The Canon EOS 7D closes the gap in Canon’s EOS digital SLR lineup. Now Canon offers digital SLRs in a range from 10.1 megapixels to 21.1 megapixels, with the 7D coming in at 18 megapixels. The 7D is similar to the Canon 50D size-wise and closer to the Canon 5D Mark II in weight. In spite of the similarities to these models, the Canon 7D has a number of never before seen new features.

The 7D camera is available for purchase in two kits: body only or with Canon’s EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens. Both kids include an eyecup, neck strap, stereo AV and USB interface cables, battery pack and charger, as well as CD-ROM software and a hard copy manual. The 7D kit with lens usually runs $1700-$1800.

The new features on the Canon 7D include a new 19 point autofocus system, an intelligent focus, color and luminance metering system, and an intelligent viewfinder and continuous shooting rate of up to eight frames per second. On top of all that, the 7D features a new electronic level and is capable of shooting in full 1080p HD.

Body-wise the 7D is similar to most other Canon digital-SLRs in terms of button and dial placement and feel in hand. The new electronic level is displayed on the adequately sized LCD monitor on the back of the camera, and you can utilize it during both normal shooting and Live View modes. There is a very handy quick control button above the menu button that will give you access to a number of shooting settings without having to scroll through any internal menus.

The menus on the 7D are rather extensive and have quite a few options not available on many other D-SLRs in this price range. In fact, they are more typical of point and shoot cameras and entry level digital-SLRs. These menus won’t cramp your style if you’re a seasoned photographer and can only make you more comfortable if you’re just starting out. The menus and modes include the following settings: full auto (camera sets everything, the user can select image quality and self timer), creative auto (camera controls settings, user has more options including image quality, single and continuous low-speed shooting, self timer, some color options, exposure compensation and background control), program auto (camera selects aperture and shutter speed, user has a variety of inputs), aperture priority (user sets aperture and other options, camera sets shutter speed), shutter priority (user sets shutter speed and a variety of other options, camera controls aperture), manual (user sets aperture and shutter speed, plus a number of other options), bulb (shutter stays open while button is held down, user can choose from a variety of other inputs), camera user settings (three additional custom modes that give the user the ability to save preferred camera settings for quick use later). There is also a movie mode.

Shooting can begin virtually instantly once you turn the 7D on, which is how it should be with a digital SLR in this price-range. Sensor cleaning takes about three seconds when you switch the camera on, which you can abort by pressing the shutter button halfway. There is almost no shutter lag with the 7D and very little auto-focus acquisition time. The 7D also has a continuous shooting mode that can shoot as fast as eight frames per second, faster than any almost any camera in its class.

Image quality with the Canon EOS 7D have nice color, contrast and sharpness, but you’ll have to resize for both printing or internet/email usage as the output at 72 dpi results in a 72x48” image at 100% enlargement. Auto white balance works well on the 7D for most lighting conditions and noise starts to creep in at ISO 800, though it isn’t terribly noticeable. Noise is considerably more noticeable at ISOs 3200 and 6400.

The Canon EOS 7D is a very capable digital-SLR at a reasonable price. The interesting mix of features on the 7D bring a great level of performance for an SLR at this price point. The 7D fits comfortably in Canon’s line-up and the mix of features makes it a good choice for beginner and advanced amateur alike.

Recommended: Yes.

Key Features

- 18.0 effective megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor.

- Dual DIGIC 4 image processors.

- 100% viewfinder frame coverage with 1.0× magnification.

- 1080p HD video recording at 24p, 25p and 30p with drop frame timing.

- 720p HD video recording at 50p (50 Hz) and 60p (59.94 Hz) [2]

- 480p ED video recording at 50p (50 Hz) and 60p (59.94 Hz).

- 8.0 frames per second continuous shooting.

- ISO sensitivity 100–6400 (expandable to 12,800).

- 3.0-inch Clear View II LCD screen with 640 × 480 (921,600 dots) resolution.

- 19 point auto-focus system, all cross-type

- 63 zone colour sensitive metering system

- Built-in Speedlite transmitter

- Magnesium alloy body.

- Pop-up flash

- Weather sealing

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