Canon EOS 7D
Announced September 1, 2009
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Canon EOS 7D is a robust, high-performance APS-C DSLR that excels in speed and image quality for sports and wildlife enthusiasts. Although it offers advanced features like 8fps continuous shooting and extensive AF customization, the complex interface and lack of full-frame sensor might require a learning curve for some users.
Weighted from 26 reviewer scores
Pros
- Rugged magnesium alloy body with weather sealing
- Fast 8fps burst shooting and responsive dual-processor performance
- Highly detailed 18-megapixel sensor with strong high-ISO performance
- Large, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage
- Advanced 19-point autofocus system with wireless flash control
Cons
- Slow autofocus performance during live view and video recording
- Inconsistent auto white balance and exposure metering in challenging light
- Lack of a secondary memory card slot
- Limited manual audio control and noisy internal microphone
- Complex menu system and button layout
- Launch price $1,699 (USD)
- Sensor 18MP APS-C CMOS
- Video 1080p 24p
- Stabilization None
- Burst 8 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 26 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 84/100
With class-leading image quality, fast operation and excellent handling the EOS 7D is everything a semi-pro model should be–and the excellent movie mode will be a welcome bonus to those that like their pictures to move.
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7D at a glance 5/5 The Canon 7D is the digital SLR that many Canon fans have been waiting for, with a list of long-absent.
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The Canon EOS 7D is a tough, fast, and powerful DSLR that handles absolutely beautifully. Canon's packed this camera with tons of new features and as such it's really not left wanting for anything.
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EOS 7D’s AF system combines well with the 8fps maximum continuous shooting rate, making the camera a good choice for serious sports enthusiasts and professionals who cannot justify the £4,499 price tag of the EOS-1D Mark IV, or those who don’t need a larger sensor.
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The bottom line is that the 7D is Canon's new king-of-the-APS-C DSLRs - clearly the best yet.
- WIRED 8/10
In spite of that shortcoming, the 7D is an outstanding shooter on nearly every level.
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[P]erformance is of a very high order and the pictures I got in my short time with the camera I was perfectly happy with, so it is undoubtedly worthy of recommendation.
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[T]his really is a break-through camera that advances the EOS system as a whole.
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The Canon EOS 7D is without doubt one of the best cameras currently available, offering fantastic build quality, lightning fast performance and superb image quality in virtually any conditions.
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The Canon EOS 7D is one of the best midrange D-SLRs money can buy.
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Wildlife and sports photographers, however, will find that the EOS 7D gives better results once they have learned how to set up its rather complex AF system to suit them and the subject.
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The 7D brings to the table some of the best video from a DSLR we have seen to date.
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In the hand the 7D feels like a very solid and well-built camera, enough to be used as a regular workhorse for the semi-pro, or second camera for a pro.
- CNET 8/10
An excellent midrange dSLR, the Canon EOS 7D delivers for the money.
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Canon EOS 7D is an excellent camera with tremendous burst shooting speed, unmatched in terms of speed among other crop cameras from Canon.
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The EOS 7D is a good step forward for Canon. In the recent past, many of the complaints about Canon’s prosumer models gravitated toward a general consensus that they were limited or crippled when compared to Nikon’s lineup.
- Photo Review 8.8/10
A DSLR for serious enthusiasts who require advanced creative controls, live view shooting and Full HD video recording.
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Looked at in that way, it also represents superb value for money as well.
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It's hard to argue with the Canon EOS 7D. If you're a prosumer photographer who, until now, has carried a separate HD video camera, then the 7D could easily lighten your load.
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Crazy powerful AF functions, HD video capture, a rugged metal body and 18 megapixel image sensor, 8 frames per second drive mode—this is a lot of camera for under 1,700 bucks.
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This well-rounded DSLR is highly suitable for all types of photography, particularly so given the extensive lineup of Canon lenses for cropped sensor and full-frame SLRs.
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The $1700 7D is Canon’s first semi-pro DSLR, and actually it’s my favorite yet.
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I'll go into what little I don't like about it in glaring detail below, but know that overall, the 7D is the best camera ever made by Canon, second only to the 5D Mark II, for my sort of shooting.
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The 7D offers the ambitious photographer a host of operating features in a non-intimidatory package.
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This is a classy feature-rich DSLR that has a reassuringly robust body so should easily withstand even severe knocks and bumps.
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Canon did lots of things right with this camera. But most importantly, if you think you’re sacrificing a clean noise-free image to save a few bucks, think again.
