About the Canon EOS 7D and 7D Mk II

Canon 7D

In September 2009, Canon added a whole new class to the EOS line of cameras – the 7D. Positioned between the entry level SLR’s and the full-frame models aimed at pro-level photographers, the 7D offered many of the features professional photographers rely on, but at an affordable price for serious photographers and semi-pros.

Featuring an 18 megapixel CMOS Sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors, the 7D offered much faster performance than the basic, entry-level DSLR models. Sports photographers and water shooters could enjoy 8 frames per second (fps) in continuous shooting mode. A big increase when compared to the starter kits. The 19-point autofocus system gives action sports photographers the ability to track fast moving subjects like surfers and capture the shot. The 63-zone metering system helps ensure a balanced exposure, and the ISO is expandable to a maximum of 6,400 for low-light shooting. Further enhancing the versatility of the Canon 7D is the ability to shoot 1080p video at 30 frames per second (fps).

With used and refurbished models of this camera selling for as low as $800, the Canon 7D is still a great option for water photographers interested in a versatile tool for getting the shot on land and in the water.

18 Megapixel Sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors

The Canon 7D features the Canon designed 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, capable of capturing a higher level of image resolution. The images can be easily cropped for image enlargement and not have to worry about losing detail. Moreover, the CMOS sensor of the camera is a major factor of reducing noise. It assures that all images shot that are at the high sensitivity will be smooth.

The camera’s Dual DIGIC Image Processors help to ensure that photos are fully captured and processed well, and saved at a remarkable speed. Moreover, the camera’s ability to quickly capture and process data of images, Face Detection mode, auto lighting optimizer, full HD video are all made possible by its Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors.

Low Light Excellence

Having a broad range of ISO settings, the Canon 7D allows shooting from dawn until dusk and helps to ensure the best capture at the finest detail. With its fully enhanced, low noise and high sensitivity optimization, capturing situations that used to be possible only with flash, is now as simple as a mere point and shoot.

Fast Speed Shooting

The Canon 7D is capable of capturing moving images of up to 130 jpeg in large format. Thus, it is the perfect choice of camera for those who are fond of taking action images. The camera’s remarkable shutter, along with its speedy and highly sophisticated electronics can help to ensure an immediate response and quick performance. Any rapidly occurring scenes can be captured easily, second by second and moment-by-moment. Thus, even the briefest and rare opportunities of moving objects can be captured with perfect clarity.

Advanced HD Videos

Canon 7D has one of the most advanced EOS video capturing features. It does not only take video clips. It also provides a fully enhanced image and video quality, as well as smooth frame rates. Its adaptive exposure compensation is necessary for professional moviemakers. By taking videos using a large sensor camera, it is now easier to take full advantage of the image characteristics that are intrinsic to SLR photography and not only on video cameras.

Aside from the different recording frame rate and size modes, the Canon 7D also allows for an easy manual control of focus, exposure and audio level. The Live View features also allows for in-camera editing. Moreover, the enhanced CMOS sensor and its compatibility with more than 60 lenses provides various depth of field options. And all these are as easy as merely pressing a button. What’s more, the 7D has a dedicated Live View and Movie Recording features equipped with start and stop button that helps to get the shooting started quick and easy.

With a wide variety of added features designed to enhance each and every facet of the photographic process, including still, moving images and vide0s, the Canon 7D represents an advanced class of an SLR camera. This SLR is the perfect tool for serious photographers, as well as semi-professionals.

Canon 7D Mark II

Building on the popularity of the original 7D, Canon launched the 7D Mark II in September 2014. The updated version features improved performance for action sports photographers with a higher continuous frame rate, improved sensor resolution, and a faster autofocus system.

CMOS Sensor + Dual DIGIC 6 Image Processor

Designed with speed in mind, the Canon 7D Mark II comes with a 20.2 megapixel CMOS sensor that complements its Dual DIGIC 6 Image Processors. With this revamped feature, the device is capable of delivering well-detailed photos and full HD videos.

The dual process of the 7D Mark II makes it the ideal equipment for both professionals and amateur action and water photographers. With its hard-core processor, it can perform when desired.

The shutter lag time of the device has been significantly reduced to 0.055 seconds with a start-up time of 0.1 seconds.

Its FPS clocks in at 10 with a rugged shutter design of up to 200,000 cycles. Flash sync speed is at 1/250 second while its top shutter speed is at 1/8000 second.

Autofocus

To provide wide frame coverage, Canon introduced a 65-point all cross-type autofocus system. Its high-precision dual cross-type sensor is best with lenses with an aperture of f/2.8 and is capable of working in low-light conditions up to -3EV. Additionally, these focus points can also be configured based on the user’s preference.

The 7D Mark II also features the Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which is classified as a refined live, view focusing technology. With this, shutterbugs are equipped with autofocusing abilities like that of a camcorder. This is applied to both still and video shooting.

This technology is able to recognize subjects, which means it can maintain its focus despite working in cluttered scenery.

Metering Sensor

A 150,000-pixel RGB metering sensor works perfectly well with its processor to enhance its precision. This technology benefits the device’s iTR AF (Intelligent Tracking and Recognition) system so it can easily keep track of the subject.

Canon has also included an algorithm on the device, which allows it to recognize faces and colors. This further bolsters the autofocus and exposure metering functions.

ISO Range

An expanded ISO range of 100-16,000 enables low light shooting for both photo and video. This can even be further expanded to ISO 51200.

With this ISO and the powerful dual processor of the 7D Mark II, every output has smoother color and tonal gradations. Additionally, it can automatically correct optical aberrations.

HD Videos

High-quality H.264/MPEG-4 AVC code is used to record in-camera video. The formats of the input of the Canon 7D Mark II can be MOV or MP4. Using multiple frame rates with frame per second of up to 60 is used to record a full HD 1080p video.

After file sizes reach 4GB, the device automatically partitions the video clips. Depending on the preference of the user it the All i-frame and the IPB compressions are available for use.

The Movie Servo AF can be customized when recording to adjust the speed, tracking intervals and focusing location. This gives a fluid and smooth quality of the film. The 7D Mark II can also support STM lenses, which would result in exceptionally, smooth and quiet focusing of the movie.

Connectivity Options

An integrated GPS2 system can geotag photos and even update the date and time stamp automatically from the satellite data.

Dual memory card slots for CF and SD cards ensure plenty of data capacity for shooting in the water, ensuring the camera can handle even the longest sessions without having to swim back to the beach to change cards.

Its USB 3.0 terminal allows faster transfer rate between the camera and a computer. There is also an optional WFT-E7 for Wi-Fi connectivity.

Compact Design

Just like its predecessors, the 7D Mark II is created with dust and a weather-sealed body. It is made of magnesium alloy and has a durable shutter mechanism. It comes with a 3.0” 1.04m-dot Clear View II LCD for monitoring and playback. The body of the camera has customizable buttons to make it easier for users to access the different settings of the camera.

The Canon 7D Mark II with all its features is surely a gift to both action and water photographers who are constantly faced with challenging photography situations.