Digital reflex cameras certainly belong at the top of contemporary photographic equipment, and Canon deserves a spot among the leading manufacturers of these advanced machines. Much like compact cameras, digital reflex cameras offer various possibilities to choose from. This review introduces the most advanced model of the Canon digital SLR utilizing the APS-C image sensor – Canon EOS 7D.

The Canon digital SLR’s can be separated into three different categories based on sensor size. The high-end models use full-frame sensors, with a 36 × 24 mm format corresponding to the size of the cine film frame. One of the hi-speed reportage models features a slightly smaller sensor size of the APS-H type (27.9 × 18.6 mm), however, the vast majority of Canon digital SLR’s – as well as the reviewed EOS 7D – use the APS-C type with a 22.3 × 14.9 mm format. Should the size of the APS-C sensor seem small, you should realize that top-notch compact cameras use a format of approximately 7 × 5 mm, or (usually) smaller. This means that the APS-C image sensor size is ten times larger than the chipsets used in compact cameras, resulting in much better image quality.

Canon EOS 7D introduces the concept of a classic single-lens reflex camera that uses the SLR type optical viewfinder, as opposed to cameras using the Micro 4/3 standard (Olympus Penand Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1– see our reviews). At this moment, it cannot be stressed enough that the viewfinder of the EOS 7D is not only of exceptional quality, but is also very spacious and shows nearly a 100% of the captured scene. Also, Canon has come up with a bundle of new features, giving us for example the ability of the viewfinder to display a grid for easier composition of images, as well as a displayed straightedge, a very innovative feature coming from this brand.
The camera body is robust and ergometric. Nevertheless, be prepared to carry nearly one kilogram of weight plus the lens, which can prove to be quite a lot, especially on the road. On the other hand, you can trust its endurance – the body is made of magnesium based alloys and is precisely tightened to protect it from dust and humidity (caution, its water-resistance does not go as far as putting it under water).

Canon EOS 7D – in short Resolution 17,9 Mpx Sensor APS-C (22,3 × 14,9 mm) Optics exchangeable, lenses of the EF and EF-S standard, lens stabilization Live View YES Video HD (1 920 × 1 080 px

A three-inch LCD display with a high VGA resolution (920,000 px) dominates the back side of the EOS. You will appreciate the excellent image quality it provides not only while viewing images but also when photographing with the Live View regime or when taking video sequences. Yes, this is a modern reflex camera that enables not only typical photography but also video.
Being a device suitable for creative photographers, the body is covered with many controls and access to the most important functions is swift even by touch with the camera at eye-level. You will find the usual circular regime select switch at the top left, where you will also notice three modes C1 to C3, which represent Custom-user regimes, where you can store your own camera settings.
A large part of the top right side takes up a rather sizable monochromatic status display, displaying a large number of the camera parameters.

Putting aside the actual sensor chip with its outstanding resolution of 18 Mpx, we find a number of other great technical solutions, functions, and properties with the Canon EOS 7D. First of all, one cannot miss the new autofocus that uses nineteen cross-focus points. These can be used either individually or they can be associated in groups according to several schemes and functions. The EOS 7D autofocus is very fast and reliable – as is typical for Canon after all. The only disadvantage is a rather unfortunate layout of the focus points in the shape of a horizontal diamond – thus the areas near the corners of the view are not covered – in fact, all nineteen points are clustered in the middle of a captured scene.

The Canon EOS 7D is also a very fast digital SLR camera. Other than its swift automatic focus, it is capable of capturing fast series shots, up to 8 images per second. These can naturally be taken not only in the obligatory JPEG format but at the same speed in RAW (CR2).
Every digital reflex camera is to a certain extent a modular machine, allowing the user a choice of lenses. In the case of the EOS 7D, a representative of a reflex camera with an APS-C sensor, you can use both the Canon EF type full-format lenses and lenses designed for these Canon cameras with this sensor – the EF-S type. With both there is a so-called crop factor of 1.6× (due to a sensor smaller than a cine film frame, the focal length of the lens must be multiplied by the crop factor).

Foto Canon

It is necessary to extend the EOS system to include system flashes or vertical grips. Canon EOS 7D supports two – the BG-E7 battery grip enabling the use of either two Li-Ion or six AA batteries and the WFT-E5, a module equipped with a WiFi connection and USB port. Both grips have a vertical shutter release and other elements for better grip and handling when taking portrait photographs.

Examples of the camera menu of Canon EOS 7D

Overall evaluation

With nearly any modern digital reflex camera it is unnecessary to evaluate the image quality: in the overwhelming majority of cases – and Canon EOS 7D is not an exception – photographs captured are excellent (although it of course depends on the lens used). The high resolution of the sensor system of the EOS 7D will enable you to print sizable enlargements and significantly crop the images.
The camera is resistant, fast and reliable, its handling is sufficiently intuitive – and therefore despite a slightly higher price the use value is outstanding.

Common price (at the time of this review being published): $1,648.95 (Body Only)

Basic technical data for Canon EOS 7D

Sensor

CMOS 22.3 × 14.9 mm (crop factor 1.6 ×)
17.9 Mpx (5,184 × 3,456 px)
Sensitivity ISO 100 to 12,800

Shutter

Shutter speed 30–1/8,000 s
Flash X-Sync 1/250 s
Burst buffer 8 fps

Optics

Exchangeable lenses of the EF and EF-S standard

Autofocus

19-point

Live view

Yes, real time live view of the scene from the CMOS image sensor

Memory medium

CF

Data formats

Image: JPEG, RAW (CR2)
Video: MOV

Video

1,920 × 1,080 px, 25 fps
1,920 × 1,080 px, 24 fps
1,280 × 720 px, 50 fps
640 × 480 px, 50 fps
Mono sound, via external microphone – stereo

LCD

Screen size 3” (76 mm)
920,000 px

Power supply

Li-Ion battery, optional wireless portrait grip

Dimensions and weight (body only)

148 × 114 × 74 mm (w × h × d)
915 g (incl. battery and memory card)

Thanks to digital technology, the field of photographic equipment saw the entrance of companies that had very little to do with cameras when film ruled the industry. One could name, for instance, Panasonic, Sony, and Casio. This Japanese company has long been more than just a calculator manufacturer. Among other things, Casio’s portfolio features digital cameras, which are definitely not uninteresting.

Casio Exilim EX-H10 represents a compact digital camera that meets all the criteria for modern devices. It is small enough to be carried in the pocket, it is equipped with wide-angle optics with a 10x zoom range, it offers modern functions such as face detection or HD video recording, it has a stabilized sensor – it is simply one of the rather typical contemporary compact digitals.

Photo Casio

Casio has a specific design, which is also apparent with the EX-H10 model. Asian influences cannot be denied; however it is a fully fuctional and attractive design. The camera is metal, or more accurately coated with a light metal skin and – as dictated by current trends – you can choose a finish in one of three color combinations. Conservative black and silver are complemented by a ‘ladies‘version’ in a pink-violet color combination.

First off, let’s stop at the sizeable three-inch display covering a large part of the back side of this stylish camera. Despite having a resolution of only the common 230 thousand image points, it gives an unsually good image with a high contrast and true colors. The colors match reality and later even the photograph taken, the anti-reflex layers are extraordinary and the visibility from a wider angle is excellent, too. Developers in Casio were probably very well aware of the fact that it is the primary display and must have the corresponding quality.

Casio Exilim EX-H10 – in short Resolution 12 Mpx, sensor stabilization Optics 20–240 mm Video HD (1,280 × 720 px)

Casio Exilim EX-H10 has only a relatively small number of controls, which are easily accessible even when shooting in thin gloves. The reduced number of buttons was achieved by using a quick menu, which is available upon pressing the SET buttton located in the center of the four-way select switch – see the first example of the camera menu.
One less common feature is the separate shutter release button for recording video sequences that can be found at the top right corner of the back side. Therefore, it is not necessary to switch between photo and video regimes – you simply use either the ‘main’ shutter release button at the top to take a still image or press the ‘video release button’ in the corner of the back side to record high quality moving sequences.

Super features Easy operation Wide-angle lens Battery capacity Large number of functions

Though the Casio Exilim EX-H10 was conceived as an automatic exposure camera (the user cannot affect the aperture or shutter speed), its equipment is well above average. Casio uses the so-called Best Shot regimes in its cameras, which are basically common motive programs, a standard feature in nearly every digital camera. But with this model, Casio offers thirty-eight programs in total, and in addition you can easily create your own.
Other than that, you will find many special functions with the Exilim EX-H10, such as the Automatic shutter. In this regime the camera exposes the image automatically depending on your settings. For example, you can set Smile priority – the camera takes a photograph when the person photographed smiles. You can also use the Shake priority, where the camera automatically captures an image when you have the firmest grip. You will find several other options in the menu.

Examples of the camera menu of Casio Exilim EX-H10

Overall evaluation

Hundreds of entertaining digital functions can never replace the primary purpose of a camera – making quality images. In the case of Casio Exilim EX-H10 you can be at peace. This camera achieves color-realistic images, which have an exceptionally large dynamic range for a compact digital. Thanks to a high resolution sensor, detail rendering is good, but be prepared that the optics has its limits, especially at the far end of the zoom. Nevertheless, for common use the quality is excellent.
Gadget-loving photographers especially will be pleased by the inclusion of various more or less useful functions. All users will be enthused by an extraordinary battery capacity, comparable to digital reflex cameras. The manufacturer claims up to 1,000 images for one charge. We reached half of this number during our tests and the energy status indicator still showed a two-thirds value. But this of course depends on how intensely you use the built-in flash.

Common price (at the time of this review being published): $228.14

Basic technical data for Casio Exilim EX-H10

Sensor

CCD 1/2.3″
12 Mpx (4,000 × 3,000 px)
Sensitivity ISO 64 to 3,200
Stabilized sensor

Optics

24–240 mm F3.2–5.7

Memory medium

SD/SDHC
Data formatsImage: JPEG
Video: AVI

Video

1,280 × 720 px, 24 fps
640 × 480 px, 30 fps
320 × 240 px, 15 fps
Mono sound

LCD

Screen size 3” (76 mm)
230,400 px

Power supply

Li-Ion battery

Dimensions and weight

103 × 62 × 30 mm (w × h × d)
204 g (incl. battery and memory card)