Canon EOS 7D
Last updated (18 November’09):
- Review by WDC
Canon EOS 7D is a high-end DSLR camera features an all-new 18.0 Megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors, a new all cross-type 19-point AF system with improved AI Servo AF, ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800), 8.0 fps continuous shooting, New iFCL Metering with 63-zone dual-layer metering system uses both focus and color information to provide accurate exposure even in difficult lighting, Full HD video at 30p (29.97 fps), 24p (23.976 fps) and 25p, a magnesium alloy body that is dust- and weather-resistant and a 3 inch LCD monitor with 920,000 dots (VGA resolution) with a viewing angle of 160°.
Overall Rating: N/A | Latest Price Info
Canon EOS 7D Reviews
WDC reviews the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“Overall, the 7D will be an aspiration for all amateur photographers, and those who purchase will not be disappointed.”
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Gizmodo compares the Canon EOS 7D to Nikon D300 and writes;
“Really, both the D300s and 7D deliver for the money, though I think the 7D delivers more, since it’s packed full of newer technology and for the people who want it, the video component is truly killer..”
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TheDigitalPicture reviews the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“The bottom line is that the 7D is Canon’s new king-of-the-APS-C DSLRs - clearly the best yet. Though I would like to see sharper results at lower sharpness settings, the Canon EOS 7D turns in great performance and great image quality in a great package.”
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NeutralDay reviews the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“I think the EOS 7D easily offers the best value in its class, and doing any better would mean spending much more money on a full frame camera. Because of this, I can’t recommend the EOS 7D enough to would-be consumers looking for a top-of-the-line APS-C DSLR camera. Therefore, I’m giving the EOS 7D a rare “Essential” rating. It’s simply as good as it gets for a crop sensor camera.”
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Canon EOS 7D video review by WDC;
ePhotozine reviews the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“Overall, performance is of a very high order and the pictures I got in my short time with the camera I was perfectly happy with, so it is undoubtedly worthy of recommendation.”
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CNET.uk reviews the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“The Canon EOS 7D offers awesome continuous-shooting speeds, an excellent HD movie mode with full manual controls, class-leading resolution, excellent high-ISO performance, and an all-metal, weather-sealed body. It’s got a couple of glitches, but it’s a corking camera”
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CameraLabs reviews the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“It may not boast the full-frame sensor and the ultimate image quality of the 5D Mark II, but in every other respect it excels. Taking everything into consideration, the EOS 7D is arguably Canon’s most successful and satisfying overall DSLR to date.”
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TrustedReviews reviews the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“The Canon EOS 7D is without doubt one of the best cameras currently available, offering fantastic build quality, lightning fast performance and superb image quality in virtually any conditions. It is more expensive than its main rivals, but it’s worth the extra for a camera this good..”
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BHP has published a preview the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“From 8fps burst shooting with Zone Autofocus to HD frame rate selection and dedicated video controls, the 7D is the very first camera of its kind. In both handling and capability, the camera directly addresses the needs of creative image makers and professionals.”
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PhotoReview.au reviews the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“Long exposures were almost noise-free up to ISO 6400, after which noise became visible. However, image noise in a six-second exposure at ISO 12800 was less intrusive than we’ve seen in shots taken at ISO 3200 with most of the DSLRs we’ve tested.”
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Video review by SimplyElectronics;
GoodGearGuide reviews the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“We love the feel of the EOS 7D — even its relatively heavy weight — and we think it’s an easy camera to use, even if you’re not used to Canon’s D-SLR control schemes. It was able to capture some stunning images, especially in dim lighting with a high ISO, and it produced vibrant results in bright conditions.”
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Pocket-Lint reviews the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“A series of ISO test images show the amount of detail retained up to ISO 2000 is good, above ISO 3200 details starts to drop away but noise is still well controlled. Above ISO 6400 and detail is stripped away making images seem rather fuzzy, which is a shame.”
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NeoCamera reviews the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“Image quality when it comes to noise is awesome. This 18 megapixels camera produces clear results up to ISO 1600, perfectly usable for large prints and even remains usable to ISO 12,800 for smaller prints. While-balance is very good except under artificial light. This is typical and not much of a problem because custom white-balance is right on..”
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HardwareZone reviews the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“we would recommend that whoever owns an xxD series to upgrade, because this is as good as it gets for a 1.6x crop camera. You can either choose to get current technology and enjoy it while you can, or you can wait a year to see what else Canon can deliver. In short, go get the 7D. You won’t regret it.”
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TechRadar compares the Canon EOS 7D to EOS 5D Mark II and writes;
“For the most fine-grained image quality, and particularly for professional photographers who cover tricky events such as weddings, the 5D MKII is the one to go for. The full frame sensor and massive resolution give you control over your pictures that the 7D just doesn’t match.”
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PhotographyBlog reviews the Canon EOS 7D and writes;
“The new 18 megapixel CMOS sensor and expanded ISO range produce virtually no visible noise at all from ISO 100 all the way up to ISO 1600, with even the three faster settings of 3200-12800 producing perfectly usable images. All other image quality aspects are up to Canon’s usual high standards, so top marks go to the 7D in this department.”
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CameraTown compares the EOS 7D to EOS 5D Mark II and writes;
“The EOS 5D Mark II clearly has a shallow DOF due to the larger sensor, but both cameras produced nearly identical sharpness at the focal point..”
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Canon EOS 7D Preview Video by WDC;
Canon EOS 7D Preview Video by WhichUK;
Canon EOS 7D Preview Video by EOSNetwork;
Canon EOS 7D 8.0 fps continuous shooting demo by ImagingResource;
Canon EOS 7D Sample Photos
- Canon 7D VS Nikon D300 Sample Photos @ NeutralDay
- Canon 7D Sample Photos @ NeutralDay
- Canon 7D Sample Photos @ CameraLabs
- Canon 7D Sample Photos @ TrustedReviews
- Canon 7D Sample Photos @ NeoCamera
- Canon 7D Sample Photos @ HardwareZone
- Canon 7D Sample Photos @ PhotographyBlog
- Canon 7D Sample Photos by Jeff Ascough
- Canon EOS 7D Sample Photos: ISO 3200 | ISO 6400 | ISO 12800 @ RobGalbraith
- Canon 7D Sample Photos @ ImagingResource
- Canon 7D Sample Photos @ Dpreview
- Canon 7D Sample Photos @ Canon Japan
Canon EOS 7D Sample Videos
EOS 7D VS EOS 5D Mark II HD Video;
Canon EOS 7D User Manual (PDF)
Click to view or right click and select Save Target As..(Firefox) or Save link as.. (IE) to download
- Download Canon EOS 7D Pocket Guide (PDF - 1.1 MB)
- Download Canon EOS 7D User Manual (PDF - 6.6 MB)
Canon EOS 7D Features
18.0 Megapixel CMOS Sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors for high image quality and speed.
The EOS 7D features a Canon-designed 18.0 Megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor that captures such a high level of resolution it’s easy to crop images for enlargement without concern of losing detail. A major factor in reducing noise, the CMOS sensor assures that images shot at highest sensitivity will be remarkably smooth. Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors ensure that images are captured, processed and saved with remarkable speed. The EOS 7D’s ability to capture and process data of images shot at 18.0 Megapixels at 8 fps, as well as Face Detection Live Mode, Full HD video recording, Auto Lighting Optimizer and Lens Peripheral optimization are all possible thanks to the Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors.
ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800) for shooting from bright to dim light.
With a broad range of ISO settings, the EOS 7D enables shooting from dawn through dusk and ensures capture of the finest detail. With enhanced, low-noise high-sensitivity optimization, shooting in situations previously possible only with flash becomes as simple as point and shoot.
8.0 fps continuous shooting up to 126 Large/JPEGs with UDMA CF card and 15 RAW.
Capable of shooting up to 126 Large/JPEGs with a UDMA CF card and 15 RAW at 8 fps, the EOS 7D is a perfect camera for action. Canon’s remarkable shutter, combined with speedy, sophisticated electronics, ensures instant response and performance. A rapidly-occurring scene can be captured moment by moment, second by second, so that even the briefest of opportunities are captured in perfect clarity.
Advanced movie mode with manual exposure control and selectable frame rates: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD): 30p (29.97) / 24p (23.976) / 25p, 1280 x 720 (HD): 60p (59.94) / 50p, 640 x 480 (SD): 60p (59.94) / 50p.
Boasting the most advanced EOS movie capturing features to date, the EOS 7D does not just shoot video clips, it offers the enhanced image quality, smooth frame rates and adaptive exposure compensation necessary in a professional movie-making tool. By shooting video with a large sensor camera, it’s simple to take advantage of the image characteristics intrinsic to SLR photography and not necessarily to video cameras. In addition to a number of different recording size and frame rate modes, the EOS 7D enables easy manual control of exposure, focus and Live View features and even allows for in-camera editing. The large CMOS sensor and compatibility with over 60 lenses provide a wealth of depth-of-field options. And it’s all as easy as the press of a button — the EOS 7D has a dedicated Live View/Movie Recording lever with a start/stop button that gets the shooting started fast.
Intelligent Viewfinder with 100% field of view, wide viewing angle of 29.4°, high magnification of 1.0, intelligent viewfinder with glass pentaprism and an overlaid LCD display in viewfinder supports various shooting styles.
The EOS 7D features a phenomenal redesigned viewfinder that not only offers 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.
The EOS 7D even features a brilliant new Dual Axis Electronic Level and tilt display that aids in achieving perfectly level shots, displaying both roll and pitch in 1° increments, either in the viewfinder or on the LCD.
New 19-point, all cross-type AF system equipped with dual diagonal cross-type sensors in center at f/2.8 and f/5.6 and AF area selection modes to match various shooting situations.
Canon packed its most advanced technologies into the EOS 7D’s AF system. With 19 high-precision, cross-type AF sensors, any of which can be selected automatically or manually, the EOS 7D is equipped to handle even the trickiest of focus situations with ease. The high-speed microcomputers in the EOS 7D use advanced algorithms that help ensure the fastest, most accurate AF performance under the widest variety of conditions. In addition, Canon’s Light Source detection AF automatically compensates the focus by taking into account artificial lighting sources and making appropriate adjustments and the EOS 7D’s new Intelligent Macro focusing tracks the object or the camera’s movement when shooting close-up, to ensure focus is never lost. AF modes can be customized to suit the situation, ensuring reliable focus, every time.
Canon EOS 7D Specifications
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
|---|---|
| Sensor * | • 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor • RGB Color Filter Array • Built-in fixed low-pass filter (with self-cleaning unit) • 19 million total pixels |
| Image processor * | Dual DIGIC 4 |
| A/D conversion | 14 bit |
| Image Sizes ( Still) * | RAW • 5184 x 3456 • 3888 x 2592 • 2592 x 1728 |
| Image Sizes (Movie) | 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps) 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps) 640 x 480 (59.94, 50 fps) |
| File formats (Still) |
• JPEG (EXIF 2.21) - Fine / Normal • S-RAW |
| File formats (Movie) | MOV (Video: H.264, Sound: Linear PCM) |
| Lenses | • Canon EF / EF-S lens mount
• 1.6x field of view crop |
| Dust reduction | • EOS integrated cleaning system with fluorine coating • Self-cleaning sensor unit (filter in front of sensor vibrates at high frequency at start-up and shutdown - can be disabled) • Dust Delete Data - Data from a test shot is used to ‘map’ dust spots and can be later removed using Canon DPP Software |
| Auto focus* | • TTL-CT-SIR CMOS sensor • 19 cross-type AF points (f/2.8 at centre) • Center point additionally sensitive with lenses of F2.8 or faster |
| Focus modes | • One shot AF
• AI Servo AF |
| AF point selection |
• Auto : 19 point |
| AF Lock | Locked when shutter button is pressed half way in One Shot AF mode or AF-ON button is pressed |
| Predictive AF | • Up to 8 m |
| AF assist | • Stroboscopic flash |
| AF microadjust | • +/- 20 steps • Adjust all lenses by same amount/individually adjust up to 20 lenses |
| Metering* | • TTL full aperture metering with 63 zone Dual Layer SPC • Metering range: EV 1 - 20 EV |
| Metering modes* |
• Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points) • Center-weighted average |
| AE lock | • Auto: One Shot AF with evaluative metering • Manual: AE lock button |
| Exposure compensation* | • +/-5.0 EV • 0.3 or 0.5 EV increments |
| Exposure bracketing | • +/- 2.0 EV • 0.3 or 0.5 EV increments |
| Sensitivity * |
• Auto ISO (100-3200) |
| Shutter | • Focal-plane shutter • 30 - 1/8000 sec • 0.3 or 0.5 EV increments • Flash X-Sync: 1/250 sec |
| Aperture values | • 0.3 or 0.5 EV increments
• Actual aperture range depends on lens used |
| White balance | • Auto • Daylight • Shade • Custom |
| WB bracketing | • +/-3 levels
• 3 images |
| WB shift | • Blue (-9) To Amber (+9)
• Magenta (-9) to Green (+9) |
| Picture style | • Standard • Portrait • Landscape • User def. 2 |
| Custom image parameters | • Sharpness: 0 to 7
• Contrast: -4 to +4 • B&W tone: N, S, B, P, G |
| Image processing |
• Highlight tone priority • Long exposure noise reduction |
| Color space | • sRGB • Adobe RGB |
| Viewfinder * | • Eye-level pentaprism • 100% frame coverage • Approx. 1.0x maginification • Eyepoint: 22 mm • Fixed (Transmissive LCD screen) • Dioptric adjustment: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter |
| Mirror | • Quick-return half mirror (transmission:reflection ratio 40:60) • Mirror lock-up (once or multiple exposures) |
| Viewfinder info * |
• AF points • Shutter speed • Spot metering circle • FE lock • Monochrome shooting |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0 " TFT LCD • 920,000 pixels • 100% coverage |
| LCD Live view |
• Live TTL display of scene from CMOS image sensor • Best view or exposure simulation • Histogram |
| Record review | • Off
• On (histogram via INFO button) |
| Playback modes |
1. Single image with exposure, file number, storage slot 2. As 1 but also image count and quality |
| Playback features | • Optional blinking highlight alert • Optional AF point display • Magnified view (up to 1.5x - 10x) • 2×2 or 3×3 thumbnail index • Delete / Protect |
| Flash* | • Auto pop-up E-TTL II auto flash • FOV coverage up to15 mm (27 mm equiv.) • Guide number approx 12 m (ISO 100) • Cycle time approx. 3 sec |
| External flash |
• E-TTL II auto flash with EX-series Speedlites |
| Shooting modes * |
• Auto • Manual (M) Stills and Movie |
| Drive modes |
• Single • Self-timer: 2sec + remote, 10sec + remote |
| Burst buffer * | Approx. 8 fps (speed maintained for up to 126 JPEGs (with UDMA card), 15 images (RAW)) |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Auto rotation | • On (recorded and LCD display) • On (recorded only) • Off |
| Custom functions * | 27 Custom Fubctions with 70 settings |
| Menu languages |
• English • French • Italian • Russian • Ukrainian • Traditional Chinese |
| Firmware | User upgradable |
| Portrait grip | • Optional BG-E7 Battery Grip • Optional WFT-E5 Wireless File Transfer Grip |
| Connectivity |
• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed • N3 type wired remote control |
|
Storage |
• Compact Flash Type I or II • Supports UDMA and Microdrive cards • External storage via optional WFT-E5 |
| Power | • Lithium-Ion LC-E6 rechargeable battery (supplied & charger) • CR1616 Lithium battery (date/time backup) • Optional AC adapter |
| Wireless connectivity (optional WFT-E5) |
• Mounts on base of camera and also acts as vertical grip
• Has its own BP-511A battery • Wireless 802.11b / 802.11g • Wireless security: WEP, TKIP/AES, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK • Wireless methods: Infrastructure or Ad Hoc • Wired ethernet (100 Base-TX) • Transfer: FTP, PTP (remote control by computer), HTTP (view / remote fire) |
| Dimensions | 148 x 111 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.3 x 2.8 in) |
| Weight * | • No battery: 820 g (1.8 lb) |
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Love the sound of 8fps on the demo video.. Sample photos look great! Me definately want one..
I bought a used 1D3 recently to add to my 40D…. You think the wife will understand that I just have to upgrade the 40D now?
In this case, if is 50D~ You can explain but she will never understand. But 7D can take video, so is very easy to understand.
what will happen if i buy an eos 7d and use the EF lens series..what is the xact diff between usin an EF and EF-s lens in an ASP-c camera.and which is best for and ASP-C..bcuz im not impressed by the EF-s lenses so i opt for an EF lens which will be good.
EF-S lenses are only compatilble with 1.6 crop factor eos cameras ie Rebel and xxD (and now 7D).
You can not use them on a 5D or 1D on 35mm film camera.
EF lenses fit all.
There is no such thing as “I am not impressed by EF-S lenses so I bought EF lens” because the EF-S/EF only indicate the sensor size they are made for. You get average EF-S lenses and great EF-S lenses just like you get average EF lenses and great EF lenses.
On the EF range, the choice is easy. If the lens has an “L” in it’s name, it means that that is the best you can get from Canon.
So, read up on the specs and check the price. An EF-S lens like the 28-200 3.5-5.6 is cheap, light and average. It can not compare in quality to a 70-200 2.8 L IS. But then the price, size and weight is in a different league too. In the same way, the EF-S 17-55 F2.8 IS is a very very good lens. Hope this helps
Can’t help it but notice the lack of snap in the still samples (from here and 100% uncompressed jpegs elsewhere). Very soft, with rather smudgy details too.
The video mode however promises quite something else.
I bought two of them and am returning both. The images just aren’t up to snuff, and the noise, while less color noise than my rebel XT, is highly visible even in some ISO 100 shots. If you’re going to sell stock photos to agencies like I am, this is not the camera for you because they don’t tolerate noise.
I’m buying a used 5D and pocketing the rest of the money for some good glass. If you want to shoot something other than fast action, I’d advise you to do the same. The controls and focus of the 7D rule.
Andy, what software did you use for processing? I heard that for now the Canon DPP is much better than Lightroom or Photoshop pertaining to noise. Did you use RAW or JPEGs? Trying to choose between a 7D and a 5Dmk2 - I wish the 5Dmk2 sensor was in the 7D body. Does the 5D have less noise than your 7Ds?
wow all these reviews really makes me want to get this camera. I have and shoot with the 5d mark II and love everything about it.
when or what is the pro camera version
So you love the 5D’s inexplicable lack of 24 & 25 FPS?
I’d like to see some samples from an actual production camera. I think all the photos I’ve seen so far are from pre-production cameras. I can’t help but think noise will be cleaned up a bit in production models but squeezing all those pixels in that APS-C sensor probably was not a wise choice. Frankly, I would have liked to see Canon stay at 15mp or less with all the other features and speed. They went that route with the G11 and the pics from that camera look much better than the G10 especially above ISO 200. Probably stay with my 50D for now.
It does not make sense what you say, the review from http://www.dpreview.com already is with fully functional firmware and production marketable camera.
The reviews are far more positive than with the 50D and yet you keep the whining and naysaying…
The double digic 4 and the new sensor technology + NR processing is really a step up from the 50D. Full stop, many reviews are a proof of it.
“and yet you keep the whining and naysaying…”
WTF, the guy made one comment!
And it stands to reason that if they did this well with noise at this pixel density, they could have done even better with lower density.
And noise reduction shouldn’t even factor in, because you should be shooting raw. The point is to reduce noise at the sensor, not to clean the mess up later with some bullshit processing that destroys the image.
The asinine megapixel war has utterly destroyed the small point-&-shoot market in terms of picture quality.
Here are some photos from my first test shoot with this camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/josephloren/sets/72157622702948692/
It was also my first attempt at using strobes.
I have the 5D Mark II and love it, a friend of mine who shoots video bought this camera just for shooting wedding video. This promises to pave the way for much more expanded creativity for us professionals.
Curtis