canon for continuing firmware updates on this 5 year old camera. Other camera manufacturers (sorry nikon) would make a camera redundant by producing an upgraded camera. I have had this camera since it's release date, way back in 2009. My previous digital eos camera was the d60 released in 2002, sporting a 6. Finally i had found the perfect camera to suit my needs:key features:✓ zippy auto focus with 0 shutter lag✓ 'phase detection' which has now been implemented in modern cameras.
The eos 7d was the first camera using phase rather than contrast detection✓ outstanding image quality✓ robust magnesium weatherproof body. Many amazon reviewers have gone through the specs years ago, so i will not bore you with repetition, however the new firmware update (which i have installed and can confirm canon's statements are 100% true) has improved the following: (quoted from canon's website)quote'the next evolution of the eos 7d has arrived. X brings the eos 7d up to speed with the best technologies canon has to offer, delivering performance and features befitting the flagship aps-c eos dslr. X keeps the eos 7d on the cutting edge of technological innovation by adding user-requested innovations developed for canon's high-end eos cameras: a higher maximum burst rate for continuous shooting, definable maximum limit for iso auto, compatibility with the canon gps receiver gp-e2, and manual audio level adjustment. Additional enhanced features include faster scrolling of magnified images, quick control during playback, in-camera raw image processing, jpeg image resizing and ratings, plus customization of file names and time zone settings.
Just do a search on wiki or other camera related sites if you want to know the specifications of this gem of a camera (keeping in mind the new firmware). The previous versions had great specs too yet i returned every camera prior to the eos 7d. I really like crop factor cameras, as they do offer around 30% more reach on the zoom front. Even though this camera could be perceived as 'old', it still is the best bang for your buck, and the new firmware makes this camera even more compelling. Com/cusa/support/professional/professional_cameras/eos_digital_slr_cameras/eos_7d#driversandsoftwareunless you really want video capability (where the 70d shines), i highly recommend this camera for enthusiasts and pro's alike.
I love the 40d, it was the most 'sorted' camera i'd ever used. So when the 7d came out i agonised over it and tested it a few times in shops - with mixed results since its version of raw wasn't supported by photoshop or dxo at the time. 18 megapixels isn't where it's at for me with this camera and lots of tests have shown that it's still not quite got the resolving power of the full-frame 5dmkii - but then i've hardly taken a shot at more than medium image size or mraw in the month i've owned it. Also, in truth up to even large standard print sizes you'd be genuinely hard pressed to tell the difference between this and a good 40d image (or indeed a 20d image), but getting a good image is easier thanks to better metering and focus, and it's atarting to become more intuitive as i've got used to the camera. It looks almost the same as a 40d/50d, and it still feels comfortably familiar as a consequence, but it is a new camera in almost all areas and a big leap forward for upgraders.
Sadly, full resolution hd movies defeat my laptop and adobe premiere though they stream from the camera ok, but downsizing the resolution works fine (and uses less disc space). I'd been looking to upgrade for a while and it came down to the 5d mkii and the 7d. My 5d also feels really slow compared to my 40d so i figured the 7d would give me even more responsiveness and was therefore the better choice for what i actually need it for (weddings, fashion, sport)anyway, i've used my new 7d and am very, very happy indeed. It has made my 5d feel like a clunky old brick but it's a hell of an upgradethe body feels solid and if you've had a canon camera before you'll be right at home finding your way around the buttons. The camera is highly customisable and there are some amazing features in there.
It's some kind of lcd overlay that is only visible when the camera is on but what an aid to composition. It removes the need to change the mirror in the camera and is a great function. We all know about the 8 fps shooting speed so there's not much to say there other than it's a great sports / wildlife camera with a feature like that. The camera is capable of filling even an 8gb card in no time at all when firing bursts so make sure you have pockets full of sparesi think what's always the most important with any camera is simple image quality and again the 7d doesn't disappoint in the least. The overall look of the images is very similar to the 40d so it's a testament to the 40d that its pq is of a similar level to the 7d, it just lacks the outright resolution.
With good lenses the camera is simply amazing. I can't honestly use the screens on my older camera bodies to make a fully informed judgement on whether an image is sharp or not as the screens just aren't up to it but the 7d's screen is infinitely better. One time i fired around 650 shots through the camera with plenty of screen viewing thrown in and only used around 45% of the battery's power. What this means is on the newer camera there is more scope to pull back blown highlights and eke out extra shadow detail with smoother graduations. The video modes are one area i've not delved into much being a stills person but the camera can capture full 1080p hd video.
If you're a canon user and have been trying to decide between the 7d and the 5d i think you have to ask what it is you need the most. There are many features i've not covered but they are realistically standard on cameras these days such as live view and custom slots on the mode dial. I have to chuck in my two pence worth over the quite common use of the term 'semi-pro' when referring to this camera. The term itself gets thrown around like people actually know what they're saying but really its a back handed swipe or way of looking down their nose at this camera because it's not a 1d - if you consider gear, or the photographer themselves, 'professional' purely on the basis that their camera shoots the highest frame rate and resolution then you're missing the point - and features will absolutely not make you a 'better' photographer simply because your camera has them. Yes, professionals tend to have top of the line gear most often because they have the most broad ranging capabilities, but if a camera does what you need it to that's all that matters; let's not forget cartier bresson would still kick all our butts with a leica rangefinder and some grainy b&w film, or simple 3mp point and shoot digicam for that matter, in terms of creating meaningful images.
The 7d is (as is any camera) as 'professional' as you are - not the other way around. The camera gets an easy 5 star rating. I bought this camera while at the airport and benefited from a lower price, i am a canon 1d user but wanted the video and the extra pixels for some of my fashion work, i am very surprised and happy with the build quality of this camera, being a 1d user i had my doubts on the quality of previous lower end camera's for professional work, the video from what i have shot is super quality, i only wish my skills match what the 7d can do, (hopefully in time is will get their) many option are available so it should keep amateurs and professionals very happy, canon have upped their game on this camera, weather sealed, the menu functions great with lots of quick select buttons, shooting at higher iso doesn't seem to damage the quality too much plus the auto iso function comes in handy when shooting video and stills when light drops. The camera handles very well with much less button pushing than other models, the screen looks great also as does the bright viewfinder, there are so many functions on the camera it really pays to have the manual to experiment, though straight out of the box and on program mode it gives very good results with excellent auto focus and metering, the file size is huge and when shooting raw can fill up a card very quickly though canon have give you the a choice of shooting at 3 different raw size settings, (i still have to try out the lower settings. Having hands like buckets i was surprised at how comfortable it was to us in holiday but as i shoot mostly in vertical (portrait mode) i bought the bg-e7 battery grip, this really helps if you shoot portraits and adds weight and balance to the camera when using l series lens, with the added grip you can add another battery which doubles the frames you can shoot, the shutter release button on my grip works great and doesn't feel any different than the on on the camera body (some reviews of the battery grip have noted that its like a hair trigger) i haven't noticed this.
So overall a very fine camera, lots of functions, great image, fast focusing and capture rates of up to 8 frames a sec more or less,it will definately have a place in my camera bag and be used often. I received my canon 7d with 15-85mm kit lens this morning. Whilst i didn't buy it from amazon as they can be had cheaper elsewhere, i thought i'd share my experiences as a customer upgrading from a point and shoot (albeit with some manual control) as most reviews seem to be aimed at someone who already owns a slr camera. The first thing that struck me when i attached the lens and inserted the battery was the sheer solidness of the camera. There isn't even the tiniest creak if you twist the camera body laterally, build quality feels seriously top notch.
Some of the Comments Are Miss Leading and Need to Be Rectified, Canon 7d and Other Models Don't Have a Focusing Issue.. The reason the 7d doesn't focus that well, is because the lens has to be configured to the cameras focusing, processor unit. I have put some instruction in this comment, to help with this issue. But there is no reason why canon couldn't help if you ring customer service. This is a canon thing and no other brands that i can think of do this. Its a way of helping you to be a little more creative. The 7d and the 5d 60d have no focus problems at all, its because you haven't set the focus up right. What you need to do is enter the menu in manual mode. Click across the tabs until you get to the orange tab second to the last. This will enter you into the exposure and focusing settings. Look for [c. Fniii:autofocus?drive] and select it. In there will be 13 sub menus, you need to select number 5you will now see three options. 0: disable1: adjust all by the same amount2: adjust by lens <------- this is the one you need to click on. Now on the screen it will show you all the information about your lens and a bar chart. A camera at the left side of the chart and a mountain indication landscape at the other end. This is your depth of field. To set this up you will been to select a high aperture something like 3. 5 or slightly lower. Zoom in on a contorted object like a tennis ball or something with a lot of detail at different depth of field. You then need to set your camera up in center weight and use the (manual select:spot af) you could do this before to make this task a little easier if you want. Aim the manual spot, in the view finder at a detailed object, and if its not clear, judge how far, the field of view is out. Move the bar up and down the bar chart, until you can take a picture that focuses in on the spot, you are asking the camera to select, on the object. You will be taking a few pictures in this task, and it can be time consuming. The good news is that, you can save these changes on just that lens. This means you will have to, configure the rest of your lenses for this. I hope this helps. Regards sids pix.
Excellent Semi-Pro Camera. I moved from bridge cameras up to a canon eos1000d and then onto the canon 7d. The camera is excellent. Superbly built and feels solid in the hand. All the controls fall into place and after a little practice you'll find your thumb and fingers naturally find the right buttons without the need to look what you're doing. Picture quality is brilliant. The camera is fully configurable for almost any possible shot you want to take, or you can settle for auto which takes out all the guesswork and returns excellent results time and time again. Canon make a huge range of lenses, plus there are likes of tamron and sigma to complement these (often at a better price). Battery life is good and you can add a grip that takes two batteries if you're doing portrait work or need that extra battery life. I've used the camera extensively and it's never let me down. Very pleased with the camera and will certainly buy it, or the updated model if it's out by the time i upgrade. One other plus is that having a crop of 1. 6x gives you a little extra reach on lenses, so if you're into wildlife photography a 120-400 or 100-400 lens gives you the equivalent of 192-640 (160-640) lens. .
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