Bad image quality of Canon 7D

[sybren]

Hey all. I'm looking for a camera to replace my trusty Canon EOS 350D somewhere in the next year or so. The 7D seems to be the ideal successor.

I read great reviews of the 7D everywhere. Everywhere? Well, there is this one blog post of Darwin Wiggett that goes against the popular opinion:

Originally Posted by Darwin Wiggett

Of all the cameras we have ever used, we loved the handling of the Canon 7D the best. What a little sports car of a camera! We so much wanted to love this camera. But in test after test we constantly were disappointed in the quality of the files. For our purposes, landscape and nature photography shot using RAW images, the 7D just does not cut it.

When you read the entire post you'll see he has some troubling examples of the 7D's image quality. Do any DPS'ers have hands-on experience with the 7D? What are your opinions?

[LoveDSLR]

I took a CF card with me to test the 7D (side by side with 5D Mk II, 1D Mk III, D300 & D3) at a camera shop last month. I recommend you do the same and make your own conclusion.

Since I have D3, D300 and 5D Mk II, the 7D wasn't impressed enough for me to get one. When compared it with a 1D Mk III, I found the 1D AF is better.

Nevertheless, the 7D should be one of the best Canon at this time. You will enjoy it just as I did with the D300 when it was introduced.

[candleman]

i have heard there are a few firmware releases that have fixed some ghosting issues, and some other bits and bobs that were not working properly.

[sybren]

Before I buy the camera I'm sure going to test it myself. However, I'm afraid to test it against the 1D(s), as I don't want to be so impressed that I buy one of those cameras! The comparison is going to be against the yet-to-be-released 60D. A full-frame camera (or APS-H) is not an option as I'd have to replace most of my glass - I have three EF-S lenses.

[PhotogChic]

I would just like to mention that the way the photos in that Darwin review were totally bogus. It was like comparing apples to oranges. The images were not linked to or didn't show any of the EXIF info...who's to say those weren't 200% crops or worse!

If it were to be compared apples to apples I might find some of the info helpful but until that happens, I will totally ignore that review. As I have watched over the past 2-3 years when new cameras debut it never fails that there are always those massively negative reviews irregardless of the manufacturer or the camera.

There are more specific reviews out there and by far the best way to test a camera is to actually test drive it yourself.

In my experience my 7D puts my XSi to shame (and that hurts to admit since my XSi was my first DSLR that I still use and love).

Don't know if you've looked at this yet, but this is the review site I used for everything I buy that is photography related Canon EOS 7D Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review.

[sybren]

Thanks Angie, you make it sound much more like I expected the camera to be. And I'll definitely do my own comparison, simply because nobody compares a 350D to a 7D, and nobody but me can compare my 350D with a 7D, and that comparison is the one that matters most ;-)

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by sybren

The comparison is going to be against the yet-to-be-released 60D.

You may have to wait for a while. I have seen some very good ISO 6400 images from the 7D taken by a local photographer. The AF tracking is very good when I was shooting customers walking out from the shop.

Except the 1D, it is one of the best Canon I have handled. I enjoyed every minute of it. I can't say that for the 5D Mk II's handling. 5D Mk II IQ vs. 7D handling...where's the 5D Mk III?

Originally Posted by PhotogChic

In my experience my 7D puts my XSi to shame (and that hurts to admit since my XSi was my first DSLR that I still use and love).

You don't need a 7D to do that.

[woods]

This reviewer may be sponsored by Nikon

[jdepould]

All Canons have terrible image quality. It's just how they're made. You're better off selling all of your Canon gear and buying a Sony.

[ddr]

Originally Posted by LoveDSLR

Since I have D3, D300 and 5D Mk II, the 7D wasn't impressed enough for me to get one. When compared it with a 1D Mk III, I found the 1D AF is better.

if you are a professional and have an immense amount of cash to spend obviously the 7D cannot compare to the cameras you listed. Those cameras aren't even in the same class. The most common comparison is between the 7D and the 5D. If you're coming from a 350D, even the XSi will make you happy.

Beau Photo • Review: EOS-7D & EF-S 15-85mm Zoom