Canon EOS 700D Review

A Post By: Barrie Smith

Canon describes this camera as the flagship of its entry-level consumer DSLR camera line-up and, while each is ‘designed to suit specific user requirements, both cameras are packed with high-quality and creative features that are ideal for creative-minded consumers looking to take their photography to the next level.’

So don’t expect to pay top dollar for a top quality camera but Canon still considers it to be ‘the most advanced entry-level EOS model to date …’

The Canon EOS 700D (also known as the Canon EOS Rebel T5i is a successor to the EOS 650D model, displaying identical specs and only differing in weight by being only five grams heavier. In model ranking, it currently sits above the EOS 600D.

The body is made from stainless steel and polycarbonate resin with glass fibre. Light and reasonably strong, the EOS 700D is three quarters the size and two thirds the weight of the top-ranking EOS 5D Mark III.

Canon EOS 700D/Rebel T5i Handling

The review camera was supplied with the new, stabilised EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. This has switchable AF/manual on/off and internal stabiliser on/off.

Head down and belting straight into using the camera I found most of the external controls easy to suss out and, outside in full sunlight, immediately appreciated the switchable optical/LCD screen viewing options.

Those who grew up on film SLRs will be in seventh heaven with the optical finder! You will however lose the assurance of the LCD screen’s focus pointers.

Fired up, you’re faced with a status screen that shows ISO, AWB, AF, metering, single/continuous settings etc. Place your eye next to the turret finder and you view through the optical eyepiece.

Tap a button immediately next to the viewfinder and you fire up the touchable LCD screen. This doubles as the video record button.

Top deck controls: at left the menu and info buttons.

At right, the mode dial which has positions for PASM; intelligent and creative auto; flash options; portrait, landscape, macro and sports options; scene modes: night portrait, handheld night scene and HDR backlight control.

The latter two are interesting for those who want to push the boundaries without possessing the expertise. In handheld night scene you can shoot handheld, with the camera firing off four shots, then auto selecting the least camera shake.

HDR backlight control is similar in that the camera shoots three exposures at differing exposures, finally combining them in to one exposure-balanced image.

Next to the mode dial is the three position power switch: off/on/movies.

Forward of the mode dial is a dedicated ISO button, a godsend for those who play with variable sensitivities.

Further forward is the shutter button and main selector dial.

Rear: four way rocker which gives access to AWB, single/continuous options, AF and a picture style button (auto, standard, portrait for enhanced skin tones, landscape for saturated blues and greens, neutral, ‘faithful’ and mono. The Q button gives access to a range of creative filters: grainy, soft focus, fish eye effect, art bold, water painting, toy camera (like a LOMO!) and miniature effect (which I hate!).

Also found at the rear are buttons for AE lock, AF point selection, exposure compensation, quick control, replay and trash.

The card slot is at the right side of the camera, which means you can switch cards with the camera remaining tripod-mounted.

The screen is vari-angle, swinging sideways by 175 degrees and vertically by 180 degrees.

All in all, an unchallenging layout and one, I figure, the newcomer can quickly become familiar with.

The menu layout is comprehensive and, while displaying many settings, is easily navigable. But do read the manual before you engage with the menu!

For a DSLR, the Canon EOS 700D/Rebel T5i is a relative minnow when compared to high end digital reflexes. But do compare it with the mirrorless models before you finally decide. Having said that, the camera is well balanced and easily hand-holdable.

Canon EOS 700D/Rebel T5i Features

My eye was caught by the five frames/second continuous shooting speed. At this rate you can pull in a total of 22 JPEGs, six RAW shots or three JPEG+RAW images. Note: this rate is not available if the ISO setting is at 25,600. Also needed for this shooting rate is a minimum shutter speed of 1/500 second.

The AF has nine cross-type points spread across the frame. You can manually select and adjust focus points, or simply use full automatic mode.

The APS-C sized CMOS captures a maximum image size of 5184×3456 pixels, leading to a printed image of 44x29cm print.

Video can be shot in MPEG4 up to Full HD 1920×1080 pixel dimensions. In my test at the skateboard park I used the ‘tracking’ AF setting which worked well once it ‘locked on’ to a section of the subject but took a second or two to do so.

Because you must use the main switch to select video you cannot shoot stills mid video recording.

Canon EOS 700D/Rebel T5i ISO Tests

By ISO 6400 noise became noticeable. By ISO 12800 still travelling quite well and useable. By ISO 25600 noise up high and definition down — not useable IMHO.

Canon EOS 700D/Rebel T5i Verdict

Quality: top level, sharp, well saturated. Notice the shot above of the mangrove trees and backlit yachts: cropped to one seventh of original image!

Why you’d buy the Canon EOS 700D/Rebel T5i: enjoyable AF action; creative filters for the playful (!); gets you into DSLR shooting at an affordable cost … but don’t forget, budget for expensive, high quality lenses!

Why you wouldn’t: you need a bigger image; you need more pro image control.
An ideal starter model for the DSLR wish-alots!

Canon EOS 700D Specifications

Image Sensor: 18 million effective pixels.
Metering: multi zone, centre-weighted, spot, partial.
Lens Mount: Canon EF/EF-S.
Exposure Modes: Program AE, shutter and aperture priority, manual.
Effective Sensor Size: 22.3×14.9mm CMOS.
35 SLR Lens Factor: 1.6x.
Shutter Speed (stills): 30 to 1/4000 second and Bulb; X-sync at 1/200 sec.
Continuous Shooting: 5 fps.
Memory: SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.
Image Sizes (pixels): Stills: 5184×3456 to 480×480.
Movies: 1920×1080 (30p/25p/24p), 1280×720 (60p/50p), 640×480 (30p/25p).
Viewfinder: Optical plus 7.6cm LCD screen (1,040,000 pixels).
File Formats: JPEG, 14-bit RAW, JPEG+RAW, MPEG4.
Colour Space: sRGB, Adobe RGB.
ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100 to 25,600.
Interface: USB 2.0, HDMI mini, EyeFi, mic, remote.
Power: Rechargeable lithium ion battery, DC input.
Dimensions: 133x100x79 WHDmm.
Weight: 580 g (inc battery).
Price: Get a price on the Canon EOS 700D (Rebel T5i) with 18-55mm EF-S IS STM Lens or the Canon EOS 700D (Rebel T5i) with 18-135mm EF-S IS STM Lens at Amazon.