The 7D Mk III is a cropped action camera. That means I have requirements for 2 specific areas.
First of all, images must have good IQ. But “IQ” is a broad subject, and can be made more specific in this context of action photography.
In action photography the possibilities to influence the light are quite limited or even impossible. Therefore an important aspect of IQ is that there must be ‘room’ to compensate for sub-optimal shooting conditions. This means high Dynamic Range and little Noise. Preferably from 100 to at least 2000 ISO.
Then the
initial quality of the images as they come out of the camera allows for good
final results after post-processing. Therefore considerably improving these properties (DR and Noise) in the 7D Mk III are hard requirements for me.
Also “richness of detail” is important.
“Richness of detail” is the result of many properties of the camera’s sensor, but also of some other features of the camera and also of the lens used. Talking about individual properties (like pixel size, resolution) does not do justice to the complex interaction with other properties and the science (optics, electronics) involved.
In fact, this aspect can only be judged fully when the actual camera is there.
Secondly, I want plenty of keepers.
The primary requirement to be a ‘keeper’ is that the image is sharp. In the context of an action camera this means that the AF system must be as responsive as feasible (which includes taking into account constraints like size, cost and many other implementation details of the camera) to allow good tracking, even in suboptimal conditions.
This requires swift, effective and configurable firmware. It is important to acknowledge that this all starts with the properties of the individual AF-points on the AF-sensor.
Most other features of an action camera are
in support of the photographer at several stages of photography.
For instance, they assist in shooting more done user friendly, faster change of settings, manage your camera more easily, shoot during a longer period, etc.. Such features can be crucial in specific situations, but I regard many of them as ‘nice to have’ as opposed to the essential properties I just mentioned.
Many cropped action photographers chose the cropped format for good reasons; not just money as is sometimes stated.
As a Canon user I also want access to a cropped action camera with the best what is doable and feasible in the areas that I just mentioned. And I am not the only one, as shown by posts of this thread and other threads too.
Personally I hope that Canon will be able (willing?) to let the 7D Mk III have at least the DR and Noise levels of the D500.
Mind you, wanting the 7D Mk III to be at least on par in AF and in IQ with an over-2-years-old design from the competition (the D500 is already 2 years old now!) cannot too much to ask, can it?
I think it is needless to say that for many interested people, the yardstick to judge the 7D Mk III will be the D500.
Recent impressions, also on this forum and even in this thread, seemed to lower the expectations for the 7D Mk III. In particular, areas like DR and Noise are mentioned then.
That seems strange because that is exactly where the 7D Mk II is lagging the competition.
Perhaps that is not a very good sign.
But one thing is certain: the future will reveal all …………….