Canon EOS 7D Review

Only a "recommended" rating? Got to be kidding, no? The 7D was a HUGE announcement and is a camera people are still buying and using to this day. After that glorious review drooling all over the camera, I'm just surprised that it only got a recommended rating. This camera consistently gets better than 92% of 5/5 star ratings from individual owners no matter where you look online. Talk about a hit!

8 months agopermalink

Richard Butler

The text says it received a 'Highly Recommended' rating, which was the best we gave at the time.

I'm just surprised someone is (mistakenly) defending the honour of an inanimate object. 12 years after the fact.

8 months agopermalink

Yeah I know, it's a bit weird on the surface seeing a comment on an old review like this. However, when you are looking at the main page, it just shows 84% "Recommended" as a badge. https://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/slrs/canon_eos7d

So anyone browsing cameras here would think its only "recommended" unless they dived into the review and saw it at the end say Highly Recommended.

8 months agopermalink

Richard Butler

That looks to be a glitch from when we transposed old ratings into our new database. That was around five years after we reviewed the camera, so it's unlikely to have been seen by anyone looking to buy the camera.

8 months agopermalink

Okay, but at least you know why I commented now :) Didn't seem to add up.

8 months agopermalink

And I'm glad to see that it's fixed now! :) A lot of photogs are buying in the used market, especially the really good cameras that have somehow survived the test of time and are extremely good deals these days. The 7D is one such camera that still gets high marks from people stepping up from entry level DSLR's. So the review is still relevant (and its score) despite being 12 years old.

8 months agopermalink

PC-dot-Com

The 7D and the 7D Mark II are the very reason Nikon took so long to come out with the D500. They were in many ways such serious advancements to the D300/S models that Nikon had to change strategies on their R/D investments.

Nov 16, 2020permalink

Does anybody know how slow a card we can use in a 7D and still get the advertised performance? I'd like to make 80 JPEGs in 10 seconds.
Thanks

Nov 30, 2017permalink

Snowdrop134

I use a 7D as my main camera. I would consider myself to be an advanced learner and I've found this to be an easy camera to use. Study the handbook then go and play with the camera until you are well versed in the use of the control's. All you will be doing is gaining valuable experience. Get one, use it and enjoy it.

Mar 24, 2017permalink

Apsofable

I have been looking to purchase this camera for some time now and have just read your review. In the pros and cons you state that it's no good for the beginner. What reasons is it not good ? I was combining an entry level spec to amature pro as my budget is limited and won't be able to get anything later.

Sep 18, 2016permalink

joelfoto

I am looking at a gently used 7D now since my older 30D doesn't do well with any ISO over 400. The comments about being not sogood for beginners are a bit silly, I think. Get it if you can and go for it! That's what I am going to do.
Cheers, Joel

Nov 14, 2016permalink

Canon geezer

Joel, I have a 30D, 40D and 7D. Reviewing some pictures I took a few years ago when I lived in the States ( Boston ), what struck me about a bunch of pics that I took with my trusty 30D at the Zoo there, was just how smooth and natural looking my pics looked taken at ISO 800, and even the ISO 1600 shots looked very decent indeed. Ideally I found that ISO 1250 or below gave me the best results, but 1600 on the 30D was very close to my 7D can output. Probably due to the far less crowded sensor. I think the colours on the 30D are my favourite of all my Canons. I also prefer the metering on the older Canons to the 7D`s fancy new system that tied in the metering to the focusing area and often ends up with eithir too dark, or too bright exposures, though I have learnt how to work around this. I did a test a while back and put my Canon 70-300 MM L lens on the 30D and the resolution and sharpness was amazing for an 8 MP camera.

Mar 10, 2017permalink

Canon geezer

I think what the reviewer meant that it is quite a complicated camera to learn fully, but of course you can pace yourself with this, and just learn as you go. There are so many options available on this camera, it takes a long time to fully learn them and get the best out of the camera. I would highly recommend the camera and it will last you a lifetime. To get the best out of it, try and get some really good lenses over time, as these you can keep forever. The premium L lenses are worth every penny, and if you ever trade up to a Full frame, you can bring the lenses along, so they are truly a lifetime investment. My best ever purchase was a second hand Canon 70-300 L 4- 5.6 lens. This is incredibly sharp with fantastic colour and contrast, as well as amazing focus abilities and tank like build quality.

Mar 10, 2017permalink

Beginners stay as beginners during the few month, and whats after? They must change the equipment? Of course, not. Then if someone will buy Canon 7D, he will use it all period - from beginning to professional use...

Jun 21, 2017permalink

Apsofable, the Canon 7D has a "live view" feature which is almost like using a pocket camera. It also has a green rectangle on the mode dial. Beginners will be fine with this camera.

Nov 30, 2017permalink

"1600 on the 30D was very close to my 7D can output"
Well yea, that's what all the charts say, including DxoMark.

Nov 30, 2017permalink

Every years manufacturers creating new and new cameras, better and better cameras, but I think many old cameras will be more then enough for most photographers, especially if we talk about such truly professional camera as Canon 7D. Don't push ISO upper then 800 and stay happy. Fast, full magnesium, well made, enough MP, great VF, absolutely great colors, very large amount of optics from any manufacturer, even great cheapest optics and... today in China, for example, you can buy it for 450 USD in 97 (!!!) condition with less then 5000 shutter actuation. I am not big fun of Canon cameras, but 7D is really great camera!

Nov 30, 2017permalink

I am sorry if I am insulting someone's intelligence. The abbreviation "VF" stands for "View Finder". I didn't know that when I was a beginner.

Dec 2, 2017permalink

"7D is really great camera!" - kobakokh
Yes, I agree. I think a lot of people agree with this. When it first came out, the Canon 7D was like a poor man's Canon 1d.

Dec 2, 2017*permalink

"Don't push ISO upper then 800 and stay happy. " - kobakokh
If Apsofable is a beginner, then maybe Apsofable shouldn't be messing with the ISO in the first place.
Just set AUTO-ISO and leave it there until you are no longer a beginner. I assume you can figure out how to update the BIOS. If not, then the DP forums will still be here.

Dec 2, 2017permalink

yes of course. I specially used it last few days, took from my chinese friend, and its great, really. I have Nikon D700, its a better because of FF, but color is better from 7D, for example, and 7D is faster and more comfort for use, and has absolutely great AF system, made like tank, also its easy to use old different lenses with Canon then with Nikon, this is also some good side for many people. I always like top or near top cameras from any manufacturers. Ooh, i also compare image quality from 7d and newer 70D. from old 7D image quality is better! In 7D price on used market you can buy some new P&S camera, why? for what? with 7D every phtographger can work as true professional and develop[ own way fast and interesting. Also there is one great lens for APS-C system - Sigma 17-50/50 OS! With it 7D will be great choice for anyone. With OS there will be no need to push ISO more then 800 in most situations. And both of them possible to buy for 700 USD! Great choice for anyone, i think!

Dec 2, 2017permalink

lindajane

Oh it is a Canon EOS 7D
regards
Lindajane

Mar 11, 2015permalink

lindajane

I was busy shooting today, battery full, CF card in the camera and everything went black? It will not switch on at all?
Have checked the battery - put my spare in, also fully charged but still no luck?
I was using studio lights - so does that effect the camera?

Mar 11, 2015permalink

finelld

If you were using the PC Sync or hotshot to sync the flashes, they may have a trigger voltage beyond what the camera can handle. If that was the case they may have smoked your camera. There are companies that make trigger isolation units to protect the new modern cameras from the older strobes that use high voltage sync. Have your camera looked at by a repair shop or canon to determine if it is worth repairing.

Best Regards,

David Finell
Broadcast Engineer (retired)

Aug 31, 2015permalink

tomblankenship-dot-com

I've been struggling to find the replacement for my 5 year old Canon 40D. The images from the 40D are excellent, but it is technically behind times.

When the 7D was first released, I bought one, but returned it because of what I perceived as sensor noise. Bad decision on my part! The camera was technically all my 40D is not. So, now that there are scant few left as the shelves clear for the 7D Mk II, I just ordered a brand new 7D (not Mk II) at a bargain basement price. I can't wait to revisit this incredible camera once again.

Feb 9, 2015permalink

goldchaynes

Hey! I'm curious what bargain basement price you paid for your 7D?

Feb 23, 2015permalink

GFlame

I am curious, also.

Aug 20, 2015permalink

HaroldC3

I know I'm not the OP but I just paid $375 for one. I think anything under $400 is a really good price at the time.

Mar 24, 2016permalink