Currently, probably the best APS-SLR, compared with EOS 50D (and Nikon D300)

Meanwhile, I have pushed nearly 10,000 times the trigger of the 7D, so have enough experience. With her and my older 50D, which I as a second housing further insets This deliberately detailed report, which is aimed at fans of nature photography, focus telephoto and macro photography, "Action" with approaching birds etc. I photograph a lot along with a Nikonianerin that uses both analog SLR, the Nikon D300 (no S) and comparable lenses. Therefore I throw an occasional INTERESTING look into Nikon camp ;-) (I'll never good old, fully mechanical Nikon FM-2 give my ...).

PHOTOGRAPHY: compared to the 50D (and Nikon D300)

In feel and use the 7D proposes ansich good (and despite the absence of genuinely robust splash protection) 50D. Transfer passengers find their way quickly. The decisive advantage for creative SLR photography is the larger, bright viewfinder that shows the full image section; super imposable by the LCD information. Canon draws here finally equal with Nikon D300 class.

Autofocus: The AF of the 7D with 19 cross-type sensors substantially more expensive than the 50D. Now, in practice I use also the new Zone AF, sometimes even fully automated AF. When 50D Action is actually only manually angewähltem central AF point. Unlike the 50D, the 7D also track moving objects by AI Focus (Auto Focus Intelligence) surprisingly well. However one of them do not expect miracles. When approaching birds you have perhaps twice or three times as much really sharp results than with the 50D (as the 7D can shoot s faster in such extreme situations to 2 frames /, increases additionally the chance of success). The key is in my experience the interaction of AF with the lens. On a scene known bird rock I recently had a surprising number of hits at hand shots with the EF 400mm f / 5.6, even more reliable is the pairing with the small 70-200mm / 4 L IS USM, which is good but 50D also on (the new 70-200mm / 2,8er VR II is likely to be great on the 7D). The Nikon D300 is here - at least with the Nikkor 300 mm / 4 in the current version - dramatically slower, which has frustrated my Nikonianerin real (we have occasionally exchanged, it is striking). Not for nothing the Canon dominated sport. One more thing: The complex AF system of the 7D requires training, but is worth it - especially the adjustment of the AF speed is important for Action. The best equal to save the menu item C.Fn III AF / Drive for quick access at the top of MyMenue.

Image Quality:

Basically makes the 7D as the 50D beautiful, balanced exposed images (reminds me of old Diazeiten with Fuji, Kodak & Co.). With plenty of light and strong contrasts both cameras Canon tend typical in the automatic for slight exposure. Anyone who wants to use the JPEGs directly from the camera, the aperture corrected best 1-2 third steps down. Who eh RAW reverse-engineered, can exploit specifically that the sensor in the bright picture parts stores an enormous amount of information: By subsequent turning down the screen brightness you push this into the visible and reduces the noise in the shadow areas further. The white balance of the Canon deliver programs under daylight conditions more reliable results than with the Nikon D300, which tends to their default programs to some slack, bluish pictures. In artificial light, the Nikon is better, but I just do a manual white balance (if I not Warmtonigkeit targeted use).

Pixel delusion? No. With a really sharp lens, the 7D can depict incredibly fine detail, especially with fur and feather structures (see "Objective"). It proposes here clearly the 50D and the Nikon D300, although the incredible rausholt from its 12 megapixels - respect! However, many lenses satisfy the resolving power of optical 7D no longer (see below). When 7D to 18 million pixels are pushing for an area where sit about 8 megapixels with a full frame 5D Mark II; in the laboratory, the 7D achieved thus an optical resolution of converted more than 130 line pairs per mm (see eg. B. [...] This is in the range of very fine slide films, and has a lens only once visually bring. So an old problem ( if one wants to see that so) for nature photography. Important: With a good telephoto and sufficient light, the 7D brings the magnification factor of 1.6, the promises of smaller sensor, actually - at least at rest or not too fast moving objects (from 400 mm Focal length are "perceived significantly higher than 600 mm"). Also enlargements are still there.

Noise: pixel mania? Also no. Up to ISO 1600, the 50D and the 7D are equally good, from 3200 the 7D actually proposes the 50D and is about as good as the Nikon D300. The new sensor design has paid off. Nevertheless, the noise from ISO 1600 but already very clear. Those who like to photograph in low light, should invest in the significantly better here 5D / II.

Lenses:
Anyone who wants to extend his 7D Baby visually right times, is where a sharp macro: the Hammer! The 7D is definitely an outstanding macro-level DSLR, as opposed to full-frame camera it gets not quite so quickly in paper-thin focus areas. Since making fine Lizardscale or bizarre insects hairstyles really fun! In portrait photography, you can see every pore (when emphasis on it ...). In general, for sharpness fans at the 7D good fixed focal length lenses of choice (nice sharp z. B. is the Canon EF 50mm / 1.4 / USM lens stopped down to mindestes 5.6). Zooms, however deliver beautiful photos, but for 10-12 megapixels would have been enough. With the popular fast standard zoom Canon EF-S 17-55mm / 2.8 / IS USM lens, image stabilization makes the 7D only fatter files than the 50D, without that I can on the pictures to see more detail. Here the optics is clearly the limiting factor. Only good telephoto zooms optically uncritical 70-200mm class come to meet the hunger of detail 7D sensor.

Telephoto lenses: super-sharp results bring in my experience the fixed focal length EF 400mm / 5.6 L USM already at full aperture, also the very fast ultrasonic drive this age-old Teles worked in Canon's catalog surprisingly well together with AF system of the 7D. On my Canon EF 300mm / 4.0 / L IS USM lens, image stabilization, I realized, however, that it unfortunately provides for action at the 7D striking number of blurred images; I also see here the first time occasionally annoying color fringing (on the 50D not). Prima is the 300 but also on the 7D as a "remote macro". 4,0L IS USM lens super together: Especially with the Action 7D 70-200mm 1 works with the very sharp, pleasantly handy telephoto zoom Canon EF. One more thing: Do check autofocus adjustment of the lenses, on the 7D I had to readjust all my Teles, so they reliably deliver sharp results.

VIDEO:
I photograph mainly, but of course with video games around. The HDTV-potential of the 7D is awesome - as the file sizes. In practice, however, you always have to focus manually, which exercise needs. With a push you select the best focal length in advance and then be as far as possible the finger on the zoom ring which is at least for handheld shooting only Geruckel. For this I find the combination with the lightweight and small EF 50mm f / 1.4 is ideal, especially since you can work hollywood standard with shallow depth of field with bright lens - great! The slight telephoto effect on the 7D (80 mm miniature equivalent) is contrary to the purpose of welcoming people. For heavier lenses at least a monopod is due soon. The 7D is ergonomically halt a classic SLR and for attaching to the eye and shoot designed. Professionals build video-enabled DSLR therefore like in a shoulder racks.

CONCLUSION:
If you shoot a lot of moving objects, telephoto or macro while maximum resolution wants, gets the 7D is currently probably the best APS-DSLR. Who can do without video and otherwise a very good, robust SLR wants, gets in the world with the Canon 50D low a reliable workhorse. Unlike the mini-DSLR EOS XXXD series it already offers a viewfinder with ground glass, which shows the eye exactly where the focus is located and so full manual focus work permit (ie real, creative SLR photography).