Canon EOS 7D 18.0 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Body only)

Its loaded with almost everything you want from a DLSR with video capability. The Canon EOS 7D targets professional and semi-pros alike who shoots in the APS-C size format. The Canon 7D comes with a 18 megapixels APS-C CMOS sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 processors and ISO sensitivity up to 12800. The 7D also delivers high performance AF and metering systems with a 19-point cross-type AF sensor and an iFCL metering system with 63-zone dual-layer sensor. This ensures that all the images you captured are rendered true to life and also appears clear and crisp on the 7D's 3-inch Clear View II LCD which has a 920k dots (VGA) resolution. With a weatherproof magnesium alloy body that will feel solid and comfortable in your grip, the EOS 7D promises professional grade performance within as well as on the outside. For those requiring high speed burst photography, the Canon 7D is capable of 8fps without the need of additional accessories.

Shooting with the Canon 7D has never been easier. With 100 percent frame coverage from the viewfinder at 1.0x magnification, you are getting the best view of the current EOS series. Furthermore, with a transmissive LCD incorporated in the viewfinder, you can choose between various overlay features to suit your needs, such as AF points, the spot metering circle and composition grid. The newly introduced Dual-Axis Electronic Level feature is also accessible from both the viewfinder and the LCD. The Canon EOS 7D is also equipped with an Integrated Speedlite Transmitter and comes with the EOS Movie feature, which now allows you to shoot Full HD movies with full manual control and selectable frame rates.

I had decided to take up photography as a hobby and had a sum of money put by with which to buy equipment. I spent a great deal of time online looking at various product reviews before deciding to buy this model. I was tempted to go for a semi pro camera but took heed of some advice which told me that the camera is far less important than the lenses and it is these which will be the greater investment.
I have spent a great deal of time reading the manual and experimenting with all the various functions. Now l have a much wider knowledge and l am pleased with my choice. The camera take great pictures whether in manual settings or automatic. It is amazing in low light conditions. I particularly like the large 3" screen which can also be used instead of the viewfinder although this obviously eats up your battery power more quickly. With the live view function it is easy to see what settings you have selected. My advice is to buy this camera and make sure you read the manual and get to know how to use all the functions it has on offer. Also very useful is the Blue crane training dvd available from Amazon, if not found on Ebay. I can honestly say l haven't found anything to dislike about this camera at all.
The best advice l have picked up so far....Always use a tripod if possible and protect you very valuable lenses with a UV filter, which can be left on from day one.

For me this is an upgrade from a Canon 300D, which I purchased over 6 years ago. I wanted an upgrade rather than an update of the same model, I choose the 7D over the 50D mainly because of the video.
First thing you notice is the size and weight, this is a heavy camera, also the kit lens is quite large.
The quality of the picture using higher ISO numbers is excellent, my old camera, anything more than 100 and you could see it in the picture. wireless connection to the canon 430exII flash is great. focusing is spot on, although the control of the focus I'm not used to yet, I prefer the manual focus point, but this is very quick to adjust the point using the joystick on the back.
I'm using a UDMA 16Gb memory card, which is extremely fast.

The only negative items I can think of on this camera so far are;
You can use the wireless flash on 2nd curtain.
when you press the RAW JPEG button, it is only one picture, the next picture is back to default setting, would have been better to have this toggle.
In manual mode, the light meter doesn't account for the flash being active.

I am not a professional photographer nor do I aim to be one. My number 1 intention in purchasing it was to make high quality memories of my first child.

So I set some very specific no-nonsense expectations from this camera:

a) being extremely fast to come to a click-able state
b) being able to rapidly take photos in single-click mode
c) shoot HD movies
d) future-proof
e) easily serviceable and ample accessories being available

I am happy to say the Canon EOS 7D satisfied all these within the first week of me opening the box.

a) The camera is ready and clickable in around a second (wow!)
b) Can take single shot in bursts
c) Makes extremely great HD movies
d) and you need to look up Amazon, eBay to view the accessories available for this
e) It's a Canon - so I am not worried about it's future :)

Youtube is already full of people offering walk-throughs, tutorials and detailed training on every aspect of this camera. So I am going to have fun exploring this new beast!

Now down to some Cons (especially for my fellow point-n-shoot owners):

a) It takes a little effort to figure out how to turn off the flash! The quick settings menu is a whole new beast for me. But a walk-through of the camera and manual helped me get acquainted.
b) The file sizes are HUUGE! It's a 18MP remember. So you need atleast a 8GB card. You will also need to figure out how to crank down the resolution your pics/ videos are captured if you have smaller size. Back to the manual on how.
c) This camera is heavier than your average camera. So you are not going to able to carry it in your handbag. Given the money you will pay for this, you will want a good sturdy bag for it.
d) Also, the camera is BIG-ger than your average point and shoots. So it means extra luggage (bad news for the likes of me who now have to carry a changing bag everywhere they go).
e) You will also want to make other investments into things like a decent UV filter to protect your lens. So buying a camera is not the end of spending money ;) Next is insurance (try square-trade).

Other than that - be prepared to get blown away by some excellent pics and videos. Enjoy!

I had the 7D for about 1 month now, and I am just impressed by the quality that Canon was able to package into it.

With the body in magnesium alloy, it feels like it's built like a tank. The picture quality is great, and the 18M pixels are properly used in spite of the relatively small sensor (this is not a full-frame like the 5D, remember).

The performance is amazing: with more than 8fps you can be sure you will have the best capture of fast-moving wildlife (where 'wildlife' includes 'kids'). And if you prefer great video, the 7D will deliver too.

The 19-point AF is another good reason to treat yourself with this marvel. It also does great in low-light situations: you can fire up the ISO speed and you will only introduce a minimal noise in the final picture.

Summing up, whether you are a semi-pro or just an enthusiast photographer (like myself), this camera will give you an excellent value for your money.