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Canon EOS 7D Field Report: Introduction and ISO Samples

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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.

Canon EOS 7D front view

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.

Canon EOS 7D three quarter left

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.

Canon EOS 7D rear view

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.

Crop selection sources

Crop selection sources

High ISO Speed Noise Reduction: Disable

This full size set is available here.

Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (1 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (1 of 20)
ISO 100ISO 100
original size
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (2 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (2 of 20)
ISO 200ISO 200
original size
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (3 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (3 of 20)
ISO 400ISO 400
original size
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (4 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (4 of 20)
ISO 800ISO 800
original size
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (5 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (5 of 20)
ISO 1600ISO 1600
original size
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (6 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (6 of 20)
ISO 3200ISO 3200
original size
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (7 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (7 of 20)
ISO 6400ISO 6400
original size
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (8 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (8 of 20)
ISO 12,800ISO 12,800
original size

High ISO Speed Noise Reduction: Standard

This full size set is available here.

Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (9 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (9 of 20)
ISO 1600ISO 1600
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (10 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (10 of 20)
ISO 3200ISO 3200
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (11 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (11 of 20)
ISO 6400ISO 6400
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (12 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (12 of 20)
ISO 12,800ISO 12,800

High ISO Speed Noise Reduction: Low

This full size set is available here.

Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (13 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (13 of 20)
ISO 1600ISO 1600
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (14 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (14 of 20)
ISO 3200ISO 3200
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (15 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (15 of 20)
ISO 6400ISO 6400
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (16 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (16 of 20)
ISO 12,800ISO 12,800

High ISO Speed Noise Reduction: Strong

This full size set is available here.

Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (17 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (17 of 20)
ISO 1600ISO 1600
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (18 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (18 of 20)
ISO 3200ISO 3200
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (19 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (19 of 20)
ISO 6400ISO 6400
Canon EOS 7D crop 1 (20 of 20)Canon EOS 7D crop 2 (20 of 20)
ISO 12,800ISO 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

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  1. Fred Munoz says:

    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

  2. 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.

    • Fred Munoz says:

      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

      • 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.

  3. 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

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