Canon EOS 7D
A fast APS-C DSLR with advanced controls and HD video, built for speed and precision.
Overview
The Canon EOS 7D is a DSLR for enthusiasts and professionals who want fast performance in a compact body. It has an 18MP APS-C sensor with a 1.6x crop factor and shoots continuously at 8 frames per second. The sensor is smaller than full frame, but Canon positioned the 7D as its best mini-format DSLR, a big step up from predecessors like the 50D and 10D. It records HD video and has dedicated rear controls for it, which made it one of the first Canon DSLRs to streamline movie shooting.
Specifications
| Sensor | 1.6x (APS-C) 18MP |
| Continuous shooting speed | 8 fps |
| Autofocus system | 19-point AF |
| Video capability | HD |
| Weight | 915 g (32.3 oz) with battery and memory card |
Design
The EOS 7D has the best ergonomics Canon had made up to that point, and they were later copied in the 5D Mark III and 6D. A Quick Control Screen lets you change settings without going into the menus. Three Total Recall camera state memories are available instantly from the top dial. The build feels partly plastic, though both cameras feel similar in hand. Movie controls now sit on the back, which simplifies video operation. The new 19-point AF system draws large black rectangles on the screen when active - they stay visible during composition, which can be distracting. The autofocus system, while advanced, is considered less reliable than Canon's classic 9-point design, and the new 2-color metering system is seen as inferior to older monochrome versions.
Context
The EOS 7D was a completely new design that surpassed the Canon 50D, which itself was evolutionarily linked to the 2003 10D. It is not Canon's best overall DSLR, because of its smaller 1.6x sensor. It did offer high-end features at a lower cost than full-frame models like the 5D Mark II. It was praised as Canon's best mini-format DSLR, and some reviewers considered it the best Canon camera ever made for certain types of shooting, second only to the 5D Mark II.
Market
As of 2014, the EOS 7D body was priced at $999.00 after a $500 rebate from $1,499.00. Bundles included the 28-135mm IS lens at $1,099.00 (after $600 rebate) and the 18-135mm IS lens at $1,299.00 (after $500 rebate). By March 2015, prices dropped. The body sold for $749.00, the 28-135mm IS bundle for $849.00, and the 18-135mm IS bundle for $1,099.00.
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