Top of camera controls (left)
The exposure mode dial is located on the camera's top left. Unlike less expensive Canon DSLRs it does not feature the 'Basic mode' automated scene modes and offers exactly the same modes as the EOS 5D Mark II. This includes the fully automatic 'green' mode and the Creative Auto (CA) mode which offers a simplified interface that allows the user to set the exposure in terms of the image results they want, rather than in terms of exposure parameters. Other than this, the EOS 7D offers the traditional program, semi-automatic and completely manual P, Tv, Av and M modes plus three custom set modes. The power switch is, like on the smaller EOS 500D, located just underneath the mode dial.
Automated modes
Icon | Basic zone mode | AF mode |
Drive mode |
Flash mode |
Picture Style |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Fully Automatic Exposure![]() Camera has complete control over exposure, point-and-shoot operation. |
AI Focus | Single Self-Timer |
Auto Red-eye |
Standard |
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Creative Auto mode![]() Camera allows adjustment of aperture and exposure compensation, via a simplified graphic. |
AI Focus | Single Self-Timer |
Auto Red-eye |
Standard |
Full Auto allows only the use of certain settings, some parameters are fixed, only have limited options available or disappear completely.
Fixed settings | Fixed or limited settings |
Unavailable settings |
---|---|---|
Metering mode (Evaluative) | Drive mode | Custom functions |
Color space (sRGB) | AE lock | |
Flash compensation (0 EV) | Bracketing | |
Exposure compensation (0 EV) | ||
ISO sensitivity (Auto) | ||
White balance (Auto) | ||
Focus point selection (Auto) | ||
AF mode (19 point Auto) | ||
Picture Style (Standard) |
In the automated modes, the camera will indicate that blur may occur because of slow shutter speeds, it does so by blinking the shutter speed on the LCD panel and viewfinder status bar.
Advanced exposure modes
The five exposure modes that include the ones most familiar to the camera's prosumer / professional audience. All menu functions and camera settings are available in these modes and can be used in any combination. In manual exposure modes (Tv, Av, M) you control the shutter speed with the main dial (top) and aperture with the quick control dial (rear), you can reverse the operational direction of these dials with C.Fn IV-1 (Custom Controls).
Icon | Description |
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Program Auto Exposure (Flexible) |
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Shutter Priority Auto Exposure |
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Aperture Priority Auto Exposure |
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Full Manual Exposure![]() In this mode you select the aperture and the shutter speed from any combination of the above. Top dial selects shutter speed, rear dial selects aperture (this can be reversed in C.Fn IV-1). Half-press the shutter release and the meter on the viewfinder status bar and top LCD will reflect the exposure level compared to the calculated ideal exposure, if it's outside of +/- 3EV an arrow will appear at the end of either the '+' or '-' scale. |
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Bulb exposure![]() In this mode the shutter stays open for as long as you hold the shutter release button, use either dial to select aperture. |
Top of camera controls (right)
On the top right of the camera you'll find the status panel LCD, directly above this are four buttons; LCD back light and three control buttons (see below). In front of these is the main dial and shutter release button plus a new addition - the Multi-Function button (which occupies the same position as the Flash Exposure Lock button on 1D-series bodies, but is customizable). Along the rear 'under your thumb' you can see the AF-ON, AE-Lock and focus point selection buttons. Again, this layout is, apart from the Multi-function button, identical to the 5D Mark II.
Top panel buttons
The table below shows the relationship between each of the top panel settings buttons and the parameters changed by either turning the main dial (top) or quick control dial (rear).
Button | Main dial![]() |
Quick control dial![]() |
---|---|---|
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Metering mode |
White balance![]() Auto Daylight Shade Cloudy Tungsten Fluorescent Flash Custom Kelvin temperature (2500 - 10000 K) |
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Auto focus mode |
Drive mode |
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ISO sensitivity * ![]() Auto 100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 H (12800) (enabled via C.Fn I-3) |
Flash compensation![]() +/-2 EV 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps (C.Fn I-1) |
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FE lock AE lock One-touch RAW+JPEG VF electronic level |
Button | Operation |
---|---|
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FE lock AE lock One-touch RAW+JPEG VF electronic level |
* Shown in 1-stop steps, 1/3-stop ISO steps can be selected via C.Fn I-2.
Under your thumb buttons (Shooting mode)
Button | Operation |
---|---|
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Auto focus start ![]() The AF-ON button allows you to trigger auto focus independently of the shutter release 'half-press'. Note that you can re-program the exact function of the AF-ON button or move the function to another button via C.Fn IV-1. |
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AE / FE Lock![]() Press to trigger automatic exposure and lock the exposure for the next shot; hold the button to lock the exposure for more than one shot. When an external flash is mounted, press to trigger flash exposure lock (via a pre-flash). Like most other controls this button's function can be customized via C.Fn IV-1. |
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AF point selection button |
Under your thumb buttons (Play mode)
Button | Operation |
---|---|
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Thumbnail index / reduce![]() If in single view play mode, pressing this button will switch to a 2x2 thumbnail index, press again for a 3x3 index. If already magnified pressing this button reduces magnification level. |
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Enlarge![]() Press to magnify the current image, there are fifteen steps up to a maximum magnification of 10x. Once magnified you can use the multi-controller to move around the image. |
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