The Canon EOS 7D, announced in September 2009, can be classified as a high-efficiency digital single-lens reflex camera, featuring 18-megapixel APS-C image sensor format, a new and fast 19-point autofocus system, 3-inch LCD display, a smart viewfinder with 1.0X magnification and 100% field of vision, continuous shooting of 8 frames per second, and movies in the Full HD format. Design
The body of the Canon 7D is made of durable and lightweight magnesium alloy and it is environmentally sealed, meaning that the camera is not afraid of small rain, dust, or loose sand. In comparison with other models of the line the 7D camera has an improved ergonomics. There is a big handy grip with a notch for a middle finger, larger buttons, so you can operate with the camera even in cold seasons without taking off the gloves. Starting and stopping the recording is performed with a dedicated button, which is located on the rear panel within the reach of the right thumb. The camera has a quite considerable weight (33.3 ounces with a battery and CF card), heavier than the EOS 50D, but you can consider it as an advantage, as it makes the camera more stable and allows you to maintain a balance when using heavy optics.
The shutter is guaranteed to provide trouble-free operation of up to 150,000 cycles. Live preview when taking photos or video can be done either through the optical viewfinder or via the LCD display in the Live View mode. Bright and comfortable viewfinder covers 100% of the frame and with 50mm lens displays a "picture" in the 1:1 scale. The diopter adjustment is provided as well, which is an important function of DSLR cameras, allowing improve the image quality and take care of the user comfort. LCD viewfinder shows the full information about the modes and camera settings. There is no gap between a protective coating to the LCD and a liquid crystal layer, so that the monitor is practically immune to glare.
The main camera LCD has a size of 3"diagonally with a resolution of 920,000 pixels. LCD brightness is adjusted automatically in accord with the indications of a dedicated sensor of surrounding light. The 7D is the first model of the Canon EOS series equipped with a biaxial electronic level, which can be seen on the ground glass of the viewfinder and on the LCD. This competent solution allows prevent an incline of the horizon line in the photos, and moreover, when operating with lenses, capable to tilt and shift the optical axis, it will be of great importance, in general. As data storage the camera uses Compact Flash memory cards (type O, II).
Lens, matrix
Crop factor of the EOS 7D is 1.6X. The camera can be used with conventional EF lenses, and with the optimized EF-S lenses for digital cameras, which are, certainly, more preferable.For consistent operation and exclusion of the back-focus problem, the 7D model assumes to set identical adjustment for all lenses or customize the unit for each lens (up to 20 lenses).
The Canon EOS 7D features a new 18-megapixel CMOS-matrix APS-C format. A distinctive feature of this sensor is the updated design of cells with LEDs and microlenses. Designers have reduced the gap between the microlens and the light detector, resulting in a more accurate focusing of a light beam and reducing light losses to minimum. As a consequence, a signal/noise ratio improved, which in its turn reduced the number of artifacts several times, if compared with light sensors of such size, used previously.
In the issue, despite the increased resolution, the Canon 7D is not lagging behind in the sensitivity from the best representatives in its class, and even surpasses some of them. Standard sensitivity range of the 7D extends from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, and in the extended modes ISO 12800 is available for the user. The image sensor is protected from dust due to the effect of several constituents: anti-static coating, high frequency vibration of the matrix, and dedicated firmware, providing in the process of computer image processing tracking and eliminating of defects, caused by dust on the sensor. A signal from the light sensor is supplied to two DIGIC 4 processors and they provide a superior quality of the image at maximum speed of processing.
The Canon 7D shooting rate is worth of special attention: without using any additional accessories the device is able to perform a continuous shooting at the rate of 8 frames per second. What is more, in JPEG format it can record a continuous series of 126 frames (maximum duration of a series for RAW format is 15 frames).
Functions
Functional capabilities of the Canon EOS 7D set a new benchmark for high-end prosumer DSLR-cameras. Autofocus is performed with the help of 19 cross-type sensors, the desired point can be selected either automatically or manually, and sharpening set is possible not only on individual points, but also on large areas. For the first time the Canon SLR metering sensor takes into account not only the amount of light, but also its spectral composition, and it is able to detect the difference between natural and artificial, day and evening light.
New iFCL system is designed in such a way that the data of a metering system are supplemented with the data of an autofocus system, so the accuracy of determining the exposure is at the highest level. White balance can be set automatically or manually via the manufacturer presets, user adjustment or numerical value of the color temperature. You can correct the white balance +/- 9 steps in the range of blue/amber, magenta/green. If necessary, you can use white balance bracketing and exposure bracketing, as well as the function of exposure compensation. The exposure arrangement is possible in standard "mirror" modes of P, S, A, and M, as well as CA (Creative Auto), which allows you to quickly optimize depth of field and brightness of the image.
The user can create several settings by himself, for which the camera has three unoccupied software areas. The image quality can be adjusted using a large number of features and functions, including: Highlight Tone Priority, Auto Lighting Optimizer (4 settings), noise reduction during long exposure, noise reduction at high ISO (4 settings), Auto correction of peripheral illumination of lenses.
Special attention should be attached to the functionality of the built-in flash of the Canon EOS 7D. For the first time the Canon EOS built-in flash can be used as a control one for arranging concerted flashes Canon Speedlite. Under the control of the built-in flash, up to three groups of external flash units can operate at a predetermined ratio of power impulse and exposure, as determined by the E-TTL II system. Thus, the Canon 7D allows you to create a compact and mobile lighting system that can operate without additional configuration of power impulse.
One of the undoubted merits of the Canon 7D can be considered also a movie mode. Video recording is possible in the Full HD format (1920x1080 pixels), and you can set by yourself the frequency of shooting (24 fps is a cinematic frequency, 25 fps is the increased frequency for video in PAL, or 30 fps for video in NTSC). Given the well-known quality of the Canon optics, as well as the ability to adjust the video depth of field and focusing, the Canon 7D features allow to issue video of almost professional quality.
The Canon 7D is really a high-performance, versatile digital SLR camera, combining excellent comfortable design and features meeting the needs and requests of both serious professionals and semi-professionals.
