7D Mark ii with WiFi/GPS or Without?

[bseitz234]

Has canon ever made a weather sealed body with a swivel screen? Not commenting on what they CAN do, just historical precedent... If they ditch weather sealing in favor of a swivel screen, I'm picking up another 7d classic in a heartbeat to have a second body.

 

[RLPhoto]

I'd prefer built in RT triggering for speedlites.

 

[Rienzphotoz]

I hope we get a 7d without a GPS and WiFi option at a slightly lower cost,I'd buy it

Such a camera already exists ... its called the EOS 7D ... its a great camera ... and its on sale these days ... so no need to wait for 7D II

 

[Don Haines]

And if you can't use wifi or gps because of the metal body..... how do you think it manages to talk to a wireless flash???

 

[RLPhoto]

And if you can't use wifi or gps because of the metal body..... how do you think it manages to talk to a wireless flash???

The same way I can put RT speedlites through solid steel walls & doors.

 

[Don Haines]

Also, the antenna that will be used for wifi will probably be the same antenna used for communicating to your speedlight..... and it will probably also have the gps antenna as part of the same unit. It is far cheaper for canon to use 1 antenna design for ALL of it's cameras than to make different units and stock different replacement parts. Likewise, the touchscreen display...

You can expect these features on every DSLR to be released.

 

[RC]

+1 with you, Azezal. Unfortunately, it seems we are few.

I'm even in a smaller group, no GPS, no WiFi, no swivel screen, and no touch screen.

 

[RLPhoto]

Also, the antenna that will be used for wifi will probably be the same antenna used for communicating to your speedlight..... and it will probably also have the gps antenna as part of the same unit. It is far cheaper for canon to use 1 antenna design for ALL of it's cameras than to make different units and stock different replacement parts. Likewise, the touchscreen display...

You can expect these features on every DSLR to be released.

Nah, I wouldn't even want a GPS/Wifi antenna. Just a dedicated RT controller built in body.

Infact, to the OP, add RT controller on the list and I'd vote for that.

 

[Don Haines]

As to durability/protection... the articulated screen may be more protected than a normal screen.... flip it around when not in use and the glass is protected. You just don't hear stories of the screens breaking off, it seems to be a very reliable design. I'm sure it happens, but you also hear stories of broken non-articulated screens. The Canon repair department would probably have a much better idea than us as to how much of a problem it really is.

As to waterproofing.... lots of buttons, knobs, and dials to be waterproofed. Buttons are easy, knobs and dials a bit harder to do well, but an articulated screen is a nightmare.... one part twists, one part swivels, it would be just about impossible to waterproof the whole assembly..... but you could waterproof past the ends of the articulating assembly where the parts are not moving. I am led to believe that's what was done on the 60D. The screen may be better sealed than the memory card door or the battery compartment

As to usefullness... when I walk around I never use the articulated screen. On a tripod I seldom use the articulated screen, but when needed it is very handy. For astrophotography, I use it a lot and think it is indenspensable.

 

[Dantana]

It's interesting that if something new is going to be added to an upcoming camera, there are two reactions:

1. If you think you need it, you refer to it as a feature.

2. If you think you don't, it's a gimmick.


There are plenty of "features" that I will probably never use. Just turn them off. As for the issue of compromising the build quality/seal, I don't think Canon is putting themselves in that position since they are releasing both a 70D and a 7D II. Besides, the 7D already has a pop-up flash. I'm not sure how that can be considered sealed.

 

[bvukich]

And if you can't use wifi or gps because of the metal body..... how do you think it manages to talk to a wireless flash???

Wifi and RT would have reduced range if they can't get the antenna outside the metal. A GPS receiver however, deals with signals several orders of magnitude weaker, and would never work acceptably inside a metal body.

 

[tron]

+1 with you, Azezal. Unfortunately, it seems we are few.

I'm even in a smaller group, no GPS, no WiFi, no swivel screen, and no touch screen.

There wasn't such a selection, otherwise you might had a surprise

 

[al2]

One of the issues with the flip-screen is the amount of space the hinge and frame take up on the back of the camera. Either we are going to get a much smaller screen or we will lose 5 or 6 buttons on the back. That is a pretty steep price to pay.

 

[Don Haines]

Nah, I wouldn't even want a GPS/Wifi antenna. Just a dedicated RT controller built in body.

Infact, to the OP, add RT controller on the list and I'd vote for that.

But you talk to the speedlight at 2.4Ghz...... That's your WiFi antenna.....

 

[RMC33]

And, for that matter, can we please just have the articulating screen already? Anyone that doesn't like it can just LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS. Seriously, I've needed one this entire week...and no, I don't want to go buy a dedicated monitor. That's a stupid suggestion.

Articulating screens and touch screens are not present on any of the high end bodies for one reason: Durability. EVEN if you leave it folded in from a design and integrity standpoint the whole is much weaker. It also is just another place for water, dust and grit to get into the body that they will have to seal. Moving parts are also a HUGE pain in the ass in any assembly and increase costs/defect rate/reliability of the finished product. 7DII will not have this feature and if it does I do not see it selling very well to the segment Canon has targeted. 70D could possibly have it and I honestly would like to see it there.

 

[RLPhoto]

Nah, I wouldn't even want a GPS/Wifi antenna. Just a dedicated RT controller built in body.

Infact, to the OP, add RT controller on the list and I'd vote for that.

But you talk to the speedlight at 2.4Ghz...... That's your WiFi antenna.....

Great. Now that we know if they put Wifi inside but No RT triggering, Canon has been holding out on us since 6D.

 

[JustinMartin]

What about creating 2 different grips for the 7D Mii, one with the GPS and WiFi and one without?

 

[RMC33]

What about creating 2 different grips for the 7D Mii, one with the GPS and WiFi and one without?

Weather sealing. And I think those mod's would eat up at least 1 battery slot.

 

[bvukich]

What about creating 2 different grips for the 7D Mii, one with the GPS and WiFi and one without?

Weather sealing. And I think those mod's would eat up at least 1 battery slot.

Because the components are so cheap (GPS is <$3 each in bulk, WiFi is <$10), I would imagine they'd be built into the body, and only enabled if you have the grip. That would give a good place to put the antenna too, since the battery tray is plastic. The biggest issue in putting the antennas in the tray (I'd imagine right in the door, you only need 3.125cm for a 1/4 wave 2.4Ghz antenna), would be the additional RF connector on the tray & grip that can sustain repeated coupling without breaking or incurring excessive loss.

 

[bvukich]

It's interesting that if something new is going to be added to an upcoming camera, there are two reactions:

1. If you think you need it, you refer to it as a feature.

2. If you think you don't, it's a gimmick.


There are plenty of "features" that I will probably never use. Just turn them off. As for the issue of compromising the build quality/seal, I don't think Canon is putting themselves in that position since they are releasing both a 70D and a 7D II. Besides, the 7D already has a pop-up flash. I'm not sure how that can be considered sealed.

Feature vs. gimmick... I think you're 98% correct. I personally don't object to any (gimmicky ) features that I don't think I'll use, unless it impacts the features currently present in a line (i.e., ruggedness or weather sealing in this case). I don't buy the argument of cost increases for most features, like GPS or WiFi, because I know the components themselves are dirt cheap, and most of the development is already complete once they have the first model with those features (6D). And for features like video, which I don't care about either; I believe the increased market and subsequent production, makes for a camera that is a net gain for consumers, possibly even cheaper.