The Canon EOS R7 is the model that hits the sweet spot for amateur photographers in the camera giant’s EOS R family of products, making it one of the greatest cameras for amateur photographers that money can buy. It is positioned in the middle of Canon’s classic DSLR lineup, between the EOS 7D Mark II and the EOS 90D, and it combines Canon’s most recent Dual Pixel CMOS AF II focusing system with quick burst-shooting capabilities of 15 frames per second (or even 30fps speeds, when you use its electronic shutter).
The EOS R7 utilizes an APS-C sensor rather than the full-frame sensors seen in Canon’s other cameras. Although they cannot collect as much light as the full-frame sensors found in cameras such as the Canon EOS R6, they do bring a few perks to the table, including a more affordable price tag, a more compact and lighter total camera system, and a smaller overall size.
The EOS R7 is currently Canon’s flagship APS-C camera because it combines an excellent variety of capabilities at a price point that makes the camera a great value. You are provided with in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which, in contrast to the EOS 90D, assists in maintaining image quality even while you are shooting handheld.
EOS R6 R7 Screen Protector Appliable for Canon R6 R7 Full-Frame Mirrorless...
- The Tempered Glass Film Fit for Canon EOS R6 perfectly. Edge to edge, easy to install.
- Touch screen is still fully functional with PCTC Tempered Glass Film.
- 9H hardness and 0.3mm thick with 6 layers of coatings, but can provide good daily protection the camera screen from high impact drops, scratches, sharp objects also like keys, knife etc.
- The Tempered Glass Film Fit for Canon EOS R6 perfectly. Edge to edge, easy to install.
- Touch screen is still fully functional with PCTC Tempered Glass Film.
- 9H hardness and 0.3mm thick with 6 layers of coatings, but can provide good daily protection the camera screen from high impact drops, scratches, sharp objects also like keys, knife etc.
- 99.99% High Transparency Crystal-clear, Pixels are not distorted.reduces eye strain caused by the LCD screen, the exclusive HD technology makes perfect visual feast.
- Package including:3* Tempered Glass Flim appliable for Canon EOS R6, 2* Hot Shoe Cap Cover
You also get two card slots that are compatible with the UHS-II standard, as well as a good selection of video-shooting specifications, such as ports for a microphone and headphones, as well as the ability to record uncropped 4K/60p footage.
When taken together, these characteristics make the EOS R7 one of the greatest mirrorless cameras available for photographers who are unable to afford to purchase one of Canon’s full-frame models that utilize the same RF mount. At the time that this article was written, there were only two native RF-S lenses that were compatible with this camera’s sensor. This mount, on the other hand, is the EOS R7’s primary flaw.
One of these lenses is an 18-150mm ‘all-rounder’ that is offered in a bundle with the EOS R7, while the other lens is an 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 kit lens. Both of these lenses are compatible with the EOS R7. Aside from these two lenses, you have two options when it comes to the optics of your camera: you may either utilize already-existing full-frame RF lenses, or you can use either EF or EF-S lenses by way of the extra EF-to-RF adapter.
Neither of these solutions is ideal for maintaining a light and compact design, but ideally, as the system matures, it will also expand to provide other choices.
You might already be familiar with Canon’s “other” APS-C mirrorless system, which is known as the EF-M mount and might be a source of confusion. The APS-C models from the EOS R series cannot use lenses from this system, and there is also no adapter that can be used to install these lenses on those cameras.
The fact that Canon is intending to discontinue producing EF-M models has not been publicly acknowledged by the company as of now. However, considering the release of the EOS R7 and EOS R10, as well as the fact that the EF-M system was never truly expanded in any significant sense, to begin with, it seems doubtful that this will occur.
The Canon EOS R7 is, in every other respect, an outstanding performer across the board. The ability to shoot at up to 30 frames per second, combined with the most recent autofocus wizardry from Canon, makes this camera a dream for photographers interested in wildlife, action, and sports. This is especially true considering that the crop sensor will enable you to get closer to the action with your long lenses.
You also get in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which is something that the Canon DSLRs that were in the middle of the price range did not have. You have up to eight stops of correction at your disposal, which is extremely useful when shooting handheld, employing slower shutter speeds, or working in low light conditions.
The Canon EOS R7 is another great option for those looking for a compact camera. You get a grip that is very substantial and robust, in addition to a broad selection of knobs and buttons that make it interesting to modify the settings in a variety of various scenarios.
Its touchscreen can be tilted to a variety of angles, which makes it useful for shooting from a variety of perspectives. Although the electronic viewfinder might need some improvement, it gets the job done.
Dual UHS-II card slots are a wonderful feature for a camera like this (and at this price), signaling that it may also be liked by professionals seeking a solid backup model that is quick to use in addition to their primary full-frame body.
The R7 is an excellent small all-rounder because of its comprehensive set of useful video characteristics, which include the capability to record uncropped 4K video at 60 frames per second.
Usage in the real world demonstrates that the camera is able to produce gorgeous photographs in a variety of settings; although, as we may have anticipated, it does not perform nearly as well as its full-frame brothers when it comes to shooting in low light or at a high ISO.
The lack of a genuine lens system prevents the EOS R7 from reaching its full potential. This is the primary issue. Being forced to make concessions on lenses right from the start isn’t ideal, especially since that companies like Sony and Fujifilm already have a robust collection of lenses to support their APS-C cameras, such as the Sony A6600 and the Fujifilm X-T4.
However, if the R7 and R10 are as successful as Canon believes they will be, then the absence of native lenses will become less of an issue over time.
Canon EOS R7 w/RF-S18-150mm Lens, Mirrorless Vlogging Camera, 4K 60p Video, 32.5...
- DIGIC X IMAGE PROCESSOR: Enhances performance for sharp photos and ultra-high definition videos
- CMOS SENSOR: Canon’s 32.5 mp APS-C CMOS sensor ensures images appear crisp
- RF-S 18-150MM LENS: Easily attach the included RF-S 18-150mm lens to the EOS R7 camera body with the compatible RF mount
- DIGIC X IMAGE PROCESSOR: Enhances performance for sharp photos and ultra-high definition videos
- CMOS SENSOR: Canon’s 32.5 mp APS-C CMOS sensor ensures images appear crisp
- RF-S 18-150MM LENS: Easily attach the included RF-S 18-150mm lens to the EOS R7 camera body with the compatible RF mount
- FULL RANGE LENS CAPABILITY: The EOS R7 is compatible with EF-S, EF, RF, AND THE NEW RF-S MOUNTS (1)
- HIGH-SPEED CONTINUOUS SHOOTING: With mechanical shutter speeds of up to 15 fps, this camera can continuously shoot sharp images of cars, sporting events, wildlife (2), and more
- 5 AXIS IMAGE STABILIZATION: Canon’s EOS R7 is built with seven stops of shake correction for coordinated control (3)—no matter what life throws at you
- STAY POWERED UP: Operates using a Canon LP-E6NH battery pack (compatible with LP-E6N and LP-E6 battery packs); the USB Power Adapter PD-E makes it easy to charge the battery while it’s still inside the camera
- VIBRANT LED SCREEN: Anti-smudge coated LCD screen lets you see images clearly
- COMPACT AND LIGHTWEIGHT: The EOS R7 camera is made with a comfortable and firm grip for easily handling; plus its lightweight and compact size lets it fit conveniently into your camera bag so you can take it with you on all your adventures
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: EOS R7 camera body, RF-S 18-150mm lens, strap ER-EOSR7, battery charger LC-E6, battery pack LP-E6NH, battery pack cover, shoe cover
Design
- wheel-and-joystick combination for controlling the vehicle
- Screen with a range of viewing angles and a limited viewfinder
- sealing against the elements to the same quality as the EOS 90D DSLR
To create a camera that is both portable and easy to use, Canon has taken aspects of its DSLR line-up as well as its previous iterations of the EOS R series and integrated them into the EOS R7.
If you’ve shot with a Canon EOS camera in the past, you’ll probably feel right at home here. However, even if this is your first time working with this particular brand, you won’t have too much trouble locating everything that you want.
The EOS R7 manages to feature a deep hefty grip, which should be popular among photographers despite the camera’s very compact size. This is an impressive feat considering how small the camera is. However, the overall dimensions of the camera are manageable for use while traveling and capturing photos and videos.
You won’t find a top-plate LCD on this camera, which is typical for cameras in the middle price level, so you won’t be able to examine the settings very fast. Because the same is true with the full-frame EOS R6, owners of APS-C cameras have no reason to feel particularly shortchanged here.
What you do get, though, is a control system that has been thoughtfully organized. This system provides you with a mode dial to the right of the viewfinder, a control dial immediately below the shutter button, and dedicated buttons just behind those controls for adjusting the ISO and recording video.
When the rear of the camera is flipped around, there is a hybrid joystick-cum-control wheel that some people may adore, while others may very well despise it. It does take some practice to get used to, particularly if you are already an owner of a Canon product.
But after spending some time with it, it works really nicely in conjunction with the primary control dial now that we are done. Depending on the shooting mode that you are currently using, the dials may be used to modify the shutter speed and aperture, as well as to navigate between the menu items and photographs that are being shown back.
When shooting through the viewfinder, the joystick is the most effective method for moving the autofocus point across the frame; however, you may also use the screen to do this task as long as “Touch and Drag” is turned on in the main menu.
Other buttons include a four-way d-pad, a helpful ‘Q’ button for fast accessing your frequent settings, as well as buttons for playing back images and deleting them. Because of the compact design of the body, virtually all of the controls are located on the right-hand side of the camera. This makes it possible to operate the camera using just one hand, and the fact that the body is so small also places everything within easy reach of your thumb.
When switching from a DSLR to an EOS R7, one thing you might find yourself getting used to is the electronic viewfinder instead of the traditional optical one. With 2.36 million dots, 1.15 times magnification, and a refresh rate of 120 frames per second, the R7’s display may be considered a little bit old.
But if you’ve never used anything better, you’ll probably find that this one is more than adequate for your needs. If you are making the transition from a DSLR, you have the option to switch on an OVF (optical viewfinder) simulation, which may assist ease the transition for you if you aren’t completely sold on EVFs just yet.
The completely articulating touchscreen is only a hair under three inches, but the fact that it can be moved into whatever position the user desires is beneficial for taking video and photos at difficult angles. When carrying the camera around in a bag, having the ability to fold the screen in on itself so that it doesn’t get scratched is a really convenient feature.
A weather-sealing standard that is comparable to that of the EOS 90D indicates that the EOS R7 should be able to withstand a moderate sprinkling of rain; nonetheless, we would probably recommend keeping it out of strong downpours or significant sea-splashing whenever it is possible to do so.
Some people had anticipated that the EOS R7, which is a camera designed for people who are interested in wildlife and sports, would contain a CFexpress slot for extremely quick shooting. Instead, we get double UHS-II slots.
On the one hand, it’s a shame that it doesn’t have the speeds of CFexpress, but on the other hand, it’s not really odd for an APS-C camera to have such limitations at this price point, and the setup is undoubtedly simpler. Because it is now much more affordable to purchase SD cards, this configuration is preferable for individuals who are operating on a limited financial budget.
Features and Performance
- Subject identification and eye detection, as well as Dual Pixel CMOS AF II
- The electronic shutter allows for shooting at up to 30 frames per second.
- The battery capacity of 500 shots
Because of its superior autofocusing and ability to take many shots in rapid succession, the Canon EOS R7 is being marketed strongly toward photographers who specialize in capturing wildlife and sports. If you’re going over from an older DSLR, this technology is the one that will probably impress you the most. It is also superior to some of the earlier entry-level versions of Canon’s EOS R line, as well as some of the APS-C models of Canon’s EOS M line.
The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, which is Canon’s most recent autofocusing technology, does an excellent job of bolstering this power. This is something that we have seen on more sophisticated full-frame models like the EOS R5 and the EOS R6, which indicates that you get really high performance for the money that you pay.
Covering the entirety of the frame, the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II incorporates ingenious and practical technologies such as intelligent subject-tracking, which has the ability to recognize animals (such as dogs, cats, and birds), cars, and humans.
It is not exactly the same system as Canon’s more expensive versions since professional cameras such as the EOS R5 and R6 have more autofocus zones (1,053) than the R7 does (651 when the camera is allowed to automatically choose them). However, in our tests, it kept up with whatever topic we were attempting to follow throughout the frame incredibly effectively, to the point that it was nearly unflappable in its performance.
When you are taking pictures of persons or animals, in addition to the subject-tracking feature, you will also see the face and eye detection come into play. This also works quite well; when we tested it, it was able to recognize a bird’s eye from a distance of several hundred meters and effortlessly follow it as it moved across the screen. This is an incredible feat.
In a similar manner, while I was taking pictures of a dog moving about on the beach, it performed precisely the same thing, maintaining a dark eye surrounded by dark hair. Because human eyes are just as easily picked out, this technique is suitable for portraiture as well as sports photography.
Naturally, you will also want quick shooting speeds for photographing sports and animals, and the EOS R7 has this feature as well. If you use the mechanical shutter, you can get up to 15 frames per second, which is a respectable rate in and of itself; however, if you switch to the electronic shutter, you can achieve up to 30 frames per second. This is an amazing deal for the price, especially considering that it supports raw photography and continuous AF. The trade-off is that there is a potential for a rolling shutter, which can result in slanted vertical lines; however, this is not something that we encountered very frequently.
You don’t have the same deep buffer that you would find on a more costly model such as the EOS R6 or the R5, which is disappointing despite the fact that 30 frames per second are a very respectable frame rate. When shooting at 30 frames per second, the camera will need to take a break after just capturing 42 raw files. However, as long as you don’t become too trigger-happy and practice shooting-controlled bursts, this should be plenty for the majority of hobbyist users who are wanting to capture a particular moment.
It is important to note that in order to get the most out of these speeds, you will need a memory card that has a high UHS-II speed rating. When photographing a puppy that was running quickly, we discovered that the majority of our images were in focus, which makes it simpler than ever before to photograph animals, sports, and action at this price point. Having said that, it is important to bring to your attention the fact that the EOS R10 has a hit rate that is comparable to that of the EOS R7 and is even more affordable.
It is reasonable to expect a mirrorless camera to have a battery life of up to 500 shots. Keep in mind that this is a laboratory standard; nevertheless, when you’re shooting in the real world, you can always get away with taking more pictures if you’re diligent about conserving power or if you’re not doing something that requires a lot of power (like shooting 4K video).
Throughout all of our tests, the camera maintained its full functionality for a whole day without losing more than a few battery bars. Additionally, the camera can be charged using a USB port; so, if you were very worried, you could always bring along a battery pack for emergency power boosts while you were on the move.
Image and Video Quality
The EOS R7 boasts a high megapixel count for an APS-C camera, coming in at 32.5 megapixels. The photographs that you take as a result have stunning levels of detail, and you also have ample room for cropping, which is really helpful for photographing subjects like animals in their natural habitat and athletes in action.
The disadvantage of having so many pixels packed onto such a little surface area is that the camera’s low-light performance cannot compare to that of full-frame or even APS-C models, which have lower resolutions. It’s possible that for the majority of photographers, this won’t provide much of a challenge, but there are situations in which it might result in images that are less than ideal. During one of our tests, for instance, we made use of the RF 600mm f/11 lens.
The subject identification and eye recognition capabilities of the R7 were able to pick up the eye of this bird from quite a distance away, allowing it to be followed throughout the scene with relative ease (Image credit: Future)
When shooting with an APS-C sensor and lenses like the 600mm f/11, it is possible that you may need to shoot at high ISO settings even when the lighting conditions are very favorable; this results in some picture smoothing (Image credit: Future)
Because of its small size and long reach (960mm equivalent when mounted to the R7), this lens is fantastic for shooting wildlife; however, due to the fact that its maximum aperture is only f/11, it is generally necessary to use fairly high ISOs, even in situations where there is a sufficient amount of light.
The final photographs exhibit a level of noise and picture smoothing that is acceptable given the circumstances. This isn’t very noticeable when the pictures are seen at smaller sizes, but it becomes rather obvious when they are viewed at their full size or when they are examined in great detail.
However, overall, the image quality of the EOS R7 has left us with a very positive impression. As is to be expected from Canon, the colors are vibrant, cozy, and aesthetically pleasing. The automated white balance setting worked well in all of the lighting conditions that we tested it in, and you have the option of telling it to favor either warm or cold tones, depending on your personal choice.
Even when using a sensor that is smaller than a full frame and shooting at apertures that are quite narrow, it is still possible to create a visually appealing shallow depth of field effects (Image credit: Future)
Even when there are regions of high contrast, evaluative metering does a superb job of generating exposures that are well-balanced for the most part (Image credit: Future)
The R7 has little trouble keeping up with subjects that are moving quickly. This picture was slightly cropped to improve the composition, which is something that the 32.5-megapixel sensor provides you plenty of room to accomplish because of its high resolution (Image credit: Future)
Ye recognition works quite well for animals, and it maintains the image’s sharpness exactly where it should be (Image credit: Future)
Even though there is a noticeable reduction in clarity and an overall smoothing of the image while shooting in low light, the photos are still completely useable in regular sizes. This picture was taken at an ISO setting of 10000. (Image credit: Future)
Even when high-contrast scenes were placed in front of the camera, the all-purpose metering mode (which Canon cameras refer to as evaluative metering) did a good job of producing exposures that were well-balanced.
Raw files provide a significant level of leeway for editing, which enables you to recover a significant amount of lost detail in the lowlights and highlights of an image if and when it is necessary to do so. If you would like to see a little bit more detail than what is provided by the JPEG output, you may also vary the proportion of smoothing to noise in the image.
The video quality is likewise high, with the added bonus of being uncropped 4K/60p footage that has a color depth of 4:2:2 10 bits. For some time now, we have been critical of Canon’s mid-range (EOS M) mirrorless alternatives for their video restrictions; hence, it is refreshing to see a solid hybrid camera at a price that is not too expensive.
The EOS R7 is a product that may be of interest to those who create content, particularly when one considers other important features like the flip-out screen, microphone, and headphone ports. One of the drawbacks of the video mode is that there is no 4K/120p mode for recording in slow motion, but for most people, this will not be a deal breaker.
Conclusion
The Canon EOS R7 is a camera that a lot of people who love Canon have been waiting for, and it seems to have a lot of the qualities that a mid-range camera should have. It has a lot of great features. It is quick, has a robust focusing system that can keep up with a variety of subjects, creates good photographs, handles well, and has a price that is comparable to similar products.
The only thing that might be considered a drawback is the fact that the system is still in its infancy, which means that there are not nearly as many native lenses available as there may be. We anticipate that Canon will need to produce a significant number of additional units of this product since demand is expected to be high.
Canon EOS R7 Specs
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Max resolution | 6960 x 4640 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 33 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 34 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (22.2 x 14.8 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Digic X |
| ISO | 100-32000 |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 100 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 51200 |
| White balance presets | 6 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| Image stabilization notes | Up to 8EV with certain lenses |
| CIPA image stabilization rating | 6 stop(s) |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| Autofocus | Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Number of focus points | 651 |
| Lens mount | Canon RF |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 1.15× |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/16000 sec |
| Aperture priority | Yes |
| Shutter priority | Yes |
| Manual exposure mode | Yes |
| Subject / scene modes | Yes |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Continuous drive | 15.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpotPartial |
| Exposure compensation | ±3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 170 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 170 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 85 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 85 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 340 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 170 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 180 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 90 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 45 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 45 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 230 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 70 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 35 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 30 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 12 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 12 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage types | 2 x UHS-II SD card slot |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec) |
| USB charging | Yes |
| HDMI | Yes (Micro) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 2.4GHz |
| Remote control | Yes (Wired, wireless or IR) |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | LP-E6NH |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 660 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 612 g (1.35 lb / 21.59 oz) |
| Dimensions | 132 x 90 x 92 mm (5.2 x 3.54 x 3.62″) |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Canon EOS R7 price
