Cameras

The EOS 7D represents a quantum leap forward for the EOS system. It takes the best parts of the EOS 5D Mark II and mates them with the best of the EOS 50D and then adds in some features only previously seen on EOS-1 Series models. As if this is not enough, it also incorporates a series of ‘firsts’ never before seen in the EOS system. It sits just below the EOS 5D Mark II in the range offering full HD video functionality and an APS-C sensor.

Who is it for?

Whether you’re an enthusiast looking for the most advanced digital SLR camera in the market at this level, or a professional looking for the perfect back-up camera to an EOS-1 series model, or even a converted videographer looking for a second camera to shoot full HD movies with, the EOS 7D will answer your call.

The high resolution makes it perfect for landscapes and portraits and the 8 frames per second shooting speed at full 18 Megapixel resolution allows the EOS 7D to capture the action no matter how fast it’s happening.

If you’re into travel photography, the movie function and the ability to use Canon's EF-S lenses to save weight will also appeal.

If you’re more into making videos, then you’ll find the APS-C sized sensor is a good choice for Full HD shooting. The APS-C format, whilst smaller than full frame, is still larger than 16mm film and as such provides more control over depth-of-field than high end video and film movie cameras.

 

Please click here to take a tour around the EOS 7D.

Key features

• 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• 8fps shooting speed
• ISO 100-12,800 expandable to 12,800
• 100% viewfinder with 1.0x magnification and Transmissive LCD screen
• 19-point AF system with Zone and Spot AF
• iFCL Metering system including algorithm
• 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor
• Dual "DIGIC 4" processors
• 1920x1080p full HD EOS Movie shooting at 24, 25 and 30 frames per second
• 1280x720p HD shooting at 60 or 50 frames per second
• Integrated Speedlite Transmitter
• Integrated Dual-Axis Electronic Level
• Extensive customisation options
• Full camera control over HTTP with WFT-E5

Like the EOS 5D Mark II before it, the EOS 7D offers full HD movie shooting to allow photographers at all levels to experiment with the possibilities of shooting movies. It offers full manual control over the exposure as well, though auto movie exposure can still be used. Unlike the EOS 5D Mark II, the EOS 7D also offers the ability to change the frame rates at which movies are shot, offering 24, 25 and 30 frames per second.

While the EOS Movie mode is a big step forward, it is in other areas that the EOS 7D really shows how much of a progression has been made. The combination of gapless microlenses, a reduced distance from microlenses to the photodiodes and larger, more sensitive photodiodes, not to mention the processing power of the Dual “DIGIC 4” processors means the high ISO performance of the EOS 7D shows a big improvement. It has enabled the ISO range to be extended from 100-6400 as standard, with 12,800 offered as an expansion setting for when the light levels really fall.

Along with the improved ISO performance, it is the frame rate where the Dual DIGIC 4 processors and the dedicated Analogue/Digital conversion processor come to the fore. They can process the data from the sensor quick enough and transfer it from the CMOS sensor to the buffer and out to the memory card in a short enough time to allow a full 8 frames per second shooting speed, even when shooting in full 14-bit RAW. It is almost as fast as the EOS-1D Mark III at 10 frames per second and is therefore more than capable of keeping up with almost any subject. With the ability to shoot up to 126 JPEG images at the full 18 Megapixel resolution at 8fps, you can capture sequences long enough to really see what is happening.

For when a full size RAW file is too much data, but you want to still work with the advantages of RAW, the EOS 7D provides the option of two smaller RAW files called M-RAW and S-RAW. These roughly equate to the same pixel dimensions as the M and S JPEG settings although they are not exactly the same due to the way the files are processed.

Since images are of no use if they are not in focus, the EOS 7D features a completely new focusing system with 19 cross-type AF points and a dedicated AF processor. The autofocus system also features new ways of working to provide more functionality and the ability to customise the AF system to your way of shooting. It includes a mode called Zone AF which functions in a similar way to 19 Point Auto selection – where you can select one zone to perform the focusing.

Spot AF mode is another new AF selection method. It makes use of a smaller part of the AF sensor so that it can achieve focus on a smaller area – it is for use in situations like macro or portraits where you want to focus on a defined point without the risk of the AF point locking onto a high contrast background.

• 18 Megapixel CMOS Sensor

  Canon develops and manufactures its own CMOS sensors in-house. For digital SLR cameras, in recent years Canon has made use of the CMOS technology for the performance it offers in terms of speed and low power consumption. The sensor technology in the EOS 7D is from the latest generation of CMOS sensors and because Canon designs and builds them themselves, it follows the same philosophy as the rest of the camera.

  For the EOS 7D, the sensor features gapless microlenses to more accurately focus light into the photodiodes; larger and more sensitive photodiodes to collect the light that reaches them and improve the high ISO performance; and a microlens design that places them closer to the photodiodes below – again aimed at improving the high ISO capabilities.

• Dual "DIGIC 4" processors

  The DIGIC 4 processor brings a lot of processing power to the camera – a single DIGIC 4 processor is 25% faster than the DIGIC III processor. Utilising two of them provides the required power to deal with 18 megapixels of data at 8fps. In addition the DIGIC 4 processors consume very little electrical power therefore maximising the battery life of the camera.

• iFCL metering algorithm and 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor

  Recording light is the basis of what a camera does. In order to record it correctly, it needs to be able to measure the light in the scene accurately. For the EOS 7D, the iFCL metering algorithm and 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor have been developed.

  The iFCL metering algorithm is an intelligent system that uses Focus, Colour and Luminance information to more accurately determine the light levels.

  The metering sensor features 63 metering zones and has two light sensitive layers. One layer is sensitive to red/green light and one is sensitive to blue/green light. Being able to measure the relative levels of red and blue light allows the system to more accurately expose a scene.

• 19-point AF

  The newly designed AF sensor has a similar coverage to the sensor in the EOS 50D, but it has 10 extra AF points to provide more flexibility in AF point selection.

  As part of the improvements, all 19 AF points are now cross-type sensitive with lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster. This provides better accuracy and a faster response no matter which AF point you select and is unique among APS-C sensor cameras. The central point provides improved precision with lenses featuring a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or greater to really make use of fast, wide aperture lenses.

• Integrated Speedlite Transmitter

  The EOS 7D features a built in wireless flash controller that functions similarly to actually having a Speedlite 580EX II mounted on the camera. It allows the use of full wireless multiple flash control without having to buy extra accessories like an ST-E2 or 580EX II.

  The built-in transmitter can control up to three remote groups of Speedlites using E-TTL II or by setting the flash powers manually for each group.