Canon 7D and getting it right.

[whizkid]

A few 7d comments. The 7d  is much more than just a new camera with some new Canon technology. IMO, it also has the best control layout of any Canon DSLR made.  Gone is the absurd placement of the power switch to the lower right rear. The video and live view features are well intergrated and their master control button nicely positioned. The quick view button is smartly to the top left and so it goes.  I sincerely believe Canon in releasing the 7D has upped the ante to the point Nikon must be having night sweats. A later 60D and ID4 can be expected to be equally exciting. Kudos to Canon and a great companion follow up to the 5D2. How did that old song go "The Heat Is On"

[Bob Atkins]

You may be right. I'll let you know when I've actually used one. I've never been bothered by where they put the on/off switch myself and I've found the control design on most EOS bodies pretty easy to deal with.

I'm not so sure Nikon and Canon stay up nights worrying about each other. Canon users will stick with Canon and Nikon users will stick with Nikon. Very few people switch back and forth between systems since it could get very expensive indeed to do so and if Canon are in the lead now, next year it might be Nikon again!

The crucial point is probaly the sub-$1000 entry levek cameras, since once a consumer has made that first step and bought some lenses, they tend to stick with their choice. I'm sure many more people buy into Canon at the Rebel or 50D level than will jump straight in at the 7D or 5D (or 1D) level.

[KeithB]

Disclaimer!  I have never touched a Sony or a high end Canon but...

It looks to me that Canon is fighting back against Sony, what with the easier to use LiveView and all...

[Bob Atkins]

I really don't see it as a battle. It's just the inevitable upgrading and addition of bells and whistles. We really don't think of Dell "battling" with Gateway and HP to produce the best PCs or Sony  "battling" with Panasonic over TVs.

Of course if you're looking at Sony, the new A850 (http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/sony_a850_preview.html) has a full frame 24.6MP sensor and it's list price is under $2000. If you're in the market for full frame, that seems like quite a bargain - but it doesn't have video.  Even though the price is good, it's not going to bother Canon too much though, since I doubt anyone is going to switch from Canon to Sony just to save $700 when they could just spend the extra, get a 5D MkII and keep all their current lenses.

[whizkid]

Nikon has not been this close in sales to Canon for some years.  That's because Nikon has been agressive in adding models including new lines and high performing ones at that.  Clearly they want to regain top dog status and it looks like they have a shot to do just that. The 1D 3 needs redemption and Canon has had nothing to compete with the D300.  The Rebels have been most successful for sure but clearly Canon's 7D now takes aim at the D300. It isn't an upgrade, it is a new model line. That has to be a win win for Canon just like it is for Nikon when they added new model lines. With the 7 in the picture, each brand now has a model that competes head to head with each other.  Though the moment may favor one model line over the other at any one time that still smacks of a battle.

[whizkid]

Canon Rumors has a mini-non techncal review of the the 7D that I found nicely done and honest. Added was what the writer thought of the 7D as a compliment to the 5DMk2. That is what I intend for this model and one should arrive this afternoon for my own evaluation. As stated by the article, the 7D is an overdue model.

http://www.canonrumors.com/canon-eos-7d-mini-review/

[marcfs]

Thanks for sharing the article.  Overall seems very favorable.  I’m waiting to read the reviews that should start appearing over the next few weeks.

Marc