For the opportunity review of the legendary Canon EOS 7D body camera Many thanks to Georgy Abramashvili.
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
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 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
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 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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Please tell me which cleaner is best for the Canon 7D sensor?
Thanks for the wonderful review!
I decided to buy 7d, but before that I shot it only on nikon .. What main objective would you recommend taking first?
For shooting portraits, story photos .. I really want 50mm 1.4, but something with difficulty started to imagine the robot only with it .., but I can’t buy two right now (, expensive ..
ps and the photos in the review are those that 50mm 2.0 is what kind of lens? Do you accidentally have a 7d photo of people with different lenses?
Good topic. Everything is very clear and well told.
Thank you all.
Hello Arkady! I plan to take a camera, the choice is between 7D and D300s. I have studied the comments to 7D and D300s on your site, but I cannot make a choice. The main criterion is the lowest “noise” of the matrix and autofocus. Which would you prefer - 7D or D300s?
Autofocus in 7D is not very friendly with fixes. Focus adjustment does not help. many times with this stumbled
Strange, I have 7d friends perfectly with all the fixes))) It focuses very quickly and accurately. even in poor lighting)))
Arkady, thank you for the interesting review, everything is gorgeous and useful, especially for beginners, if you haven’t heard in your circles, 70D is planned, I hope that with the release prices may drop to junior models or 7D.
The only but very fatal drawback of this wonderful camera is noise. Noticeable even at low ISOs.
Minus, which crosses out all its many virtues. Even the 600D provides, under exactly the same conditions, many times a cleaner and more detailed picture.
I tormented myself with these noises for 6 months and sold an almost new camera with a range of 5000 frames. I bought 6D and was amazed at what a clean picture can be.
... This is MLM ...
After 7d, to buy a hat like 6d is of course PPC. 6ka in the hands like a toy and the shutter dies after 300t, after 7ki if ears and take 5d m3 like that.
and 300 thousand is not enough? ahah
6d gorgeous camera.
One of the biggest shortcomings of the whole camera is autofocus. vіn shvidky and even inaccurate !! Correction to autofocus is only possible in small parts. moreover, the type of illumination, intensity, is used to inflate. I tried the focusing mode with 5 frames, often 3 with a miss. obktivivi test rizni - 50mm1.8, 35mmL, 50mmL, 85mm1.8. Three or three of the autofocus, having driven myself from 70-200 f4 - I think only through this diaphragm. the camera of such pennies is clearly not vartu!
Does it make sense to change the 600D to 7D? Interested in picture quality. And I would like to know about the noise in the pictures. Are they color digital or just grain?
Noises on 7d appear during underexposure, you need to pay attention to the histogram (although this is typical for all photos) 7d grain is very similar to film grain. I like. There is practically no color noise, and if it suddenly appears (ISO 6400), then you can easily remove the noise reduction in the lightroom.
Excellent review, especially the accompanying photographs for fixes impressed! And if it is clear about 135 mm, Canon has only one, then there is no “fifty kopecks”) I am tormented by the question of what exactly these beautiful photographs were taken!) I really want to take the same glass for my creative work! PLEASE tell Arkady what this lens is! I would be infinitely grateful for your answer!
With respect!
Wonderful review, many thanks! I plan to buy this beautiful device the other day, tell me which lenses for this camera do you recommend? (for shooting portraits in the studio and outdoors)
Good day, I have a question for you, I’m going to take a 7d carcass, and I want to take a 18-135 lens, but it’s already new with STM, by the way; WILL HE WORK WITH IT? Thanks.
da, budet. u menea takoi esti. no eto horosho dlea nacealnogo etapa. ili kak ob'ektiv dlea puteshestvii.
Good evening!
Tell me, is there a Live View in this camera?
da, esti. i oceni horosho rabotaet. no ia im ne pol'zuiusi. prosto proboval paru raz.
Thank you)
I would be grateful for advice - which camera to choose as the first for 2-3 years (in order to learn how to shoot well, and to make it pleasant to shoot) - 7D or 70D (called a worthy successor to the 7D). For about 10 years I have been using simple digital cameras, but I have long wanted more.
All knowledge about DSLRs is only theoretical. Having approached the choice of the camera, I stopped at 7-ke and 70-ke, but I just can’t choose it completely.
From my experience of choosing the first camera, I can say - no difference. Moreover, having taken the expensive first camera, I took the second one cheaper (more professional, but also an older model). If finances allow you to buy these cameras without damage, then take any. You will definitely not be disappointed. 7d - a reliable old man, proven in battles, 70d - an attempt to replace the old man. Both cameras are comparable in quality and will serve you faithfully for many years. If you still have little experience in photography, I advise you to take something that is cheaper, perhaps in a year and a half or earlier you will understand that without a full-frame matrix you will have to change the body. By the way, if the 70d will noticeably decrease in price for the next couple of years, then the 7d is already being sold for almost the minimum price for itself and will become cheaper much more slowly. So, if you haven't bought something yet, it is better to take 7d - it will be much easier to sell it with the least losses in a year.
I fight against the wall, because I can not choose 6 or 7d to take !!! Help me figure it out - I need more for portraiture.
If the choice is between 6d and 7d, and the question of price is not worth it, then, of course, 6d. If for a reportage, for street photography, for hiking, then there could still be some speculation, but for a portrait a full-frame matrix would be better than a small-pixel crop. On the other hand, if the question of price is still worth it, then you can take 7d or even something simpler, and buy a lens with the remaining money. By the way, in my studio conditions, with several flashes, a decent background and reflectors, I get excellent portraits even on Canon 400d with 50mm 1.8. A little processing and it is impossible to distinguish them from my own photographs on more expensive sets of carcass + optics from Nikon. If you are seriously planning to get carried away with portraits, then even the first 5d is enough - there would be good optics at hand.
Good day! Please tell me how canon 7d external flash traps, infrared port, radio sync control external flash? Also the maximum range for controlling external flashes without a transmitter? And how to disable the built-in flash when controlling external flash units?
Probably just now ripe for feedback on this camera. Before it were Canon 10D and Canon 300D (this is digital).
1. Almost immediately, I almost returned the camera to the store. because the focus on fixes was not just blurry or mistaken, but didn’t get at all, it turned out there was an autofocus adjustment, but it almost didn’t work on native lenses, and if the adjuster appeared on the sigma then others should be immediately taken to the service and checked after in different modes and under different lighting conditions and shooting conditions;
2. Due to the cropped size and 18M pixels, the camera is demanding for exposure and does not always work correctly with lenses with stabilizers, the so-called shake;
3. Very demanding on lenses, i.e. the result is obtained only on expensive and adjusted optics for this camera, for example, “the canon ef402,8 stm pancake did not work correctly on it, although sometimes it produces masterpiece images, but by accident;
4. The abundance of settings pleases, but the camera opens only in manual mode and with spot metering, so it can be recommended only to professionals or amateurs who are willing to spend their time studying the features of the camera and fine-tuning for themselves sometimes with the involvement of specialized service organizations;
Therefore, I recommend the camera only to professionals or professional lovers of the rest will be disappointed. At the same time, for example, 5D (any revision) is deprived of the above-mentioned shortcomings and any amateur is relieved from studying the basics briefly described above.
:) From here you scared people.
write in more detail about this “the camera is demanding on exposure and does not always work correctly with lenses with stabilizers, the so-called shake”, it is not entirely clear what and how.
Moved from seven to mark3. After the reporting chamber, Mark as a cow is dull and slow. The difference in the picture with straight hands is tiny and insignificant. Sold took again 7ku. Mark worked for a year. According to ISO, on the brand, anyway, by any means above 1600 I did not bully. An alternative to it is only 1dx. But the price is sky-high. And the dreams that you can save money and take Mark3 and get something at least similar to 7d nonsense. Mark 3 is only for unhurried, sooo slow work. Where all its more than 60 points do not need nafig, and there is much less noise on 6d ..)
It’s possible to shoot a report on mark3 and .. look at the illusion that I have a picture such that no one who doesn’t have it will take it off. But when after turning the power lever in less than 0.5 seconds, the finished frame comes out and in all other respects the camera obeys in no time. And it is really protected, not just on paper. My conclusion is that I lost extra money when switching to Mark. Although I understand that if only I had not held the sevens in my hands, then the sensations were completely different. Reporting is evil. Now only 1dx. Canon has wise marketers;)
Good review, photo. Thanks. Only a lot of text about the camera of another manufacturer, this is not a comparison of who is cooler, but a review.
Who can tell you more about the 7D focus setting? Only who really did it on their camera. I don't need a retelling of the instructions, I read it. I have lenses sftstt 28-135 f / 35.-5.6 IS, canon 50 f / 1.4, sigma 10-20 f / 3.5. Native lenses sometimes miss, especially canon 50 f / 1.4 and at f / 1.4. But the Sigma at f / 3.5 “drives” focus and cannot focus. Poodu is grateful for advice and any sensible thought.
read carefully the instructions for setting the tracking autofocus from 1D Mark III, they are very similar with 7D, only the numbering of custom settings in the camera menu differs on some functions.
Please tell me, Arkady, what kind of lenses were the photos posted in this review shot? It’s just not quite clear the information indicated under the photo (50 and 135) is the focal lengths or lenses of the fixes and if it’s just distances, then what was the lens and these distances already taking into account the crop or not?
https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/11/obzor-auto-revuenon-2-8-135mm/ и https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/11/obzor-auto-revuenon-1-8-50-mc/
Arkady I have a question on canon eos 7D - do I need a chip (dandelion) on the adapter ring (adapter) for M42 lenses to indicate camera focus?
Thank you for the wonderful review.
Yes, it is needed for all Canon cameras.
Guys, tell me please. I have a Canon 600D but are not comfortable with exposing the frame on manual optics. Constant overexposure and lack of proper exposure in aperture priority mode. There is a fleet of AF optics for Canon. Should I upgrade to the Nikon 7000, or is the Canon 7D all right when exposed to manual optics?
I would not want to sell 4 lenses for canon and flash. And the transition to another system will require this.
Please, who has such experience - please tell me. Canon 60D is also not against to consider. But something tells me that Nikon 7000 is beyond competition in this price group ...
Well, I have no problems with exposure on the 7D in the aperture priority mode on manual optics. The only thing that confuses is that the camera needs confirmation of focusing, so at least you need to crack it! And since switching AF-MF only on lenses, it is sometimes problematic to get this confirmation, switching to the tracking focus mode - All Servo saves the situation a little. And more about the exposure ... Nobody bothers to aim and find such an exposure in manual mode that suits you.
The more light in the frame, the larger the hole, example: - on the hole 2.8 overexposure, open it to 2.0-1.8 (on the chip), etc., if the glass is light, the chips are up to 1.4, then everything will be fine with exposure metering, and vice versa , the darker, the more clamped, up to 4.0-5.0 and everything will be fine with your manuals, in the priority of the aperture.
Perhaps it has already been discussed somewhere, but I will ask again. Tell me 7d fully supports STM lenses or is this function only in 70d and 700d? Thanks.
I mean autofocus on stm lenses when shooting video on 7d
Personally, I tried STM lenses at 7d, and compared the same lens at 700d. it focuses if it’s honestly about the same, however, in order to focus when shooting video, you need to press the autofocus button, it will not focus automatically (7d), of course the video will notice how the camera focuses, however, it is noticeable on 700d. So here very much depends on the STM lens, and 7d on the STM behaves very well.