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Friday, August 21, 2009

Canon EOS 7D - Why Most Of The Canon 7D Specs Are Wrong

Canon 7D In The Box


So, with the Canon 7D rumors heating up, I got to talking with one of my photographer friends about what the 7D specs will be.

Here's the Canon 7D specs that are prevalent online.

EOS 7D
12.1mp Full Frame
DIGIC IV
3″ OLED
ISO 100-25,600
3.9fps

I agree that the 7D will likely be full frame, but I doubt the Canon 7D will be 12.1 megapixels. Canon is going to want to one up the Nikon D3 and the Nikon D700 by giving the 7D a higher megapixel sensor AND cleaner high ISO. I'm guessing the Canon 7D will have a 16 to 18 megapixel sensor, at least on par with the Nikon D3 and D700 for high ISO.

Digic IV on a Canon 7D is a given. Why would they backstep to older technology as this DPReview poster says in his post on the 7D? It's more likely they'd use the 7D to introduce a new Digic V than it is for the 7D to have Digic III.

3" OLED... yeah, yeah. Pretty standard now. The Canon 7D will have one.

3.9fps depends on the sensor size. If the rumors are right, and the Canon 7D has a 12.1 megapixel sensor, then I think 3.9fps is low. I'd say 5 or 6fps if the 7D has a 12.1 megapixel sensor. If I'm right, and the Canon 7D has a 16 to 18 megapixel sensor, then sure, 3.9fps for the 7D sounds about right. Still might be higher though. :)

Now what about video? Will the Canon 7D have video or will they leave the video feature off the 7D as a way to keep the cost down and differentiate the 7D from the 5D MkII? Tough call. I know one thing. I'd gladly give up video on the Canon 7D if I can have a 16 to 18 megapixel sensor that's as clean as the Nikon D3 and D700.

The body of a Canon 7D will likely be similar to a 5D MkII or Canon 50D. Not 1D or 1Ds class, but solid enough for most shooters. I'm ok with that.

My big question, and Peter Gregg's as well, is if Canon will have a solid autofocus sytem in the new Canon DSLR cameras like the Canon 1D MkIV, Canon 7D, and Canon 60D. Canon really can't take another big screw-up like their 1D MkIII, so let's hope so!

More on the Canon 7D...

Re-Evaluating the Canon 7D

Canon EOS 7D - One Flickr Users Canon 7D PipeDream

Having focus problems with your 5D MkII? You're not alone!

Canon EOS 5D MkII Autofocus: Unhappy 5D MkII Users Speak Out

4 comments:

Jay Thomas said...

Hmmm......so the 7D is not going to be a step up in anyway to the 5D? I assumed it would have a similar sensor and just new additions or new sensor itself. Going from my 5D if they come out with a good auto focus in that 16mp range I would be all over it. I can't drop the money to switch over to Nikon for now.

MV said...

Nikon has taken the approach of not taking on Canon head to head in terms of specs for the D700. While that approach does force the photographer to make choices the 7D is the perfect chance for Canon to take on Nikon at their own game. Keep the 5D body, throw in a few extra cross type AF sensors, bump the MP count to 16 and keep a week AA filter. I don't care about video so much. All of this would clearly give Canon a winner over the D700 as most folks don't need a lot of the D700's features.

When you start fishing on the bottom of the full frame market you do need to take Sony into account. They are going to throw a wrench in everyone's plans at some point.

Anonymous said...

The specs now according to Canon Rumors, and Fred Miranda, are as follows:

- Approx. 18MP effective resolution APS-C CMOS sensor
- Dual DiG!C 4 imaging processors, 14-bit A/D signal conversion
- Approx. 8fps fast continuous shutter; up to 84 large high-quality JPG or 15 RAW frames
- New double-cross center AF point, new 19-point all-cross type AF
- ISO 100-6400 (expandable to ISO 12800[H])
- New 100% coverage, 1x magnification viewfinder with intelligent info display, 3D electronic horizontal level meter
- New iFCL meter system using high contrast and color detection (63-zone)
- Full HD video capture with stereo microphone jack and HDMI output jack
- LiveView shooting mode with face-detection priority AF
- New video-capture/LiveView switch
- Newly-designed streamlined body, metallic shutter sound, shutter lifespan approx. 150,000 times
- new 24mm wide-angle built-in flash supporting EOS E-TTL II (not saying it can function as a Master trigger though)
- Auto lighting optimizer
- Auto correction of lens peripheral illumination (vignetting)
- Many choices of Picture Style
- EOS Integrated Cleaning System

Anonymous said...

7D with all those features is going to be A Rebel's XSI owners Dream Come Tru, ahhhhhhhhhh EOssssss ... coming from a rebel xsi body to 7D will be nice to handle this new body !

1699.00 is a reasonable price for those specs !

I just hope that the new 18mp cmos delivers !