Canon EOS 70D Hands-on Preview: Digital Photography Review

Operation and controls

Top of camera controls (right)

The EOS 70D's right hand top-plate has almost exactly the same control layout as the 60D, the sole addition being the AF area expansion button between the front dial and shutter release. The front dial changes the primary exposure parameter for the selected mode: program shift in P, aperture in Av, and shutter speed in Tv and M. Behind it is a strip of buttons giving direct access to autofocus and drive modes, metering pattern and ISO (the latter being markedly better-placed for operation with the camera to your eye than the Nikon D7100's), along with one that illuminates the top-plate LCD.

Three buttons are placed on the camera's shoulder for operation by your thumb. The AF-ON button activates the camera's autofocus, and the 'Star' button next to it is a customisable autoexposure lock. Beside it is the AF point selector - press this and you can move the focus point around using either the front and rear dials, or the directional pad inside the rear dial. The latter two buttons are also used for playback magnification.

Top of camera controls (left)

On the other side of the pentaprism you'll find the power switch and mode dial. This has the familiar four exposure modes - Program, Aperture priority, Shutter Priority and Manual - plus Bulb shutter mode and a single user-definable Custom position. There's also 'Auto+', 'Flash off' and 'Creative Auto' modes, the latter offering results-orientated creative control, along with a SCN position that consolidates Canon's long-running scene modes (sport, landscape etc.) in one place. The mode dial rotates freely though 360 degrees, with no end-stops.

Below these, there are two buttons to access the camera's menus and change the amount of information displayed on the rear screen.

Rear Controls

The rest of the 70D's major shooting controls are on the back, mainly arranged for operation by your right thumb. The combined live view / movie mode controller is beside the viewfinder; with the switch in the stills position, pressing the central button engages and disengages live view. Flick the switch into the movie position and the camera enters movie live view with a 16:9 preview display. The Start/Stop button then starts and stops recording.

The Q button brings up an interactive control screen while shooting, allowing you to change camera parameters that can't necessarily be accessed directly through external buttons. It also brings overlaid option menus in Live View and Playback modes, offering rapid access to features such as in-camera RAW conversion. The playback button is immediately below, with the delete key towards the bottom of the camera.

The rear dial is used to change exposure compensation in P, Av and Tv modes, and change the aperture in M. Set within it is an 8-way controller that's used for such things as changing the focus point, navigating menus and scrolling around images in playback. The rear dial can be locked against accidental settings changes using the switch that's beneath it.

Front of camera controls

	The flash activation button is conventionally placed on the side of the lens throat, and activates a motorised (as opposed to mechanical) release.
	The depth of field preview button is on the handgrip side of the lens throat, and designed to be operated by your left hand. It can be customized to access a number of different functions. We're not huge fans of this position to be honest - it can be awkward to reach when shooting in portrait format, or with the camera on a tripod.

Built-in Wi-Fi

The EOS 70D becomes Canon's second SLR to include built-in Wi-Fi, and not surprisingly it's essentially the same system used by the EOS 6D. It offers a useful range of functions, and unusual flexibility in setup; you can connect to another device either directly or using an existing Wi-Fi network, and save up to three setup profiles for quick recall (for example one to connect directly to your smartphone for use in the field, one for your tablet, and another to connect to your personal computer over your home Wi-Fi). One advantage the 70D offers over the 6D is that the touchscreen should help make setup easier.

You can read more about Canon's Wi-Fi features in our review of the EOS 6D. But in brief, the 70D offers the following functions:

Transfer images between Wi-Fi enabled Canon cameras
Connect to smartphone or tablet (via EOS Remote)
Remote control from PC (via EOS Utility)
Print from Wi-Fi enabled printer
Upload to web service (e.g. Canon iMage Gateway)
View images on DNLA-enabled devices (e.g. TVs)

When the camera is connected to a smartphone or tablet (via the free EOS Remote app), you can use your device as a remote control, with streaming live view, the ability to specify the desired focus point, and control over the key exposure parameters (shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation and ISO). You can also browse and rate your images, and copy them over at reduced resolution for viewing and sharing.

One point worth noting is that turning on Wi-Fi disables movie recording; naturally it will also have some impact on battery life.

GearShop

Canon 70D DSLR Camera, Body Only●	$1,199.00	Buy on GearShop
Canon 70D DSLR Camera Kit with EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens●	$1,549.00	Buy on GearShop
Canon 70D DSLR Camera Kit with EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens●	$1,349.00	Buy on GearShop

Canon EOS 70D 20.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Dual Pixel CMOS AF (Body Only)	$1,199.00
Canon EOS 70D 20.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Dual Pixel CMOS AF and EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM Kit	Too low to display
Canon EOS 70D 20.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Dual Pixel CMOS AF (Body Only)	$1,199.00
Canon EOS 70D 20.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Dual Pixel CMOS AF and EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM Kit	$1,349.00
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens (Import) for Canon EOS 7D, 60D, 70D, Rebel SL1, T1i, T2i, T3, T3i, T4i, T5i, XS, XSi, XT, & XTi Digital SLR Cameras + 6pc Bundle Accessory Kit	$177.77
Canon EOS 70D 20.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Dual Pixel CMOS AF (Body Only) 32GB Pro Kit - Includes camera, 32GB Secure Digital SD Memory Card, Compact Deluxe Gadget Bag - DC74m 3pc. Lens Cleaning Kit	$1,199.00
Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)	$699.00
Canon EOS 70D Digital SLR Camera & EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens with 32GB Card + Battery + Case + Tripod + Filter + Flash + Tele/Wide Lenses + Kit	$1,549.95
Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens	Too low to display
Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Body Only)	$1,339.00
Canon EOS 70D 20.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and EF-S 18-55mm 64GB Bundle - Includes camera, 64GB Memory Card, Telephoto Lens, 2 58 mm Filter Kits, 2 Batteries, Battery Charger, Gadget Bag, Card Reader, Mini Tripod, Screen Protectors, & Lens Cleaning Kit	$1,497.00

Show all listings (11) ...

Get more prices from Amazon

Comments

Total comments: 1013

compared to my 550d, wow no progress been made over almost 4 years!!! still using mirror wtf!

0 upvotes

How can we compare the a77 to the 70D with is a very interesting comparison if one is on old and one is on new.. The test board is very nice.. but it really creates a break in value of the previous DPReview tests.

0 upvotes

Got to love how the "DPReviewer" found out that, in "Face-detection/Tracking AF" mode, the camera takes noticeably longer to lock focus when there's no face in the scene and then writes an whole paragraph and makes a video to make it look like a limitation.

It's called "Face-detection/Tracking AF" for Pete's sake!!!

0 upvotes

Can the Canon 70D trigger a 430EX II wireless through radio or does it have to fire the built-in flash in order to optically fire the remote flash? I'd like to be able to position my flash wherever and have the camera trigger it without needing to also fire the built-in flash.

0 upvotes

The new scene has many well thought out elements, plenty of shadow opportunities when combined with the alternate light.

I would appreciate it if you would tell us the brand of the color wheels you used so we might buy one for ourselves, not all brands are the same.

One problem does persist though. Although I appreciate your including the four most common ethnicity, none of these people actually live their lives with a flash bulb in front of their face. Especially the white man's image, it is nearly worthless. Very few clients would pay for such blown out face shots. Just look at the forehead of the black gentleman it is ridiculous. The scene is large enough to accommodate 8 human subjects, older with lots of character wrinkles and varied skin tone would be advisable. I am curious if others feel the same. I would also of included the female image from the previous scene as so many of us remember the iris and lips so well in comparisons.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Guess you have an extra STM lens (55-250mm) to test with the 70D now Mr Butler. :-)

0 upvotes

So when is the full review coming up? I'm holding back on buying the 70d until I see this review :)

1 upvote

We're working on it and will try to publish as soon as we can.

4 upvotes

Are we talking about days or weeks or months? :)

I'm basically wondering if I should get the 70d for $1200 or a used 7d for $800-900, and I expect that the final review will provide a direct comparison I could use to make this decision.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 43 seconds after posting

1 upvote

70D not bad at 6400

0 upvotes

Why on the earth someone or you want to shoot at iso 6400 ?

0 upvotes

Please when will be visible Sony A58 results?

0 upvotes

I am really impressed with the file quality, especially the tonality of the Fuji X-Pro 1. No, I don't own one but I am continually impressed with the images I see from that camera. And yes, I am blown away by the very little difference in apparent image quality between the 70D and the 5D MkIII. Nice comparison. I think you cold grab any of these cameras and create images of the finest file quality.

2 upvotes

I like the day light and low light simulation. Low light looks quite a bit worse that day light at the same ISO.

How about add another one for high contrast light? That way we can see the effect of dynamic range too. I know there's a Kodak gray scale chart at the top for judging dynamic range, but it's hard to see how it affects real life pictures. It needs a highlight region with high intensity light on it, and a shadow region in near darkness. Then it'd be easier to judge blown-out and black-out areas.

0 upvotes

Wow Nikon doesn't know how to write a JPEG!

0 upvotes

No, Nikon's default jpeg are soft, but can be easily adjusted by their picture controls

0 upvotes

Nikon's jpeg are compressed very bad, they are not "soft", there is huge amount of noise visible.

0 upvotes

70D looks good, I can't pick a clear winner. GX7 also looks good.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 4 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

I have to say the new target is not very good, especially the images of people. All seem overexposed, with clipped Reds, not useful for evaluation of cameras or lenses. I miss the 3-dimensionality of the previous scene, and the many different colors and textures in feathers and other objects. The exception is the addition of the Beatles ;-)

Re the new Canon, it seems to lose a bit in detail compared to the 700D. And all lose compared to D7100 (RAW, of course).

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 5 minutes after posting

3 upvotes

When placed on B&W scale the whites turn yellowish from X-Pro1 sample.

0 upvotes

Sorry, I don't understand your point.

0 upvotes

When I place that rectangular thing from the 20 bill to any white scale the output from two Canons and Nikon looks white, from FujiFilm is yellowish.

0 upvotes

I have nothing against New Studio Scene. To me it looks more than enough, it's fine.

0 upvotes

Is this in daylight mode or low light mode? The low light JPEGs are shot in Auto White balance, so give an insight into how much correction the cameras will try to do in tungsten light.

0 upvotes

Thanks

0 upvotes

This thing looks to be relatively free of banding compared to past offerings (based on these images anyway).

0 upvotes

As I see every camera maker chooses their own picture style method for JPEG's here. Both Canons are more natural in contrast - the 70D is leading, the 700D a bit brighter but has just a bit less contrast and bit yellower. The D7100 is even more yellow with everything but contrast. The X-Pro1 applies much less contrast than both Canons, less color saturated than Canons and Nikon and more balanced in that regard.

Comment edited 8 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Across the board I see NO advantage of the 70D's output over my current OMD-EM5, in fact in most cases the OMD is crisper pulling better resolution. It's a nice try on Canon's part to improve upon the LiveView. Keep working on it I'd say.

0 upvotes

Olympus current 16MP cameras are awesome...but they lack a mirror which many still like (I think I'd prefer an EVF). 70D just tries to catch up on live view / direct focusing, nobody claimed it had best in class IQ. But realistically, every camera that's in this new tool/scene looks very good, and in prints or display on a computer, they would be very hard to tell apart.

1 upvote

I'd like to see more camera's in the comparison tool. I'm missing my old reference points like the Pentax K-5 an Nikon D7000.

0 upvotes

So they are to all intents and purposes identical then?

It's nice to know that judging a camera by IQ these days is a pursuit for obsessives and decisions can be made on the other features that they all share.

The differences must be so miniscule that buying a camera could be done on
whether you like the button arrangement.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 8 minutes after posting

3 upvotes

Actually , lack of controls , buttons , grip ...the " button arrangement" , is on main turn offs \ turn ons in this business .
IQ for non PP would be the second thing to compare .

As for this model , it seems (as was said here before) that next ACR may fix the softness of RAW file . Bit noisy though comparing to 700D .

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Reading through the comments here reiterates to me that what the image taker wants and likes is different to what others like. This has been the same argument for years. Goes to show, use what you like. All the current range of cameras do a Fantastic job. I have my preference. Canon is my number 1 and gives me what I want.Sony misses the mark for me... Enjoy your kit whatever it is and love your photography :)

5 upvotes

ACR conversion not ready? Similar to strange EM-1 colors, 70D is 1/3rd stop brighter in low light but in jpeg the difference dissapears. AA filter is strong, one of the most moire free RAWs...I suspect its video performance will be very good. This comes at the cost of applying slightly more sharpening in post. Red channel performance suspect in ACR conversion...in jpeg not nearly the same difference between sensors as RAW. I do not think ACR is ready for the 70D or EM-1 with regards to sensor profiling.

Look at the black man's forehead in low light shot with raw vs jpeg...pretty significant difference in brightness...I have not digged into RAW to see if it actually is more greatly exposed although exposures should be same as 700D

Comment edited 4 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

the dual-pixel AF is too good that it's dull to play with.
I used to wow when someone did it manually.

0 upvotes

Skimmed DxOMark and the PMP scores did not improve over the 18MP sensor, so again it is pretty much true that the 70D is the most competent video camera but has made little progress in stills. A very offensive thought to pixel peepers, but in terms of consumer wants, its probably the correct business strategy on Canons part.

0 upvotes

the fuji color noise at high iso is amazing.

2 upvotes

because the Fuji applies noise reduction

0 upvotes

Colorchecker question

The addition of the ColorChecker is great. I read that those fade after a while (how long it takes will vary upon how, and how long it has been lit for, most likely). What are the plans to rotate in a new one?

Also, how about a chrome ball (for absolute highlight), and a black trap (for absolute shadow)? Similar in vein to this would be the SpyderCube.

Thanks.

0 upvotes

Why no Sony SLT's for comparison? IMO at least the A57 and A58 (20MP) should be there.

2 upvotes

Both those two will be included in the coming days - I think the A58 is currently on the camera stand.

0 upvotes

As you can see it at imaging-resource, details and structure especially in the reds getting totally smudged and lost pretty fast with increasing iso.

0 upvotes

@DPR: On my monitor I noticed the followig behaviour of the test scene:

When I change my browser resolution to 110% and switch image size to "Print" or "Web", the grey rectangle of the test scene jumps to the upper left corner. Then the crops (at least the lower two ones) loose connection to the grey rectangle and remain unchanged or show a plain grey when the rectangle is moved.

If I leave image size at 100% everything works perfectly.

System: Win7, Browser: IE 9.0.20 or FF 11.0

0 upvotes

What can be seen here is that the Nikon D7100 is the best APS-C camera.

1 upvote

...with the worst JPG-engine ;-))

2 upvotes

Just check the Nikon7100 at 1600ISO and above...

0 upvotes

only if you are a stupid biased nikon fanboy....

0 upvotes

@ chouster - your statement even contradicts DXO's findings... where apparently the D5200 is the "best APS-C DSLR" ... but Nikon's probably got DXO on their payroll...

Nobody's denying the D7100 is good ... but give credit where credit is due... the 70D is easily as good... if not better...

Even dpreview's studio sample scene clearly demonstrates that the 70D captures practically the same amount of detail plus retains it better all the way up the ISO ladder...

Look at all 4 peoples face in the test scene... the 70D definitely delivers the cleaner, less noisy set of images...

0 upvotes

@chouster
I think it is but I'd want to have a LPF even with slightly more noise (more shot noise for less high frequency noise).

@lensberg
I protest the low resolution 20.2MPix sensor. the 4MPix difference is quite visible. would prefer a 40.3MPix if Canon can do it (that is 80.6M photodiodes).

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 7 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

I admit the 70D is a very nice camera. But please take a look at the low light scene, raw, iso 800 and above, the red yarn looks disgusting, even compared to the 700D. IQ wise, the 70D can't match the D7100.

Comment edited 4 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Oh dear.

0 upvotes

E-M1 looks noisier than E-M5 ...

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

hm 70D doesnt even comes close to a nex-6 in higher ISO ... meh.

0 upvotes

So it would be safe to assume Sony is light years ahead of Canon in sensor design... best solution lets stop buying Canon cameras... :)

Its obvious even to the untrained eye... Sony is applying NR in their RAW files... Look at the sketch of the old bearded man... Canon & Nikon's samples are much sharper...

2 upvotes

it's hard to define the word RAW. both Canon and Nikon process RAW files so we get black dots and missing stars. Sony do it quite heavily and Pentax do it to extreme (well done).

E-M5 maybe somewhere between Sony and Pentax but it's difficult to punish NR quantitatively.

btw, I'm convinced that 70D's sensor is inferior, though it may be less than 0.44 stops (difference between 70D and D7100 according to DxOMark) but exactly how much I don't know.

Comment edited 5 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Looks to me like the Fuji is the overall best one here. Nikon is very good too. But the truth of the matter, they are all pretty close. No one is vastly better than the other.

0 upvotes

Take a look at the artificial bulb light view. The 70D can't handle reds. RAW at iso 100 looks really bad, especially the red yarn. At iso 800 it's starting to look terrible, unacceptable.

Comment edited 50 seconds after posting

1 upvote

It's not the artificial light.... it's the actual low light test... this is where canon really falls apart.. I'm so glad that Dpreview finaly does an actual low light test.

Open your eyes world. Nikon IS the king of low light (in a low light environment not under the sun)

1 upvote

Duncan, might I suggest that there are two kings? Don't forget Pentax squeeze a bit more from the same sensors that Nikon uses. When DPreview add Pentax samples for the new tests, we shall see who's king and who is a Queen :)

0 upvotes

What is strange is that I get better results for the D7100 when I process the RAW files myself, especially regarding color noise.

1 upvote

Raw is the way to go ;)
So don't be surprise

0 upvotes

This was the day i stopped caring about test charts...
Seeing how the RX100 compares to the others @ ISO3200 or even 6400 I ask to myself "Why bother?"
Yes, the RX100 is softer in the corners, but still...

There must be other differentiators between cameras that matter a lot more!
Like repetitive tests of AF speed please ....

0 upvotes

just about as fast as my Pentax Q, well done :)

0 upvotes

have you noticed that the D7100 shows strange red cast in the "stripes" (JPG).

70D is all black and white, the D7100 showes ugly redish colors where none should be.

and at ISO 3200 the D7100 is no match for the 70D anymore.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 7 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

Are you looking at the JPGs or the RAW ?

Cause the 7100 blows away the Canon in terms of noise and sharp images... (Look at the low light scene for the high ISO cause this is what matters.. you use high ISO in low light not in a sunny day)
If you are going to judge the images with the jpgs then yes canon are sharper and so and so but that's just the Nikon way of exporting their JPGs...

Cheers

ps Go RAW !!

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

3 upvotes

I find the Fuji best, followed by the Nikon. Except reds where Canon 70D rules.

0 upvotes

Ehmm, no. The reds with the 70D are really bad.

0 upvotes

What an excellent way of preventing comparisons for owners of cameras who might consider upgrading or changing brands. might as well not bothered doing this comparison studio test!!!

0 upvotes

You can still compare using the old test scene, which will remain in this review. We're actively working towards adding more cameras for the new scene.

2 upvotes

Very impressive noise performance... clearly leaps & bounds ahead of the 60D / T5i ... JPEG definitely looks cleaner than the D7100 ... albeit ever so slightly softer... D7100 image looks speckled with chroma noise for some reason...

0 upvotes

I really do not like the layout of this studio test.

2 upvotes

I think it is terrible.

0 upvotes

Nikon D7100 JPG ISO 12800 is MISSING

1 upvote

I reply myself: it's not missing, but it's under/past ISO 25600, so if you set ISO12800 for 70D, the tool cannot find the same for D7100.

0 upvotes

As a D7100 owner, I am impressed at how the 70D's noise performance at ISO800 and below has improved over the 700D/60D. Granted some detail is lost at ISO1600 and above over the Nikon, it's still an improvement over its predecessors.

0 upvotes

I'm impressed by how well the latest m43 stack up. At ISO 1600 and above for RAW, I see little or no advantage to APS-C and only about a 1-stop advantage to the 5D3. Looks to me like MFT is now usable for event work up to ISO 3200. This is 1Ds2 performance, which was bloody good, in a tiny, cheap body. Cool!

0 upvotes

Its pretty sad that Canon is now trailing m4/3s in sensor performance.

5 upvotes

I find it shocking they've fallen so far, may be their concentrating on the FF sensors?

1 upvote

stop trolling morons....

0 upvotes

Truth, such a bitter pill.

0 upvotes

Each to there own... m4/3s misses the mark for me in all test work and jobs I've tried. Not used one to sell yet...

0 upvotes

I personally hope that the review will answer to my question: which is better video camera - Panasonic GH-3 or Canon 70D / 750D / M2?

And if Canon is good then which lenses are recommended?

Thank you in advance!

0 upvotes

Focus performance in video and still is much more important to me than almost any other parameter. Noise, dynamic range, pixel flavor, and all the other things don't matter if the shot is soft.

0 upvotes

Does anyone know, whether 70d has a problem with externally monitor as a 60d. At 60d when pressed rec automatically switches the image from 1080i to 480i

0 upvotes

That is for sure?

0 upvotes

i think dxmo or whatever its called loves slamming canon maybe its just me but i think they just might be Nikon enthusiasts ,i think the 70D is a very awesome camera full stop.

Comment edited 33 seconds after posting

4 upvotes

One of my biggest gripes about my 60D is it's bad habit of blowing strong reds, which Dx0 confirmed in their sensor tests and can be illustrated on Dpreview's test studio scene. I hate to agree with 70D defenders, but I'm seeing a marked improvement in the 70D over the 60D, in terms of noise floor and especially color accuracy. Not sure what Dx0 is testing, but the tests I'm seeing here do show an improved sensor over the 7D and 60D, and not just results only visible by pixel peepers.

0 upvotes

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/
add to the end:
Canon/EOS-70D
Canon/EOS-700D
Nikon/D7100
Sony/NEX-7
for respective cameras.

1 upvote

wow dxo. first time seeing this site. but. its a nikon site i tihnk. cause a crop sensor of a nikon is more than a full frame of any other brands. are you kidding me? not just the body. but the lenses as well. its in accurate and 100% nikon. all papers no real world test.... stick to dpreview. dxo is nothing.

0 upvotes

DPReview love quoting and mentioning their friends at DX0 so you cant trust DPR 100% anymore :(

0 upvotes

Base of DXO result, all pro should use RX1 not D4 or 1D4. LOL.

0 upvotes

Total comments: 1013