The new –age viewfinder is a big improvement on anything Canon has done before this. One of the first things to notice on the back of the camera is the eyepiece which is identical to those found on the 1D series. It is similar in size to Canon’s full-frame camera, the 5Dmk2, and actually weighs a little more than the mk2, coming in at 820g without a battery. The 7D body feels just right, with a new bulged shape to the rear of the grip. Given the high specifications of the 7D, and how similar they are on paper to Canons top sport camera, the EOS1DMk4, one could be excused for wondering how it is that the Mk4 sells for more than the cost of two 7D bodies! For Canon enthusiasts, the camera makes a natural upgrade for photographers who were enthusiastic fans of the 20D, 30D, 40D and 50D series. Whether they succeeded in that goal perhaps only time and sales figures will tell. My initial feeling when I first picked up the 7D was that Canon had taken a very close look at Nikons highly successful D300 camera, and designed the 7D to meet or beat the D300 in every way. The body is constructed from magnesium alloy and the 7D is built to be substantially more durable than the 50D/60D line in every way. The camera has seals and O-rings wherever moisture might enter the body, and is weather resistant when used with a suitably sealed Canon EF-L lens. There is a new shutter mechanism that is rated for 150 000 cycles, the same as the 5Dmk2, and up from the 100 000 cycles that the 60D is rated for. The camera can be operated via a Live View mode, and can also record high-definition video. The 7D shares the same LCD screen as the top of the range 1Dmk4. It also has a non-smear finish and offers better viewing angles than any of Canon’s older LCD screens. The rear LCD screen has a resolution of 920 000 pixels, and adjusts its brightness according to the ambient lighting conditions. The new viewfinder features a superimposed display that not only controls the new autofocus system, but also allows the user to make use of a grid to aid composition, as well as a dual-axis level display, to help make sure your camera is straight. The camera has a large viewfinder, with a new glass pentaprism that gives 100% coverage at a magnification of 1x. The 7D has an advanced autofocus system, with 19 cross-type points, and a sophisticated set of AF functions to make the most of them. Even though it was launched late in 2009, it remains at the time of writing the only APS-C camera body to be equipped with two processors, and at 18mp it has the highest resolution in its class. This becomes apparent when you take a look at the cameras specifications.

It is a feature-packed camera, and in many ways it offers the most value for money of any of Canon’s camera bodies. The 7D is one of the most exciting models in Canons line-up.

New canon eos 7d specs