Some actual first impression of the R7 (with first images)

Nature Lover 2018 wrote:

Could you help me with this?

Others have already given their opinions, but I'll add mine, based on my 3 days with the camera so far.

I am planning to upgrade my canon D80 camera to the R7. My only use is for wildlife photography, mainly birds. Questions

1. I heard the mechanical shutter is unusually noisy (audible), so it may scare the birds (that sometimes came close enough and present unique opportunities for great photos). Is the mechanical shutter noisy, like a machine gun? Canon EOS R7 Shutter sound check (mechanical) - YouTube

I wouldn't say the mechanical shutter (either full mechanical or EFCS) is unusually noisy. I just did a quick test for myself, and it's similar to the R. Also, as far as I can recall, similar to the 7D and 7DII (it's been over a year and half since I sold my 7DII). I can certainly see it scaring skittish birds who are close, especially at high speed or high speed plus (8 or 15fps). That's where the e-shutter comes in useful. I have assigned 'silent shooting' to a button, so I can toggle it on or off easily. Silent shooting automatically engages e-shutter, and disables any beeps you might have set. It's the main way I have been using e-shutter so far. Though I also have shutter mode assigned to one of the MyMenu tabs, so it's easy to engage that way. I have kept the lowest level of beep for e-shutter, when I engage it that way, in case I want some auditory feedback. So far, the lack of auditory feedback hasn't been a problem for me with silent shooting. I haven't found myself unsure of when I'm taking shots.

2. Also, I have reports that the shutter button is mushy, and it is difficult to sense the midway to activate the autofocus, and ones ends up taking the photo before ready. What is your experience with this? Usually I focus on a bird, and I have to stay on it while gyrates to a better position for the photo. During that time, I keep the shutter button halfway (while balancing in one leg at the edge of a deep creek)

I haven't experienced any mushiness so far. The shutter button feels fine to me.

3. Any feeling yet if using the electronic shutter reduces the battery life. I spend long days in the field, carry two batteries, and I do not want to run out of juice far from my base.

As others have said, e-shutter seems to use less battery, not more. I shot 2400 frames at a track meet a couple of days ago, over 2000 of which used e-shutter. Still had 82% on the battery at the end. It's always a good idea to carry a spare battery, but I think one spare will be plenty. I bought a two-pack of the PowerExtra LP-E6NH replacements a couple of months ago, when people were predicting a battery shortage. Both batteries and charger came to $50 from Amazon. I doubt whether I'll use them much, but it's good to have them.

4. Finally, any experience using the adaptors for EF lenses? I have zoom lenses that are all for the D80, which are EF lenses.

I have tried the EF 70-200 F2.8L IS II on Canon's control ring adapter so far (used it for all my track meet shooting). It worked flawlessly. I intend to try my EF mount Tamron 100-400 soon.

It seems that the autofocus capabilities of the R7 are superior to the 80 and 90D.

Very much so.

I wander if they can be useful to focus on birds in the grass, obstructed by thin grass (or small leaves, thin straw, etc.).

My only relevant experience to that so far is the camera picking up the eye of a squirrel on a tree branch, with leaves all around, and sticking to it, even when the other eye was obscured by leaves. Impressed so far, but not enough experience to give a definitive answer.

Thanks,

Rudy.

I never owned the 80D or 90D. I had a couple of XXD models--the 20D and 50D-- and then the 7D and 7DII. The R7, from my experience so far, is a huge upgrade over all previous Canon crop DSLRs (and over all crop DSLRs from other manufacturers too). The 7DII was a great camera. Built like a tank, with a state-of-the-art AF system for a DSLR at the time. I would never go back to it, compared with the R7. I know some people wanted the R7 to be bigger, heavier, and have the option for a grip. I used my 7DII (and 7D before it) with a grip most of the time. I really haven't missed the grip since moving on to other non-gripped cameras. Perhaps it's because I'm older now, and value smaller lighter cameras more. The R7 feels really good in my hand. I think you'll like it, if you get one.