Unveiled: Canon EOS 7D Mark II

The wait is over. Canon has just announced the update to the groundbreaking EOS Canon 7D DSLR, which has been the Canon APS-C workhorse for over five years. The new EOS 7D Mark II DSLR Camera, with a number of significant improvements, is sure to please 7D shooters looking to upgrade or those ready to make the move to one of the best crop sensor DSLRs available.

For starters the APS-C CMOS sensor on the 7D Mark II has been bumped up to contain 20.2MP of effective pixels compared to the 18.0MP of the 7D and the processors skip a generation to include dual DIGIC 6 image processors. These two processors give the 7D Mark II its impressive image quality and low light capability in video as well as stills, and also provide its very fast performance speed which includes continuous full resolution shooting up to 10 fps. The sensitivity range has also been expanded for minimized noise in low-light capture; it runs from ISO 100-16000 but can be expanded to an ISO 51200 equivalence.
The processors help the Mark II capture up 31 RAW, 19 RAW + JPEG, and over 1000 JPEG images in a single burst and it works to make real-time corrections of lens aberrations and distortion. Shutter lag is reduced to 55 milliseconds and refined mechanics improve shutter efficiency and dampen vibrations, which improves autofocus accuracy and overall image sharpness.

The focusing system takes a major leap to include 65 all cross-type AF points, up from 19 on the 7D, therefore enabling improved focusing precision, especially when tracking moving subjects. The AF points are spread over a wide area of the frame enabling faster AF wherever the subject lies, and -3 EV sensitivity at the center dual-cross type point allows for accurate AF in low light. When working in live view, the Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor with phase-difference detection provides smooth camcorder-like autofocus, which is fast and precise for stills and video. The metering sensor has also been upgraded and now offers 150,000-pixel RGB+IR sensor. This sensor enables Canon’s intelligent Tracking and Recognition system (iTR AF) that detects and tracks subjects, automatically switching the AF point to optimize subject tracking. New tracking algorithms for face and color recognition also serve as a foundation point for the 7D Mark II’s AF system.

Full HD video capture is a calling card of the 7D series and the upgrade in the Mark II includes 1080p capture at 60 fps in addition to 30 and 24 fps at full HD. Lower HD and SD-resolution video is also available and both MOV and MP4 formats are supported as is uncompressed video to an external recorder via the mini-HDMI terminal. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF system is particularly beneficial in video recording and noticeable in live view when switching between subjects and, in combination with Canon’s Custom Movie Servo predictive AF, when tracking moving subjects. ISO sensitivity in video mode parallels stills mode to 16000 and video, as well as stills, can be recorded to both SD and Compact Flash cards in the dual card slot.

The rear monitor on the Mark II is a 3.0” Clear View II LCD with 1,040k-dot resolution, which provides easy-to-see image composition and playback. Its resin-coated cover minimizes reflections, and the extremely helpful comparative playback function lets you compare two images (or sections of images) on the same screen. The 100%-coverage Intelligent Viewfinder II improves upon the original optical pentaprism viewfinder with faster overlay of a number of displays which offer camera settings information and options such as grid display, AF point display and an electronic level.

Advanced custom controls allow you more ways to set the camera buttons for just what you need, and a first for an EOS is time-lapse fixed-point shooting and long exposures without the need for a remote control. The EOS 7D Mark II’s interval timer takes from 1 to 99 shots at preselected intervals, ideal for shooting flowers as they bloom or the transition of daytime passing into nighttime. Also, a built-in GPS receiver provides digital compass, location and altitude information and coordinated time. For enhanced connectivity, a USB 3.0 terminal offers fast transfer to PCs and printers, as well as to Canon’s new WFT-E7 (Version 2) for wireless transfer and Wi-Fi compatibility.

Physically, the Mark II maintains the durable magnesium alloy build of its predecessor and adds improved water and dust seals. The shutter system, with a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 of a second, has been tested to complete 200,000 actuations. It provides a built-in flash plus hot shoe for external flash and PC terminal.

The 7D Mark II is compatible with EF and EF-S lenses and in addition to the 7D Mark II camera body, Canon is releasing a kit with the Mark II and a zoom lens. The EOS 7D Mark II DSLR Camera with 18-135mm Lens combines the DSLR with a highly versatile EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. This lens built for APS-C sensors, provides the full frame focal length equivalency of a 28.8-216mm lens for comprehensive wide-angle to telephoto coverage. Aspherical and UD lens elements minimize aberrations for sharp, color-accurate imaging throughout the frame. Optical Image Stabilization offers four stops of compensation against the blur caused by camera shake, and Dynamic Image Stabilization is optimized for video and reduces the shake created when moving with your camera. High speed autofocus is complemented by an STM AF system which provides smooth and almost silent focusing action during use.
The LP-E6N Battery for 7D Mark II comes supplied with the camera but is also available as a stand-alone accessory. Having a second battery is a must for full day shoots and it’s generally a good idea to have a second battery charged and ready. The optional BG-E16 Battery Grip for EOS 7D Mark II DSLR provides space for an additional LP-E6N battery and offers a stable and comfortable way to hold your camera in the vertical position. It includes a secondary shutter release button and other alternate controls. With the included BGM-E16 battery magazine, six AA batteries can also be used to power the Mark II.

Updating the existing WFT-E7A model is the WFT-E7A Wireless File Transmitter Version 2 which offers compatibility with the 7D Mark II, and enables fast wireless and wired transfer of images to your computer or smart device as well as remote control and linked shooting capabilities. Fast and secure links over a LAN connection and a wired Ethernet connection improve workflow while a built-in Bluetooth function allows it to handle high-volume data transfer. The E7A attaches to the base of your camera via the tripod mount, connects to the camera via USB, and requires its own battery.  Several new interface cables are also available to connect distinct cameras to a computer or even to the wireless file transmitter, including the IFC-150U II USB 3.0 Interface Cable  which is included with the camera, the IFC-500U II USB Interface Cable which is compatible with the standard mini USB B-type socket, and the IFC-150AB II USB Interface Cable and IFC-40AB II USB Interface Cable which are spare cables and come included with the WFT-E7A transmitter.
Finally, Canon has made available two new focusing screens for the 7D Mark II. The Eh-A Focusing Screen is a replacement for the standard screen that is included with the camera and the Eh-S Focusing Screen is the Super Precision Matte alternative which provides brighter focusing options with fast aperture lenses.

	EOS 7D Mark II DSLR Camera	EOS 7D DSLR Camera
Lens Mount	Canon EF (compatible with EF and EF-S lenses)	Canon EF (compatible with EF and EF-S lenses)
Image Sensor	APS-C (22.4 x 15.0 mm) CMOS	APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) CMOS
Image Processor	Dual DIGIC 6	Dual DIGIC 4
Effective Pixels	20.2 MP	18.0 MP
Total Pixels	20.9 MP	19.0 MP
Maximum Resolution	5472 x 3648	5184 x 3456
Aspect Ratio	3:2	3:2
Still Image File Format	JPEG, RAW	JPEG, RAW
Storage Media	CF Card Type 1, UDMA-compliant; SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards	CF Card Type 1 and II, UDMA-compliant
Card Slot	1 x CF 1 x SD	1 x CF
Viewfinder Type	Intelligent Viewfinder II (Eye-level pentaprism)	Intelligent Viewfinder (Eye-level pentaprism)
Frame Coverage	100%	100%
Magnification	1.0x -1m-1 with 50mm lens at infinity / 29.6° angle of view	1.0x -1m-1 with 50mm lens at infinity / 29.4° angle of view
Eyepoint	22 mm from eyepiece lens center	22 mm from eyepiece lens center
Diopter Adjustment	-3.0 to +1.0m-1	-3.0 to +1.0m-1
Shutter Type	Vertical-travel, mechanical, electronically-controlled, focal-plane shutter	Vertical-travel, mechanical, electronically-controlled, focal-plane shutter
Shutter Speed	30 seconds to 1/8000 second	30 seconds to 1/8000 second
Flash Sync Speed	1/250 second	1/250 second
Drive Modes	Single, high-speed continuous (10 fps), low-speed continuous (3 fps, default), silent single shooting, silent continuous shooting (4 fps), self-timer	Single, high-speed continuous (8 fps), low-speed continuous (3 fps), self-timer
Top Continuous Shooting Rate	10 fps	8 fps
Self-Timer	10 or 2 seconds	10 or 2 seconds
Exposure Metering System	150,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor with 252-zone EOS iSA system	63-zone SPC TTL metering
Metering Method	Evaluative, partial, spot, center-weighted	Evaluative, partial, spot, center-weighted
Metering Range	EV 0-20	EV 1-20
Exposure Modes	Program, shutter priority, aperture priority, Creative Auto, full auto, manual, E-TTL II autoflash program	Program, shutter priority, aperture priority, Creative Auto, full auto, manual, E-TTL II autoflash program
Exposure Compensation	±5 stops in 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments	±5 stops in 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments
ISO Sensitivity	100-16000 (Expandable to H1: 25600 and H2:51200)	100-6400 (Expanded: 100-12800)
Autofocus System	TTL secondary image-forming phase-difference detection with AF-dedicated CMOS sensor	TTL-CT-SIR AF-dedicated CMOS sensor
Number of Focus Points	65 all cross-type (f/2.8 at center, dual cross-type)	19 all cross-type (f/2.8 at center, dual cross-type)
Focus Modes	One-Shot, Predictive AI Servo, AI Focus AF, Manual	One-Shot, Predictive AI Servo, AI Focus AF, Manual
Autofocus Sensitivity	As low as EV -3.0 Live View, Dual Pixel CMOS AF: EV 0-18	EV -0.5-18
Built-In Flash	Yes	Yes, GN: 39' / 12 m at ISO 100 and 15mm (APS-C)
Flash Control	E-TTL II	E-TTL II
Flash Modes	Auto, manual, multi flash	Auto, manual, multi flash
Flash Compensation	±3 stops in 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments	±3 stops in 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments
External Flash Interface	Hot shoe, PC terminal	Hot shoe, PC terminal
White Balance Modes	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Twilight, Sunset, Tungsten, White Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature
White Balance Bracketing	Not specified by manufacturer	±3 levels in 1 step increments
Movie Recording	Yes	Yes
Movie Resolutions	MOV Format 1920 x 1080: 59.94 / 29.97 / 24.00 / 23.976 1280 x 720: 59.94 640 x 480: 29.97 MP4 Format 1920 x 1080: 59.94 / 29.97 / 24.00 / 23.976 1280 x 720: 59.94 / 29.97 640 x 480: 29.97	1920 x 1080p: 29.97 / 23.976 / 25 1280 x 720p: 59.94 / 50 640 x 480p: 59.94 / 50
Movie Exposure Modes	Program, shutter priority, aperture priority, manual	Program AE, Manual exposure
File Format	MOV, MP4	MOV
Compression	MOV Format (IPB / All-I) Image Data: MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 Audio: Linear PCM MP4 Format (IPB / All-I) Image Data: MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 (Variable bit rate) Audio: AAC	Image Data: H.264 Audio: Linear PCM (monaural)
Audio Recording	Yes, with video	Yes, with video
External Microphone Input	Not specified by manufacturer	Yes, 3.5mm
Headphone Jack	Not specified by manufacturer	N/A
Maximum Recording Time	29 minutes 59 seconds	1920 x 1080: 12 minutes 1280 x 720: 12 minutes 640 x 480: 24 minutes
Monitor	3.0" 1,040k-dot Color Clear View II Color TFT LCD	3.0" 920k-dot Color TFT LCD
Monitor Viewing Angle	Not specified by manufacturer	170°
Interface	USB 3.0 Video OUT (NTSC / PAL) mini-HDMI OUT	USB 2.0 Video OUT (NTSC / PAL) mini-HDMI OUT
Wi-Fi	N/A	N/A
GPS	Yes, built-in	N/A
Power Source	1 x LP-E6N Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack Optional ACK-E6 AC Power Adapter Optional BG-E16 Battery Grip	1 x LP-E6 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack Optional ACK-E6 AC Power Adapter Optional BG-E7 Battery Grip
Battery Life	Approx. 800 at 73°F / 23°C	Approx. 1000 at 73°F / 23°C
Operating Environment	Temperature: 32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C Humidity: 85% or less	Temperature: 32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C Humidity: 85% or less
Dimensions	5.9 x 4.4 x 3.1" / 15.0 x 11.2 x 7.9 cm	5.8 x 4.4 x 2.9" / 14.8 x 11.1 x 7.4 cm
Weight	28.9 oz / 820 g (body only)	28.9 oz / 820 g (body only)