For the final part in my series of reviews on the Canon EOS 7D, I’ll present the evidence that speaks loudest of all – sample images at a full range of ISO settings, in full-stop increments. Each of the following images was taken with the Canon 7D + 28-135mm, IS deactivated, f/5.6, tripod mounted. All in-camera noise reduction is deactivated. No processing was done to any of the images; they are straight from camera, except for having been slightly cropped and resized to 72 dpi (so they could be uploaded). While I had intended to shoot a series of outdoor images as well, heavy rain forced me to shoot indoors, so please pardon the lame still life.
ISO 100
ISO 200
ISO 400
ISO 800
ISO 1600
ISO 3200
ISO 6400
ISO 12800
It is my personal opinion that the ISO performance of the 7D is the best of any of the Canon’s I’ve owned. It is certainly an improvement over the 50D. In a properly exposed scene, I would have no reservations about shooting up to ISO 1600 while still receiving perfectly usable results.
Even ISO 3200 is acceptable; ISO 6400 is there if needed, while ISO 12800 should be reserved for times when a photo is necessary and there are no other options. In the case of all ISO speeds, I further believe that when present, the visible noise has a much more appealing look than in the past. As other users have noted, noise generated by the 7D has a look reminiscent of film grain – so even when noise is present, it is easier to use artistically.
As you might expect with an 18 megapixel camera, the file sizes have grown, easily reaching between 20-25 MB. And since Canon has continued with its policy of altering the specifications of the CR2 files, the RAW images are currently unreadable by all Adobe products. Canon would prefer that you use their horrid Digital Photography Professional software to work with the files (see my post with full details on DPP). However, until Adobe releases an update the CameraRAW in Photoshop CS4, there is Adobe DNG Converter 5.5, which includes a Beta profile for the 7D, which allows to to covert the RAW files to DNG files, which AdobeCameraRAW will then read and process like normal.
The beta profile appears to be working well, however it’s advisable to hold on to and RAW files for any shots you are particularly fond of, in case the official conversion software release does a better job.
Overall, based on the image quality and the combination of features present, I am thrilled to be using the 7D. I love the look of the photos, and the overall performance of the camera. For the first time while shooting digital, I feel I can finally say that this is truly a photographer’s camera.
Nice review, I am definitely considering the 7D as my next camera and I feel that I am due for an upgrade from my trusty 40D. I would have to disagree with DPP being horrid although it is certainly less convenient and does not allow you to load your images as a smart object in photoshop. However, with my 40D I have always found the color reproduction of files imported into photoshop from DPP more accurate and pleasing than ACR. I have even downloaded the ACR camera profiles and while using those does help the results still don’t look quite as good as using the neutral picture style in DPP and loading it into photoshop and processing from there. Where the difference is most noticeable to me is in sunset shots where there is some blue as well as orange in the sky, ACR just doesn’t seem to render the blues very well. Email me if you would like me to send some comparisons.
Excellent review. I have to decide between the 500D and the 7D. Fortunately store has let me use both and decide which one to keep. I will be disappointed if the 500D out performs the 7D in sharpness. I read the some people have actually sent the 7D back to Canon to be repaired and have been pleased with the repai. I am not intereseted in purchasing a camera that needs repair. Thanks again for the excellent evaluation.