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I'm still puzzled why this camera was released, what niche is it trying to fill

I'm still puzzled why this camera was released, what niche is it trying to fill

Like the EF-S 17-55/2.8 IS lens, I see the 7D as another sign of Canon's commitment to the 1.6x cropped sensor format. Not everyone worships at the foot of the full-frame altar, and the 7D is a "pro" level camera that takes EF-S lenses and retains the other advantages of a cropped sensor. There was NO choice in Canon's lineup until now. Most people I know of thought the 40D -> 50D upgrade was the least impressive in the history of that series. The 7D solves that very nicely for those with a $2000 budget.

Heh, I wonder what Jim Jannard and his merry band of RED cultists have to say about the Canon 7D now. I'm sure he is pulling out all the stops and finding every little thing wrong about the 7D so it doesn't kill off sales of his still-vapourware RED Scarlet. Off to visit their forums...

Brian would you have considered staying with Canon if they had the 7d when you switched? It seems that the 7d was designed at price and feature point to fit for the pro shooter like wedding photographers. I'm not sure the 5d was ever meant for that market.

Brian would you have considered staying with Canon if they had the 7d when you switched?

It seems that the 7d was designed at price and feature point to fit for the pro shooter like wedding photographers. I'm not sure the 5d was ever meant for that market.

Hello, close-friend-of-former-client (you are allowed to post your name, you know ;-)). Although the Canon 7D seems to have perplexed a good many people ("what do you mean it isn't a full-frame sensor?!?"), I think it is precisely the right camera that Canon needs to push out in the market right now. It offers a fantastic new AF system (possibly even better than the 1-series?), 8 fps burst mode, 18 megapixels, decent high ISO noise control, 1080/24p video, a built-in wireless master flash, and retains compatibility with all EF and EF-S lenses. All this for around the $2000 price point. It fills the gaping hole that once existed between the Rebel and 50D series, and the 5D and 1D series.

However, many of the reasons why I switched were not related to features specific to a particular model of camera body. It had more to do with the way Nikon and Canon operate. Nikon has never shied away from putting high-end features into their mid-range cameras (e.g., compare the D700's feature set with the D3, or the dual-slot feature of the upcoming D300s). Canon prefers to strongly differentiate their camera bodies, so you get exactly what you pay for. Never more, never less. Had I stuck with Canon, my choice would have been between the $5000 1D Mark III or $8000 1Ds Mark III. Instead I have the $3000 D700 (two of them now) that does much of what both those Canon cameras do combined, and then some.

On top of that, it is not clear that Canon's product philosophy has really changed that much. Nikon still crams more useful little features and specs into their cameras than Canon. I rarely hear of people needing to send their Nikon bodies and lenses back for focus calibration, whereas it seems like standard operating procedure for many professional Canon shooters. Nikon's flash metering and wireless CLS still works better than Canon's equivalent (that has not changed with the 7D). Canon has a better selection of fast, wide primes, but Nikon's holy trinity of pro zooms (14-24/28, 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8) beats the Canon equivalents hands down.

I suspect that had the 7D been available a year ago, it would have been enough to keep me from looking around at Nikon's offerings. After the unimpressive 50D, the 7D is just what Canon needs to boost their commitment to the 1.6x crop format. But today, in the fall of 2009, I'm not feeling the least bit of regret over the switch. After all, I've shot the 2009 season with a pair of wonderful D700's already. Switching based solely on body specifications will be a losing proposition, because who knows what the D700s or D700x will bring? And then the 7D Mark II or perhaps a digital Canon 3D after that?

My 50D is sold, the 7D will compliment my 1DIII nicely. I don't need full frame...........

I will take good care of your 50D, be sure, I have a birthday coming up, it would make me the happiest dude on earth if I get it as a gift

Already gave it to the buyer yesterday . B&H has the 7D for about $1700 US, and henrys for about $2100. Why the $400 difference, I guess, I'll be buying from B&H.

I'm still puzzled why this camera was released, what niche is it trying to fill

Picked up my 7D at Henry's Mississauga just now. It's shipping in the GTA all over. The config options (especially for AF) are vast. Looking forward to testing it out with my 24L-II. Cheers.

Hey can't wait to see some test shots from you! Seems like a great camera at this price range.

Thanks Mike

Thanks Sabesh. I like your shots with your new toy! Great colours and sharpness!

I also added you as my flickr contact.

Thanks
Mike