Camera canon review: The 5 Best Canon Cameras of 2023: Reviews

The 5 Best Canon Cameras of 2023: Reviews

  1. Table of Contents
  2. Intro
  3. Review Updates
  4. Best Camera
  5. Best Mid-Range
  6. Best Budget
  7. Best DSLR
  8. Best Point-And-Shoot
  9. Comparison
  10. Lineup
  11. Page Updates
  12. Conclusion
  13. Discussions

Updated Jun 28, 2023 at 11:18 am

By Adriana Wiszniewska

While Canon produces a wide range of imaging products, from printers to MRI machines, it’s probably best known as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of cameras. Canon’s long history of producing high-quality lenses and cameras has made it a favorite among professional photographers and enthusiasts. It also offers a range of more accessible and affordable cameras for users of all experience levels. In general, Canon cameras have great ergonomics, intuitive controls and menus, class-leading autofocus systems, and a wide selection of lenses that cater to photographers of all kinds.

We’ve bought and tested over 15 Canon cameras, and below, you’ll find our recommendations for the best Canon cameras for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

Updates

  • 06/23/2023

    Canon EOS R50 reviewed

  • 05/10/2023

    Canon EOS R8 reviewed

  • 04/05/2023

    Canon EOS R7 reviewed

  • 02/22/2023

    Canon EOS R6 Mark II reviewed

  • 01/31/2023

    Canon EOS Rebel T100 / EOS 4000D updated

Best Canon Cameras

  1. Best Canon Camera

    Canon EOS R6 Mark II

    Searching

    Finding Store

    Searching

    Finding Store

    Travel Photography

    7. 8

    Landscape Photography

    8.4

    Sport & Wildlife Photography

    8.4

    Vlogging

    7.8

    Studio Video

    9.2

    Action Video

    5.8

    Body Type

    SLR-Style

    Mirrorless

    Yes

    Sensor Size

    Full Frame

    See all our test results

    The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is the best Canon camera we’ve tested. The Mark II takes everything that makes the original Canon EOS R6 great and adds a higher-resolution sensor, faster e-shutter burst shooting, uncropped 4k video, and no recording time limit. That makes it one of the most versatile cameras for advanced photo and video work at this price point.

    The biggest downside is that the RF-mount’s lens selection is still limited. Canon’s strict third-party licensing means fewer overall lens options than competitors like Sony, which has a more established selection of native and third-party lenses for its E-mount. Still, if you’re looking for a camera that can take stunning images with a set-it-and-forget-it autofocus system, excellent ergonomics, and advanced video specs, the R6 Mark II is hard to beat for enthusiast-level shooters.

    If you want to save a bit of money, you can always go for the original R6, which is still an incredible camera for its price. Otherwise, the Canon EOS R8 borrows its sensor from the R6, giving you comparable image and video quality, but comes in a cheaper, more portable body. Just be aware that its battery life pales in comparison, and it doesn’t have in-body image stabilization.

    See our review

  2. Best Mid-Range Canon Camera

    Canon EOS R7

    Searching

    Finding Store

    Searching

    Finding Store

    Travel Photography

    8. 0

    Landscape Photography

    7.7

    Sport & Wildlife Photography

    8.7

    Vlogging

    7.7

    Studio Video

    9.0

    Action Video

    5.7

    Body Type

    SLR-Style

    Mirrorless

    Yes

    Sensor Size

    APS-C

    See all our test results

    If the Canon EOS R6 Mark II is out of your price range, the Canon EOS R7 is one of the best Canon cameras for photography with an APS-C sensor. There are more portable options than this, but it’s a dream for wildlife photographers. The crop factor means you can use physically smaller lenses to get a longer equivalent focal length, which is great for capturing far-off subjects. It also has a quick max burst rate to capture fast action moments. Throw in a sophisticated autofocus system borrowed from the pro-level Canon EOS R3, along with in-body image stabilization, and this is one of the most well-rounded mid-range options around.

    The R7 has the same problem as the R6 in that lens selection is still somewhat limited for the RF mount. However, you can always adapt EF/EF-S DSLR lenses if you have them. Speaking of DSLRs, if you don’t mind giving up some of the R7’s advanced video specs, the Canon EOS 90D is a great mid-range alternative with a higher resolution and longer battery life.

    See our review

  3. Best Budget Canon Camera

    Canon EOS R50

    Searching

    Finding Store

    Searching

    Finding Store

    Travel Photography

    7. 8

    Landscape Photography

    7.6

    Sport & Wildlife Photography

    8.0

    Vlogging

    8.0

    Studio Video

    7.8

    Action Video

    4.9

    Body Type

    SLR-Style

    Mirrorless

    Yes

    Sensor Size

    APS-C

    See all our test results

    The Canon EOS R50 is one of the best budget cameras on the market, offering the best bang for your buck if you want a new mirrorless camera. With a lightweight, portable design, it’s a great everyday or travel camera, and its simple controls and intuitive auto-shooting modes are geared toward beginners and those upgrading from a smartphone. Image quality is great for its class, and it has a very effective autofocus system.

    Unlike the Canon EOS M50 Mark II, the R50 is part of the RF-mount system, making it a good choice if you see yourself eventually upgrading to a full-frame camera since it can use both APS-C and full-frame RF lenses. That said, if you don’t mind the more limited lens options that come with the EF-M system, the M50 Mark II is still a great camera, and you can find it even cheaper. However, it isn’t the best Canon camera for video, with very limited 4k video capabilities compared to the new and improved R50.

    See our review

  4. Best Canon DSLR Camera

    Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

    Searching

    Finding Store

    Searching

    Finding Store

    Travel Photography

    7.1

    Landscape Photography

    7. 8

    Sport & Wildlife Photography

    7.4

    Vlogging

    3.7

    Studio Video

    7.5

    Action Video

    3.4

    Body Type

    DSLR

    Mirrorless

    No

    Sensor Size

    Full Frame

    See all our test results

    While mirrorless cameras are all the rage these days, Canon still has some fantastic DSLRs, including the full-frame Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, which is still one of the best Canon cameras for photography. The 5D series has long been a favorite among professional photographers, and for a good reason. This camera is built to withstand heavy use day in and day out, and it’s got a battery life to match long shooting days. Canon’s excellent ergonomics are also on display here, with a roomy grip and plenty of physical controls you can customize.

    A long lineup of excellent lenses for the 5D Mark IV is available, and the camera’s sensor shines. At 30.4 megapixels, you have plenty of leeway to crop and edit your photos, and it has excellent dynamic range and noise handling for low-light situations. Look elsewhere if you want something lightweight and portable, but this incredibly capable and durable DSLR can take stunning photos. And if the price tag is steep, you can step down to the Canon EOS 6D Mark II or find a deal on older models in the 5D series, which still provide sturdy builds and pro-level image quality.

    See our review

  5. Best Canon Point-And-Shoot Camera

    Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II

    Searching

    Finding Store

    Searching

    Finding Store

    Travel Photography

    8. 0

    Landscape Photography

    7.5

    Sport & Wildlife Photography

    7.7

    Vlogging

    6.7

    Studio Video

    5.7

    Action Video

    5.0

    Body Type

    Point and Shoot

    Mirrorless

    Yes

    Sensor Size

    1-inch

    See all our test results

    If you’re looking for a more portable camera for everyday street or travel photography, a point-and-shoot can be a great option, and the best we’ve tested from Canon is the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II. It has a slightly larger grip than most compact cameras, making it comfortable to hold despite its pocketable size. It even includes a pop-up EVF, a great addition for sunny days when it’s harder to see the screen.

    The camera also has a solid built-in lens, with a 24–120mm equivalent focal length that gives you a bit of zoom range for more flexible framing. There’s a trade-off in battery life, so you won’t get the same mileage as you would with any of the interchangeable-lens options above, but that’s typical for a compact camera. Vloggers looking for a portable walk-around camera can also consider the G5 X’s more vlog-friendly sibling, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III, which has a built-in livestreaming feature but lacks a viewfinder. Overall, the G5 X II is a great choice for those who want a premium compact travel or street photography camera.

    See our review

Compared to other brands

  • Intuitive menu systems.
    Canon’s menu systems are easy to navigate and laid out intuitively. Cameras typically feature a helpful info function to explain menu settings and creative shooting modes that make it easy for new users to pick up a camera and start shooting.
  • Great ergonomics.
    Most Canon cameras are comfortable to use, with easily accessible controls and roomy handgrips that allow you to maintain a secure hold.
  • Impressive photo autofocus performance.
    Most Canon cameras, especially newer mirrorless models, have fantastic autofocus systems with sophisticated AI and tracking capabilities.
  • Short battery life for some models.
    While battery life can vary drastically with real-world usage, some of Canon’s interchangeable-lens mirrorless and compact models struggle with battery life.
  • Heat management.
    Some of Canon’s compact and interchangeable-lens mirrorless offerings can overheat somewhat frequently, especially when recording 4k video, which can interrupt your recording sessions.
  • Limited video recording time limits.
    Until recently, most Canon cameras were capped to a 30-minute recording time limit, less suitable for long-form recording.

Canon vs Nikon

Canon and Nikon have long been rivals, going back to the days of film photography. But Canon’s head start in mirrorless gives the brand an edge when it comes to selection—you’re more likely to find a Canon camera that suits your needs because they have more cameras on offer in a wider range of budgets. High-end Canon mirrorless cameras have also brought autofocus technology to near perfection. On the other hand, Nikon’s S-Line of premium mirrorless camera lenses includes some of the best glass around, and Nikon ergonomics are top-notch.

Canon vs Sony

Sony is right behind Canon regarding global market share, and both brands offer plenty of excellent cameras at various prices. Both have also pushed the boundaries of what camera autofocus is capable of. Canon cameras generally have superior ergonomics, though handling is highly subjective. On the other hand, Sony’s E-mount has a wider lens selection than Canon’s RF-mount, with more compatible third-party lens options.

Canon makes cameras that cater to photographers of almost every experience level but typically share some common features across the board. They’re often comfortable to shoot with and easy to use, with straightforward menu systems, ergonomic designs, and intuitive control layouts. Most feature fully articulated touchscreens, as well. Impressive image quality is almost guaranteed with any modern camera, but Canon’s warm straight-out-of-camera color science is often prized, and its Dual Pixel autofocus system has become one of the best on the market. That said, Canon has only recently started introducing unlimited video recording time limits, and they still lag behind Sony in lens support, particularly regarding compatible third-party options.

Lineup

Canon has various model lineups to suit different users and their needs.

Mirrorless

  • EOS R(X) Series = Enthusiast and professional-oriented mirrorless models using Canon’s RF lens mount, with lower model numbers indicating a higher level of overall capability.
  • EOS M(X) Series = Mirrorless interchangeable-lens crop-sensor models that use Canon’s EF-M lens mount, with lower model numbers indicating greater overall capability.

DSLR

  • EOS (X)D Series = Enthusiast and professional-oriented full-frame DSLRs designed to work with EF-mount lenses, with lower model numbers indicating a higher level of overall capability.
  • EOS (XX)D Series = Enthusiast-oriented crop-sensor DSLRs designed to work with EF-S lenses but are compatible with EF lenses. Higher model numbers indicate newer generations, which generally have a greater level of overall capability.
  • EOS Rebel/Kiss/(XXX)D Series = Entry-level crop-sensor DSLRs designed to work with EF-S lenses but are compatible with EF lenses designed for full-frame cameras. This product lineup uses SL(X) prefixes for the smallest DSLRs.

Supercompact/Compact/Bridge

  • PowerShot G(X) Series = Enthusiast-oriented compact cameras with built-in zoom lenses. Lower model numbers indicate a higher position in the model hierarchy.
  • PowerShot SX(XXX) Series = Compact and bridge cameras with built-in superzoom lenses.
  • PowerShot ELPH Series = Compact point and shoots aimed at novice users.

Recent Updates

  1. Jun 28, 2023:
    Replaced the Canon EOS M50 Mark II with the Canon EOS R50.

  2. May 30, 2023:
    Added mention of the Canon EOS R8 as an in-text alternative to the Canon EOS R6 Mark II.

  3. May 02, 2023:
    Replaced the Canon EOS 90D with the Canon EOS R7.

  4. Apr 03, 2023:
    Verified the accuracy of picks.

  5. Mar 03, 2023:
    Replaced the Canon EOS R6 with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II as the ‘Best Canon Camera’.

Conclusion

Canon cameras are often well-built, with good handling and impressive image quality. Canon’s newer mirrorless offerings have some of the best autofocus on the market. That said, Canon sometimes makes curious choices for video features, with caps on recording time and occasional heat management issues. Overall, though, Canon is a staple in the camera market that has proven capable of adapting to ever-evolving consumer demands, with plenty of cameras to suit every budget and experience level.

Test results

Canon Cameras: Digital Photography Review

Site news

We’re excited to share that DPReview has joined Gear Patrol

Together, we’ll continue to provide the community with the great content you’ve come to expect from us. Click here to learn more.




All brands

Agfa

Canon

Casio

Contax

DJI

DxO Labs

Epson

Fujifilm

GoPro

Hasselblad

Holga

HP

Kodak

Konica Minolta

Kyocera

Leica

Lytro

Minolta

Nikon

OM System / Olympus

Panasonic

Pentax

Ricoh

Rylo

Samsung

Sanyo

SeaLife

Sigma

Sony

Toshiba

Xiaomi

YI

Zeiss

All products

  Cameras

    Compact Cameras

    Interchangeable Lens Cameras

    VR/Action Cameras

  Lenses

  Printers

  Software

  Mobile Phones

  Tablets

  Mobile Applications

as gridas list

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016


Total: 313, showing: 1 – 50


« First ‹ Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next › Last »

Canon EOS R8 Review: Incredible Entry-Level Full-Frame Mirrorless | Reviews | Photo, video, optics

The Canon R8 has a very compact body despite its full-frame sensor. Photo: techradar.com

Full-frame mirrorless cameras are no longer the cameras that only the rich and professionals can afford. Canon has turned a new page in its history with the launch of the Canon EOS R in 2018, making full frame more accessible than ever.

The Canon EOS R8 continues that tradition by adding all the latest technology to an entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the novelty? Is it worth it to spend fifteen hundred dollars on it? Let’s figure it out together.

Body and ergonomics

The EOS R8 has a well-known “carcass”: it is borrowed from another initial full-frame mirrorless camera that replaced the EOS R and corrected a number of its “sores” – the Canon EOS RP. This step has its advantages:

  • the camera turned out to be compact and light – it weighs only 460 grams;
  • at the same time, she has a pronounced grip – holding the camera is much more convenient than the new cropped EOS R50;
  • retained all the nice ergonomic features such as dual control dials.

There is also an AF-ON button that allows you to lock the focus before shooting. At the same time, there is no AF joystick, so all additional autofocus operations – choosing an object for tracking or focus area – will have to be done using the display, which is not always convenient.

On the left of the top panel is a convenient switch between photo and video mode. Photo: amateurphotographer.com/Andy Westlake

In addition to the EOS RP case, the R8 uses the same batteries – LP-E17, and the resource is again not that impressive:

  • 290 shots with rear display;
  • 150 shots with viewfinder.

But this is in theory (based on the CIPA rating). In practice, of course, you can achieve a much larger number of frames by turning off, for example, Bluetooth.

The camera also has only one SD card slot, although it is suitable for fast UHS-II cards.

R8 received a swivel touch display. Photo: amateurphotographer.com/Andy Westlake

Given that this is an entry-level full-frame camera, there are some compromises in the design to keep the price down. The Canon EOS R8 has a 2.36M-dot viewfinder, while high-end cameras typically have a 3.69M-dot panel. But behind the EOS R8 is a very decent swivel display with a resolution of 1.62 million dots.

Sensor, shutter and continuous shooting

The new camera uses the same 24-megapixel full-frame sensor that we saw in the EOS R6 Mark II. It’s not a BSI (back-illuminated sensor – it has improved sensitivity for working in low light) and not a multi-layer sensor (multi-layer design increases readout speed, which is good for continuous shooting), but the sensor is very decent. It provides fast readout, which means you can shoot high-speed continuous shooting in electronic shutter mode with minimal rolling shutter (the characteristic visual distortion of moving objects that occurs in photos and videos).

Sample photo taken with the Canon EOS R8. Photo: Krzysztof Basel/poprostufotografuj.pl

An interesting detail: the camera does not have the ability to shoot with a fully mechanical shutter. There is an option for an electronic shutter, or shooting with an electronic front curtain (that is, mechanics and electronics 50/50).

What does this mean? Conventional shutters have two mechanical shutters that open and close as you shoot. In our case, the mechanical raising of the front curtain is replaced by electronic exposure. Such shooting is faster, with less delay between pressing the shutter button and the start of the exposure.

At the same time, it should be noted that even such a “semi-mechanical” shutter in the camera works quite loudly. So for street shooting you need to keep this in mind, or shoot in a completely electronic mode.

Sample photo taken with the Canon EOS R8. Photo: Richard Butler/dpreview.com

In electronic front curtain mode, the R8 shoots at 6 fps. The buffer allows you to make a series of 96 lossless RAW frames. If you select the compressed RAW file format (with a slight loss in quality), you can shoot without restrictions. The same goes for continuous shooting in JPEG.

For comparison, the similarly priced Sony a7C shoots at 10 fps (it doesn’t have high-speed bursts with an electronic shutter) with a buffer of 115 compressed RAW or 223 JPEGs.

The electronic shutter mode has an option for high-speed shooting at 40 frames per second. This option is similar to what we saw in the R6 Mark II. Very fast and cool for sports and fast action scenes, but the buffer fills up almost instantly:

  • 51 frames when shooting in RAW – just over one second of shooting.
  • Up to 100 frames in compressed RAW format.

There is also a Pre-Burst RAW mode, in which the camera buffers several shots before the shutter button is fully pressed:

  • When we press the shutter button completely, the camera saves all the frames recorded half a second before the full press.

    • A handy option for capturing “that moment” during continuous shooting – great for sports and wildlife (for example, to capture a bird taking off from a branch).

    Autofocus

    Autofocus is one of the Canon EOS R8’s strong points, using the same system as the Canon R6 Mark II. For tracking an object in tracking autofocus mode, a convenient and intuitive interface with ample opportunities for automation is used.

    There are many preset modes: people, animals, vehicles (including planes and trains). The system is very effective in recognizing eyes and faces, and tenaciously tracks domestic and wild animals.

    The EOS R8 has the best autofocus system in its price range right now. Only Sony cameras can compete in this aspect.

    Video

    Given that the camera uses the same sensor as the R6 Mark II, the video quality is similar between the models.

    The camera shoots 4K at 60fps from the entire width of the sensor, which allows you to get additional detail. Recall that the first version of the R6 was filmed with a slight cropping of the frame – 1.07x.

    It should be noted that R8 in this format is limited in terms of recording time – 30 minutes per clip (then the camera automatically starts recording a new 30-minute clip).

    An example of a 4K video taken with the Canon EOS R8. Source: Youtube channel slashcam

    Slow-motion footage uses 1080p at 120 fps. The picture quality isn’t outstanding, but it’s nice to be able to create slow-motion clips in Full HD anyway.

    The R8 can shoot in a special C-Log3 10-bit mode with reduced contrast, which is great for color grading and offers a very wide dynamic range.

    The camera supports a new autofocus mode. In it, the R8 focuses only on objects that have already been recognized, which minimizes autofocus wandering and refocusing to the background. There are microphone and headphone jacks.

    At the same time, the new product lags behind the R6 Mark II in a number of ways:

    • R8 cannot record Raw video to an external recorder;
    • R8 battery is weaker – R6 Mark II can shoot video for a couple of hours, for R8 this figure is a little less than an hour;
    • unlike the R6 II, the R8 does not have a built-in stabilization system, which is not very convenient for handheld shooting.

    Looking at entry-level full-frame mirrorless cameras from other manufacturers, like the Sony A7C, they cut down on video capabilities quite a bit. But in the R8, in terms of video shooting, compromises are minimal.

    The main competitor in video will probably be the more specialized Panasonic S5 II ($1999). However, if you’re going to shoot 4K at 60fps, the Panasonic will have frame cropping like most other cameras in this price range. But the Canon R8 shoots without cropping. It is also a great option for slow motion.

    Competitor comparison

    901 31

    Canon EOS R8 Nikon Z5 Sony a7C Canon EOS R6 II
    Price $1499 $1399 $1799 $2499
    Sensor Resolution 24Mp 24Mp 24Mp 24Mp
    Stabilizer Lens only Built-in Built-in Built-in
    High speed electronic shutter 6 fps (40 fps) 4. 5 fps 10 fps 1 2 fps (40 fps)
    Viewfinder Resolution/Magnification 2.36 Mdots/ 0.7x 3.69 Mdots/ 0.8x 2.36 Mdots/ 0.59x 3.68 Mdots/ 0.76x
    Rear display 1.62M dots swivel 1.04 M dots inclined 0.92 M dots swivel 1.62 M dots swivel
    Joystick AF? No Yes No Yes
    Memory cards 1x UHS-II 2x UHS II 1x UHS-II 2x UHS II
    Video 4K up to 60 fps No crop mode 10-bit HDR 4K up to 30fps 1.7x crop 4K up to 30fps 1.2x crop (30p) 4K up to 60 fps Uncut mode 10-bit Log or HDR Raw video to external recorder
    Battery display / viewfinder 290 / 150 470 / 390 740 / 680 580 / 320
    Dimensions 133 x 86 x 70 mm 134 x 101 x 70 mm 124 x 71 x 59 mm 138 x 98 x 88 mm
    Weight 461 g 675 g 509 g 670 g

    The EOS R8 beats the competition in video capabilities, but it doesn’t have built-in stabilization. The viewfinder is on par with cameras in the same price range, but this is clearly a weak point of the model compared to more advanced models.

    Many people love the Nikon Z5 for its good price and comfortable body. It has a very cool layout of controls, a more advanced viewfinder and about the same image quality. But the R8 completely overdoes it in 4K 60fps shooting, as well as in the autofocus system.

    The Sony A7C is more compact and boasts excellent battery life, but also, like the Nikon, falls short in terms of video.

    We can also recall the Canon EOS RP, from which the novelty borrowed the case. This model still looks like a very cool option in terms of value for money, but the R8 completely outperforms it in terms of image quality, autofocus and video.

    As for the more advanced EOS R6 II, the R8 is comparable to it in terms of the severity of the rolling shutter effect when shooting with an electronic shutter (it is quite moderate) – this means that its high-speed mode (40 fps) is great for working with fast moving objects. The matrix in the two cameras is also the same. But the R6 II has a better viewfinder, built-in stabilization, and a sturdier body for sports, action, and wildlife.

    Results

    The Canon R8 turned out to be versatile: it is suitable for portraits, sports, and video shooting. Photo: canon.co.uk

    Canon has made an excellent entry-level mirrorless camera with many strengths – great autofocus, high-speed shooting, advanced video capabilities.

    It outperforms the competition in a number of ways and comes as close as possible to the more advanced Canon EOS R6 Mark II. Compared to it, the R8 has a simpler viewfinder, a weaker battery and no built-in stabilization. But if you don’t really need all these frills, but just want a good hybrid camera with cool photo and video capabilities, the R8 is definitely an option worth considering. In the US and Europe, Canon EOS R8 will be available this spring. The camera will most likely reach Russia closer to autumn.

    Canon EOS 70D camera review – controls, how does it work?

    Canon EOS 70D camera review – controls, how does it work?

    Appearance and controls of the Canon EOS 70D

    If you look at the camera, you will see the standard layout of a SLR camera:

    the lens is in the center, on the right side is an enlarged part, which hides a capacious battery and functional mode control buttons on the top corps. Additional elements are located on the back of the camera as well as an LCD display and a video finder.
    The camera itself consists of two main parts:

    • separate lens
    • case on which there are controls and information display

    The body of the camera is made of plastic, those surfaces that touch the fingers contain an artificial coating – something between plastic and rubber. Therefore, the camera is comfortable to hold and it absolutely does not fall out of the hands, in any weather, in heat and cold. In addition, the right side of the body curves comfortably to fit the fingers of the right hand. Therefore, it is very convenient to hold the camera with one hand. Although if you are a fragile girl, then it is probably not very convenient for you to hold the camera in this way.
    The camera is quite massive, but it is a pleasant heaviness, which indirectly indicates the seriousness of the camera.
    By the way, the weight of the case with the battery is about 750 grams. Here you need to add about the same amount if you click the lens.

    In general, the wind cannot simply blow the camera away. 🙂

    The lens is attached through a metal connector to the housing. For ease of fastening, there are 2 types of dots on the metal fastening ring itself – white and red.

    Your task is simply to align the dot that is on the corresponding lens and turn it until it clicks into place.

    • Red dot – mark for attaching lenses EF
    • White dot – mark for attaching EF-S lenses

    What does the abbreviation EF, EF-S mean – I will explain in my separate article about camera lenses.

    Let’s see what’s on the front of the camera.

    Not far from the lens itself, we see a button that fixes the lens. In order to remove the lens, you need to press the button and turn it.

    Button to force the flash on, if you have “Creative Mode” photography turned on.

    On the other side of the camera, just below the lens ring, is the Depth Preview button. What is it for?

    If you have set the aperture and depth of field (this is true if you are working in manual camera mode, automatic mode is disabled) you can check how your future frame will look, taking into account the selected parameters.
    For example, when you want to blur the background behind an object, you change aperture and shutter speed. Then, after the settings before shooting, if you see in the video finders that the object is in focus, and behind it is a blurry background (bokeh), then after pressing this button you will see that you have a clear background. So somewhere you are wrong. Need to fix. In this case, you do not need to click the frame every time and then see how it turned out.

    The camera connectors are located on the side face.
    Metal eyelet for attaching a belt and a set of connectors, which is divided into 2 functional groups:

    Group 1:
    External microphone input
    Remote control input
    Group 2:
    HDMI output for viewing photos and videos through the camera
    AV – output (for devices supporting audio-video) or digital connector for connection.

    They are protected by rubber covers that can be folded back to gain access. The covers cannot be lost, as they are attached with rubber holders and are attached to the case itself.

    On the other side of the housing there is another slot, covered with a plug. This is where the SD card is located.

    There is no longer a rubber cap, but a plastic door that snaps into place after inserting a memory card.
    Standard size SD card, micro-SD is not used here – this is not a smartphone.
    An added bonus of this placement is that if you put the camera on a tripod, you can access the card without removing the camera. The compartment is located on the side, and not at the bottom, as in other camera models.

    There is a light indicator on the front of the body, close to the lens. It is used for red-eye reduction and also flashes during the countdown if you have set the interval timer to shoot. Those. The camera will take a picture at the set time interval.

    Right in front of the protruding battery compartment where the right hand is held is the remote control control sensor.

    On the right is the inscription – EOS 70D – and the Canon brand itself is in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe opening flash.

    An interesting solution to where the shutter button is located. It seems to be on the upper end of the case and on the front. This was achieved due to a small bevel of the edge. At the same time, the index finger immediately lies in the right place and there is no need to look for a button if you took the camera in one hand even for the first time.
    This is all the functionality that is placed on the front of the case.

    And now the fun begins! Let’s see what’s on the top.

    The left side of the camera is given to the mode dial.
    The wheel is combined with the chamber switch. Two main offices are in the same place. Therefore, you practically do not need to move your finger much to control them. With the exception of the innovation that Canon has added is a mode switch lock. In order to scroll through the mode, you need to press the latch, which is located in the middle of the circle.

    Side edges on the wheel prevent slipping of the finger during shifting.
    Camera turn-on rocker has 2 positions – off – OFF, on – ON.

    Let’s take a look at what’s on the mode ring. This is a practical standard set, as on all Canon cameras. All interesting modes are hidden in the menu of the main sections and are controlled through the camera display.

    Let’s look at them.
    Green on the symbols indicates automatic mode.

    A+ green – automatic shooting mode. The camera itself selects the desired shutter speed and aperture. All you have to do is turn on the auto-focus and the image stabilizer in the lens, and you get a big automatic soapbox – catch the sight and shoot. 🙂
    Crossed-out flash icon means the same auto mode, but with the flash off. If you constantly take pictures on the machine, then the constantly jumping out flash starts to unnerve. This mode will come in handy. At the same time, you must have steady hands so as not to spoil the photo in low light conditions.
    But from my own experience, I had no problems with this.

    CA is a creative shooting mode. It’s almost automatic, but you can manually control the shooting options of your choice.

    SCN Special scene selection:

    • Portrait
    • Landscape
    • Macro
    • Sport
    • Night portrait
    • Handheld at night

    HDR backlight – In this mode, if you shoot objects against bright light, the camera will take 3 shots with different lighting modes.

    On my own, I really liked the sports and macro modes.
    Sports mode allows you to take a series of shots with good sharpness even for a beginner.
    I chose the mode – follow the object and shoot. And that’s it!

    Here are some examples of the Canon EOS 70D:

    These beginner modes will completely cover your initial, basic needs if you have just started to master photography.
    Some time will pass and after 5-10 thousand frames you yourself will want to go to the creative zone of manual settings.

    These modes are:
    P – Programmed AE
    Tv – Shutter-Priority AE
    Av – Aperture-Priority AE
    M – manual exposure
    B – bulb exposure
    C – user mode, allows you to program your settings.

    Such words – exposure, aperture, shutter speed – the topic of a separate article, which I will talk about in my articles. Now let’s take a look at the controls further.

    Next is the automatic flash, which automatically opens if the camera does not have enough light.
    There is also a hot shoe in the flash area for attaching an optional flash.
    In the middle of the metal connector are the flash sync pins.
    The right side of the case is given to the function buttons for shooting mode settings and the auxiliary display.

    AF – Autofocus mode works in creative modes. Allows you to select:

    – One-Shot AF
    – Intelligent AF
    – Tracking AF (useful for sports photos if you want to catch an athlete)

    DRIVE – selectable operating mode
    – Single frame shooting – 1 frame per button release
    – High speed shooting – Approximately 7 frames per second.
    – low-speed shooting – about 3 frames per second
    for these modes you just need to keep the camera shutter pressed all the time. The camera will start shooting by itself at the desired speed.
    – similar modes, but only silent – no clicks are heard. It is convenient to shoot in museums or on special. Activities without attracting attention.
    – shooting delays. Allows you to remove from 10 sec. Or 2 sec. Delay yourself or someone.
    – Delay operation via self-timer. I also plan to show and tell how to work with an external timer. A very handy thing for effects – Time-Lapse – frame-by-frame shooting.
    ISO sensitivity selection.
    Metering button (not used in automatic modes) – allows you to adjust the methods for estimating the amount of light that enters the frame when shooting and select the desired mode. The camera itself determines by which point or group of points or by the average value of points to analyze the brightness of the frame.
    and focus mode selection button – you can select focusing schemes (single point, area selection, 19-point focus). It turns out that these are sights on which you set where the camera will focus in the frame.

    The control dial allows you to scroll and select the desired options. But to be honest, with the advent of the multi-touch display, its significance as the main control element has been lost.

    Stop at the large information display. It displays all current shooting settings.

    Here is a brief explanation of the parameters

    With this, let’s finish our review of the top of the EOS 70D’s controls and move on to the back of the camera body. Here we are waiting for pleasant surprises that Canon has taken care of.

    The first button Menu – after pressing it, the camera settings are displayed on the LCD screen.

    The menu itself is divided into several main parts:

    • camera settings
    • photo view settings and video finders
    • additional settings

    Camera settings (shown in red) allow you to control shooting modes and set utility functions that help you take pictures.
    See list of settings screens.

    By the way, depending on the selected shooting mode (remember about the mode wheel at the top of the camera), the menu displays exactly those blocks that are responsible for the mode. It is very convenient and does not confuse control.

    The photo display settings menu (highlighted in blue) controls how the footage is displayed. Additionally, you can connect auxiliary tools that immediately allow you to evaluate a photo, for example: highlighting overexposed areas, brightness histogram, autofocus indicators.

    And a block of additional settings. Highlighted in yellow. They answer all sorts of little things, such as file numbering, video output format, battery information, camera firmware version.

    Additional 2 pages given for Custom Functions – engl. the owner of the camera can put his desired function on the desired button.

    A quick call to your settings is made from the last page of “My Menu” (green color) By the way, the section “My Menu” is shown only for manual settings. You don’t need it for automatic mode.

    The next button on the left side is INFO button

    If you turn on the LCD monitor and press this button, you can view additional information on shooting modes depending on the selected settings.
    Pressing the button sequentially switches the viewing modes in a circle.
    An interesting trick is to turn on the electronic level in the LCD using this button.
    The camera helps you and tells you if you have twisted the position by a degree. In this case, the level changes color to red, and if the level is horizontal, it changes color to green. The only minus is that the level tracks left and right tilts, but does not track movement if you “filled up” the camera back and forth. This feature is available in more expensive cameras, such as the 7D.

    In the eyepiece of the camera’s viewfinder, the level is displayed according to the same logic, but schematically. The colors don’t change. Depending on the angle of inclination, additional lines are shown that signal a skew. Smooth horizontal line — the camera is aligned.

    Schematic representation of the levels can be seen in 2 places – the eyepiece of the viewfinder and the LCD display

    We continue our acquaintance – the eyepiece of the viewfinder allows you to control 98% of the scene, unlike 100% of the viewing area of ​​the 7D camera. But it doesn’t matter in my opinion. There is a rubber soft edging around the perimeter of the glass, so if you shake hard, you won’t gouge out your eyes.

    A useful bonus for those who wear glasses is the diopter adjustment. Thus, you do not need to wear glasses to look into the distance through the viewfinder. To do this, there is a wheel that changes the sharpness by scrolling up or down, because “+” or “-“. Correction works from -3 to 1 (diopter)

    By the way, the viewfinder conveniently displays all the necessary information.

    Under the photo are all the settings, in the center of the photo you can see a semi-transparent grid and marks-sights, which are used for focusing. If point-to-point sharpening is successful, the desired elements will glow green. If the camera cannot adjust the sharpness, the squares are highlighted in red. Thus, the sight hints that something needs to be changed in order to get a good picture.

    It is very strange why there is no sensor to turn off the display when the face approaches the viewfinder eyepiece. All ordinary smartphones do a similar thing. And here, there is no such thing. Maybe again a marketing ploy and this option will be added in the next model?

    Approaching the mouth-watering highlight of the camera interface – a multi-touch TFT screen, with rotation along the axis.

    Multi-touch TFT – Clear View II vari-angle display with a diagonal (3.0″) 7.7 cm and a 3:2 aspect ratio. This is about 1 million dots for displaying a photo.
    If earlier in other cameras you had to press or memorize a bunch of buttons, now all you need is just to poke your finger at the right place. And viewing photos is a pleasure. You do not need to press the plus sign several times to enlarge the photo in more detail – just expand the scale with two fingers or scroll through the photo in the same way as you do on smartphones. I wonder why this screen was not delivered to a more expensive model – Canon EOS 7D. Maybe it’s a Canon marketing ploy?
    Moreover, the display rotates in all directions. You can shoot with him from the bottom, from the top, from the side. As you prefer.

    In my opinion, this display makes it much easier to control the camera. And the functions of shooting by touching your finger on the display are very convenient. Also, in the frame preview mode through the display, you can now tell the camera exactly where to focus, on which object to focus attention – simply by clicking on the desired place on the display. This is especially convenient if you choose automatic mode – Focus on the selected point.

    Moving on to the second part of the chamber.

    At the top is a useful button for those who want to take video or photos through the display. The START/STOP button is combined. It switches modes – display on the display or viewfinder if you click on it. And if you move the lever, you can change what exactly you want to record – video or photo.
    Moreover, if you started shooting video, and you press this button, photos will also be recorded. This button is useful if you want to work in automatic mode.

    The Q button (quick) has been added to this camera. At the touch of a button, you can control the basic settings – auto-focus, burst or single photo, flash settings, photo quality. In general, all the necessary minimum for the work of a novice photographer.

    Photo review button – located under the Q button. Pressing this button allows you to display the captured frames on the display and scroll through them. It is more convenient to do this by flipping through the frames with your finger. Do not forget – we have a multi-touch display.

    If you don’t like the photo – delete it – – click the trash can button.