EOS 7D Mark II Spec List Surfaces [CR1]

[Gary Irwin]

"20MP or 24MP sensor with Dual Pixel CMOS AF"

No surprise here. Personally 20 MP would do it for me.

"Auto-Focus system similar to the EOS 5D Mark III (61 points), possibly the same as 5D3"

Huh? No DX will ever have the same density of AF sensors from an FX. Who dreamed this up?

"High frame rate, 10-12 fps"

To compete with the 1Dx? not likely. 8 FPS max.

“high grade” weather sealing, like Canon’s professional DSLRs

Maybe, but it won't sell for $2K.

"Dual Digic V+ processor"
OK

"Single card slot"

In this day and age? Fail.

"WiFi & GPS"

Probably iPhone compatible too. Yawn.

"Innovative video features"

Yawn.

"Price around $2000"

In your dreams.

"Very good ISO performance"

LOL! Based on the last few releases from Canon, that doesn't say much.

I hope the 7DII is real, but these specs are basically wishful thinking.

 

[Skirball]

Very Good ISO performance would be an upgrade for me (assuming that means at least one and possibly two stops lower noise)

That's a very optimistic interpretation of 'very good ISO performance'. A full stop improvement would be a significant jump in technology (especially if it was a 24 MP sensor). Two stops would be groundbreaking. Not going to say it's impossible, but making a crop sensor with better ISO performance than the best full frame sensors would be huge, and it wouldn't be premiered on a $2000 camera.

 

[Pi]

Very Good ISO performance would be an upgrade for me (assuming that means at least one and possibly two stops lower noise)

That's a very optimistic interpretation of 'very good ISO performance'. A full stop improvement would be a significant jump in technology (especially if it was a 24 MP sensor). Two stops would be groundbreaking. Not going to say it's impossible, but making a crop sensor with better ISO performance than the best full frame sensors would be huge, and it wouldn't be premiered on a $2000 camera.

Given that the 7D has about 40% QE, a 2 stop improvement of the (photon) noise would mean 160% QE, enough to earn Canon a Nobel prize, and shake the foundations of physics.

 

[brad-man]

Very Good ISO performance would be an upgrade for me (assuming that means at least one and possibly two stops lower noise)

That's a very optimistic interpretation of 'very good ISO performance'. A full stop improvement would be a significant jump in technology (especially if it was a 24 MP sensor). Two stops would be groundbreaking. Not going to say it's impossible, but making a crop sensor with better ISO performance than the best full frame sensors would be huge, and it wouldn't be premiered on a $2000 camera.

Given that the 7D has about 40% QE, a 2 stop improvement of the (photon) noise would mean 160% QE, enough to earn Canon a Nobel prize, and shake the foundations of physics.

Oh crap! If Canon wins a Nobel, I shudder to think what they'll charge for stuff now!

 

[RichM]

I own both a 7D and the 5DIII. The results of the 5DIII are generally so much better, in terms of focus accuracy, color, dynamics and ISO (in RAW). The 7D is hard pressed going above 400 ISO for bird photograpy. With the 5DIII you can take photo's at 1600 ISO without problems, or even higher depending on the circumstances.

But in many cases I need or can use the extra 1.6 crop factor. So having a marriage between the 5DIII type quality, with a APS C camera, and high speed would be great. Basically a top of the line crop camera. I assume the innovative video will be the dual pixel 70D, plus other features?

I will get this the day it gets out.

I agree. I too own both a 7d and 5d3. I find I now use the 5d3 in every situation except daylight sports. I'm anxious to get the next 7d, with better AF and high ISO capabilities in a APS-C format, with IQ at least as good. All other specs are irrelevant, and as a photographer (not videographer) I couldn't care less about video improvements.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

"Auto-Focus system similar to the EOS 5D Mark III (61 points), possibly the same as 5D3"

Huh? No DX will ever have the same density of AF sensors from an FX. Who dreamed this up?

Why not? The AF sensors are very close to the same size across the entire line APS-C, APS-H or FF.
Don't believe me, go to cleaning mode and look and also compare the size of the mini-drop down mirror for AF and see for yourself.

"High frame rate, 10-12 fps"

To compete with the 1Dx? not likely. 8 FPS max.

Better to compete with the (old model) 1DX than to fail to compete with other brands....
And it's not like this is FF so it's not the same thing as 1DX whatever fps it has.

“high grade” weather sealing, like Canon’s professional DSLRs

Maybe, but it won't sell for $2K.

Sealing doesn't cost that much, but that said, yeah it could drop at a higher price.

"Dual Digic V+ processor"
OK

Possibly, although you'd hope for digic 6 or 7 so the video doesn't get mushed up again (assuming it is the currently crummy video processing of digic that is doing it and not marketing telling the engineers to add in a Gaussian blur step (which is possible too).

"Single card slot"
In this day and age? Fail.

Who knows. I don't care myself, although clearly some do .

"WiFi & GPS"
Probably iPhone compatible too. Yawn.

GPS can be a darn nice feature and some of the connectivity can be helpful too especially if you can

"Innovative video features"
Yawn.

It's a BIG market and very important IMO. Word is a great many of the huge 5D2 sales were actually do to video/film only or mostly guys and they are what made it a hit even more than the stills shooters.

"Price around $2000"
In your dreams.

Hard to say, the way Canon has been going with prices it seems doubtful, but competition is brewing so who knows.

"Very good ISO performance"
LOL! Based on the last few releases from Canon, that doesn't say much.

Hah, agree for the most part (although the 6D probably did manage 2/3rds of a stop better SNR and 1.5+ stops better DR at high ISO than the 5D2 which is a pretty decent bump, but for the most part, yeah it means we found a new way to smear in cam jpgs better).

I hope the 7DII is real, but these specs are basically wishful thinking.

They may be but that are not wishful in the crazy not going to happen sense, they seem perfectly realistically reasonable. Look at how old the 7D is and look how long this new one will need to sell, look at the competition, if it doesn't have at least these specs it'll be dead in the water! It doesn't need to sell today but 2-3 or more years from now! Anything less and they may as well not bother.

 

[Efka76]

In my opinion Canon engineers are really confused and do not know what to do with 7DII Look at 6D history: there were a lot of speculation and very high expectations from the market, however, Canon intentionally crippled that model in order not to canibalize 5DIII and 7D sales. 7D is long overdue and Canon is afraid that in you make 7DII as mini 1Dx (the difference would be a different sensor size) and also sensor would be based on new technology, that would also negatively affect 6D, 5DIII and 1dX sales.

In my opinion, Canon ha to many camera models. They lack Steve Jobs mind person who returned to Apple and get rid of many computer models but produced few which are very well known. It would be fully sufficient to have 3 models only: 1Dx - for real professional photographers, 5DIII - wedding photographers camera and 7DII - crop sized 1Dx. Get rid of rebels and p&s crap (p&s market will be dead in few years). Canon should put more efforts on mirrorless cameras' line (currently they are significantly behind competitors).

Also, market is waiting from Canon significant developments in sensors. Canon already milked that "old sensor" cow for too many years, they earn sufficient profit which could be wisely spend on R&D. It is a pity, however, I see a former leader in technology, which is doing quite well due to big variety of lenses, however, future outlook is not promising..... mirrorless market is already lost to Fuji, Olympus and Sony, Sigma & Tamron significantly increased lens quality (but they charge significantly less than Canon).

 

[WPJ]

I remember someone saying change the card slot to SD....the worse idea I've head this thread, cf all the way I want my buffer clear asap....

also usb3 or better yet gig Ethernet jack to get my files off.

 

[surapon]

Yeah, I don't know... why would they create something that would be equal to or better than the 5D mark iii and/or 1DX and price it lower than those 2?

Defeats the purpose...

+1 for me too, Dear Mkabi
The Japanese MFG. are the Smart Companies in the Word, And They will not " why would they create something that would be equal to or better than the 5D mark iii and/or 1DX and price it lower than those 2?.
Yes I am agree wit you 250%.
Thanks
Surapon

 

[Pi]

Yeah, I don't know... why would they create something that would be equal to or better than the 5D mark iii and/or 1DX and price it lower than those 2?

Defeats the purpose...

+1 for me too, Dear Mkabi
The Japanese MFG. are the Smart Companies in the Word, And They will not " why would they create something that would be equal to or better than the 5D mark iii and/or 1DX and price it lower than those 2?.
Yes I am agree wit you 250%.
Thanks
Surapon

Here is another thought: because the cannot? And because nobody can?

 

[rowlandw]

Digic 5? Isn't Digic 6 out already?

 

[surapon]

Yeah, I don't know... why would they create something that would be equal to or better than the 5D mark iii and/or 1DX and price it lower than those 2?

Defeats the purpose...

+1 for me too, Dear Mkabi
The Japanese MFG. are the Smart Companies in the Word, And They will not " why would they create something that would be equal to or better than the 5D mark iii and/or 1DX and price it lower than those 2?.
Yes I am agree wit you 250%.
Thanks
Surapon

Here is another thought: because the cannot? And because nobody can?

Dear Sir, Mr. Pi.
I love your great Words " Here is another thought: because the cannot? And because nobody can?"----
If Canon were American Company, Yes, They Will, Because American Company try the Best way to improve their Products---And Get Rid of their Old Models.
But Japanese company are Behind American Companies in The way to do Business( for 30-50 years behind), And Because the Old time thinking, The Japanese Companies, Never Kill the Best Selling products such as 5D MK III and 1Dx----That Why in my Thinking ( Just my Stupid Idea), The 7D MK II should be 20 MP, and 10 FPS. Only----Below the 5D MK III and 1DX.
Yes, Sir, Canon invent 100 MP sensor 3 years ago, But They still hold on their Inventor, Let us us/ Buy only 22.5 MP cameras-----Ha, Ha, Ha, And Let Nikon Give us the New Camera 36 MP last year ( ?).
Nice to talk to you , Sir.
Surapon

 

[Don Haines]

I remember someone saying change the card slot to SD....the worse idea I've head this thread, cf all the way I want my buffer clear asap....

also usb3 or better yet gig Ethernet jack to get my files off.

You realize that the SD cards available today are faster than the Compact Flash cards were when the 7D came out and of course the compact flash of today are even faster... As someone with a bunch of fast SD cards, let me add my name to the list of people who would prefer a compact flash slot over an SD slot...

I can't see GigE connectivity on a camera.... consumers like wireless... the throughput of wireless is laughable compared to GigE, but wireless is more convenient... so the poorer solution wins... USB3 has to come soon, at some point people will stop making chipsets that only go up to USB2... USB will win out over Ethernet because all you have to do is plug it in.... no configuration required, and a lot of people use laptops and tablets with no wired Ethernet connection... USB is a more universal solution than wired Ethernet.

Almost all the new test equipment at the lab where I work has GigE interfaces... you can talk to it from anywhere.... way more flexible than dedicated cables... Personally, I would like to see it on a camera, but I doubt the masses are ready yet.

 

[9VIII]

In my opinion, Canon ha to many camera models. They lack Steve Jobs mind person who returned to Apple and get rid of many computer models but produced few which are very well known. It would be fully sufficient to have 3 models only: 1Dx - for real professional photographers, 5DIII - wedding photographers camera and 7DII - crop sized 1Dx. Get rid of rebels and p&s crap (p&s market will be dead in few years). Canon should put more efforts on mirrorless cameras' line (currently they are significantly behind competitors).

Both Canon and Nikon have directly said that they will move focus more toward low end products (Rebel/Dxxxx).
It's been pointed out several times already, the high end market is saturated, and the P&S market is shrinking fast. If there's any growth (or, less shrinking) to be had it's in the range between the two.
And really the only difference between Canons current high end line and the one you suggest is the 6D, which seems to be almost universally praised.

 

[Zv]

In my opinion, Canon ha to many camera models. They lack Steve Jobs mind person who returned to Apple and get rid of many computer models but produced few which are very well known. It would be fully sufficient to have 3 models only: 1Dx - for real professional photographers, 5DIII - wedding photographers camera and 7DII - crop sized 1Dx. Get rid of rebels and p&s crap (p&s market will be dead in few years). Canon should put more efforts on mirrorless cameras' line (currently they are significantly behind competitors).

Both Canon and Nikon have directly said that they will move focus more toward low end products (Rebel/Dxxxx).
It's been pointed out several times already, the high end market is saturated, and the P&S market is shrinking fast. If there's any growth (or, less shrinking) to be had it's in the range between the two.
And really the only difference between Canons current high end line and the one you suggest is the 6D, which seems to be almost universally praised.

Also, not everyone can afford a 7D2 at $2000. There will always be a demand for the consumer low priced level tech. Beginners, amateurs, moms and dads, hiking trips and just general purpose stuff where folk want something decent but without the high cost.

 

[photo212]

Canon really needs to get this update out there. the 7D is ancient technology by comparable standards. Good camera/sensor, but so many others have passed it by. Hard to purchase something so old knowing Canon has to be considering a replacement soon.

Rebels are fine for those not torturing their camera equipment. I just would not trust a Rebel in harsh weather or the abuse of man-handling it. What is left for the wildlife or sports photographer that benefits from the cropped sensor?

The GPS and Wifi thing is not a necessity. In fact, I'm more than likely disabling both features should I ever finally get a chance to upgrade my 50D and 40D. I'd rather have a tight body that can hold up to the rigors of weather and abuse than external communication without wires or a pack on the bottom.

 

[sanj]

that would also negatively affect 6D, 5DIII and 1dX sales.

How?

 

[TrabimanUK]

One thing that I notice is mising from the "spec list" and that no-one seems to have picked up on, which IMHO is Canon's greatest development in the past 10-20 years - the lockable Mode Dial!

Fit one of those and I'm sold!

 

[Marsu42]

One thing that I notice is mising from the "spec list" and that no-one seems to have picked up on, which IMHO is Canon's greatest development in the past 10-20 years - the lockable Mode Dial! Fit one of those and I'm sold!

No way, you're missing out on the latest and greatest Canon development, featured in the otherwise under-spec'ed 6d: you can now play mp3 music files along your in-camera slideshow! If this is ported to the 7d2, Canon doesn't need to worry about sensor performance and similar hogwash

 

[GMCPhotographics]

One thing that I notice is mising from the "spec list" and that no-one seems to have picked up on, which IMHO is Canon's greatest development in the past 10-20 years - the lockable Mode Dial!

Fit one of those and I'm sold!

Funny thing is that both my A1 and AE-1 program cameras have lockable mode dials. The later EOS 650 cameras has their mode dial pointing towards the photographer...so the lock aspect wasn't needed. When we went digital, Canon seemed to loose this feature....only to re-implement it back again on the 60D after a lot of complaints (ie 5 years at least). It was available as a cost upgrade on a 7D and 5DII models.