Canon R7
Introduction:
Like anything in a competitive industry with broad needs, there are pro's and con's. Whilst referring to the Camera throughout this summary, the subject matter and explanations are generic so this will be as interesting to read and make sense for Nikon, Sony, Fuji etc. users also.
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The Canon R7 is a high-end body released in June 2022 so is the bang up to date professional aps-c format camera from Canon, having replaced the 7D mk ii. It delivers consistent, reliable, high performance. It is mechanically incredibly strong and durable and native to the full range of Canon RF mount lenses and all EF lenses via a range of smart adaptors.
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The R7 is arguably the best sport and wildlife camera ever made, it is a strong player in the latest mirrorless market and stands in our opinion above the rest in the field we use it. If that's not enough it is This doesn't come cheap but is superb value - more below!
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The R7's 32.5mp sensor is more than most full-frame cameras! The latest sensors reduce noise and have improved high iso performance. The 1.6x crop factor increases equivalent focal length of full frame lenses; a 400mm is effectively a 640mm... the f stop speed is equal, (f/4 is still f/4) but you have significantly (1.6x) more DOF! This is everything a wildlife photographer wants.
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If you like lots of specifications, click this link - Canon R7 full specifications
Top view showing deeper grip and projecting viewfinder eyepiece
Handling:
Handling is very important, good ergonomics for your fingers and thumbs to quickly react and do what you're wanting them to do. This camera being mirrorless is smaller than many available, normally at least for larger hands this can raise issues. Canon has done a very good job of optimising this by making the grip considerably deeper and making subtle changes to the controls layout. It does not however feel awkward and an existing Canon shooter will quickly adapt.
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An unforseen advantage which does improve comfort is the viewfinder. The inclusion of an EVF (Electronic Viewfinder), means without a mirror less space is needed internally. The depth of the body being reduced means the viewfinder eyepiece actually projects from the back of the camera; more space for you nose makes the viewing more comfotable and natural. This and the tilt & swivel rear display mitigates the absense of a top plate screen.
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For wildlife and sport you're already lugging longer lenses around, the aps-c format already gives a 1.6 advantage here, but the lighter R7 body is also welcome, not critical but everything counts right?
Application - Portraits / Events:
In this catagory the R7 has pros and cons, as you would expect.
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For event photography the lightweight is helpful but the aps-c format is a bonus as lenses are shorter, so more manageable in and around crowds and obstacles. The very advanced and fast autofocus is already good, then when you switch it to eye tracking and face recognition, the performance is extraordinary.
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The autofocus speed is very fast, in fact it will give you warnings when using slow focussing lenses which are not keeping up.
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Portrait shots can be split into seperate catagories, groups and atmospheric. For group shots the aps-c increased DOF is an advantage where more is in focus, the high pixel density maintains the fine detail and you can shoot with a faster f stop. For individual portraits, the benefit of the DOF above becomes a disadvantage and backgrounds are more difficult to soften with more limited bokeh performance than you would get with Full Frame. It depends how you shoot and the nature of the subject.
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Overall you'd probably reach for you Full Frame camera for this application, but it is still no slouch and has it's place.
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The natural skin tones are true to Canon which are the best, no unnatural colourcasts.
Application - Landscapes:
For landscapes, high resolution, lots of detail and accurate colours with good depth are the necessity, the competition for the R7 here is going to be Full Frame bodies. The R7's resolution and image quality still performs very well and only the most demanding viewers will pixel peep the differences with it's 32mp. Full Frame is the real competition here, with their even larger sensors. However printing 30" x 20" images will not be an issue, many Full Frame cameras have only 20Mp sensors!
A tripod is often ideal, removing / helping settings related issues, but when travelling light bear in mind you'll still often be shooting handheld, this is where the image stabilisation is very strong. 5 axis in-body stabilisation can be added to in-lens stabilisation to bring class leading capability.
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Lastly and by no means least, once you have added the smaller lenses the weight is really going to agree with you for trecking / travel photography, the lenses also tend to be lower cost as a direct consequence.
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In short some compromises but also advantages.
Application - Wildlife:
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This catagory is where this camera now outshines almost all realistic competition. The advantages of the aps-c sensor, the high pixel count, the high frame rates, the high shadow recovery possible, and low noise at high iso's are only part of the story.
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The lightweight body can be carried all day with the extra reach of the lenses you're in another world. 30 frames per second means you get exactly what you want a lot more often with small fast moving subjects, all while focussing on the subjects eye. The image stabilisation pushes all the above to another level. And just to top that, using the electronic not mechanical shutter means you're working silently; wildlife doesn't really want us around, getting closer and quieter is always the game.
We have this body alongside the 5Ds, where the 5Ds wins on portrait and arguably landscapes, the R7 absolutely rocks the wildlife and sport for the same reasons.
Its often too easy to become so familiar with your existing systems and so adapted at ways to swerve issues you don't look at alternatives, preferring familiarity; if you're looking to improve your wildlife shots, you'll be amazed at what this camera can do and where technology is going.
Footnote:
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This will be expanded upon, there is a lot more practical information we'd like to share and guides for more general use.
If you have any questions or would like some open clear specific feedback of either the R7 or the body choice decision, just Contact Us.
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Thank you, we hope this has helped.
