Canon just announced their new mid-range digital SLR today, the fabled EOS 7D. As it turns out, the camera isn’t really a “full frame 5D Mark II Lite” as many had hoped for, but instead sits between the EOS 50D and EOS 1D Mark III models (which are APS-C and APS-H crop models respectively).
The new EOS 7D actually sits closer to its 1D-cousin in terms of ‘main features’ (ie burst mode, viewfinder, dual processors). So, you could look at it as a “mini EOS 1D Mark III” or “big step-up from the EOS 50D”.
Canon EOS 7D
(Mid-range SLR camera)
- 18 megapixel CMOS sensor (APS-C, 1.6X crop factor)
- Canon EF/EF-S lens mount
- Dual DIGIC IV processors
- Dust reduction
- 3 inch super-high resolution LCD (920k pixels)
- 100% viewfinder coverage with 1.0X magnification (wow, that’s huge)
- Shutter life rated at 150,000 actuations
- 19 point AF; 8 are dual cross-type sensors
- Live view with contrast detection autofocus
- Electronic level indicator (so you can take straight landscape photos)
- On-board flash; covers as wide as 24 mm and with built-in wireless control
- ISO range of 100 - 6400 (expandable to ISO 50 - 25600)
- Auto Lighting optimizer (brightens pictures) and vignetting correction
- Full manual controls with RAW mode and flash hotshoe
- 8 FPS burst mode up to 94 JPEG or 15 RAW photos
- 1080p (1920 x 1080) movie mode with sound; optional external microphone and seletable frame rate (24, 25 or 30 FPS)
- Compact Flash (Type I/II) memory card slot; UDMA enabled
- Uses a lithium-ion battery (LP-E6, same as 5D Mark II)
- Available in late September for $1700 (body only) or $1900 (with EF 28-135 mm IS lens)
Canon also revealed the successor to their 5-year old EF-S 17-85 mm, f3.5-f5.6 IS ‘walkaround lens’ today. It’s the new EF-S 15-85 mm, f3.5-f5.6 IS lens! This new lens covers a versatile 24-136 mm in 35 mm terms, has optical image stabilization and will be available in October for $700.
Next up is another walkaround EF-S lens, the EF-S 18-135 mm, f3.5-f5.6 IS - which would equal to 29-216 mm (35 mm equivalent). This lens will retail for $500 in September.
The third new lens for today is the EF 100 mm f2.8L IS Macro. This new 100 mm macro lens can take 1:1 lifesize photos, fits all EOS cameras (unlike EF-S lenses) and has a 9-blade aperture diagram and Canon’s new Hybrid image stabilizer (which compensates for more ‘shake’ motions). Like its non-L counterpart, it also features internal focusing, full-time manual focus and a USM drive for quick and silent focusing. The EF 100 mm f2.8L IS Macro will sell alongside (not replace) the existing EF 100 mm f2.8 Macro and will be available in September for $1050.