Canon 70D Review

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Canon 70D Review

Canon EOS 70D review

The Canon 70D was introduced on July 2, 2013, and, in fact, became a replacement for Canon 60D... 70D is a wonderful advanced amateur APS-C A camera that is perfect for enthusiastic photographers. Personally, I really liked the camera, because it has several revolutionary technologies that should bring SLR cameras to a whole new level of development. First of all, this concerns video shooting and the convenience of using Live View.

Canon 70D

Canon EOS 70D, side view.

Since the release of the Canon 7D in September 2009, all subsequent Canon APS-C cameras have been built around the same sensor found in the 7D. And finally, after 4 years, Canon released a camera with new unique matrix Dual Pixel CMOS AF. Personally, I have long been waiting for Canon to come to its senses and do something new. I suppose that we will see this new matrix in a huge number of subsequent models.

Canon 70D

Canon 70D, top view. Buttons are visible for quick access to basic functions.

First of all, Canon 70D is interesting precisely for its matrix, which can create images with a maximum size of 5472 by 3648 pixels, which is 19.961.856 pixels. Usually this number is rounded to 20 MP, or 20.2 MP is used (the reasons are described here) For taking pictures, the camera can use the ISO range 100-12.800, and you can also shoot at an extended ISO H value (equivalent to 25.600). For video recording, the ISO range is 100-6400, expandable to ISO H (12.800).

Separately, I want to note the automatic ISO control function. It was available in other Canon cameras a long time ago, but in the 70D I first saw the opportunity to set the maximum duration excerpts for modes P, AV... The values ​​can be set to Auto, 1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1/4, 0.5, 1 ”. When shooting in P (program mode), Av (aperture priority) the automatic ISO control function will try to prevent excerpt has become longer than the specified value. When set to 'Auto' excerpt will be determined depending on the focal length of the lens. A similar, sometimes more advanced feature is available in 90% of all Nikon central control centers, and learning to use it can save a lot of time setting up the camera. For example, using a lens Canon EF-S 18-135mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM I set the value to 1/250 s and forgot what a grease or shake is.

Also, the auto ISO control function allows you to set the minimum and maximum ISO values. True, the maximum value for the function corresponds to the value 12.800; you cannot choose the value H (25.600). In addition, in the settings you can set the ISO range, which will be available for quick manual adjustment using the 'ISO' button.

Canon 70D

Canon 70D, display in the closed position.

Conventional focusing with the mirror down is accomplished with a 19 cross-type phase focusing unit. The same focusing system is used in the Canon 7D. As it should be, the 70D has a variety of focusing adjustments, including the ability to fine tune focus to compensate for back or front focus. An entire C.Fn II block is highlighted in the Custom Functions menu for customizing the focusing system. You can read more about phase focus modules in Canon cameras here.

When the mirror rises and the Live View mode is turned on, the Dual Pixel CMOS AF focus system is taken.

To implement each pixel on the camera sensor, two separate photodiodes are used. Thus, the pixel is divided into left and right parts, each of which is able to work to determine the phase difference. In fact, each pixel of the camera’s matrix turns into a separate phase focusing point, which makes it possible to focus with previously impossible speed and accuracy. This is especially important when shooting movies. I can say with confidence that the 70D is the first DSLR camera with more or less adequate focus when shooting video, as well as focusing with Live View to take photos.

Splitting a pixel into two parts for phase focusing

Splitting a pixel into two parts for phase focusing. The bottom layer is painted in red and blue, but this is done only for visual separation, both parts are equally sensitive to color.

During shooting, the signal from each half of the pixel is combined, as a result, in the photo and video, the effect of dividing the pixel into two parts disappears. For completeness, it is worth noting that in fact the CMOS matrix is ​​built from sub-pixels of the Bayer pattern, which, together with the effect of the AA filter, adds its own complexity to creating such a sensor. It should be added that an increase in the number of pixels increases the amount of their electrical 'body kit', which may not have the best effect on the noise level and other indicators.

Prior to this, among all SLR cameras, only Sony cameras with a translucent mirror and electronic viewfinder (Sony SLT) had fast focusing when shooting video. It is worth noting that Canon and before that, implemented good practices that were designed to improve the focus speed in Live View. So, on models Canon 650D и 700DHybrid focusing system was installed CMOS AF, but on Canon 100D - Hybrid CMOS AF II. But still, there were obvious flaws in the work on these cameras, and it was difficult to shoot video and photos using Live View.

Canon claims that focusing using the Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor allows you to keep a person’s face in focus even when moving, including when shooting on a fast lens with a small DOF :). I want to note that this Dual Pixel CMOS AF is not like built-in phase focus sensors on other cameras.

The phase focusing area with Dual Pixel CMOS AF makes up the center 80% of the sensor area, as shown in the photo below. The rest of the sensor has the same dual photodiode pixel structure, but is not used for focusing for a number of technical reasons.

The central part of the sensor, which performs phase focusing

The central part of the sensor, which performs phase focusing

Also, revolutionary is the fact that the Dual Pixel AF phase focusing system allows focusing on lenses with a maximum aperture ratio of at least 1:11. For example, even the most advanced SLR cameras, such as Canon 1Dx, Nikon D4s, can easily use conventional phase focus sensors with lenses no darker than F / 8.0. For the 70D, the ability to focus normally at closed apertures is primarily important when shooting video.

When working with the camera, I was very surprised that in Live View the camera quickly focuses on sharpness even in pitch darkness. In the examples of photos there is a photo with a cup of tea. The lights were turned off in our house and I studied the 70D menu out of boredom. When the idea came up to take a cup of tea, there was enough light from the display of my phone for quick focusing. Then I took pictures of the cup using a flashlight.

Canon 70D

Battery, Battery Compartment, and Canon 70D Camera Memory Card Slot

Canon 70D can shoot video in Full HD quality 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25 or 23.976 fps), 1280 x 720 (59.94 or 50 fps), 640 x 480 (59.94 or 50 fps) and two types compression ALL-I or IPB. I was a little surprised why the Canon 70D doesn't have the ability to shoot Full HD 60i or 60p video? Some Nikon DSLRs do a pretty good job of this. On the 70D, video is recorded with sound from a stereo microphone, the camera has an input for an external microphone. Probably the most important thing in a camera is how the focusing system works when shooting video. To test the operation of the focusing system, I used two STM lenses, which are designed to provide fast and high-quality focusing when shooting video - Canon 18-55mm STM и Canon 18-135mm STM... With both lenses, the camera focused quickly enough. Of course, sometimes there were mistakes, when the lens started to move the lenses in the wrong direction, or when the focusing got stuck, but in general, autofocusing when shooting video really reached a new level :).

For the sake of justice, I want to note that the focus when shooting video is inferior to Sony SLT cameras (cameras with a translucent mirror).

Canon 70D

Canon 70D with expanded display

Measurement exposure implemented using a 63-zone sensor with dual-layer SPC and iFCL, the same as on a huge number of other Canon EOS cameras. This sensor first appeared in the Canon 7D. The camera makes accurate measurements without any problems. exposure even with manual lenses. You will find detailed information in the section 'Canon Camera Metering Sensors'.

Canon 70D

Canon EOS baby camera 100D and Canon EOS 70D

Canon 70D weighs 755 grams and is made in a dust and water resistant body. When shooting, the camera easily tolerated light rain for two days. The device sits comfortably in my hand, the grip and some parts of the camera are rubberized. Everything is in good Canon style. The controls are very similar to Canon 60D, they just swapped the buttons a little, and on the top of the camera we added another button responsible for setting the focus areas (which is sometimes very convenient).

But unlike 60D The new camera uses a touch screen. I have already written more than once that the touch control on the Canon central control wheel is sensible and in some situations it’s even easier for me, a person who loves big buttons, to poke my fingers into the camera’s display a couple of times :). Of course, the display is rotatable, a large 3-inch by 1.040.000 pixels with an aspect ratio of 3: 2 (photos can be viewed without black strips). The same display is used on Canon 600D и 700D. Of course, it’s a pity that for sighting through JVI only 98% coverage with 0.95x magnification is used.

Canon 70D

Canon 70D with full-time lens Canon EF-S 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM

Canon 70D shoots at maximum speed 7 frames per second and has almost the same performancelike the Canon 7D. Such a speed should be enough for any amateur photographer.

If you disable all the additional functions that reduce the number of shots:

  • Peripheral correction. lighting
  • Chromate correction. aberrations
  • Auto ISO
  • Auto Brightness
  • Shumopod. when it lasts. shutter speed
  • Shumopod. at high ISO
  • Range extension ISO
  • Light priority

then it will fit into the buffer:

  • 15-16 RAW frames
  • 9 frames MRAW
  • 11 frames SRAW
  • 8 frames RAW + JPEG L
  • 40 frames JPEG L
  • > 99 frames JPEG M

If you enable all additional settings, then it is placed in the buffer:

  •  12 RAW frames
  •  8 frames MRAW
  •  10 frames SRAW
  •  7 frames RAW + JPEG L
  •  26 frames JPEG L
  • 78 frames JPEG M

Nice that frame buffer does not sags much when using functions that improve the original image. RAW files weigh from 20 to 40 MB and are slow SD card, a series of pictures takes a very long time to record.

Canon 70D can only use one memory card SD (or SDHC/SDXC). And another important innovation is the presence of built-in Wi-fi. Using it, you can control the camera from your smartphone (if you install the necessary software), and on your smartphone or tablet you can immediately see what the camera sees. You can also view captured material from the memory card, copy, delete, etc. There is just one very strange feature - when Wi-fi is turned on, video recording is completely disabled :).

More useful features:

  1. The camera can remotely control external flashes using the built-in.
  2. HDR function (only works when shooting in JPEG).
  3. The touch screen allows you to take a picture with one touch on the screen.
  4. A virtual horizon, and the function also works when sighted through JVI.
  5. Multiple exposure.
  6. Sensor cleaning system.
  7. Camera supports excerpts up to 1/8000 s. Flash sync speed - 1/250 sec.
  8. You can also buy a GPS receiver.
  9. There is a quiet shooting mode.
  10. etc.

For many functions there is a help in the camera menu, available by pressing the 'Info' button (or using the touchscreen).

Canon 70D

Canon EOS 70D with Soviet lens Helios-44 2/58installed through an adapter M42-Canon EOS.

My experience

After shooting 70D for a week, I came to the conclusion that the camera is really very good in many ways. I really liked the touchscreen, which can sometimes be used to get to the desired setting very quickly. Video shooting, as well as focusing using Live View, are of little interest to me, I use them extremely rarely, but for fans of video on a SLR camera, the 70D is a real godsend. However, in image quality, the 70D is not that far removed from the 7D.

Here link to the archive with the originals - 973 MB, 40 photos in .CR2 format (RAW) All photos taken on Canon EF-S 18-135mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM.

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 70D

Canon 100D and 70D

Results

Canon 70D is a very nice camera. Among the rest of the 'real DSLRs' it has a new, really working (!) Technology that provides fast focusing in Live View mode, including when shooting video. The rest of the camera is also very good. I recommend the 70D as one of the best Canon Advanced Hobby Crops. When choosing a Canon DSLR camera, I advise you to look at the 'Which Canon camera to choose?'.

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

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Comments: 136, on the subject: Canon 70D review

  • luca

    hola, no puedo ver en display el tiempo restante de memoria. me dan una mano. en Canon d70, gracias

  • Bogdan

    Let me tell you, here it is possible to adjust each of the buttons, so that when looking at a photo, it immediately shows an impression, rather than constantly pressing “+”.?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      rather, for all this there is no such possibility

    • Gregor_S

      dorechі garna idea

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