Canon has pretty much dominated the full format DSLR arena for several years but they suffered a couple of hefty blows from Nikon in the APS-C segment during the last few years. Canon was able to respond in the low end market but they didn't really offer any direct competitor to Nikon D200/D300(s)...

outstanding build quality, high resolution combined with decent dynamic range, superb viewfinder (for an APS-C DSLR) inc; super-imposable grid lines, full HD (1080p @ 30 fps) movie mode, dual axis electronic level, excellent battery life

"average" high-ISO performance; AWB (auto-white balancing) could be better in artificial light conditions

When I first received Canon's press release for the EOS 7D , I assumed the camera was a full-frame model, perhaps bridging the gap between the EOS 5D Mark II and the EOS-1D Mark III (since updated to Mark IV). However, to my surprise, I discovered that it's an 18-million-pixel APS-C-format camera.

The Canon EOS 7D is Canon's top of the range APS-C camera. Below it sit the compact forms of the EOS 1100D , EOS 600D and EOS 60D and above it the full-frame glory of the ￡200 more expensive EOS 5D MKII . The big difference between the 5D MKII and the 7D is inside.

The new EOS 7D is a fully redesigned EOS with high performance in mind so the new, extremely well-specified, EOS marks a step change for Canon's EOS models featuring an 18MP APS-C sized sensor and HD video to name two of the key features.

Build; image quality; viewfinder; performance and speed; AF; flash control; HD video; ergonomics; LCD

Looks pricey; purple fringing on some high contrast shots with 18-135mm kit lens

The Canon EOS 7D digital SLR is designed for users who want fast shooting performance. That means sports photographers, nature photographers, and basically anyone who needs to freeze-frame a fast-moving subject.

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

A truly superb prosumer DSLR that offers a huge amount of features

Versatile; sturdy; powerful and takes top class stills and video

Not full frame

The past few years has seen a rapid growth in popularity of consumer digital SLRs, and a corresponding expansion of the ranges of cameras available from the main manufacturers. A couple of years ago Canon's DSLR range consisted of a triple-digit "entry-level" model such as the EOS 350D or 400D , a...

The Canon EOS 7D is an 18 megapixel digital SLR camera incorporating a new APS-C CMOS sensor designed and manufactured by Canon. Featuring a revised photodiode and microlens construction, the 7D's sensor offers a versatile ISO range of 100-12,800.

Generally a stunning camera, but needs to be used on RAW to make full use of the excellent CMOS chip, as the JPEGs can be unreliable