Canon raises the APS-C bar with the 7D, new lenses
Canonistas have been awaiting the coming of the 7D for years -- they had no idea what sort of camera it would actually be, but they were waiting. Well, it's here, and it's clear that what Canon is seeking to do is to show that, although they have given strong pushes for "full-frame" professional cameras, there is still a role for serious photographers using 1.6x-crop APS-C cameras. With an 18MP sensor -- a new record for APS-C cameras -- 8 fps shooting, a new AF system and, for the first time on a Canon body, an integrated off-camera flash controller, it's clear they're redefining their mid-range line.
They also added a range of new lenses to closely match lenses already in Nikon's line-up in a sign of clear head-to-head competition: The 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, and 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro.
What impressed me as a working photographer is that the 7D's new, bigger viewfinder got headlines in the press-release for 1.0x magnification and 100 percent coverage (compared to the 50D's 0.95 and 95 percent). While a lot of the bells and whistles of modern dSLRs don't matter from day-to-day, viewfinder quality affects the experience of every shot.
As is common with Canon, they brought the best tech they were ready to release to the newest model, even if it outpaces some of the existing, more expensive line-up. Many 5D Mark II owners may look on enviously new 19-point AF system and built-in off-camera flash commander, as well as an improved movie mode that includes an option for 24 fps, the standard for professional filmmaking.
It all sounds great so far, but reviewers' hearts tend to skip a beat when we see cameras crammed to the hilt with megapixels, and if this camera's sensor were extended to full-frame size it would have almost 50MP. This can mean decreased dynamic range and noisier sensors. Further testing in the field will tell, but early samples show that the high ISO ranges, as far as ISO 12,800, are not the noisy mush one might fear, but that there is some very heavy-handed detail-killing noise reduction going on in that range, killing the resolution advantage you'll be paying for with bigger hard drives and memory cards. How that can be changed with a good RAW converter is one variable that remains to be seen.
While the body is of a similar size to to 50D line, the button system and design has been rethought -- at first grab, a 50D user won't even know how to turn the 7D on, since the switch is in a new (and probably better) spot.
In all, it's an aggressive play for "King of the APS-C hill" by Canon, and barring misfortune may have done that job.
darmansyah on September 01, 2009 at 02:48 AM
Very good stuff.
Roger on September 01, 2009 at 05:36 AM
On paper the features sound good but I'm definately not impressed with cramming so many pixels on a small sensor.
Take a look at this:http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=746167&page=14
Scroll down a ways and look at the images with the crayons and fabric swatches. Compared to an uprezzed 5-year-old 5D image the 7D looks like crap.
I feel Canon has a tin ear and is clueless sometimes.
Canon 7d on September 02, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Very nice post and information. also found some technical Canon 7D information at: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/646908-REG/Canon_3814B004_EOS_7D_SLR_Digital.html
they also have a price listed.
ladegerate on September 11, 2009 at 03:24 AM
Well, There is no doubt that canon cameras are the best because they provide wide range of options and after reading the article on this new one I would definately like to buy this new camera on my first priority.....
Adamo on October 02, 2009 at 12:08 AM
New Series of canon, (canon 50d + canon 5d mark ii)/2 = canon 7d?
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Canon's 7D lens has an excellent 18-megapixel sensor with impressively low noise and superb picture detail, i was reading on other article about it's super burst which gives 8 frames per second, it records full HD (1980x1080)videos and good battery time with optical viewfinder.
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