Canon Announces EOS 7D

GeoPappas

« on: September 01, 2009, 04:46 »

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Features:

18MP APS-C (1.6x) CMOS sensor
ISO range (100 – 6,400) is expandable to 12,800
19-point cross-type AF system (all cross-type) including Spot AF
iFCL (Focus Colour & Luminance) metering system with 63-zone Dual-layer Sensor
8 frames per second continuous shooting
1080p HD video recording with manual controls (30, 25, and 24 fps)
3.0 inch Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dots
1.0x magnification and 100% coverage viewfinder
Dual DIGIC 4 processors
Wireless flash control
Environmental sealing

Price on Amazon.com is $1,700 for the body and $1,900 with a 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens.

See here for more info:

Press Release:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0909/09090105canoneos7d.asp

Hands on preview:

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canoneos7d/


« Last Edit: September 01, 2009, 05:05 by GeoPappas »	Ignore \| Logged

gostwyck

« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2009, 05:02 »

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I'm surprised that it's got an APS-C sensor (that 1.6x crop thingy again) despite being 18Mp. I used to hate having to live with that on my old 10D and 20D and can't imagine going back to it.

According to the blurb Canon reckon they've spoken to '5000 photographers worldwide' to give them the camera that they really want. Did they really want an APS-C sensor?


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GeoPappas

« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2009, 05:07 »

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Quote from: gostwyck on September 01, 2009, 05:02

It is very odd that Canon changed the xD lineup from a 36 x 24 mm full-frame sensor to a 22.3 x 14.9 mm 1.6x crop sensor. They normally keep the sensor size consistent in each of their lineups.


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GeoPappas

« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2009, 05:28 »

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Here is another review and hands-on-preview from Imagine Resource:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1251777601.html

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E7D/E7DA.HTM

The hands-on-preview also includes some sample images:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E7D/E7DA7.HTM

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E7D/E7DTHMB.HTM


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LostOne

« Reply #4 on: September 01, 2009, 07:57 »

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A quote from dpreview:

Quote

The 5D Mark II is a great camera, but I really feel that the 7D (with the exception of sensor size) is what the 5D Mark II should have been.


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GeoPappas

« Reply #5 on: September 01, 2009, 09:02 »

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Quote from: LostOne on September 01, 2009, 07:57

A quote from dpreview:

Quote

The 5D Mark II is a great camera, but I really feel that the 7D (with the exception of sensor size) is what the 5D Mark II should have been.

From what I have read so far, most people agree with this sentiment, but what they mean is that the new 7D has a lot of bells and whistles.

On the other hand, many people don't like the smaller sensor.

With the higher frame rates (8 fps) and the 1.6x sensor, this seems to be geared towards nature / birding / sports.

In my opinion, this camera really should have been named a 70D.


« Last Edit: September 01, 2009, 09:05 by GeoPappas »	Ignore \| Logged

stokfoto

« Reply #6 on: September 01, 2009, 09:14 »

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Quote from: LostOne on September 01, 2009, 07:57

A quote from dpreview:

Quote

The 5D Mark II is a great camera, but I really feel that the 7D (with the exception of sensor size) is what the 5D Mark II should have been.

I totally agree with the statement above.Having said that I only wish to have the frame rate adjustments on my beloved 5d m2 all the rest can be missed out, except for dual processor as it must be what enables the camera to shoot HD video at higher frame rates.


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Talanis

« Reply #7 on: September 01, 2009, 10:31 »

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It's not a surprised that they went with the APS-C sensor (it's a new sensor btw, supposed to handle the noise better). For me, the 7D is to the sports/wildlife shooters what the 5D is to the Portrait/Wedding/Product shooters.

You have high framerate, a new AF system that looks very good and 2 digic IV processors. That screams wildlife and sports.

At this price range, it will compete with the D300.

I think they chose well for the number too because I don't see it as an evolution of the xxD line but as a completely new type of body. Read the specs ;P


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Graffoto

« Reply #8 on: September 01, 2009, 10:52 »

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All I can say is I won't be buying one.

I will wait for a 3D or 5D MK3.

I quit the crop frame fiasco a long time back.


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Xalanx

« Reply #9 on: September 01, 2009, 10:58 »

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18 MP on APS-C. That's not gonna fly, really. I mean look at the 50D, it's far more noisier than 40D, less dynamic range and all that. What are they thinking? At least if they would've made it 1.3x crop.
I can barely wait to see iso 800 shots with this camera.


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holgs

« Reply #10 on: September 01, 2009, 11:40 »

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The specs look pretty good to me - the key will be how the 15-85mm lens performs. 24-136mm equivalent is a very versatile. To me a high quality zoom of such range has been missing from Canon's APS-C line up.

I guess this shows that Canon hasn't given up on APS-C as a format for professionals who need speed and telephoto as a priority.


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lisafx

Premium Member

« Reply #11 on: September 01, 2009, 12:00 »

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Quote from: Talanis on September 01, 2009, 10:31

This is my first thought also. For wildlife shooters the perceived "extra reach" in the 1.6 crop factor would be a plus.

Personally I love my 5DII. I would never be tempted by the 7D, but for a wildlife shooter it might be just the thing.


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Zeus

« Reply #12 on: September 01, 2009, 14:03 »

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I know the 25/24 fps will have video types salivating. Too bad they couldn't have done this for the 5DII. Oh well, all the more reason to upgrade as soon as the 5DIII comes out. The challenge is to burn out the current camera you are using just as the new model comes out.


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PaulieWalnuts

« Reply #13 on: September 01, 2009, 19:30 »

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Has some nice stuff the 5DII should have had. The 5DII could use more focus points and FPS. And for the love of god please add some configuration options for the Auto ISO.

After FF I don't see me going back to crop sensors anytime soon.

Like Geo said this seems like it should have been a 70D


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HermanM

« Reply #14 on: September 01, 2009, 21:33 »

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The problem with the 70D is that is sounds too close to D70, and next would be the 80 & 90 D (sounds familiar... D90...). This naming also separates the model from the old Canon D60. Too many models and too little combinations available.

This number makes sense, it is actually a bridge between the classic xxD series and the upper series. You can still have a 50D MKII and no problems with the naming with that.

I concurr that the 7D it is what the 5DII should have been.


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epixx

« Reply #15 on: September 02, 2009, 00:51 »

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Quote from: GeoPappas on September 01, 2009, 05:07

It is very odd that Canon changed the xD lineup from a 36 x 24 mm full-frame sensor to a 22.3 x 14.9 mm 1.6x crop sensor. They normally keep the sensor size consistent in each of their lineups.

No, they don't. 1DIII is 1.3x crop, wile 1DsIII and 5DII are 1.0x.

This looks like an excellent camera from Canon. Lots of resolution, lots of speed and lots of reach, and an abundance of features. It won't be the king of high ISO, but there's the 5DII for that. If I hadn't been a Nikon user already, I would have been very tempted with the 7D


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Fotonaut

« Reply #16 on: October 10, 2009, 03:37 »

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Just picked up my 7D from the post office. Nothing much to say about it so far, as the battery is still charging.

But coming from the 450D, I must say I would have preferred SD cards and the minijack remote shutter connection (which swivels). I guess going high-end/prosumer has its disadvantages beyond cost


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ptlee

« Reply #17 on: October 10, 2009, 05:14 »

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I'm pretty happy with mine. The features are pretty much what I wanted from a bird photography point of view.

Here's a shot at ISO1600 with some cropping (maybe about 10-20% cropped off). NR done on the background, but not on the bird.

Cheers,
PTLee


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cclapper

Premium Member

« Reply #18 on: October 10, 2009, 07:05 »

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It's not a surprised that they went with the APS-C sensor (it's a new sensor btw, supposed to handle the noise better).

The 50D has the same new gapless sensor technology, only its 15mp instead of 18mp. It doesn't handle the noise better...noise is FAR worse on my 50D than on my Rebel XT at 8mp. You could say just about 2x as bad. I have to believe adding another 3mp makes it even worse, not better. If the 7D is for sports, birding, etc. then noise is probably not an issue.

I took some photos with the 50D and had 8x10 prints made at a commercial photo lab and they come out great...no noise even shows. I have gotten paranoid about the noise issue because of microstock...for other applications it doesn't seem to be a detriment at all. I will take one of those same photos and get it blown up even larger and see what happens, though.


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holgs

« Reply #19 on: October 10, 2009, 08:48 »

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Nice shot ptlee - looks very clean. Care to share your thoughts about the camera so far?


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traveler1116

« Reply #20 on: October 10, 2009, 10:00 »

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Quote from: holgs on October 10, 2009, 08:48

Nice shot ptlee - looks very clean. Care to share your thoughts about the camera so far?

Thinking about switching to canon (I'm guessing for video if you are)? I got the 5D mark II and the video stuff is fun hopefully it will translate to sales but I think I need a better tripod.


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ptlee

« Reply #21 on: October 10, 2009, 11:44 »

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cclapper, according to Canon, the sensor on the 7D is an improvement over the 50D, in that the distance between the microlenses to the photodiode is reduced, so light focuses better on the photodiodes. So noise 'should' be better controlled. In any case, I would usually shoot at ISO 100 for MS, esp when I'm shooting (desktop) studio shots, landscapes I would usually use a tripod and opt for low ISO as well.

Noise is an issue for birding, esp where I come from, the birds are found in the dense rainforest, under challenging light conditions, we'd be lucky to be able to shoot at ISO 400, and to be able to shoot at ISO 1600 while keeping the feather details as shown in my Tiger Shrike shot is really great!

Thanks holgs. I've the 40D for birding, and always longed for better AF and more AF points for BIF shots, and Canon answered with the 7D, on top of that the 100% viewfinder is an added bonus. I'm surprised that Canon is able to pull off a usable (I wouldn't say miraculously noise free) 18megapixel 1.6x crop sensor, so I can crop and still easily retain over 10megapixel of useful data with details that the 40D has.

In terms of lower ISO noise (eg ISO 400), I've read some feedback that it's not good though, which is ironic somewhat, given that everyone has been looking at it's ISO 800/1600/3200 performance. I'm still testing out the camera under various conditions as they come (I don't do specific tests), and initial thoughts about the ISO400 noise isn't too bad, but not much to cheer about either. AF is great, some in flight shots were done with decent results, and the zonal/AF expansion is something I've started using and starting to get use to.

Overall, I think the 7D is much what I hoped for in a wildlife/birding camera, without the hefty price tag of a 1D mkIII (or mkIV if it is to be launched soon). Still have one gripe about AF ability with an f8 lens (eg a 1.4x TC on a, say, 400mm f5.6L lens), but that can be 'solved' with taped pins and good light.

That's my initial thoughts, I like the 7D for it's on-the-field usability (better AF, faster frame rate, 100% viewfinder), noise issue the verdict isn't quite out yet, but as long as I can keep it under control with NR filters, I would be happy. I don't expect a miracle in the noise department, 5D mkII is still the benchmark, and I doubt if any crop sensor can compete with the FF sensor of 5D.

For my MS shoots, it probably won't make much difference to me, for birds and wildlife, and probably sports, 7D would definitely be quite useful.

Cheers,
PTLee


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ptlee

« Reply #22 on: October 10, 2009, 11:47 »

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traveler1116, I'm not exactly a video person, but the 7D, comes with very impressive video features that I will probably be tempted to start to dabble with it, once I get a better desktop PC to deal with the post processing.

I'll probably be taking some 'lessons' from a friend who is a video expert, and has taken top quality video with his 5D mkII.

So I'm not sure if I'm the right person to recommend you to switch systems, but if video is what you're after, the 5D mkII should probably also be on your radar.

Cheers,
PTLee


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traveler1116

« Reply #23 on: October 10, 2009, 11:53 »

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Quote from: ptlee on October 10, 2009, 11:47

Sorry I was asking Holgs if he was interested in switching (he's an Olympus guy now), but you shouldn't need to great of a computer to handle the video. I have a 5D mark II and am using my laptop to edit (basic editing only) while traveling, when I get home next year I'll get a new pc to try my hand at more in depth editing. I love the video so far it's much better than my HV30, I just need some sales to justify it. The video also looks great at higher ISO which I would assume is pretty similar on the 7D.