Canon returns to tackle Nikon in midrange with EOS 7D dSLR

(Credit: Canon USA)

Updated, September 1, 2009: As expected, Canon announced the 7D, and all the rumor information turned out to be correct. I've added more details below.

There's enough seemingly reliable information floating around the Internet to guess that Canon plans to announce the long-rumored EOS 7D any day now. For those willing to slog through it, Canon Rumors offers up a difficult-to-parse Google Translate version of a Chinese press release from which everyone's painstakingly pulled the basic specs. (I'll update this post when the camera's officially announced; consensus has that happening on September 1, though it's not clear which continent that refers to, so it might be September 2 here in the U.S.)

(Credit: Canon USA)

Rather than an inexpensive but full-frame version of the 5D Mark II, the 7D looks to be a direct competitor for the Nikon D300s--and it's about time. Canon basically ceded the entry-level pro performance market to Nikon in 2005 with the arrival of the D200; since then, Canon's 30D, 40D, and 50D have taken the slower but less expensive road, with a relatively stagnant AF system, that Nikon leapfrogged. But with entirely new AF and metering systems, a new high-resolution (and seemingly low-noise) eight-channel readout sensor coupled with dual Digic 4 image processors and a new 100 percent coverage viewfinder, plus 1080p video capture, the 7D looks like an aggressive attempt to make a comeback.

Here's where it fits into Canon's line:

	Canon EOS 50D	Canon EOS 7D	Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Sensor (effective resolution)	15.1-megapixel CMOS	18-megapixel CMOS	21.1-megapixel CMOS
	22.3mm x 14.9mm	22.3mm x 14.9mm	36mm x 24mm
Magnification factor	1.6x	1.6x	1.0x
Sensitivity range	ISO 100 - ISO 3200/12,800 (expanded)	ISO 100 - ISO 6400/12,800 (expanded)	ISO 50 (expanded)/100- ISO 6,400/25,600(expanded)
Continuous shooting	6.3 fps 16 raw/90 JPEG	8 fps 15 raw/126 JPEG	3.9 fps 14 raw/310 JPEG
Viewfinder magnification	95% coverage 0.95x/0.59x	100% coverage 1.0x/0.63x	98% coverage 0.71x/0.71x
Autofocus	9-pt AF all cross-type	19-pt AF all cross-type; center cross-type to f2.8	9-pt AF center cross-type
Metering	35 zone	63 area	35 zone
Live View	Yes	Yes	Yes
Video	No	1,920x1,080 at 30fps; 1,280x720 at 60fps	1,920 x 1,080 at 30fps
LCD size	3 inches fixed 920,000 dots	3 inches fixed 920,000 dots	3 inches fixed 920,000 dots
Shutter durability	150,000 cycles	150,000 cycles	150,000 cycles
Wireless flash controller	No	Yes	No
On-camera flash	Yes	Yes	No
Battery life (CIPA rating)	640 shots	800 shots	n/a shots
Dimensions (inches, WHD)	5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9	5.8 x 4.4 x 2.9	6.0 x 4.5 x 3.0
Body operating weight (ounces)	29.8	30.7	32.9
Mfr. Price (body only)	$1,199.00	$1,699 (estimated)	$2,699.00

At $1,000 less than the 5D Mark II (based on unofficial price guesstimates), with high enough resolution for most people and a better AF system, the 7D looks like quite an attractive alternative. And if Canon has seriously improved its noise reduction at the high ISO sensitivities, the video support, better metering, and better AF make an attractive upgrade from the somewhat disappointing 50D.

Here's how it will likely stack up compared to the competition:

	Canon EOS 7D	Nikon D300s	Olympus E-3
Sensor (effective resolution)	18-megapixel CMOS	12.1-megapixel CMOS	10.1-megapixel Live MOS
	22.3mm x 14.9mm	23.6mm x 15.8mm	17.3 mm x 13mm
Magnification factor	1.6x	1.5x	2.0x
Sensitivity range	ISO 100 - ISO 6400/12,800 (expanded)	ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 1600/3200 (expanded)	ISO 100 - ISO 3200
Continuous shooting	8 fps 15 raw/126 JPEG	7 fps n/a raw/100 JPEG	4 fps 16 raw/unlimited JPEG
Viewfinder magnification/effective magnification	100% coverage 1.0x/0.63x	100% coverage 0.94x/0.63x	100% coverage 1.15x/0.58
Autofocus	19-pt AF all cross-type; center cross-type to f2.8	51-pt AF 15 cross-type	11-pt AF all cross-type
Metering	63 area	1,005 pixel	49 point
Live View	Yes	Yes	Yes
Video	1,920x1,080 at 30fps; 1280x720 at 60fps	1280x720 at 24fps	No
LCD size	3 inches fixed 920,000 dots	3 inches fixed 920,000 dots	2.5 inches articulated 230,000 dots
On-camera flash	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wireless flash controller	Yes	Yes	Yes
Shutter durability	150,000 cycles	150,000 cycles	n/a
Battery life (CIPA rating)	800 shots	950 shots	610 shots
Dimensions (inches, WHD)	5.8 x 4.3 x 2.9	5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9	5.6 x 4.6 x 2.9
Body operating weight (ounces)	30.7 (estimated)	34.2	31.6
Mfr. Price (body only)	$1,699.00 (body only); $1,899.00 (with 28-135mm lens)	$1,799.95	$1,399.99

I really like the D300s, and the 7D looks comparable or better in most ways--despite the specs, AF performance is an unknown until tested. In addition to adding AF areas, Canon greatly increased the sophistication of the system, with capabilities that now include Spot AF (allowing for a smaller single focus point), AF point expansion (to use a cluster of AF points around a selected area) and Zone AF (five selectable focusing zones composed of preset clusters of focus points). Some of these capabilities sound like those of the E-3's AF system, which I really like. And the new iFCL smart metering system (Intelligent, Focus, Color, Luminance) sounds like it works similarly to Nikon's in that it incorporates color information. Like the updated version of the 5D Mark II, the 7D supports manual exposure controls during video capture. The camera also sports a significantly redesigned weather-sealed body, and the new viewfinder has an LCD overlay for providing additional information, like an on-demand grid and electronic levels. and this is the first EOS dSLR to incorporate wireless flash.

The 7D will be available by the end of September. I'm looking forward to this one.

[The_JBJ]

You're missing one of the coolest details: 60 Frames Per Second at 720P resolution. Yeah. 60.

[chriscooksey]

are you serious? Thats a bit of a game changer. Maybe this will be one of the first dlsr's with a useful movie function

[SX10 IS]

Yes, the EOS 7D can take 720p HD at 60p (59.94fps) and at 50p. However, those are the only rates you can shoot 720p at. No 30p, 25p, or 24p (the 1080p frame rates; 30p is 29.97fps) are available for 1280 x 720.

"Normal" speed video is only available at 1080p. 640 x 480 is also 60p/50p.

(How do I know? I asked Canon.)

It's time for a firmware update for the 7D. Even before it hits the markets. (See the CNET digital cameras forum.)

[very_confused09]

isn't Pentax K-7 a closer competitor that Oly-3?

[SX10 IS]

Yeah, but CNET's a bit late with a review for that one.

[russkev]

Translated source I read said it does have wireless flash control.

[reng2005]

I think Lori goofed. In the first chart, the 50D has wireless flash controller and the 7D doesn't. In the second chart, the 7D has it.

[Teltec5]

You've got your international dates backwards. The date line is in the middle of the Pacific, so it's already Sept. 1 in Japan.

[holymoleephoto]

Its official! http://www.weddingphotographyblog.org/canon-7d-releasedcanon-7d-released

[joeyjoeyjoey]

What's nice about this camera is that Canon has finally included the ability for the onboard flash to trigger external EX series speedlights. While it appears to be able to do groups and ratios and not allow full manual controls it is a step in the right direction.

In addition the new 19 crosstype AF point is a very nice addition. However, it would have been nice if the spread was a bit "bigger" like in the 1D Mark III instead of being close together.

Either way this looks like a really nice body.

[reng2005]

Lori also got the D300s wrong -- it has ISO up to 3200, with 6400 expanded.

[lgrunin]

Thanks for the crowdsourced fact check, guys. It wasn't easy editing tables at 12:45AM with a kitten attempting to "help."

[crudis01]

Has anyone seen a list of supported lenses for the HD Video?

[SX10 IS]

If I'm not mistaken all EF and EF-S lenses can be used for both photo AND video.

[bleech]

Some missings:
The Pentax K7 [with better metering, better RGB White Balance sensor but slower AF].
The Sony A700 [with arguably the fastes AF].

[kalel33]

You've really been able to test the 7D and know that it's WB and metering are better? The K7 underexposes it's shots by default, so I guess underexposing is a better way to meter.....really? The Sony A700 is not at the speed of Canon or NIkon in AF speed. If it was then you'd see Sony used at sporting events. I've never seen one Sony on the sidelines of a sporting event, pro or amateur.

[half_n_half17]

Check boxes make great pictures don't they? When will cnet come out with an article about how most of the people lusting after a dslr would be better served by keeping the equipment they already have and enrolling in a class or two? A decent photographer can take fantastic pictures with a 3mp point and shoot from 2004 with a little planning and forethought. Resolution has so little to do with great photography. Where's the check box on color rendition (# of bits does not = color rendition)?

Hey, if they want to buy a new dslr, let them buy ....the economy needs the money.

[half_n_half17]

Are the teachers at photo schools and shops not part of the LOCAL economy? Last I checked, Canon ships from over seas.

[AmericanKochevnik]

This is true - but the more skill you have, the more power you crave (wait, isn't that the name of this blog?) for those situations where you need that power to get the great shot you see, but that the little 3mp point and shoot isn't going to zoom in 50m and capture sharp changes in facial expression under mixed lighting. Of course you can take great photos with just about anything - but you can take *more* great photos with something that expands the set of scenes you can reasonably capture. Resolution has little to do with great photography, but try publishing or exhibiting those great 3mp photos and you'll quickly find out why greater resolution is eminently useful when you want to be able to display them on something larger than a postcard.

[half_n_half17]

AK, good points but doesn't that argue that more people should spend their time/money on attending a workshop? More skill does indeed expose the limitations of hardware but my point is that there is much to be learned for the average dslr owner before (s)he goes out and buys Canon/Nikon/Sony's newest piece just because it has more in the check boxes. For example, in the mixed lighting scenario you gave, a photographer would probably be better served by a lesser model camera and a faster fixed lens. The problem though is knowing how to get consistently good focus on a subject's eyes at f/1.4 - along with the inherent white balance issues under mixed lighting. The camera can only take care of that so much before the photographer has to step in and make corrections based on what they are seeing in the viewfinder or LCD. Accurate white balance isn't always the most desired outcome and the same effect could probably have been achieved with an older and cheaper camera if you know how to use the equipment. So my gripe is that Cnet rarely talks about these sorts of issues before they go spouting off about the specs.

[jackiesRebelxt]

I seen this posted somewhere else... However, they suggested that you can just keep your old dslr (my rebel) and spend the money on some real glass (L series Lens)!!

Several years ago I used a point and shoot in a club, well so did everyone else and my shots were mediocre or just plain... I did all i can but the lighting was terrible. So, once I upgrade to a new dslr, I was the best photographer in the block or town!

I don't do weddings but I have been asked (hired) to do several sweet sixteen.... I would love to video some of the event and capture it with a new camera (all in one). I don't want to by a camcorder so why not upgrade with the Nikon D300s or Canon 7d! It need two bodies or I could sell my old one, and put the money towards this new one!
What do you think half_n_half!

I love the idea of a class or two! My job will pay for it! Great tip!

[SX10 IS]

Maybe 6-10 MP. Not 3.

[SX10 IS]

My parents will kill me, but I REALLY want to get this.

[DeCeccoNET]

@cnet... there is a mistake in your comparison between the 50D, 7D & 5Dmk2. You incorrectly list the 50D as including a wireless flash controller when it should in fact be the 7D.

[lgrunin]

Grrr. I think I've tried to fix this 3 times. Going back in again.