Отзывы о Цифровой Фотоаппарат Canon EOS 7D

I will start of by saying that I am NOT a professional photographer, and I am still on a level where apparture and ISO is very difficult to understand and how they work.Still, I really want to learn how to take great picture, and when I first was looking at dSLR, I was looking at the cheaper entry-level models like the Nikon D3100, Canon Rebel T2i, and so on...But then I thought for myself: "What the heck, lets go for full, and buy a camera that really takes it all!"So I ended up with this, and I do not regret one second of my $2000 spent on this camera + some accessories.The camera is great, and I will write a jargon-free review with words that everyone understands... (sorry)The camera takes wonderful picture of everything, from close-up photo (macro) to safari picture with lots of zooming and bumpy rides. The camera takes picture in such a high speed and quality that when I am on safari, 90% of all the pictures are ultra sharp, and no sign of that i am actually bumping up and down on dirt terrain. The camera have excellent low light performance, where you can take lots of great pictures without using the flash (I have still not used the flash once!).The ergonomics is very individual from person to person, but this camera seems to be made especially for my hands, since it fits like a bullet! It is quite heavy, but that is of course I am used to a small Sony digital camera!The menu is easy to understand, and with quick access to all the most important settings, taking picture in all situations only takes seconds to caliber.All in all is this a exceptional camera, and I say that from an objective stand point. I have no special preference over the different brands, but it was this that looked most okay in my eyes, and I was right!

Lots of features but the photo quality always seems...lacking, not as sharp as it should be especially at higher ISO settings. The Mic jack is also flimsy. I bought the Canon 7D a few months back. The Mic jack never did hold securely and recently stopped recording sound through the Mic jack. Upon close examination I noticed the jack was cracked and must have been since the purchase date. No problem it's under warranty I thought.I sent it in and Canon refuses to honor the warranty and will not explain why, only sending me the copy of the warranty basically telling me to go hunt it my self.I have been fighting with them over a week now and they want to charge me 685.00 to fix it. This warranty is a SHAM.After talking with other Canon users I find when it comes to warranty repairs, Canon will put up one hell of a fightnot to honor the warranty.They also refuse to give me there contact information they have on file with the BBB. Had to hunt hard for it.I felt like I was dealing with one of those New York gray market dealers.Oh yes, the AGC is TERRIBLE on this camera and Canon refuses to update the firmware to give us manual control of it.When you spend this much money on something, you think a good AF in movie mode is too much to ask for?Canon did...After 3 months and going through the BBB Canon finally agreed to honor the warranty but did so in such a way to not admit any fault and they still think the damage was user caused.Can't be user caused if it came out the box that way... Simple logic they don't seem to grasp.Think I will switch to Nikon... Canon has left a bad taste in my mouth for sure.

I spent a fair bit of time researching these Canon cameras. I am a painter and needed a camera for top quality copy work and some landscape work (professionally) and occasional sports photography (for fun). After looking at the T2i, 50D, 60D, 7d and thinking about the 5d mkII I went for the 7d. What a camera!!! I was amazed at the speed of the autofocus system and all the other bells and whistles. 8 fps is a pretty amazing thing and with all the autofocus/metering fine tuning available on this there are way more hits than misses. However after a month of rigorous use I could simply not get the clarity I needed. At iso 100 the image was fine but by 800 iso images were less than what is available on a good point and shoot. I tried everything..all the built-in adjustments and I even added a few L series lenses to the mix but to no avail. I unloaded it and bought the 5d mkII. I finally have the clarity I needed BUT I do not have everything else...the 7d is a remarkable machine...I miss the raw/jpeg button, the Q button, the fully functional live-view feature, the built-in viewfinder grid option, the flash remote sync, the level...etc etc etc....oh and the speed and accuracy of the AF system...the 5d is awfully slow.... But again, I have the picture clarity I needed and in the end that is what counts. Come on Canon, clean up that 7d sensor (or replace it w/a full size sensor)....bells and whistles are cool...even highly functional but I still care about the simple quality of the image. (I'll be looking for a 5d mkIII or a 7d mkII soon please!)

Let me start by saying, I love my 7D. It's the most athletic camera I own - 8 FPS, killer autofocus system, ISO expandable to 12,800, all of the canon lenses - and 3rd party lenses, almost any accessory out there has a canon version. Some of the best photo's I've taken have been with the 7D. Not to mention, the cinematic quality of the 1080p video capability in conjunction with all of those said lenses.So why am I a bit let down in the image quality department? Its very simple, even though the 7D has high ISO capability, I find that cramming 18 MPs on to an APS-C sensor is MP overkill. I've found that noise levels are more acceptable on my Rebel XSi than my 7D. At ISO 100, the 7D is awesome, its awesome all the way to 1,000. However, when I set (and I don't that often) the ISO to auto - the 7D constantly bumps the ISO to 3,200 - the results are some really noisy images. Granted - Noise Ninja does a great job in post production in reducing noise, but the fact is the 7D is sold as a low light camera - implying excellent low light performance - and the performance IS good (focus, metering, etc) but the resulting images are (in my mind) somewhat disappointing. So I switch to full manual mode and work with ISO 100 and pretend there's not any other ISO setting and I've been much happier. I also use f/2.8 and low light primes (85 1.8, 50 1.4, etc.) to take advantage of the 7D's low light capabilities.On the plus side the 7D is simply loaded with features - video, 8FPS, custom settings, doesn't need an additional transmitter to trigger remote speed lites, killer auto focus system, etc, etc, etc.But if your goal is just great image quality, you might consider spending your money on a used first generation 5D. It takes better pictures. If you need a more capable camera (with really good image quality) like for sporting events then The 7D is best suited for you. If you take portraits or families on the beach then get the 5D, and use the left over money to put toward a high quality prime lens.Think of the 7D as an 'athlete' - think if the 5D as an 'artist' - depending on your needs, that's the one to go with...

I've had the Rebel XT (350D) for three going four years, and yes it is a awesome camera!when I was looking for an upgrade to my rebel XT the T1i look really great, but then came the 7D and all of the new AF features and video. I think that the rebel body is lean and small even more now having a XD body.If your on a budget the rebel T1i is a great upgrade with more MP (al dough with 8MP is more than enough) good video Q, live view and better high ISO performance than the XXXD and if you like the rebel series bodies then you should go for it, now if you don't mind the video The 50D offers higher ISO and FPS than the rebel series and better IQ overall.7D !!! :I do recommend the upgrade to any one moving in that direction. The size is no issue when you get all that features, and it feels really good solid and hefty in your hands. The FPS & AF Are Fast. The high ISO performance is amazing comparing it to the XT, the low light focus and results are simply great. The AF points and versatile setup is so much better than the XT there is no comparing it.The view finder and the LCD screen are just awesome... you cannot compare it to the Rebel 350D its on another league.The battery life is longer, you can record RAW a JPG on at the same time or choose to do it with a press of a button. And the list of features goes on.I Think that there is still much potential on the 7D via firmware cos it's a awesome piece of hardware, no matter what they say.18-270mm Tamron VC ( got it last year to upgrade the Rebel and now use with the 7D )50D :I think (money wise) that a Canon 50D is a good upgrade (IQ compared to the 7D) and don't care for the video or faster AF.If you are looking for the most IQ available today, it's no brainer that the 5DMII is the choice (and don't mind the extra money) performs better in low light than the 7D. Now the 7D is faster on Focus and in FPS, so if youre a sports shooter or wildlife photographer the 7D will suit you more.Hope it helps you decideThe AF is not 100% accurate all the time ( got in touch with Canon Tech and they say maybe its because of the Tamron Lens? ) I get a bit soft images that you can improve with PP but overall you get very good IQ ( if want excellent IQ get the 5DMKII )Highly Recommended!

Outstanding camera! Easy to use whether you are an experienced photographer or a novice. Recently over thanksgiving my three adult daughters and a son-in-law took several hundred photos of my grandaughter. None of them have any experience with a camera other than a PHD (Push Here Dummy) point and shoot type camera. About 95% of there shots were useable if not great. Whether you utilize manual, apeture priority, shutter priority (time value), or program mode, this camera is simple and easy to use. I use a Nikon D300 at work every day. After reading several articles and comparing the D300 to the 7D, I chose the 7D for the clarity of higher ISO shots and what looks like better color saturation. This camera has too many features to explain here, but I am extremely happy with this purchase. Unless you need a full frame camera, this is the best one on the market. One more thing, the eight frames a second setting is great for outdoor shots with the grandkids or sporting events.

Three Positives:1. Live View - allows you to see exposure and depth of field (no darkening) in real time on a sharp and bright preview screen. You can then press the * button (AEL)and lock that exposure in.2. Critical Focusing - allows two stages of magnification in live view for critical focusing. I use it for "macro" photography with a EF 70-300mm lens. No stooping!3. Spot Metering - I know this has been on previous models but extremely useful when using in live mode. Really can get pinpoint exposure control without bracketing after some practice.Two other notables are low noise at high ISO and self cleaning sensor that really works. It also doesn't hurt to have the added pixel headroom.Two Negatives:1. Spare Battery - is overpriced on Amazon (sorry guys, I love ya but you need to bring your price in line with everyone else). If you use Live View a lot you will need a spare battery.2. Error Message 01 - "communications between the camera and lens is faulty" appeared at slower shutter speeds with my older EF-S 17-85MM. My two other lenses don't give this message. I just sent the lens to Canon to have it checked out - update to come. I think the 7D may be a bit less forgiving with well worn lenses than the 20D.Conclusion - If you can afford it, buy it. All the things you've been struggling to do with your 20D can be accomplished with the 7D in spades. There are new features that you need to learn by studying the manual but there is also a lot of familiar territory. If you thought you were a photo enthusiast before, you ain't seen nothing yet!Update 5/5/10 - Canon repaired EF-S 17-85mm replacing quite a few parts for $95 plus shipping. Bottom line - camera and lens now work with no error codes.

Ok gang, this camera is fantastic. It has features allowing a point and shoot user to operate it, or a very experienced professional photographer. The key to this camera is taking the time and learning all of it's features and capabilities (if that's possible). Leaving this camera on auto is like having a Ferrari and never driving faster than 25 MPH.I would highly recommend getting the DVDIntroduction to the Canon 7D, vol. 1 : Basic Controls Training DVD by Blue Crane Digital. After watching volume I & II, I was amazed at how much the 7D manual didn't cover. Definitely the best professional entry level available for this price.

I could write a long drawn out review about the good and bad about the Canon 7d, but the truth about this camera is pretty cut and dry. The Canon 7d has NO better image quality than the Canon XSI, XTI, 40d....One can run all the test you'd like, but my customers do not lie. I have the Canon XSI, XTI and 40d as well as the 7d...After many shots in the field with the 7d I have found that this is a features packed camera, great for shooting birds at high speed, but when it comes to the main reason I buy a camera,and probably the main reason most pros buy cameras, which is image quality, the 7d offers NO advantages. Simply put, it's NOT worth the upgrade. Only you can decide if you'd like to spend an extra thousand bucks over say the Canon XSI...In reality, there are few cameras that can exceed its image quality. You'd have to go to full frame to get it !!!!...

I am a mom of two boys and focus mostly on sports photography. A spend the better part of my days watching and photographing baseball, soccer and martial arts. I was the historian at sons schools for two years. Prior to the 7D I used the Canon 20D. There are many review that give you all the detail technical information about this camera. My general note is it is a great camera from a great vendor. I big step up from the previous D series cameras.I purchased the 7D because of the eight frames per second and increased MP. The new view finder is impressive and has 1.0X magnification and 100% coverage. I had considered the 50D when it came out, but I did not feel it was a big enough advantage to shelve my 20D. I feel it is not just another D series camera or a small step like the 30D to 40D to 50D, but a significant jump for people who need the shutter speed and are looking for the big brother of the 50D, not the replacement.Overall I have been very happy with the purchase.Key features*18MP APS-C CMOS sensor*8 frames per second continuous shooting*1080p HD video recording with manual controls*3.0 inch Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dots*19-point AF system (all cross-type)*1.0x magnification and 100% coverage viewfinder*Wireless flash control*Environmental sealing

First off, I'm a casual user -- I upgraded from a 20D and just want to capture those fleeting smiles and pouts on my babies and sports shot of my older son. I have owned tons of digital cameras point and shoots and that 20D and used my brother's digital rebels etc -- there is no comparison. This gives you pro results on auto mode. no need to put in hours to learn anything. just grab a good basic lens and you are good to go. My favorites are the approx $300 canon 50mm and the 17 - 40 L lens for everyday use. And the video is absolutely fantastic. I have used 3 or 4 canon and sony miniDV camcorders in the same to rebel price range and those did worse in low light and with image stabilization. In terms of HD i have used an xacti and flip and both suck! I used a tripod since this thing weighs a bit more than a flip, and it did a pro job at taking a movie of my sons spring concert -- got a better than my naked eye view from the 3rd row.To compare to the 20D -- the flash actually works! no more weirdly dark pics without an external flash. I love that it feels easier to hold and more balanced with the same lenses on it somehow with a sturdier area to grip, and the viewfinder is simply awesome. So just wanted to say -- don't regret this upgrade at all!

I am very, very new in photography. I just started to take pictures with my first DSLR, the Canon 7D, as a hobby about a month ago... and I'm loving it.Maybe the 7D is not the best camera for a beginner like me, but you tend to get considerably good results quickly if you don't mind looking for tips online and also carrying the manual for any quick checks.Personally, I think image quality is excellent. Shooting stills is really enjoyable and video is equally awesome. It is quite astonishing to see what the 7D can do when shooting on HD.I only have two problems with this camera: 1 - I can't record more than 12 minutes a time on full HD, and my second problems is that, as any DSLR, the 7D is not really a camera meant for handheld video recording. Video is too shaky without a firm and stable support.That's it! After that, I have no other issues.The rugged look and feel of the 7D is one of the characteristic that I like the most. I went out to the New Jersey country side with all the snow that fell during the weekend (12/05/09), and I never felt worry shooting in some very cold and wet conditions in the woods. Of course, it wasn't Antarctica but to me --a dude from a Caribbean island-- that was a little extreme. The sealing is very good and the buttons on the 7D are big enough that I did not need to take my gloves off to shoot or to play around with the settings.I can't wait to January to take Dallas (yes, I named my 7D Dallas) into a more familiar but also very demanding weather environment such as the one found in the Caribbean beaches in the northern cost of the Dominican Republic. Oh, yes! Let the heat of the sun, the salt of the Caribbean Sea, the sudden tropical downpour and the tiny white sand of those beautiful beaches come... we will be prepared!/AR/

My favorite Canon camera so far. I was not ready to buy a full frame Mark II 5D, so the next best option seemed to be clear, '7D'. I thought it was going to be too big for my small hands, but it wasn't. Love the sharpness and all the new features Canon has included in this model, specially the wireless triggering of my speedlite through the pop-up flash and the HD video. It was a huge upgrade from my Canon Rebel. Got the camera with the 18-135mm lens, it gives me a good range, I rarely have to switch lenses.

I am really happy with this camera. The quality and functionality is amazing. I bought a Canon 100mm IS Macro lens and together, these products take amazing pictures. If you are looking for a middle line professional digital camera, this one excels beyond your expections! In about a month, our new website will be launched so you can see the quality pictures this camera takes. [...]

This is the sixth Canon DSLR we've bought (and just got the seventh, a T2i, two weeks ago). Other reviewers have hit every high spot of the 7D; I don't concur with most of the complaints. Excellent camera, a significant improvement over the prior 1.6x-sensor Canon DSLRs. Recently (May) took over 6000 frames during a three-week birding trip. I rated portability as four-stars because it is somewhat heavy to carry for hours with 100-400 IS USM and battery grip (but two weeks ago gave the 100-400 to my wife for her T2I and got a Sigma 50-500 OS HSM for the 7D - which is even heavier!). Otherwise I am 100% happy with this camera and have zero complaints.

Moved up to this from various Rebels. Best thing I could have done. Now, I just need to learn how to really get the most out of it.

Hi- I'm about the least experienced photographer reviewing this- more to the point- I'm NOT a photographer... I'm a music video director who bought this camera for its video capabilities. the quality of the video is superb. I read that many directors were foregoing using the Red to use the 7D, and this makes sense to me. I'm very happy with the quality HOWEVER... I took the 7d as my sole video camera down to Costa Rica to shoot a little documentary there, and found it to be very clunky to use in this sort of 'run and gun' capacity. When shooting video with it, you really need to have the camera support by a tripod, or shoulder mount or steady cam or something. Using it on its own is really clunky, and shaky. If i had it to do again, I certainly would have brought my canon hf 10 instead. Outstanding camera, though. No doubt. Just wanted to share what I consider to be that one concern or limitation...

I've had this camera for about a week, and I'm still learning how to get the most out of it. I went from a 40D up to this one, and all I can say is that I really like it.If you are accustomed to a less complex camera, it will take you a bit of adjustment. Some of the things that are missing from the 7D are the "beginner settings" such as sports, close-up, portrait, landscape, etc. By the time you get to the point that you are using a camera of this quality, you should be able to figure out these settings on your own.You do have the option of replicating these functions in the custom settings area, so you shouldn't have any trouble working these things out.If you purchased one of these before October 20, 2009, be sure to download the firmware upgrade. It's worth the trouble, which is actually negligible.My lens of choice with this camera is the 24mm-70mm L series lens. It's an excellent match and combination.

This truly an incredible camera. The color is remarkable (of course) and auto focus WITH SINGLE SPOT is reliable as the day is long (just be sure to get that spot on what you want to see). I am using only Canon lenses (17-40, 28-135, 50mm f1.8). the kit lens works fine but you can tell it is light on build. I am at a loss to explain Canon's bluster about "17-point auto-focus" though. IT seems utterly useless under normal circumstances and I have not found any that call for it???? thow in a 580EX and set flash for 2nd curtain and a diffuser of your choice and this is a real package. No experience with video yet but there is a whole community doing incredible stuff with this camera ([...]). I have waited 4 years for Canon to cross another threshold. This camera is it.

This review is going to be more for photographers that have some experience with DSLR and looking to upgrade.I've owned the Canon 20D, 60D and now purchased the 6D (full frame) but bought a mint condition 7D recently. I wanted a second body that can compliment each other for events and as a backup but did not have the funds to purchase two 5D MKIII or pro body like 1D-series. Nor I would get such setup unless my profession was an event/wedding photographer which I am not. I consider myself as an advanced hobbyist making some money here and there but more than anything enjoy photography. Having the 6D and 7D fills in a lot of voids that two bodies were lacking.Unlike the 7D's cropped sensor, full frame bodies do tend to do better in low light, give you a bit more creamy bokeh and offer wider view (if you're coming from a cropped body that is) . Even then, a semi-pro crop body like this 7D still can shoot wide with the right lens, have more reach (x1.6 after all) and still have great image with low light compared to other xxD series like the 60D, 50D, etc. I shot with the 60D for about six months and the camera did an amazing job in low light with the right setup. If you've ever shot with much older xxD series like the 10D or the 20D you know it's not exactly a low-light camera especially with astrophotography.Full frame bodies like 6D & 5D MKIII has its limitation when shooting fast moving subject like birds, baseball pitcher throwing a ball and football being caught out in the filed. Yes, you can still shoot fast action especially with 5D MKIII but if higher frame rate is a top priority then you'll need this body if not the 1D X (specifically meant for wildlife & sports). Even my old 20D did 'okay' with 5fps but at times it missed a lot of actions as well as focus was sub-par at best. Without spending thousands, the 7D's 8fps is a very nice feature. While it's no 1D X, it does a good job especially when used outdoors with the right lens.I also decided to get the 7D as my 6D wasn't keeping up with the buffer (even with high speed SDXC card) and going to be shooting a lot of kid's events my daughter will be involved & for the town I live in. I also know when I want more zoom and buy a longer focal length lens the 7D will do a superb job in capturing those details.<>Really the only con I've found is having to use compact flash cards that are generally more expensive. I just assume this is due to manufacturing cost of the cards and it's different architecture but seems more rugged and faster than a regular SDHC/SDXC format. Of course there's no dual slot with the 7D so for important events, I wouldn't risk anything but carry a second body and/or second card.<>Who should get the 7D? Advanced shooter that require more auto focusing point & frame rate in capturing actions shots like baseball, basketball, wildlife/bird photography and getting the best image out of a cropped body. 8fps gives you much better chance of obtaining that award winning shot with more auto focus points (than the 6D) for better accuracy. With the very fast auto focusing points (more than 6D) and superb image quality, you cannot discount 7D's capability just because it's not a full frame body. 7D is the top of the line x1.6 crop body currently aside from professional grade body like the 1D X.The 7D's crop body also means if you have quality lens like the Canon 70-200 f/anything you can shoot an object much further without having to buy extenders or more expensive lens with longer focal length. With a full frame camera, this could mean more money to spend depending on the type of shoot you're looking to do. Again, this all depends on the type of photos you're taking. But consider if you buy a used 7D (often times with low shutter count) and pair it with 70-200 f/4L or even the f/2.8L IS II as well as the 100-400 f4.5 then it maybe a better match for those that shoot wildlife and sports more often. It'll certain save you more money than spending $3,000+ on a 5D MKIII.<>7D is like the 60D (same sensor on both) but with faster shutter speeds, more auto focus points, bigger buffer and overall designed for speed. With that said, if you don't shoot wildlife, birds, sports, motorsports and shoot more portraits and landscapes then you may not need the 7D.If you're new to DSLR & photography then read this portion. When you're new to DSLR or photography in general, you're likely shooting everything & anything in sight (I did that for awhile as well). But you'll soon realize your passion and want a body specific to the type of photography that suit your taste. Not everyone is going to be a professional in every area of photography. It's like trying to become a mechanical/civil/electrical engineer all at once. Doable of course but you'll see most professional working as a photographer for a living has a very specific area they work with.If you're still no

UPS delivered a new 7D on October 8, 2009, five weeks after I placed an Amazon pre-order. During the last 4.5 years I've gotten to know this groundbreaking DSLR well. With weather seals at the level of the legendary EOS 1N, high performance appointments and contoured magnesium body shell, the 7D is like a mini 1D. It's solid yet comfy in hand: deep finger grooves in the grip and thick textured rubber make for a secure handhold. The large thumb rest anchors the thumb and increases grip security.The shutter is softer than a 50D but louder than my 60D and 6D. If you're a SLR shooter you'll consider the 7D pianissimo. At 8FPS I call it fast. To maintain high FPS you need a good battery and the 7D is good for 1000 images per charge. Obviously video and live view reduce battery time. The LP-E3 batteries are dependable and have a useable life of about 3 years.CONTROL INTERFACE: Controls revolve around 3 wheels, 19 buttons, 1 joystick and 11 tabbed menus. Major features rely on physical controls can be set by feel while looking through the viewfinder. Menus ares used for options. Wheels have stiff resistance, making accidental turning unlikely. EOS veterans whould feel at home and will barely need to crack the manual. Most controls can be reprogrammed. I configured the joystick for direct selection of AF points and assigned center AF point to the DOF button. Menus can be configured too, e.g., group favorite settings under a single tab. The menus are well organized with options on a single page.VIEWFINDER: The viewfinder shows 100% of the image at 1.0X magnification and is the best APS-C viewfinder I've used. The focusing screen is not user replaceable but the transmissive LCD display--transparent LCD over the focusing screen--can simulate five AF patterns, grid and plain matte screens. The red AF display flashes may be changed to dark gray or disabled. The viewfinder data display is bright and easy to read.AUTOFOCUS: The 19-point cross-type AF array is the most significant 7D innovation. The center point is a double cross. Imagine two superimposed crosses: rotate one cross so the arms fall in between the axis of the other. A F2.8 or faster lens is needed to enable high precision double cross sensitivity. With slower optics it reverts to normal precision and single cross. Off-center points are cross point and can snag almost anything. Although the 7D has double the AF points of the 50D, the AF area is the same size. AF selection via joystick is precise and quick.My disappointment with 19-point auto select is active points can't be directly overridden with the joystick. Instead, press the AF selection button, use the M-Fn button to cycle through modes until single point AF appears and, finally, select the AF point with the joystick! Oddly, individual AF points may be chosen in 19-point AI servo. However, the selected point is a starting point for AI servo tracking: focus is handed off to each of the 19 points as the subject is tracked across the frame.My compromise for the problem above is to use Zone AF with center point assigned to the DOF button. Zone AF behaves like 19-point AF, but limited to one of 5 user selected zones. Zones may be chosen directly via joystick and, if pin point accuracy is needed or it misses, press the DOF button to narrow AF to a single point within the active zone. Essentially it becomes 5-point AF with the DOF button. Release DOF button to return to normal operation.Spot AF reduces AF point size for precise control of the focal point, ideal for macro and portraits. Why not use normal Single point AF? Normal AF points are large and may cover both the eye and eyebrow in a tight portrait, locking on the more contrasty eyebrow. Reducing AF point size insures an eyeball lock. Spot AF is the most significant focusing breakthrough of the past 5 or 6 years. It's not for everyone, but makes macro and portrait shooters happy.METERING: Sixty-three zone metering debuted in the EOS 1D Mark III and filtered down to the 7D. Evaluative metering integrates color data into the algorithm and is better at avoiding overexposure of reds. It's a minor improvement over 35-zone metering of XXD cameras but better in tricky lighting. Exposure compensation (EC) is adjustable to +/- 3 stops. Metering is more biased to the active AF point than earlier EOS DSLRs, i.e., the object you focus on has more weight in exposure calculations. In Zone AF where a group of AF points lock, the exposure is more averaged.FLASH: The retractable E-TTL flash is great for fill flash and snapshots. AF assist is the main gotcha--pulses like a disco strobe--but can be disabled. The popup also functions as a wireless E-TTL flash master, using light pulses to trigger compatible Speedlites. If you use auto-ISO with flash, it defaults to ISO 400. Often that is not high enough for balanced fill in low light, and too high for fill in bright light, so you'll need to dial in ISO settings manually.Flash exposure compensation (FEC) in -3 to + 3 in 1

I recently had the chance to spend a few days with a friend's 7D and use it for an event shoot that lasted about six hours. My camera for many years was a 40D, and before that, a 300D. There are some notable dissimilarities between the two semi-pro bodies. Most of my comments about the 40D also apply to the 50D.If you're familiar with any of the recent Canon bodies, the 7D won't be a major transition. The brunt of the learning curve is in learning how best to use the new AF system and how to quickly transition between modes. It took about two hours of fiddling to optimize the camera for my shooting style. After that, switching between the 7D and 40D required no effort.BUILD:The 7D's grip is shorter on the lens axis than the 40D, and both are shorter than the 300D. Grip comfort is proportional to depth. My fingertips scrape the camera body more on the 7D than the 40D. I don't care for that. The 300D tops both of the new bodies here. Canon's also changed the button mechanisms. All of the major buttons on the 40D have an audible and tactile click when pressed. The 7D buttons just mush down; only the camera's reaction tells you if the press was effective.Build-wise, the two feel very similar. Without a lens, the 40D is a touch lighter. With a lens that weighs more than a pound, they're interchangeable.LAYOUT:The rear layout of the 7D has changed in subtle ways. With the 40D, I shoot single-point AF, manually selecting the point with the 8-way hat switch and activating it solely with the AF-ON button. This means my thumb is constantly switching from the hat switch to AF-ON. On the 7D, that switch is about a half-centimeter lower, so the transition is more awkward.I've had to change my shooting style to compensate; AF on the 7D is now bound to the shutter button. The reason I hadn't done this on the 40D is that if AF and exposure are on the same button, the camera will wait for AF before taking the picture. If the focus point isn't quite on a contrast, the camera may rack the lens, and you'll have long since missed the shot. The only way around that is to use AI-Servo instead of One-Shot, but the 40D has serious hunting problems in that mode.AUTOFOCUS:On the 7D, Canon's added a couple of AF modes. The most useful of the lot is Zone AF, which is a lot like manually picking a point, except you're manually picking one of five zones. Each zone has a couple of AF points, so you're always likely to end up on some contrast. It's less accurate than a single-point selection, but close enough for any lens f/2 or slower.The physical process of using Zone AF and manually selecting zones with the hat switch is very quick, even more so than my old system with the 40D because there's no thumb-switching. The time to acquire focus and actually fire, though, is a bit slower than the 40D just because of the Zone-AF calculations. You can compensate by using a single AF point with the 7D, but moving between them is more involving because there are 19 relative to the 40D's 9. The AF-point selector has to be on an axis with other AF points to move to them. Because the AF grid has outlier points on the middle on the top, button, left, and right, it's too easy to get caught where you can only navigate in one axis. Put another way, you can't go diagonally from certain points to other ones.The 7D's AF micro-adjustment feature is a godsend and is, alone, sufficient reason to prefer it to the 60D and 40D. It costs about $100 to send a body and lens to Canon for calibration. With multiple lenses, they're all likely to front or back-focus slightly, or even significantly, and their accuracy can drift with time. It took Canon three tries to match my 50/1.4 to my 40D. Without adjustment, the lens was unusably soft below f/2.5. Fixing the same issue on the 7D took about fifteen seconds.It's not perfect; I've got a zoom that front-focuses on the long end and back-focuses on a short end, and there are certain lenses that have focus shifts when they stop down, or at certain subject distances. You can't fix everything, but for the basic gross errors, it's a tremendously useful feature.SPEED & NOISE:The 7D needs a 5 FPS shooting mode. I've found for general portraiture, the safety shot at 6.3 FPS on the 40D is a bit too similar to the previous. It's even worse on the 7D, but the slower 3 FPS mode is too far the other way. Shutter noise is equally loud on both bodies. The 7D's is higher-pitched with a motor overtone. The 40D has a slightly longer clack. In Live View mode with no mirror-flipping, the 40D could almost be called subtle; the 7D is much louder here.Battery capacity calculation with the 7D and battery grip doesn't seem to work right. The grip has the option of two lithium cells or 6 AAs. If one of those AAs is down on voltage, the camera can go from a full display to empty almost immediately. With my Eneloops, I measured 1.35V in 5 of them and 1.2V in the last. This was enough to stop the camera. Replacing the last battery for another with 1.

So if you are reading reviews then you already know the stats/specs of the camera and what it is capable of doing. As the title of the review says I just upgraded from a T3i after people told me, "Don't do it! They have the same sensor.blah blah blah..." Yes this is true and was one of the reasons that kept shying me away from pulling the trigger and getting this. Upon opening the box... WOW! I am soooo glad I am got rid of my T3i. Just the build of this camera alone can be seen as a good enough reason to upgrade by some. As soon as I charged the battery the first thing I did was to make sure I installed the newest firmware because it definitely helps with the performance. I really have to emphasize that if this is the camera you find yourself desiring, but do not have the cash to justify spending on this, just save and wait. I am really kicking myself in the butt for not just saving and buying this camera to begin with. Save and get what you want because as soon as you get the camera you can "afford" you are already thinking about ways to get your dream camera. This also allows you to build your lens collection.Low light / ISO settings:After doing my fair share of review reading, I came to realize something while I was playing with my new 7D. I never read a review where anyone mentioned the number of selectable ISO levels available. This may be common knowledge to a pro who has top of the line Canon body's, but for someone coming from an entry DSLR this would have been great to know. Also would have helped me convince myself I needed it :-P Let me give you an example:Canon 7D ISO levels: 100 125 160 200 250 320 400 500 640 800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3200 4000 5000 6400 H(12800)Canon T3i ISO levels: 100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 H(12800)Now when people make the argument that I will have the same noise issue with both cameras, I agree and disagree. Yes, at the same ISO level there will be the same amount of noise. However, in a situation where the T3i has to use 3200 because 1600 is too dark, the 7D has two more ISO values between that. Personally, I believe this will help drastically with keep the most amount of noise out of your shot as possible. I have also come to notice that the large amount of ISO settings allows better Auto ISO.Saving Format:With my T3i I always shot in RAW format like 99% of the time. The 7D offers 3 different RAW formats, a small, medium, and large which can be helpful if you don't need to make a large print.View Finder / Auto-Focus:Compared to the T3i, the 7D blows it out of the water in both aspects. The 100% viewfinder and the very quick auto focusing system definitely make the 7D worth it. When I originally started to look at upgrading I always read about people talking about the bright 100% viewfinder, but I always thought, "Could it really be that much better?" I can honestly say there is a noticeable difference.Which lens to get??This questions took me a while to answer and figure out. I had to think to whether I seriously saw myself purchasing a full frame Canon in the distant future. If so, the EF lens would have probably been the best choice in lens. However, since I do not plan to go full frame (For now) then I personally believe the EF-S lens is the best choice. After a good amount of research, I chose to get the EF-S lens for many reasons. The EF lens came out in 1998, so its getting to be a pretty dated lens. On the other hand, the EF-S lens came out in 2009, so almost 10 years later. Some also believe that since the EF lens is USM that it will focus faster. Well when it came out, it definitely focused faster then the non USM lenses. However, the EF-S lens is just as fast if not faster. A friend of mine has the EF lens on his 60D and wishes he got the other one instead. Additionally, on my T3i I had the 18-55mm IS kit lens on it, and the build quality of that lens made me second guess getting the EF-S lens with my 7D. The EF-S 18-135mm lens has a completely different feel then my old kit lens. It's a very solid lens and I am glad I went with it. Also, at first it doesn't seem like the difference between the 28mm and 18mm is a lot, but it actually gives you even more versatility, especially with a crop sensor.WHAT IT ALL COMES DOWN TO:If you are upgrading from a pretty old camera the jump to the 7D will probably make a little more sense. However, if you are coming from a more recent dslr, upgrading may not seem to be the obvious choice. You have to ask yourself what your current camera can't do and the 7D can. Lastly, for everyone who thinks going from the t3i to the 7d was a poor choice because they can produce the same images, that is true, but the 7D offers much much more. The camera is just a tool. It doesn't determine how good of pictures you'll take, its you, and if the 7D brings out your inner creativity and confidence then get it!***The Rattle***That RATTLING noise the camera makes and your heart stops when you first hear it after pulling it out of the box. A

I'm the photography editor for my collegiate newspaper and we acquired this camera about 2-3 years ago. Since then, it's been the workhorse for our staff. Going through the metadata of our pictures, almost all the great images we've gotten throughout the years have been taken with this camera.PROS:Fantastic build quality. The magnesium alloy build is worth the purchase alone. Many sporting events take place regardless of weather conditions (lacrosse, soccer, etc.) which means we need a body that can withstand the elements. The 7D has gone through rainstorms, mud, and snow without fail. The small dings and scratches the body has received over the years have yet to impact its performance and weather sealing.The focusing system is probably the best I've used outside of the new Canon 5D Mark III/ 1 DX. It's ability to focus quickly from subject to subject has allowed myself and my other photogs to get some really amazing shots. As long as you have good lighting, it's basically a professional level camera in terms of focusing. Also, the chain drive, 8 frames per second, is great for action. Unbelievable speed that has captured some fantastic moments.The viewfinder. Being 100% coverage, it is simply awesome. It's bright and big, which allows me to compose my shots accurately and correctly. In the field, this makes all the difference, as sometimes, we only have 5-10min to get our shots in. Being able to compose the shot without thinking about the extra 3% the viewfinder isn't picking up is fantastic. Since using the 7D viewfinder, I find it hard to use other cameras that don't have viewfinders of the same quality.Of course the most important thing is the image quality which is also amazing. Great detail and fantastic color reproduction. Despite its age, it still competes quite well with the best APS-C cameras out there. Great value.CONS:Probably the biggest sign of the 7D's age, the ISO performance leaves much to be desired. Shooting basketball games, for example, is tough as I'd prefer another stop of ISO to get a better picture. I limit myself and my photogs to ISO 3200 for this camera, and even then that's pushing it. In JPEG format, the noise isn't that noticeable. However, if you tend to shoot in RAW a lot, then things could get messy, especially if you do a lot of work in post.The camera takes CF cards, which isn't a bad thing. However, when you look at the super cheap price of 16Gb and 32Gb SD Cards these days, it's hard to look past the CF slot. Moreover, most laptops and computers are shipping with SD card slots these days, making image transfers very easy. For our newsroom, having an SD card slot would probably save a good 5-10min on file transfers alone, especially in the field. It's not a deal breaker, but something that would make our life a little easier.OVERALL:Still the best camera I've used. Not only is it reliable, but it consistently takes amazing pictures for all of our staff. Moreover, it is available now for a very good price. I'm looking to add one or two more for our staff, despite it being so "old." Ours has taken a beating and still works like it is brand new. Pair it up with some great glass (we have a 300mm f2.8 L for example) and the pictures will blow you away. In my opinion, the best camera deal out there.