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Canon releases 7D DSLR HD Camera

Canon obviously saw the potential of the 5D Mark II and has now released the 7D which addresses many of the issues people had with trying to shoot HD with the 5D Mark II.

From their website announcement:

With a host of brand new features designed to enhance every facet of the photographic process, from still images to video, the new EOS 7D represents a whole new class of camera.

Made to be the tool of choice for serious photographers and semi-professionals, the EOS 7D features an all-new 18.0 Megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors, capturing tremendous images at up to ISO 12800 and speeds of up to 8 fps. The EOS 7D has a new all cross-type 19-point AF system with improved AI Servo AF subject tracking and user-selectable AF area selection modes for sharp focus no matter the situation. The EOS 7D’s Intelligent Viewfinder, an entirely newly-designed technology, provides 100% coverage and displays user-selected AF modes as well as a spot metering circle and on demand grid lines. New iFCL Metering with 63-zone dual-layer metering system uses both focus and color information to provide accurate exposure even in difficult lighting. The EOS 7D also captures Full HD video at 30p (29.97 fps), 24p (23.976 fps) and 25p with an array of manual controls, including manual exposure during movie shooting and ISO speed selection. The EOS 7D features a magnesium alloy body that is dust- and weather-resistant and shutter durability of up to 150,000 cycles. Compatible with over 60 EF and EF-S lenses as well as with EOS System accessories, the creative opportunities - not just with stills but also with video - are beyond amazement.

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The frame rates are very nice, but the “APS-C size sensor” is not full frame, meaning you’ll not get the “filmic” shallow depth of field of the 5D which has a 35mm-sized sensor. Price is also very good (at the bottom of Page 2 for those who didn’t click through), but it does not explicitly mention that the bundle comes with a superior “L” -class lens. I’d also be curious if any improvement has been made to the occasional aliasing artifacts that can turn up with video on the 5D.

So it is a bit of a tradeoff overall (enough to not make me totally regret buying a 5D mkII just a few weeks ago…); it’s almost like Canon is aiming this at a higher end prosumer market. Hmmm.

- Chris

Posted by Chris Meyer  on  09/01  at  09:55 PM

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Chris, I’m not worried about depth of field at all! The APS-C format is 35mm Motion Picture standard, and about the same size of the Red One sensor. From my perspective, I plan to graduate from my DVX100 with a 1/3” set of CCDs - the 7D sensor is what? 6 times larger? It dwarfs a 2/3” sensor, like comparing apples & watermelons. I’m quite giddy!

Also, check THIS out:
http://philipbloom.co.uk/2009/09/04/my-first-short-shot-with-the-canon-7d-shaving-it-back/

Should lay any DOF issues to rest. Phillip is leading the pack of reviewers. I’m watching his site hourly!

Cheers!

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  09/04  at  03:37 PM

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Good point on the sensor size. Stu Maschwitz devotes a lot of time to the subject in his useful commentary on the 7D:

http://prolost.com/blog/2009/8/31/canon-7d.html?currentPage=2

Posted by Chris Meyer  on  09/07  at  03:21 PM

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