I've had my 7D for a couple of weeks now and so far I'm more than delighted with it.
It's a really slick operating camera with some worthwhile upgrades from my 40D.
The rear screen is simply superb, visible even in the brightest of light.
The main advantages I've noted so far:
More compensation control. This is very good for me. My garden is a nightmare so far as light control. Very dark areas with sudden changes to a bright background. The extra degree of compensation adjustment is extremely welcome.
RAW/JPEG button. I'm using this more than I thought I would. I generally shoot JPEG. However, having a button to instantly change to RAW for the next shot is very useful, especially in challenging conditions.
The ability to change your AF settings without taking your eye away from the camera is another excellent feature. You press the Mfn button (which is right by the shutter button) and can cycle through all the following:
* Manual AF point selection mode
* Spot AF point selection mode
* AF point expansion mode
* Automatic AF point selection mode
* Zone AF mode
These options are when your in AI Servo mode. They change according to the mode your using.
The viewfinder is another improvement. I've got mine set with AF Points and grid lines showing, helping me get subject lined up much easier. Having 100% view is another help. I still chop off bird legs, but now I can't blame the camera!
I'm very pleased with the image quality I'm getting, using all types of lenses.
What I've noticed in particular is that the JPEG software does a very good job of retaining detail whilst controlling noise. Using ISO 1600 gives a very clean,clear image with little visible noise, even in my dark shadowy garden.
This is one such example:
This one was ISO 1000:
So far I'm struggling to improve RAW images to gain anything over the JPEG images.
As for dull, lifeless images, that's not what I see. Obviously if your shooting with the Neutral or Faithful picture styles, that's what you can expect to get. Your supposed to put the life back into the images using your software. It works well, I tend to use the Neutral style by default with minimum noise control set.
By accident I left the picture style on Standard for one days shooting and boy did I not like what I saw. I much prefer the Neutral style so I can edit the shot the way I want to.
So far there's nothing I don't like about the camera. I'll be nervously testing the AF system on moving birds some time soon, that'll be the one I'm really hoping for a major improvement over my 40D.
Linear Mode
