Canon Unveils the 70D: ‘Dual Pixel’ APS-C Sensor Brings Snappier Autofocusing
Canon has officially announced the 70D, the company’s latest mid-range DSLR for serious photography enthusiasts. It’s a successor to the 60D that packs some major improvements in how autofocusing is done.
Inside the camera is a 20.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor that was designed and manufactured by Canon. Its basic specs are pretty standard: an ISO range of 100-12800, 7fps continuous shooting, and a 14-bit DIGIC 5+ processor.
It’s the autofocus system built into the sensor that’s quite groundbreaking. Canon is introducing a new technology called Dual Pixel CMOS AF. The feature takes each pixel on the sensor and splits it into two photodiodes. Data gathered by these photodiodes can be read independently to assist with autofocusing, or together for capturing a photograph.
Dual Pixel CMOS AF helps the 70D do smooth and sharp autofocusing when capturing HD videos and speedy autofocusing when capturing photographs in Live View mode. When it’s not in Live View mode, the camera can take advantage of 19-autofocus points that are all cross-type. The points can be selected individually, in small groups, or automatically in a large area of the frame.
On the back of the camera is an Intelligent Viewfinder that offers a 98% frame coverage at a 0.95x magnification. Underneath it is a 3-inch swiveling LCD screen with a 1.04-million-dot resolution. It’s also a capacitive touchscreen, allowing the photographer to control various features of the camera by touching, swiping, and pinching.
The 70D is also features wireless connectivity thanks to its built-in Wi-Fi adapter. The camera can be paired with Canon’s EOS remote app for remote controls and Live View.
Other features include in-camera HDR, multiple-exposure mode, creative filters, an Integrated Speedlite transmitter for controlling multiple external Speedlite flashes, and 1080p HD movie recording.
You’ll be able to pick up a Canon 70D beginning at the end of August 2013 for a price of $1199 for the body only, $1349 when paired with an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, or $1549 when bundled with a EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens.
