Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Body Only)
by Canon
Our Price: $1,549.00
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $1,099.99 (click here)
Category: Digital Camera
See more product details
Customers in the UK,
buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: CanonAudio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Release Date: 2009-11-30
Model: 3814b004
Color: black
Product features:
- 18.0-megapixel CMOS Sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors for high image quality and speed
- Body only; lenses sold separately. Advanced HD movie mode with manual exposure control and selectable frame rates
- Intelligent Viewfinder with 100 percent field of view; 19-point, all cross-type AF system equipped with dual diagonal cross-type sensors
- Capture images to CF Card Type I and II, UDMA-compliant CF cards (not included)
- What's in the box: EOS 7D Digital SLR Body, Eyecup Eg, Wide Neck Strap EW-EOS7D, Stereo AV Cable AVC-DC400ST,USB Interface Cable IFC-200U,Battery Pack LP-E6, Battery Charger LC-E6, EOS Digital Solution Disk, Great Photography is Easy" Booklet and "Do More with Macro" Booklet,Software Instruction Manual
- Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
- Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD VC (Vibration Compensation) Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
- Canon RS-80N3 Remote Switch for EOS-1V/1VHS, EOS-3, EOS-D2000, D30, D60, 1D, 1Ds, EOS-1D Mark II,III, EOS-1Ds Mark II,III, EOS-10D, 20D, 30D,40D, 50D, 5D
- Tamron AF 60mm f/2.0 SP DI II LD IF 1:1 Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
- Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Body Only)
Customer Review: Should I Buy This Camera?
Summary: 5 Stars
I think this question is one that most of us ask ourselves when considering a purchase of this magnitude. The question is not an easy one, and I'm not sure I made the correct decision in purchasing this marvelous piece of technology. Let me put it in perspective; I am a prosumer camera user. I love photography and take a variety of photographs including family pictures, sports photography (see photos at smugmug for gatorowl), and casual street photography. I have owned lots of cameras including film, digital P&S and DSLRs. The 7D is my sixth DSLR (including a DReb XSI that I sold after two weeks). Before the 7D, my main camera was a 40D, which I found to be satisfactory especially the image quality (IQ). The negatives of the 40D are lack of weather sealing, 6.5 frames per second (fps) repeat rate, 1600 ISO max (can be pushed higher) and some focusing issues especially in sports photography. Of course, when comparing with the the DReb series, these "negatives" immediately become positives. The 40D has better construction, much faster repeat rate, and much better focussing (the T1i has, arguably better high ISO capabilities). The 40D compares well with the Nikon D90. Both cameras are very close. The D90 has video, better high ISO performance, and is a little more compact. However, it is a little slower in repeat rate, and I found selecting D90 focus points a bit on the clumsy side. Anyway, because of lens choices, I decided to go Canon. The 50D held no allure mainly because it was an incremental improvement. So, I thought my kit was set for at least a couple of years.
Notice that in the above discussion, I never talk about IQ. Of all the 10MP or better DSLRs that I have used, there is no noticeable difference in IQ. However, after the 7D announcement and some of the preliminary reviews, I was convinced that the 7D was a quantum improvement over the 40D in every respect. I panicked, sold my 40D and bought a 7D.
So, what did I find? The 7D is a great camera and is a clear improvement over the 40D. In some respects, it is substantially better than a 40D, but IQ isn't one of those major improvements. If you look at your files at 100%-300%, you will see more detail in a 7D shot. I have a standard photo that I take in my office when I get a new lens. I had to blow the photos up to 300% before I could detect differences. There was more texture detail in the 7D and the contrast and saturation were better. However, to be honest, it's not clear how much of this difference is attributable to the camera or the lenses (I shot the 40D with a Sigma 70-300mm and the 7D with a Canon 70-300mm IS lens). Frankly, I'm not surprised. DSLRs are so good right now, differences in IQ at low ISO are marginal. However, I do feel confident that I can shoot at 1600 ISO or 2000 ISO with the 7D without a substantial reduction in quality. While I can control noise at 3200 ISO, color saturation and contrast decline more than I like. With the 40D 800 ISO was as far as I wanted to go, but I would push it to 1000 when desperate. The 7D provides is a major ISO gain.
I really love the 7D focus system. I don't know if it is as good as the Canon 1D series, but it is so, so much better than the 40D. By focusing on the exact point in a field, I feel like my creative options are substantially expanded. I was frequently frustrated by having the wrong part of my picture in focus. This need never happen with the 7D.
The 8fps repeat rate is a nice bonus. It just raises the probability that the exact frame you want will be captured.
So, the question is should you upgrade? You have to decide whether you can afford it; so my advice assume that you can afford the camera, but are looking for the camera that best matches how you shoot.
If this is your first SLR (film or digital):
I'd recommend starting with a Canon T1i or Nikon 90D. The 7D is an extremely complex camera that will take many hours to learn and dozen of hours shooting to master. Unless you have the time to invest in such a camera it will just be a source of frustration. Unlike almost every other camera I've owned, the user will obtain disappointing or bad results unless s/he truly understands this equipment. By contrast, you can take other DSLRs and just start shooting. Unlike the other cameras, the 7D has no scene modes. With other DSLRs you can take your time and gradually learn the more sophisticated capabilities. Most importantly, the quality of your pictures will be just as good.
If you are moving up from an entry level DSLR:
You need to ask yourself why you are moving up? If you are dissatisfied with the IQ, then the 7D is not your answer. Using the 7D, it will take a lot more work (initially) to become proficient. However, if you need a faster framerate, better high ISO performance (although the T1i and D90 are very good for high ISO), long for a better focussing system, or shoot in the rain or the beach, then the 7D might make sense.
If you are moving up from a mid-level XXD or Nikon D300:
As before, you're getting very little IQ improvement (wildlife photographers claim they can use the extra cropping capability, but I'm not convinced it's substantial). Buy the 7D because the features provide you with value. Also, I would seriously discourage anyone from switching from a Nikon D300 to a 7D. There has to be an absolute must-have 7D feature for you to make that leap.
As for me, I don't regret this purchase. I'll never say never, but I'm hoping that the 7D will be my last crop-sensor camera. I love the flexibility and expansion of creative options that the new features allow me. It's a wonderful camera. I'm looking forward to spending many hours becoming intimately acquainted with its capabilities.
UPDATE: December 2010:
I guess one should never say, "never" since I've purchased (and sold) two crop-sensor cameras. Since writing this review, the major camera companies have released several cameras in the crop-sensor arena, so I thought that I'd update my review. In terms of best all-around crop-sensor camera, nothing released since the 7D beats Canon's offering. However, the more recent releases are in some cases marginally better than the 7D on certain dimensions.
I'll start with the T2i. It's a great little camera, which is virtually a twin to the T1i but with some updates. Whether these updates are significant depends on how you shoot. The two biggest improvements that the T2i has is its video and jPeg quality. The T2i has the 7D's 18MP sensor, so raw image quality should be virtually identical. However, the low-noise, high-ISO jpeg samples I've seen have been truly amazing. Canon has definitely improved the jPeg engine with this camera. Therefore, if you are on a budget and don't want to bother with raw, the T2i or its bigger sister, the 60D, are attractive choices. The T2i's video is comparable, if not better than the 7D's, so if you want video that is a nice improvement over the T1i, then the T2i is a good choice. The one major T2i flaw is the AF system. It is the same AF system as previous Rebel generations and is clearly inferior to the 7D. The lack of AF flexibility and accuracy on the T1i drove me crazy, so I sold my copy. There were too many missed shots, and I found that it just didn't work well as a backup. I fear that the T2i shares this flaw.
Which brings me to the 60D. Canon has positioned this camera as a replacement for the the 50D, but others have labeled it an upgrade for the Rebel series. I think that both views are correct. Compared to the 50D, the camera has a slightly slower continuous shooting rate, less metal construction, and no micro-lens AF adjustment, but it has video capabilities, a swivel LCD (great for video but also for taking still shots at odd angles). Compared to the T2i, it is bigger (similar in size to the 50D), has a more solid feel to it, much better AF (similar to the 50D but not as good as the 7d), and much faster continuous shooting. Personally, if I hadn't already purchased the 7D, I would be a 60D customer. It's IQ is similar to the 7D (jpeg, almost certainly better), and the AF is adequate for my needs.
This brings up the Nikon D7000, which is currently the rave. It is a D90 replacement and adds some nice improvements including weather sealing, much improved AF, 100 ISO (the D90 started at 200), micro-lens AF adjustment, enhanced video, improved IQ, and greater resolution (16MP). The IQ improvements is the feature that gets the most press. the D7000 most likely offers the best crop-sensor IQ available 2010-11. However, for most purposes, most of us won't notice the difference between pictures taken with comparable quality lenses from any of these camera. Where the D7000 shines is in the quality of noise in shadow and dark areas and in low-light shooting. The D7000 provides a greater capacity to "push" the shadows giving greater dynamic range to those who work in raw. And ISO 3200 shots retain noticeably more color and dynamic range with less noise than the Canons. While it's noticeable, the difference may require near pixel-peeper scrutiny to see. While these features are significantly improved, they are still not at the same level as the better full-frame cameras, but it is at a level that makes low-light shooting and dynamic range less of a reason to consider full frame.
Thus, for anyone with a significant investment in Canon lenses, there is no reason to switch. The 7D is still the best available crop sensor camera for Canon shooters, but the 60D is more than adequate for anyone who doesn't absolutely need the 7D's pro-level features. The T2i is great for anyone on a budget, but if you can stretch a bit, I'd recommend the 60D. You will be able to grow with it and will find little in it to frustrate you. It is a great all-around camera with very few compromises. E.g., I am yet to micro adjust my 7D for any of my lenses. I'm either very lucky or not that picky.
For someone starting out, the decision is harder. the D7000 is a fantastic update for anyone shooting Nikon's entry-level cameras, but it is not a must-do update for D90 users. The D90 is a great camera that still meets my needs and the D7000 improvements are nice but not essential unless one is shooting at a pro or semi-pro level. For a new user, the $1199 price is awfully high for a first camera, especially when there are so many good lower-priced alternatives (look elsewhere for reviews of NIkon's entry level offerings). If someone is an enthusiast and is trying to decide between the D7000 and the 7D, I think that the cameras are sufficiently close that the decision should be made based on lenses that you want to use. All in all, this is a great time to purchase a crop-sensor camera.
More Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Body Only) reviews:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Description of Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Body Only)
Maximum resolution for any application.18.0 Megapixel CMOS Sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors for high image quality and speed.The EOS 7D features a Canon-designed 18.0 Megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor that captures such a high level of resolution it's easy to crop images for enlargement without concern of losing detail. A major factor in reducing noise, the CMOS sensor assures that images shot at highest sensitivity will be remarkably smooth. Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors ensure that images are captured, processed and saved with remarkable speed. The EOS 7D's ability to capture and process data of images shot at 18.0 Megapixels at 8 fps, as well as Face Detection Live Mode, Full HD video recording, Auto Lighting Optimizer and Lens Peripheral optimization are all possible thanks to the Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors.Low Light Excellence.ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800) for shooting from bright to dim light.With a broad range of ISO settings, the EOS 7D enables shooting from daw...Digital SLRs
Digital Cameras and Photo Categories
Bestsellers in Digital SLRs
Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera + Nikon 18-135mm AF-S Lens + Extra Nikon EN-EL3e BatteryNikon; Release date: 2009-11-30; Digital Camera
Leica DIGILUX 3 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica D 14-50mm f/ 2.8-3.5 ASPH Lens with Optical Image StabilizationLeica; Release date: 2006-11-15; Digital Camera
Best price: $3,999.00
Remanufactured Olympus EVOLT E500 8-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera with 17-45 mm and 40-150 mm Zuiko LensesOlympus; Release date: 2009-11-30; Mac; Digital Camera
Best price: $999.77
Price in other shops:
Olympus Evolt E330 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)Olympus; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon EOS 20D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/ 3.5-5Canon; Digital Camera
NIKON D2HS SLR 4.1 Megapixel Digital Camera - BODY ONLY (Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A.)Nikon; Digital Camera
Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (Silver)Canon; Release date: 2009-11-30; Digital Camera
Best price: $749.00
Pentax *ist DS 6.1MP Digital Camera with Pentax DA 18-55mm f/ 3.5-5.6 AL Digital SLR LensPentax; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Nikon MF27 Databack for F5 35mm SLR Camera (4665)Nikon; Digital Camera
Nikon D300 inBrief Laminated Reference Cardby Blue Crane Digital
Blue Crane Digital; Blue Crane Digital; Published: 2008-03-07; Pamphlet; Book
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
Similar digital cameras and accessories
SanDisk 16GB 60MB/ s Extreme Compact Flash Card SDCFX-016G-A61 (US Retail Package)SanDisk; Release date: 2012-02-29; CE
Best price: $56.89
Price in other shops:
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/ 2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon DSLR CamerasCanon; Release date: 2006-03-31; Digital Camera
Best price: $1,099.00
Price in other shops:
SanDisk SDCFX-032G-A61 32 GB Extreme CompactFlash Memory Card 60MB/ SSanDisk; CE
Best price: $91.89
Price in other shops:
Zeikos ZE-CBG7D Battery Power Grip for Canon 7D CameraZeikos; Digital Camera
Best price: $55.38
Price in other shops:
Optical Glass LCD Screen Protector for Canon 7DGGS; Digital Camera
Best price: $0.01
David Busch's Canon EOS 7D Guide to Digital SLR Photographyby David D. Busch
Course Technology PTR; Published: 2010-07-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $17.55
Price in other shops:
STK's Canon-7D Battery High Capacity 2600mAHSterling Publications; Digital Camera
Best price: $25.00
Price in other shops:
Canon BG-E7 Battery Grip for the EOS 7D Digital SLR Camera (Retail Package)Canon Cameras US; Digital Camera
Best price: $154.99
Price in other shops:
Canon LP-E6 Battery Pack for Select Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Retail Package)Canon Cameras US; Release date: 2009-11-30; Digital Camera
Best price: $59.99
Price in other shops:
Transcend 32 GB Compact Flash Card 400X (Blue)TRANSCEND; CE
Best price: $54.99
Price in other shops: