Canon 7D Review

For the opportunity review of the legendary Canon EOS 7D body camera Many thanks to Georgy Abramashvili.

Canon EOS 7D review

Canon EOS 7D review

The Canon 7D is a very unusual semi-professional camera, although I personally consider the Canon 7D to be a true professional crop camera. The Canon 7D is the only camera in its subclass of Canon's DLC, the newer EOS 6D is already full-frame, and the EOS 50D and eos 60D lower level.

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

The Canon 7D uses an 18MP CMOS sensor. Now with a large number of megapixels you will not surprise anyone, especially after the release Nikon D800... For most amateur tasks, 18MP is quite a lot, but professionals can squeeze all their potential out of 18MP. The camera can form images 5184 by 3456 pixels (17.9MP). Cameras have the same matrix. Canon 600D, 650D, 550D и 60D. True, it is worth noting that in Canon 650D a slightly modified version of the matrix is ​​used, which made it possible to double the maximum ISO value. You can take a look at my interesting article, which conducts an experiment on 'megapixel' - Battle of Megapixels.

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

Canon 7D attracts itself very high speed burst shooting. Shooting speed reaches 8 fps - This is an excellent indicator for a crop camera. No other crop camera with APS-C sensor from Canon can shoot at such high speed, only Canon APS-H and APS cameras can do it. Interestingly, Nikon has as many as 6 APS-C cameras that can reach this speed, but Nikon has a lot of limitations and nuances to achieve this burst speed.

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

However, in order to process such a large amount of data when shooting at 8 fps, the Canon 7D uses two DIGIC 4 processors. The weakness of the Canon 7D is a small frame bufferhowever, the new firmware slightly increases the number of frames during continuous shooting. Canon 7D outperforms even some of its full-frame brothers in performance - see the section for more details. the performance of all Canon.

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

Canon 7D is very well made, the camera body is made of magnesium alloy. The camera body has weather protection. In the hand, the Canon 7D sits very comfortably, it feels like a serious level device.

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

An additional monochrome display is simply an indispensable item for quickly adjusting basic camera parameters. The additional display has a backlight function. I really appreciate advanced cameras with an additional display, top-level cameras even have 2 such displays. The camera has a variety of controls that you can quickly get used to.

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

Canon 7D has a 3-inch display with 920 thousand dots. Now you won't surprise anyone with such a display, it is very convenient to view the footage, dig into the menu settings and shoot video.

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Canon 7D can use ISO 100 to 6400 units and expand the value to 12.800. I can’t say that the camera has a low noise level at high ISOs, since now there are cameras that make noise an order of magnitude lower, especially considering the full-frame line of cameras. Minimum excerpt is 1 \ 8000, which is an excellent indicator.

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Example photo on a Canon 7D

The optical viewfinder deserves special attention - it has 100% frame coverage, which means that no extra details on the sides of the frame will get into the picture. For example, even on my full frame Nikon D700 the viewfinder does not cover 100% and you have to remember that after pressing the shutter button, extra details will appear at the edges of the picture.

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Canon 7D uses 14-bit color depth, the camera supports 14-bit RAW (CR2). A deep color depth is very important in image processing. By the way, I updated the review Nikon D1X, with new software it can use 16-bit color depth.

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Of course, the Canon 7D's very strong point is video. The camera can shoot Full HD 1920 × 1080 29.97 fps in MOV format, H.264 codec. Also, you can shoot 1280 × 720 and 640 × 480 at 60 or 50 frames per second. When shooting video, all basic parameters are available, the camera has a special button for starting / stopping video recording

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Focusing is based on a 19-point sensor, with all 19 points being cruciform. The focus menu has several interesting settings, during the review I still did not understand the full possibility of the focus system working methods. The Canon 7D does not have an autofocus backlight.

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Measurement exposure built on the basis of a 63-segment sensor, the sensor takes into account the focus, color and brightness of objects in the field of view of the camera. Many Canon EOS cameras use 63-segment metering exposure. You need to get used to the operation of an exnometer of any camera, just like the work of an automatic white balance.

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Canon 7D camera has huge amount of useful features:

  • Matrix dust cleaning system
  • Great battery with over 1000 shots. The number of frames shot is highly dependent on many parameters.
  • Automatic bracketing exposure и white balance
  • Creative auto mode and image management system
  • Automatic ISO first versions available from 100 to 3200 units
  • The camera uses fast memory cards CF. True, the camera has only one slot for memory cards
  • INFO key, with which you can set the basic camera settings, a very convenient thing
  • Canon 7D can automatically correct vignetting with 'Peripheral Illumination Correction'
  • Auto brightness correction, allows you to expand the dynamic range of the image
  • Fine-tuning the focus, the camera remembers 20 lenses
  • An optional battery pack can be attached to the camera
  • and many, many others

The camera using the built-in flash may control external flashes remotely. Only 4 Canon cameras can do this: Canon EOS 600D, Canon EOS 650D, Canon EOS 60DCanon EOS 7D. By the way, with Nikon, as many as 12 models have such a function, however, Canon EOS 7D can control 3 groups of flashes, and Nikon's built-in flash can only control 2 groups. In this case, the Canon EOS 7D can use high speed sync with external flashes in this mode excerpt with flash not limited to threshold XSync in 1 \ 250 seconds and can even be set to 1 \ 8000. High-speed sync is a must have for flash photography during the day.

Example photo on a Canon 7D

Example photo on a Canon 7D

A direct competitor is often called Nikon D300s, I made a small tablet of the main parameters, the advantages are highlighted in green.

Canon EOS 7D Nikon D300s
Exit time Autumn 2009 Autumn 2009
Burst Speed 8k s 14-bit RAW 2,5 fps 14-bit RAW; 7 fps 12 bit RAW; 8 fps 12 bit RAW with booster
Crop factor 1,60 1,50
Processor 2x DIGIC 4 EXPEED
optical zoom 1.0 times 0.94 times
Frame coverage 100% 100%
Video length Up to 30 minutes up to 5 min
Video 1080p HD 720p HD
Display 3 ′, 920k 3 ′, 920k
Number of Focus Points 19 51
Number of Phillips T.ph. 19 15
Focus adjustment Yes Yes
Flash control 3 groups 2 groups
High speed sync Yes Yes
Measurement exposure 63 zone Dual Layer SPC 1005-pixel RGB
Matrix cleaning Yes Yes
Chassis with dust and moisture protection, magnesium alloy with dust and moisture protection, magnesium alloy
Minimum ISO 100,00 200,00
Minimum Extended ISO no Lo1equal to ISO 100
Maximum ISO 6400 3200
Maximum Extended ISO 12.800 6400
Shutter speed 30s - 1 \ 8000s 30s - 1 \ 8000s
Flash sync 1 / 250 sec 1 / 320 sec
On time 0,1s 0,13c
Shutter Warranty 150.000 150.000
Awards TIPA 2010, EISA 2010-2011
Memory cards 1 slot for CF 2 slots for CF и SD
Number of megapixels 18,00 12,30
Weight without battery, g 820,00 840,00
Color Depth * 22,00 22,50
Dynamig Range * 11,70 12,20
Low-Light ISO * 854,00 787,00

* Data for Color Depth, Dynamig Range and Low-Light ISO taken from dxomark for 7D и D300s... Among Nikon cameras, one more worthy competitor can be distinguished - this Nikon D7000.

There is a modification of Canon EOS 7D, which is called Canon EOS 7DSV, which is aimed at the use by professional photographers in the studio, but I do not see any serious differences, except for the barcode scanner and a slightly different menu. Also, Canon EOS 7D of old releases can be updated using firmware version 2.03, the new firmware adds a couple of useful little things.

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

Personal experience

Personally, it seemed to me that the camera control system was not very convenient, most likely this is due to the fact that I was simply used to the Nikon system, which I use most often. In general, the Canon EOS 7D is just a fairy tale, especially for advanced amateurs who are trying to squeeze the maximum out of cameras. A simpler alternative is Canon 60D.

Prices for modern Canon cameras in popular stores can look at this link.

In comments Can I ask you a question on the topic and you will answer, and you can also express your opinion or describe your experience. Many little things for a photo can be found on AliExpress.


Canon EOS 7D sample photo

Canon EOS 7D sample photo

Conclusions:

Canon EOS 7D is an excellent camera with tremendous burst shooting speed, unmatched in terms of speed among other crop cameras from Canon. The quality of video and photos is at a high level, the Canon EOS 7D has an excellent focusing system and an excellent protected body. You can write about advantages for a very long time, in a word - I recommend.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: anonym

 

 

Comments: 226, on the subject: Canon 7D review

  • Alexander

    Hello everyone. I just want to share my opinion about 7d. I had a lot of different fotiks and have, but I liked 7d right away. Before him, he actively used 5d. Comparing FF crop is not correct and I will not. I bought for the sake of interest yongnou 35mm 1.4. I really liked the price for such a glass. using it on 5d was upset by the retarded focus, although the sigma 70-200 2.8 APO, the oldest without HSM, hit right on the target and caught the child on a bicycle frame by frame on a point. So here. this Chinese on 7d revealed in full and in the tracking focus mode in HI mode (I don’t remember how many frames there) on f1.4 he worked out very clearly and took sharp pictures of dynamic scenes. Then I tried in single-frame normal mode and was also surprised. In general, in 2019 7D for its reasonable price is very relevant. Bought with mileage 155k. Works like a clock. Battery fire. Enough for a long time. And yes, I forgot. from competitors with similar parameters used nikon d300. Honestly, Nikon is much better at managing, but Kenon is a very good option in this regard. Have a good weekend :)

    • Koba

      The other day Nikon Z9 was released - a revolutionary camera, there is no longer a mirror, no mechanical shutter! And that's great! And the other day I bought myself a Canon 7D. In my opinion, such cameras are good for non-commercial photographers, since they were once top-of-the-line in their class (and, in terms of the combination of functions and capabilities, they will always give the photographer the opportunity to solve a huge number of tasks), but unattainable for amateurs, and now, years later 5-10, they can be bought for a very modest price. I paid $ 160 for it in the 98-99 state. Recently I was presented with an old Canon AF 100-300 F5.6L lens, and I was looking for a cheap camera to screw on to it, I thought about a 40D (it costs about $ 120), but then I turned up a better option and not much more expensive.

  • Andrei

    Good day. Such a question, what is better to buy 7d or 5d as a spare camera. The most budget full frame or still crop, their price is the same. Thanks.

    • Alexander

      Andrey, I have both. 7d is faster, and 5d is better at drawing. Volume with fixes 1.4 and zooms 2.8 awesome. But there is no auto ISO and fine-tuning of focus.

      • Andrei

        Thanks for the comment.

  • Novel

    Hello! I took a used Canon 7d. When buying and checking everything seemed to work. Tell me, I’m doing everything according to the instructions now, first I read from a simple one, I set the machine to automatic mode, but when I press the shutter button, nothing happens. The lens delivered an 18-55 IS STM. Maybe in the settings you need to do some action?

    • Roman

      Make a complete reset, there you can put the shutter button into double-tap mode. On the first focus, on the second shutter release (without confirming the focus, there will be no shutter release).

      https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/index?page=content&id=ART132304&cat=DSLR&actp=LIST

      If it does not help, then the button is stupidly broken.

      • Novel

        The shutter works when the LCD screen is on, it takes pictures, but the viewfinder is empty, the information line is empty, black.

        • Roman

          Well, when the LCD screen is on, the mirror is raised, nothing will be visible in the viewfinder, the whole orientation is focusing on the screen. Light hits the matrix directly, bypassing the mirror.

          How do you focus with the screen off? In general, in the auto mode, confirmation of focus is also required, the camera does not take a picture without this, and there will be no confirmation if it is too dark for you, you are shooting a monochrome object, or the object is too close to the lens. Try to shoot something a meter away in normal light and contrast, not a ceiling or a wall. But in general it is strange, of course ...

      • Novel

        Reset done, but no change

        • Novel

          I took it to the official in the service, everything was fixed. They did computer initialization at the manufacturer’s stand and something else programmatically. Now everything is fine so far.

  • Andrii

    7D - probig 820k, first hair, everything is good. Fotik vibagliviy up to optics, af shvidky and accurate, 300 / 4l + tc1.4 - in a slow af ved any volume up to 1/30 at ISO 800. 85 1.2іі flusus exactly. In terms of efficiency, af is not alone.

    • B. R. P.

      Lubrication on 1 \ 30 is not buvaє?

  • Novel

    Hello!
    Can someone tell me which of the Soviet lenses give the highest quality picture in combination with the Canon 7d?

  • Vladislav

    Good evening everyone.
    Who has canon cameras, tell me - can you see the frame counter directly in the camera? Specifically in Canon 7D. In order not to bother with the computer. They say that it is possible, but how exactly?

    • Alexey

      On computer only

    • Sergei

      Put on the Magiclantern memory card, then you can see the "shutter mileage".

  • Vladislav

    Good afternoon, Arkady and everyone on this wonderful site! Thanks to Arkady for this review, which does not cease to be relevant today, several years after its release. Since I believe that the Canon 7d camera remains in the attention of many photographers today, which is explained by its presence in sales and purchases on many sites selling used cameras. If there are sales, then there is demand. I do not have this camera, but I am looking at it now, despite the abundance of more modern cameras by age. A question for everyone who has experience working with it is which lenses were the most successful when paired with 7d, including both sigma and tamron. I am especially interested in travelzums. I read all the comments, God knows what many write about, and almost no one about the experience with their lenses.

    • koba

      An excellent camera and the cheapest option to have a really professional camera with a professional zoom from kenon - 17-55.2,8 IS, by the way it is also inexpensive among analogues. Together it will cost you about $ 700 for the excellent condition options. In that zoom, after a few years, the stabilizer will deteriorate, but without it it is excellent. I once wrote that I was present during the parsing of this camera, I did not even imagine that it was possible to make a camera at this level, something from the field of military technology, it is not surprising that now the company has stopped producing this line, it was probably expensive, there inside there are plates for strengthening, there are a million parts, everything is done as firmly as possible, autofocus works just fine, the only thing is, you don’t need to raise the ISO above 800 and you don’t need to stretch the shadows too much, and everything will be fine. The colors he gives are simply gorgeous, the picture is amazingly lively, the color is also gorgeous.

      • Vladislav

        Good evening ! Do not tell me, 64 GB CF will pull? Need a practical answer.

        • Arkady Shapoval

          Yes Easy

      • Mr. Boggy

        Well, in general, digital SLRs from the Kenon series of pro and advanced series are very complex in technology and production, there is a video on YouTube where 1D mk2 is taken apart, there are also a lot of clock-accurate mechanisms and separate electronics boards in an armored case with rudiments from a film SLR, as many write Units are the most sophisticated DSLRs in terms of technology. But I saw 50d in the same place on the parsing, there are also plates of stiffness-frame, and it is very difficult to disassemble, not to mention the assembly ...

  • Vladislav

    Good evening, Arkady! A 64 GB CF will pull, easy?

  • Ashot

    Hello. I choose the first DSLR, "universal". I am considering buying options:
    1) Canon d7 kit 18-55
    2) Nikon d7000 kit 18-55
    3) Nikon d7000 kit 18-105
    4) Nikon d7000 body + lens (recommend which one)

    The main question is what to choose, Canon d7 or Nikon d7000

    • Ivan

      Canon cannot be D7, only 7D.

      • Ashot

        Sorry, sealed

    • BB

      It's a matter of religion))
      If you lean towards Nikon (like me), then I recommend the D7100 / D7200, the 7000th model is the first in this series, therefore it is 'damp' in some respects.
      18-105 is an ordinary good universal 'kit', I have been using 18-105 since 2011, then I bought an additional 18-140 for a second carcass. Convenient FD, good image quality.

    • B. R. P.

      The 7D is a higher class, so to speak, than the D7000.

    • koba

      if between 7D and D7000, then you need to take Canon 7D. This option also benefits from the fact that it is the cheapest fashionable to get one of those few zooms that will really allow you to get technically high-quality frames, as well as not lose many frames in various conditions. They mean the Keno 17-55 / 2,8. If you are going to take the aforementioned whale zooms, then for the result it does not matter which camera you take.

      • Victor

        Judging by the examples from this canon at open and even slightly covered, especially at a wide corner, this cannot be said.
        Even sigma 17-50 will be better, and even nikkor even more so.
        In general, Nikon has a bunch of high-quality screwdriver optics, in contrast to Canon, where the quality just starts with elec.

        • Pokemon

          "In general, Nikon has a bunch of high-quality screwdriver optics, unlike Canon, where the quality just begins with the electronic."
          I agree.

          • Oleg

            your screwdriver died

            • Victor

              I don't know, it works for me :-)

            • Pokemon

              Choi that?
              Pannochka is still alive.
              Foreigners do not hesitate to use screwdriver glasses. And Nikon still produces cameras with a screwdriver.

          • Michael

            Hmm? I did not notice. Is that nikkor 10.5 is very good

        • Alexander

          I can't judge from my own experience, but I've seen about a dozen of comparative tests Canon 17-55.2,8 / Sigma 17-50.2.8 / Tamron 17-50.2,8, where Canon's superiority is clearly visible in the above photos. His chorus was called L-coy for a crop, except perhaps without dust and moisture protection. Only the price, as it was, remains 1,5 ~ 2 times higher than the indicated competitors, which is new, which is used. Maybe you saw pictures from the whale Canon 18-55.3.5-5.6? Here it is noticeably inferior to all of the above, incl. and Sigme.
          Nikon does have good lenses. I have a wonderful Nikon 18-70.3,5-4,5 (whale from the D70s, now there are only a penny on the secondary), I'm very sorry that it's okay not to put it on Canon.

          • Denis

            18-105 is even better than 18-70. and 16-85, in turn, is better than 18-105

          • Victor

            Of course, I don't confuse with 18-55 :)

            Sigma 17-50 in case of a successful copy is certainly better than Canon 17-55.

  • Paul

    Good day to all.
    I have a question now about Canon 4000d and the ability to change it to 7d, is it worth it in 21, the 7d has a mileage of about 35 thousand frames.

    • Alexey

      AF, reliability, rate of fire and ergonomics of the seven are beyond competition. the picture of all the crops is about the same. it depends much more on optics. and the four-digit series kenon is generally a hellish bottom))

    • Victor

      Of course it is worth, 4000d plastic balalaika, miserable in everything a little more than completely.

      Even the old amateur 550d who is 100 years old at lunchtime, and that is better, there is nothing to say about the seven.

    • Novel

      The funny thing is that the 7D and 4000D use the same sensor (it was used for at least 100D), and the 4000D processor is even more advanced. So the picture will be identical in terms of image quality and noise. In terms of focusing speed, the 4000D is also not bad, it feels like it was cut specifically for the purpose of reducing the cost and for marketing purposes. With a normal buffer, at least its rate of fire should be better than 7D, but alas, the buffer is cut there.

      Therefore, if we take typical scenarios, without emphasizing all-weather and some kind of sport, there will be no fundamental difference. Moreover, the 4000D has WiFi. If it is worth changing, then to the 7D Mark II or to a model with a rotating screen, depending on needs. Or already mirrorless full frame. Everything else will not give this wow-feeling from a fundamentally cooler technique, it is better to invest in lenses and your own technique.

      Amateurs devote too much time to the choice of carcasses and lenses. TOO.

      • Mr. Boggy

        Well, for beginners, and who does not want a pitfall from B.U., 4000d is an affordable option, like 550d with the same matrix in its time. I remember how I started with 400d, I really remember its megapixels - sharp on budget and old glasses, Elka 24-105 on it is almost a razor. But here's a stripped-down small body, creaking trim elements - constantly enraged, there was a feeling that it was deliberately done so that you would not feel the norms of the technique, but some kind of Soap dish ... After FED 5 v it was so uncomfortable for me, my hands were big. So, with all the contradictory features of 18 megapixel crop, it is 7d that is also good because it has micro-adjustment, at least for fixes, is already successful. And I think that he has a thinner filter on the matrix. Well, also a comfortable, grippy 5d-sized body, durable and not squeaky. It will be convenient when he pulls on telephones from 400 mm ... In general, it is precisely the impossibility of taking something at the start that is more or less suitable for personal requirements, and causes a race for carcasses in the future. And now I am ripe, I want Fuji gfh 50R from BZK, crop-sf, but the price of one carcass is 280 thousand rubles. … It is very expensive. We will wait for good prices for bu, but I'm afraid I'll grow old))).

  • Peter

    Good day! Does this camera support 256 Gb memory cards?

    • Mr. Boggy

      No, only up to 128 GB. Perhaps the second version supports more volume ...

Add a comment

Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2012/12/obzor-canon-7d/?replytocom=247672

Versión en español de este artículo https://radojuva.com/es/2012/12/obzor-canon-7d/?replytocom=247672