New Gear: Canon EOS 7D

Canon's new totally redesigned 7D fills the space that currently existed in Canon's DSLR line-up between the 50D and the 5D Mark II. Checking in at $1,699 (body only) the 7D is equipped with a new 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and dual DIGIC 4 processors, making it capable of capturing an impressive 8 frames-per-second. As you would probably expect, it's also capable of capturing full HD video, but it has the added bonus of 24 frames-per-second mode, which makes your footage look like it was shot with a movie camera.

The 7D will be available at the end of the month. There will also be a kit option that will come with an EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens for $1,899. Overall, the spec list is quite impressive for that price point. If you're not the type that absolutely needs a full-frame sensor, it should more than meet your needs. All the important specs and images below.

--100% viewfinder with 1x magnification
--3-inch LCD with 920k dot resolution
--19-point cross-type AF sensor
--Dual DIGIC 4 processors for 8 fps shooting in all formats
--Focus Colour Luminance metering system (iFCL) intelligently measures focus, colour and luminance, across 63 zones
--Dual-Axis Electronic Level to ensure level shooting
--Built-in flash has manual controls and covers focal lengths as wide as 15mm
--ISO range of 100-6,400, expandable to 12,800
--Redesigned magnesium alloy inspired by the incredibly tough EOS-1N
--Video frame rates: 30 (29.97), 25, and 24 (23.976), with 60 (59.94) and 50 available at 720p
--Full manual control in movie mode

Comments

[Dean S.]

Very interesting! However, I'll wait and see what kind of noise that new 18MP sensor produces at high ISO... I'm a current 50D owner so I know Canon does a pretty good job at controlling noise. But as most people know, the 15MP sensor in the 50D was pushing the APS-C format. So the 18MP senor in this new 7D has me a little concerned.

[Shampton]

While everyone everywhere is already hemming and hawing about the video, am I the only one who is thinking "NOT full frame?! What's the point, Canon?! ...esp. w/ the new Sony A850"

...and if I wanted a camera for the video features, then i'd buy a video camera!

[tomas]

dissapointed- as close to perfection as it can be..... and 1.6x crop factor. Kit with 28- :) who needs 44.8mm wide end, it even turns my 16 into 25.6mm. I dont want any ef-s lenses to have. Canon I need affordable full frame as second body......................you can do it.

[Focusfront]

Considering that the 14 and 15 megapixel Canons, Pentaxes, and Sonys do very little better than 10 and 12 megapixel Nikons as far as resolution goes, and are worse in low light, it beats me how Canon is making things better with 18 megapixels. We'll see.

[Fernando]

Enough of APS sensors. We need affordable full frame cameras!

[JJ]

I was so excited when I first saw this, and then - small sensor. I'd be perfectly content to ditch the movies in exchange for an 18mp full-framer. ok, it would cost more, but it's been pretty well documented that the 50d was pushing the mp race a little far.

[Dan]

There are affordable full frame cameras with built in image stabilization... Available now even, Sony a850 YAY!

[Nicholas Gonzalez]

I still shoot with a 40d, and I continue to get impressed by its image quality as I refine my skills and push it's limits. I don't care anymore about the megapixels. With that said, I have a recurring dream of a camera called, " The ELAN D", and it will have the same full- frame sensor as the first generation 5D, but with the current dual DIGIC 4 processor and no HD video. Is that too much to ask?

[jamesfrmphilly]

i own 50D and i see no reason to get 7D.

the pixel density on the sensor now approaches P&S.
i don't want more pixels, i want better pixels!
i want larger pixels with greater DR and better noise performance. when i upgrade i will go to full frame. i want a full frame that i can afford.

canon moved one way with the G11 and the opposite way
with the 7D.

[jamesfrmphilly]

i shoot still only. i do not want video.
if i did want video, i would get a video camera.

what i want is full frame.

[Dean S.]

I want the 7D just for its improved focusing system! It's the best focusing system of any Canon camera... Even the 5DMII! If the image quality of that 18MB sensor is good then I just might consider getting it. (But then watch, as soon as I get one, Canon will release a 5D Mark III that uses the new focusing system... How much you wanna bet?)

[jamesfrmphilly]

i am a loyal canon customer of 20 years.
i currently use a 50D. i have no desire for the 7D.
it does not temp me to upgrade. isn't it supposed to?

[Lew H]

I own a 40D. Stop the pixel race and give us high resolution at 3200 ASA with no artifacts. Full frame is not necessary for me but others cry for wide angle capability. Video is ok but I'd rather the cost go to a better CMOS collector. The ability to tweak images in camera is becoming like MS Word. Very few use more than about 10% of the power on a regular basis.

[Tom]

Ok the advertising is impressive on the 7d but before I get serious as a buyer I want to hear from the hands on photographers and thier reviews not printed paid for advertisments. In about 18months new models and features will emerge and will this 7D still be considered a leading contender? Nikon"s always headed the class in innovation and customer feed back so we"ll see how the D7 takes the test of time; As advertised .

[AGreene]

YET AGAIN! Another camera with HD video. I guess the whole addage of 'monkey see, monkey do' holds true. Get off the band wagon guys and do something different, like take out the HD video and lower the price of the cameras.

[KStone]

Couldn't agree more with you all. I don't need HD video or any video at all on my cameras. I need full frame with better low light performance/noise control. Another crop sensor camera - especially at that price point - from Canon is just inexcusable in my mind...

[Jay]

Do I need the HD video function in my camera? The answer is "NO!!" Would I like to have the full frame instead? "HELL YEAH!!!" Would I most likely to buy 7d? "Probably Not"

[Tony Vargas]

I am incredibly disappointed, I’ve been holding off on the purchase of a new Cannon Camera, but will not buy unless there’s an affordable full frame and improved yet faster AF. Did not buy 5D mark II because of AF, will not buy 7D because there’s not full frame. Ditch the movie section of the camera! I know many who are holding off on a purchase, just waiting for that awesome camera to arrive. I do not think that this camera will sell well.

[rene]

I have two 20Ds that I use simultaneously and I'm looking for a third. I am completely satisfied with the quality of my prints up to 24 x 36. Presently one is remotely controlled. A full frame 8fps would maybe be enticing to me.

[Jay]

I'm with most everyone else. Hope this thing is amazing in lower light (prob. not). If I want video, I'll take my video camera. Loose the video! Guess I'll be buying another 40D for my second body...

[eric]

I "downgraded" from 7E to Rebel XT when I switched to digital several years ago. It takes good pictures, but always feeling something missing. 50D is nice but not enough to make me to spend more to upgrade. Canon is smart to pack so many new features in 7D that I am definitely moving up. Expensive? Yes, but with 150k shutter cycle, it should last for a long time. Full frame is nice, but I love my EF-S 10-22 and 17-55 f/2.8. From 7E to 7D, it comes full cycle.

[1crazynite.com]

Yo! Canon! I didn't get into photography to shoot video! If I wanted to get into video I would buy a camera that is dedicated to shooting video!

I want a camera w/ FF, 6400 ISO or better, 3" screen or bigger and can see in the sun, Mpixels in the med. format range, a great sensor, all under $2k. What do ya say?!?

While your making my dreams come true, what about flashes with built in radio transmitters!

But, who listens to me!?!

[Shampton]

i SURE hope Canon reads these comments and WAKES UP from it's delusions!

[Barbara E]

I'm with everyone. I don't need a video in my camera, If I want to shoot video, I'll get a video Camera. I would like to see a full frame sensor instead. I'm a little worried about the 18 meg on the smaller sensor. The only thing that interested me was the new 19 point focusing system. So Canon get rid of the video and put a full frame sensor in it.

[matt]

Looks great to me -- nice in between camera. Shoots faster than my current camera and with dual processors it should process things nice and zippy. curious to know what the buffer is -- but since it does the video it must be pretty good.