The battle of the pixels is a long-running war that still shows no signs of letting up. In fact, the APS-C sensor has been continuously developed to take more pixels and ultimately allow the user to shoot larger images.

The pro-orientated, 18-megapixel EOS 7D digital SLR has a couple of minor flaws, but they're far outweighed by all the positives. Offering tank-like build quality, class-leading resolution, excellent high-ISO performance and brilliant continuous-shooting speeds, it's a fantastic camera

Hard-as-nails build quality; Ergonomic design; Impressive 8-frames-per-second shooting; Records 1080p movies; Good high-ISO performance

Mediocre detail from kit lens and JPEG processing; Occasional exposure howlers

Canon EOS 7D review - Canon's latest digital DSLR gets tried and tested by the experts of ePHOTOzine

Excellent autofocus system; Exposure system; Fast continuous shooting mode; Big buffer; Raw/Jpeg button; Movie mode; Quick control idea; Battery life; Solid body

White-balance performance average; Placement of on/off switch; Bigger AF-ON button would be nice

For a long time with Canon, if you weren't dropping nearly three grand on a 5D , you were stuck with a vastly lesser DSLR. The $US1700 7D is Canon's first semi-pro DSLR, and actually it's my favourite yet.

The Canon 7D has been built from the ground up with feedback from professional Canon users. With 18mp, HD video, 100% viewfinder, 8fps, 100-12,800 ISO, has this reinvention created what could be Canon's best ever camera? Our Canon EOS 7D review finds out...

Build quality; 8fps; viewfinder; focus speed; high ISO; image quality; video functions

Lots of menus; current high price; no second card slot

With the introduction of the EOS 7D, Canon has created a ‘pro-sumer' DSLR that is a step up from the EOS 50D but has a smaller sensor than the EOS 5D Mark II. Offering 18-megapixel resolution, the 7D is the first EOS camera outside the EOS-1 series to be equipped with Dual DiG!C 4 processors.

I purchased the 5D MarkII a little while ago, and just picked up this 7D for a great back up camera, and I am completely impressed with it so far. I mainly use my 5D MKII for video, and have it hooked up to a shoulder rig full time, so its nice to have this bad boy in my camera bag for those photo...

This18 megapixel DSLR camera has dual image processors for fast operation – burst mode of up to 8fps (JPEG). It is well made and rugged with extensive sealing against dust and moisture. There is automatic dust removal by filter shake.

This camera is ultra-responsive with seemingly no time lag between imagining the picture and having it saved on the CF card; The 8fps burst speed is ideal for capturing fast moving subjects; Auto focus and auto exposure are almost always spot on.

Only having three frame auto bracketing is poor; Nikon brackets nine and Pentax seven – which is ideal for creating high dynamic range sets; The low light auto-focus assist lamp is still the dreadful pulse flash method

Toting around this camera is like holding a wild beast in your hands – this sucker could handle a NASCAR race with ease.

Great 18MP photo quality; Blazing fast 8 fps shooting; Pinpoint focusing; Just so happens to take HD videos

Expensive; Heavy-it's a commitment; Video focusing takes practice; Considerable learning curve

Well-built, designed for serious users without the desire or budget for a full-frame model

Strong color accuracy; Very accurate white balance system; Great hardware features

Some noise issues at high ISOs