Melville, NY—Canon unveiled the EOS 7D Mark II digital SLR camera, incorporating professional features at an affordable price. Building on the EOS 7D, the new model employs several “EOS firsts”: dual Digic 6 image processors for greater image quality and 10-frames-per-sec burst shooting (31 RAW images or 1,090 JPEGs); and Canon’s first 65-point all-cross-type autofocus (AF) system for “compositional freedom and accurate, spot-on fast focus.”
The 7D Mark II is the second EOS DSLR to incorporate Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology for rapid focusing of video (1080p Full HD or 720p HD at 60p) as well as still images. Overall focusing speed, face detection performance, and performance in low light and with low-contrast subjects were improved over previous Canon models.
“With more processing power than any other EOS camera available today, the highly anticipated EOS 7D Mark II camera has everything serious photographers have come to expect from Canon’s DSLRs and more,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon USA, Inc. “And, recognizing that for some, creative expression may expand beyond still photography, we continue to support these creative passions by offering new and innovative Full HD video capabilities, such as second generation Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology in the EOS 7D Mark II camera as well.”
Within its magnesium alloy body resides a new 20.2 megapixel APS-C Canon CMOS sensor and dual Digic 6 processors, which are safeguarded by enhanced dust and weather resistance. And for shooting in challenging lighting conditions, the camera has an ISO range of 100–16,000 for stills and video, which is expandable to ISO 51,600. Its new AF system with EV -3 sensitivity at the center point also helps deliver sharp focus in extreme low light.
The DSLR also features an enhanced version of EOS iTR (intelligent tracking and recognition) AF, to enable it to recognize subjects based on face and color detection utilizing its AE system and tracking subjects using all 65 AF points. Plus its improved EOS scene detection system uses a 150,000-pixel, RGB+IR, 252-zone metering sensor for enhanced precision. The 65-point AF array combined with EOS iTR and continuous burst shooting at 10 fps enables the tracking and capturing of fast-moving subjects anywhere in the frame. An AF area selection lever nestled around the multi-controller also makes it easier to switch between the seven supplied AF point selection modes without the shooter removing his eye from the viewfinder.
In addition to adjustable high- and low-speed continuous shooting modes, single-frame shooting and two self-timer settings, the EOS 7D Mark II features silent drive modes for single frame and continuous shooting. And its next-generation Dual Pixel CMOS AF (DAF) technology features user-selectable adjustments for movie servo AF speed and movie servo AF tracking sensitivity. The AF system also provides continuous phase-detection AF during video recording for focus tracking of moving subjects. DAF focusing modes include face detection with tracking, FlexiZone multi with 31 AF zones, and FlexiZone single, which permits users to position a focusing frame on the camera’s LCD screen.
Other features include: an AI Servo AF III autofocusing algorithm that enables tracking parameters (tracking sensitivity, acceleration/deceleration tracking, and AF point auto switching) to be customized for specific shooting situations; a 200,000-cycle shutter; high dynamic range (with five shooting functions) and multiple exposure functionality; improved custom controls, including a built-in intervalometer and bulb timer; time-lapse and long-exposure capture; a built-in microphone, stereo microphone port and a headphone jack; a mini HDMI port to record uncompressed Full HD video to external recorders; and a built-in GPS receiver that provides a digital compass.
In addition, an improved intelligent viewfinder provides a 100% field of view while adding the ability to superimpose a customizable selection of settings data, such as dual-mode electronic level display, grid, exposure mode, white balance mode and AF mode. The camera also has a 3.0-inch Clear View II LCD monitor (approximately 1,040,000 dots) that displays information and menus even in bright sunlight.
Also incorporated are dual card slots for SD/SDHC/SDXC and CF memory cards, including Ultra High Speed (UHS-1) SD cards. Data transfer speeds from the camera to a personal computer are enhanced with the addition of a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port.
Canon’s EOS 7D Mark II will ship in November 2014 for an estimated retail price of $1,799 body only and $2,149 bundled with an EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM lens. Also scheduled to be available are the new optional battery grip BG-E16 and optional wireless file transmitter WFT-E7A version 2, with shipping dates and estimated retail pricing to be announced. usa.canon.com