Canon EOS 7D Field Report: Introduction and ISO Samples

We’ve received our review unit of the Canon EOS 7D, and our initial impressions are very good. The Canon EOS 7D impresses straight out of the box with a high level of build quality and subtle improvements that would likely catch the eye of many EOS 5D Mark II owners (myself included). In basic size and proportion, the EOS 7D is the same as the EOS 5D Mark II, but the EOS 7D improves on both the ergonomics and funtionality of the EOS 5D Mark II.

The EOS 7D “feels” better. The camera grip has been nuanced to grip better, to fit your fingers better. On the back, the groove for the thumb has been enhanced, again providing a much better area for the thumb to rest while enhancing grip even further. On the camera’s right side (from the rear) the EOS 7D slopes to the camera face a bit more, which improves two-handed ergonomics during Live View and movie recording.

On the functionality, I’m liking the on/off switch around the mode dial and really liking the EOS 7D’s implementation of a Live View button. A switch for still or movies surrounds a start/stop button, allowing instant access to either without having to resort to menus as with the EOS 5D Mark II.

Availability

I’d like to thank B&H Photo for their efforts in securing us the EOS 7D. If you’re considering purchasing an EOS 7D, I strongly recommend getting one through B&H. They have the best prices, selection, and service, and by making your Canon EOS 7D (or other camera equipment) purchase through links like this, you also help to insure we can continue to provide you with great content. Further, they also have the Canon EOS 7D in stock (as of this writing)!

Canon EOS 7D SLR Digital Camera (Body Only) Designed for pros and semi-pros alike, the Canon EOS 7D is a high-performance digital SLR, that features the resolving power of an 18-megapixel APS-C format CMOS sensor and dual DIGIC 4 image processors that enable 8 frames-per-second capture of high-definition, low-noise imaging at sensitivity levels up to ISO 12800. In addition to high-definition still images the Canon EOS 7D can also capture true HD 1080p video at 30 frames per second. Video clips can be up to 12 minutes in length or 4GB in size, and you can make full use of all Canon EF and EF-S-mount lenses, which enables an exceptional range of creative visual possibilities. And to ensure clean, blemish-free image files, the 7D employs a dual dust-reduction system. Price: $ 1,699.95 at B&H Photo

ISO Samples

I’ve included some ISO samples for your analysis. I’m still going through all the samples, and comparisons to the Nikon D300s as well as the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, so I don’t want to say anything to conclusively, but ISO performance is surprisingly good for an 18 megapixel APS-C sensor. Judge for yourself, but ISO 1600 and 3200 look well within the realm of total usability, though not nearly as good as the EOS 5D II.

I’ve run these through Canon’s Digital Photo Professional, as Lightroom currently only offers beta profiles for the EOS 7D. All images taken at 33mm using f/8. I’ve provide a full sample range with the EOS 7D’s noise reduction turned off, plus higher ISO samplings from the EOS 7D’s various options for noise reduction: standard, low, and strong. Click on each thumbnail for a full 100% crop of each sample. The “original size” link takes you to our Flickr for a full sized view of the entire image. Feel free to use the originals for your own personal use.

High ISO Speed Noise Reduction: Disable

This full size set is available here.

ISO 100	ISO 100 original size
ISO 200	ISO 200 original size
ISO 400	ISO 400 original size
ISO 800	ISO 800 original size
ISO 1600	ISO 1600 original size
ISO 3200	ISO 3200 original size
ISO 6400	ISO 6400 original size
ISO 12,800	ISO 12,800 original size

High ISO Speed Noise Reduction: Standard

This full size set is available here.

ISO 1600	ISO 1600
ISO 3200	ISO 3200
ISO 6400	ISO 6400
ISO 12,800	ISO 12,800

High ISO Speed Noise Reduction: Low

This full size set is available here.

ISO 1600	ISO 1600
ISO 3200	ISO 3200
ISO 6400	ISO 6400
ISO 12,800	ISO 12,800

High ISO Speed Noise Reduction: Strong

This full size set is available here.

ISO 1600	ISO 1600
ISO 3200	ISO 3200
ISO 6400	ISO 6400
ISO 12,800	ISO 12,800

In our next report, we’ll have comparisons with the EOS 5D Mark II as well as some image samples. I’m liking what I’m seeing so far, but stay tuned!

Get the Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D SLR Digital Camera (Body Only) Designed for pros and semi-pros alike, the Canon EOS 7D is a high-performance digital SLR, that features the resolving power of an 18-megapixel APS-C format CMOS sensor and dual DIGIC 4 image processors that enable 8 frames-per-second capture of high-definition, low-noise imaging at sensitivity levels up to ISO 12800. In addition to high-definition still images the Canon EOS 7D can also capture true HD 1080p video at 30 frames per second. Video clips can be up to 12 minutes in length or 4GB in size, and you can make full use of all Canon EF and EF-S-mount lenses, which enables an exceptional range of creative visual possibilities. And to ensure clean, blemish-free image files, the 7D employs a dual dust-reduction system. Price: $ 1,699.95 at B&H Photo

Continue the Discussion

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1. 

   Fred Munoz says:

   October 29, 2009 at 2:08 pm

   I’d like to know about the viewfinder.
   I had a 20D and it was awful, I looked through a 5D and was amazed (remembered my old Eos30V).
   How does it compare?
   I wanted to go full frame because of the viewfinder, but with the 7D’s…
   Thanks
   Fred

   reply
2. 

   Patrick says:

   October 29, 2009 at 10:30 pm

   Fred,
   Well it isn’t as “deep” as the 5D2’s viewfinder, there’s a certain sensation when looking through a full frame viewfinder… that said, I’ve got them both next to me and looking through them, I don’t see big differences.

   There’s a lot about the 7D that I’m envious of, it fits in your hand slightly better, clearly faster, the AF is superior, and several little gimmicks like virtual horizon, etc. But IQ isn’t as good, but depending on what you do with prints, it may not matter.

   reply
   • 

     Fred Munoz says:

     October 31, 2009 at 10:26 am

     Thanks very much, I think it’s all good for the 7D (no big prints, dont mind the aps-c factor).
     And thanks for your great website I check every day.
     Fred

     reply
     • 

       Patrick says:

       October 31, 2009 at 11:12 am

       Fred,
       thanks, I think you’ll be happy with the 7D if you go that route. Also I should say, the 7D files sizes are pretty big, and I didn’t mean to suggest that you can’t make big prints with it, at lower ISO, it’ll make for great prints. Just at higher ISO you might consider taking them down some relative to the 5D2.

       reply
3. 

   Chad says:

   October 31, 2009 at 7:09 am

   Hi,

   Maybe you can help me to choose between nikon d300s and canon 7d. Which is better between the two DSLR.

   Please note that this is my 1st DLSR and Im really need your opinion on this.

   Thank you

   reply
4. 

   Fils-de-Daguerre says:

   March 24, 2010 at 1:59 pm

   I wanna 7D f’r my bi’thday!

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     March 24, 2010 at 9:13 pm

     David,
     It seems unlikely this year, but if everybody would just kindly spread the word about Neutralday, perhaps we get move into that big boy category of review site next year.

     reply
     • 

       Fils-de-Daguerre says:

       March 24, 2010 at 9:18 pm

       I just love driving you crazy, don’t I, Patrick?

       My advice for you? Review some compacts. None of my friends give a darn for dSLR’s. The most sophisticated camera any of my friends has bought was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. (Except, of course, for my middle-age friends. One’s got a 20D, the other a 5D.)

       reply
     • 

       Fils-de-Daguerre says:

       March 24, 2010 at 9:31 pm

       A forum would increase your popularity twentyfold; phpBB2 or phpBB3 preferably.

       - David E.
       Brooklyn, NY

       reply