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Description

Pros: Excellent 18-megapixel sensor with impressively low noise and superb detail
Very good high ISO performance, especially for 18-megapixel subframe sensor
Rugged construction with magnesium body and weather sealing
Good ergonomics with highly customizable user interface
Quick Menu system
The usual Canon enhancements: HTP, ALO, Lens Peripheral Illumination
New Live View/Movie mode switch is well-conceived
Live View mode works very well
Live View mode offers a choice between phase-detect, contrast-detect modes, plus Face detect mode
Zoom in five or ten times with Live View
Accurate color and saturation
Saturation and contrast settings work well
Fast autofocus
Fast burst rate of 8 frames per second
14-bit RAW with no speed penalty (unlike D300/D300S)
New AF system with 19 cross-type sensors
AF fine tuning by lens
100% VF (we measured only ~98% though), with 1.0x magnification
Wireless flash support built-into pop-up flash
Fast flash recycling (2.7 seconds)
On-demand viewfinder grid, also shows active AF area in AI Servo (similar to Nikon)
Full HD (1920x1080) movies at 30/25/24p, 60/50p at 1280x720 and 640x480
HDMI output for direct playback on HDTVs
Dust removal technology largely eliminates sensor cleaning chores
3.0-inch, 921,600-dot LCD with a wide viewing angle for better Live View, image sharing, and focus check
Expanded ISO offering raises options in low-light situations
Integrated status display conveys a lot of information
Fast image transfer eliminates the need for a card reader
Picture Styles makes choosing and customizing color modes fast and easy
Compatible with over 50 lenses and accessories
Available WFT-E5 wireless grip
Dual-axis electronic level
Selectable auto-rotation feature rotates on the camera or only in the computer
Shutter button design allows followup shots without refocusing
Print quality is excellent, making sharp 20x30-inch prints
Great shot-to-shot, shutter lag, and cycle time numbers
Enhanced AE Bracketing feature (but still only 3 shots)
Good software bundle that includes Digital Photo Pro RAW conversion software
RAW files serve up incredible detail
Reduced-size RAW options
Supports both wired and wireless remotes
Very good battery life with optical viewfinder
External microphone jack

Cons: Switching to Live View mode is slow
No dedicated AF-assist lamp (flash is used), and AF-assist adjustment is buried in the Flash Settings menu
AF not as good in low light as 50D
AE not reliable in very low light
Slow record to display time
No intervalometer or multiple exposure support
No in-camera image stabilization (lens based)
Auto ISO not configurable
Kit lens (28-135mm) isn't quite up to the resolving power of the 18-megapixel sensor, odd focal length for subframe SLR
No in-camera lateral chromatic aberration correction
Flash weaker than 50D; increasing flash EV compensation above 1.0 EV resulted in dimmer image
Battery capacity is reduced with significant use of Live View mode, the larger screen, and dust off system
Live View shutter lag is a little longer than with the optical viewfinder
No continuous autofocus in Movie mode
Auto white balance leaves tungsten lighting too warm
Default high ISO noise suppression has trouble with low-contrast areas, especially in the red channel
Pop-up flash servo is loud

The long-rumored Canon 7D has finally materialized: an advanced subframe digital SLR that Canon says is in the same class as the 5D Mark II. This is not the 60D with a new name, we're told, but a whole new line; whether the 7D supplants the 50D is not clear.
What is clear is that the Canon EOS 7D is replete with features, many of which seem like the fulfillment of an enthusiast checklist. Other features are clear responses to just about every corner of the digital SLR market, features that are heretofore only seen on one or two cameras from Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Olympus, and even Canon's Rebel line. The end result is that much of what Canon users may have admired in other cameras is now available in the Canon 7D.
Competition is good.
The Canon 7D also goes a long way toward tempering fears...