The recent Canon 7D rumors have been very accurate. Canon 7D is now officially announced. Read the details and hand-on preview at DPReview. Unlike Canon’s past lackluster upgrade path from 10D to 50D, this new DSLR with APS-C sized sensor is meant to counter what Nikon has just started shipping: the Nikon D300s. Nikon has been generating more buzz with the D200, D300, D700, D3/D3x, and the lastest D300s.
With the self-claimed “revolutionary camera that redefines the highly competitive mid-range DSLR”, Canon is certainly hoping to grab the title of the best APS-C DSLR camera on the market and answer Nikon’s continuous assaults in the past years.
To some degree, I think Canon will succeed. Canon 7D clearly wins in the video department with full HD shooting (1920×1080) at 30/25/24 frames per second and full manual control. Other compelling features include the 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, 8 frames per second continuous shooting speed, 19-point all cross type AF system, 1.0x magnification and 100% coverage viewfinder, Wireless flash control, rugged body with environmental sealing. Another nice feature is the built-in 3D electronic level that can detect both pitch and roll tilts.
Many Canon fans who feel the D50 less substantial can certainly find what they have been demanding from the Canon 7D. On the other hand, Nikon fans do not need to feel depressed. For most who are concerned mainly with still photo taking, there isn’t much difference between Canon 7D and Nikon D300s. In many aspects, Canon is still playing catch up. For example, the on-demand viewfinder grid line, wireless flash control, +/-5EV exposure compensation, etc. Canon 7D’s spot meter appears to be still the dreaded center-only type.
Availability
According to Canon USA, the Canon 7D will start shipping by end of September in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $1,699.00. It will also be offered in a kit version with Canon’s EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $1,899.00.
Further reading
Product image gallery
Posted in
Other on August 31st, 2009.
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Previously, Canon offered instant rebate deals on lenses and flashes. I have received another Canon EOS News Special Edition newsletter in the email. Canon is currently running an instant rebate program on its EOS 50D ($100), EOS 40D ($50), EOS Rebel XS + EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS ($100), and EPS Rebel XSi + EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III ($100). For more details of this offer please visit this Canon USA page. Here is all current Canon promotions in USA.
Posted in
Marketplace on November 9th, 2008.
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Well, there is more bleak news lately. Consumers are clearly holding back on their spending. The camera gear manufacturers are most likely nervous too. No government stimulus package for them, so they do themselves a favor by enticing us to buy.
Canon has just sent out an email newsletter about its instant saving deals
on SLR lenses and flashes. The offer is valid between October 19, 2008 and January 17, 2009 at authorized Canon dealers. Check out the qualified products in this Canon flyer (PDF) or the image below (Click to view larger version).
If you are interested in digital camcorders, mail-in rebates are also offered for the XL2 and GL2 models.
Posted in
Marketplace on October 31st, 2008.
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Roland Lim has published a very comprehensive review of the Canon EOS-50D. It is not a completely objective technical review we’d expect from places like DPReview, but it should be able to answer lots of practical questions. Read More…
Posted in
Digital SLR Cameras on October 2nd, 2008.
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Canon has put up a teaser site at http://www.canon.com/moon/en/index.html. It appears to show a silhouette of a DSLR camera in the shadow of the Moon. Many seem to agree it will be the replacement for the aging 5D, but nobody seems to know for sure the exact model number. Read More…
Posted in
Digital SLR Cameras,
Rumors on September 5th, 2008.
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Although the reactions are mixed (some people are just very unappeasable), but majority of Canon fans on DPReview seem to be happy with the 40D feature sets. One fan rejoiced “Canon pulls ahead of Nikon“, and another one yahoo-ed “40D – weathersealed!!! yes!!!“. It is indeed a fine machine. However by comparing to the Nikon D200, which is in the same class as Canon 40D and almost two years older, Canon just did a lot of catch-up. Even CNet agrees (see Canon fights back with two SLRs).
Here is the comparison of the major features side-by-side on DPReview of Canon EOS 40D and Nikon D200. It basically showed a close match of feature sets when the photo-taking aspects are concerned.
Canon’s catch-up done since 30D against Nikon D200
- Dust and weather resistant construction (weather seal)
- More pixels (8.2MP to 10.1MP)
- Increased viewfinder optical magnification from 0.90x to 0.95x
- Custom settings with the mode dial
- High ISO noise reduction
- Infamous CF door that causes loss of data if opened during image writing
- ISO information in viewfinder
- AF-on button
- Blinking highlight alert and AF point display in playback
Canon EOS 40D interesting new features
- Improved sensor pixel design with larger micro-lenses over the image sensor pixels that improves signal-to-noise ratio and improves sensitivity; 14bit analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. We can expect better image quality.
- 9-point cross type AF sensors, which should improve speed, precision and functionality, minimizing focus hunting in low light/contrast situations.
- Integrated cleaning system. Similar to other manufacturers’ DSLRs, the sensor uses a ultrasonic vibration during start-up and shutdown to shake the dusts off. However the effectiveness of this feature is questionable. Canon now appears to offer a similar “dust ref” software feature as in Nikon to map out the dusts from the photos.
- Live view. It does not auto-focus in this mode. However it is possible to achieve auto-focus by temporarily lower the mirror. This could be limiting the usefulness of the live view feature to mostly studio and macro photography.
What Canon still lags behind
- GPS connectivity. Geo-tagging is quite a hot trend.
- Spot metering coverage. Still a little wider.
- FLASH capability; wireless FLASH (not with RF transmitter)
- Exposure compensation/bracketing range
Overall Nikon still wins in ergonomics and the attention to details, which is difficult to go into details in words. However I have to admire the fine machine Canon just introduced. I believe the competition is always good for consumers like you and me. It leads to cameras with better performance/price ratio.
Updates
10/26/2007: Canon EOS 40D review by DPReview.
Posted in
Digital SLR Cameras on August 20th, 2007.
18 Comments.
