The Canon EOS 7D is the latest “prosumer” model in Canon’s DSLR camera range, delivering high end features like 1080p video, 8fps continuous shooting and an 18.1-megapixel sensor in a tough, weatherproof body. So does it give the likes of the Sony A850 and Nikon D300S something to worry about? Read our full Canon EOS 7D review for the answer.
As soon as you haul it out of the box it’s clear that the Canon EOS 7D is a serious photographer’s camera. It’s big, heavy (slightly heavier than the 5D MkII in fact), sturdy and bristling with dials and buttons. It’s certainly not something for the DSLR beginner, as the sheer amount of control on offer will only serve to confuse. There is a fully auto mode, naturally, but why spend £1,250 on a DSLR and treat it like a point and shoot?
Of course, the flip side of this complexity is versatility and, for the well-versed in DSLR photography, the Canon EOS 7D is a dream to use. While we think Nikon and Sony’s user interfaces are slightly more accessible than Canon’s, once you’ve got to grips with it you’ll be switching settings quickly and easily.
Read our Nikon D300S review now
The Canon EOS 7D comes with a new 19-point autofocus system which can be set to either lock to a single point or a “zone” of the viewfinder (which is incidentally excellent and offers 100 percent coverage). It works more effectively than the AF system on the pricier Canon EOS 5D MkII.
And what about the photos? Well, while the Canon EOS 7D uses an 18.1-megapixel crop sensor rather than the huge 21-megapixel full frame sensor of the 5D MkII, it serves up fantastic results. Yes, the 5D MkII might offer richer results when shooting static landscape scenes, but the Canon EOS 7D is more suitable for moving subjects, sports, wildlife and so on. Detail, colour, dynamism are all strong, and high ISO shots don’t suffer from too much noise.
Video is impressive too, much more so than on the Nikon D300S. You can capture full HD 1080p material at 24 or 25 fps, and 720p at 50fps; there are full manual controls; and there’s a socket allowing you to attach an external stereo mic. Video quality is superb, even in low light conditions – and as with all DSLRs you can achieve eye-poppingly beautiful shots with a movie-like short depth of field.
We could go on for another 1,000 words about the Canon EOS 7D’s features and versatility, but for reasons of space we’ll just say this: if you’re looking for a top class all-round performer and aren’t too concerned with going full-frame, this is currently the best body around.
