Canon’s New EOS 7D: Bigger, Faster, Smarter, Stronger
Canon fired the latest salvo in the hotter-than-ever digital SLR wars this week, introducing its new EOS 7D. The $1699 (body-only) EOS 7D includes some now-familiar features, such as APS-C image sensor size (1.6x crop factor), 3-inch LCD with Live View, and Full HD Video.
The $1699 (body-only) EOS 7D includes some now-familiar features, such as the APS-C image sensor size (1.6x crop factor), 3-inch LCD with Live View, and Full HD Video. Here’s what’s new and different.
Bigger - The EOS 7D cranks up the size of several subsystems, including
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18MP image sensor
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Two DIGIC 4 image processors for faster image processing and better low-light performance
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ISO expandable to 12,800
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100% viewfinder coverage
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19-point autofocus
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63 zone dual-layer metering that uses AF and color information for better exposure and image quality
Faster - Shoot faster with the EOS 7D, thanks to
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8 fps burst shooting (up to 126 large JPEG or up to 15 RAW; requires Ultra DMA Compact Flash Card)
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1080HD video mode now offers frame rates up to 30 fps and includes adjustable frame rates for all supported video resolutions
Smarter - The EOS 7D provides a smarter viewfinder and AF system for better information and composition
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New toggleable LCD overlay for better framing and focusing even in total darkness
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New Spot AF mode for focusing on tiny areas of a scene
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AF Point expansion (borrowed from the EOS 1D series) automatically shifts to adjacent focus points if the selected manual focus point loses focus
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Improved automatic AF point selection and Zone AF
Stronger - The EOS 7D is designed to stand up to protracted use:
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Magnesium body with dust and weather resistant features
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Shutter rated for up to 150,000 cycles
Lens Options, Accessories and More Information
The EOS 7D will also be bundled with Canon’s 28-135mm EF IS lens, which provides framing comparable to a 45-215mm lens on a full-frame 35mm camera. The kit will sell for an estimated $1,899.
Wide-angle fans will want to consider Canon’s new 15-85mm EF-S IS (24-135 35mm equivalent) and 18-135mm EF-S IS (28-215mm 35mm equivalent) lenses.
Canon’s new optional WFT-E5A Wireless File Transmitter ($699.99) provides a variety of storage and backup options for the EOS 7D, including the ability to record to a USB external hard disk and an Ultra DMA Compact Flash card inside the camera at the same time, and it also supports geotagging through Bluetooth. Learn more about the EOS 7D and WFT-E5A here.
Learn more about the EOS 7D’s new AF features here.
Are you excited about the new features in the 7D? Wishing it had a different mix of goodies? Click Comment and sound off.
Photo courtesy Canon USA.
HP May Give You Greenbacks for Going Green
Need a good reason to "go green" by recycling your old electronics? How about getting some green (money, that is) for your old desktop or laptop computers, digital cameras, monitors, PDAs, smartphones, inkjet or laser printers, table PCs, or workstations? HP has teamed up with Market Velocity, Inc. to offer the HP Consumer Buyback and Planet Partners Recycling Program. Whether you think you’re sitting on a potential gold mine of old stuff or are looking for a painless way to get worthless digital junk out of your office, give it a try.
Here’s how it works:
- Select the type of item you want to recycle
- Select the manufacturer; even though this is an HP-sponsored program, you can select from dozens of manufacturers or ALL OTHERS if your vendor isn’t listed or if it’s a "white-box" device
- Select the model number
- Select the condition; choose Excellent, Good, or Poor, and if you’re not sure how to grade your stuff, check the bottom of the page for help
- Enter the quantity
- Enter your zip code
- Select whether or not you want premium shipping; shipping charges are deducted from your item’s unit value and are reflected in your quote.
- Click Generate Quote to continue.
Depending upon what you’re wanting to dispose of, you might see a quote, an offer to recycle the item (if it has no resale value), or if you’re recycling a computer, the option to modify the listed configuration. Choose this option if you’ve upgraded memory, the hard disk, or if your system has a different processor than the default listed. Click Modify Configuration to make changes, and Accept Configuration when you’re ready to get your quote.
The quote price assumes that you’ll haul your obsolete gizmos off to the nearest FedEx location for return, but for another $10, they’ll come to you.
If you’re wanting to turn your obsolete gadgets into some cash, HP’s program isn’t the only game in town; see our coverage of Gazelle.com for another option. Whether your old computers and electronics are worth money or are just taking up space, though, don’t throw them away; both services offer ways to recycle or donate them and keep them out of the landfill.
Canon Rolls Out EOS Rebel XS
Today, Canon USA announced the Canon EOS Rebel XS, a new low-cost digital SLR camera based on the XSi introduced earlier this year. The XS will reach US store shelves in August. In other parts of the world, the XS is known as the Rebel 1000D.
What’s Missing?
Compared to the XSi, the XS features a slightly lower resolution, 10.1MP (similar to that of the EOS Rebel XTi), and features 7-point autofocus, instead of the 9-point AF used by the XSi and XTi models.
A closer look at the specifications of the new model also indicates its continuous shooting speed, at 3 frames per second, is also slightly slower than the XSi’s 3.5 fps. The XS also features a 2.5-inch LCD display, which is smaller than the XSi’s 3-inch LCD, but the same size as the XTi’s.
What’s New?
In Large/Fine JPEG mode, the XS provides continuous shooting limited only by card capacity, instead of the XSi’s limit of about 53 shots per burst and the XTi’s limit of 27 per burst. The XS also shaves off a bit of weight, with the body weighing in at just 15.9 ounces, compared to the XSi’s 16.8 ounces.
What’s the Same?
The XS, like the XSi, features the new 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS (image stabilized) lens and offers Live View. Other specifications appear identical. Like its older sibling, the XS will be available in black or silver.
Building a Cheaper Bridge to Advanced Digital Photography
Canon’s aiming straight for digital photographers who are ready to move up from their point-and-shoot models. As the news release puts it: "…we see the Rebel XS as the bridge to help photographers cross over from the world of point-and-shoot cameras to digital SLR technology." The Rebel XS compares well to its sibling feature-wise.
But what if you need a more powerful flash than the short-range popgun fitted to the XS, XSi and older EOS cameras?
Meet the Speedlite 430EX II
In this case, the II stands for 20% faster recycling time than the original 430EX, and it also features a quick-lock attachment system, a metal mounting foot (more durable than the 430EX’s plastic foot), and can be set through the LCD screen on compatible EOS digital SLR cameras. Look for this $329.99 portable lighting wonder in August.
Are You Ready to Switch? Fight? Buy Another Body?
Whether you’re already in the Canon EOS digital camp, using a rival SLR (film or digital), or are just thinking about making the jump from a point-and-shoot camera to a DSLR, tell us what’s on your mind. Opinions wanted!
Images courtesy Canon USA.