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.

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

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 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...

If you can justify the price tag it's hard to fault Canon's new APS-C flagship. With class-leading image quality, fast operation and excellent handling the EOS 7D is everything a semi-pro model should be--and the excellent movie mode will be a welcome bonus to those that like their pictures to move.

Class-leading detail and resolution at base ISO; good per-pixel sharpness; Very good low-light performance; low noise levels and good retention of detail; 8 frames per second continuous shooting speed; Thanks to Dual Digic 4 processors very quick and responsive performance; Excellent build quality...

Unreliable white balance under artificial lighting; Slight tendency to overexpose in contrasty conditions; Occasional jagged lines in 720p video; No built-in AF illuminator

Canon's EOS 7D is the company's latest semi-pro DSLR, featuring 18 Megapixels, HD video and 8fps continuous shooting. Announced in September 2009, it represents a new product category for Canon, positioned between the existing EOS 50D and EOS 5D Mark II models.

Tough build and superb ergonomics, Zonable 19-point AF and 8fps burst shooting, Big viewfinder with graphics; VGA screen, Adjustable HD resolution and fps with mic input

Basic 3-frame exposure bracketing; Single card slot versus dual on D300s; Flash flickers for AF illumination; Image quality surpassed by 5D Mark II

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

Canon's 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.

Fast burst mode; solid body; versatile focusing modes; very good high ISO performance

Focusing wasn't always accurate; could use more accessible focus controls

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.