Canon returns to tackle Nikon in midrange with EOS 7D dSLR

Updated, September 1, 2009: As expected, Canon announced the 7D, and all the rumor information turned out to be correct. I've added more details below.

There's enough seemingly reliable information floating around the Internet to guess that Canon plans to announce the long-rumored EOS 7D any day now. For those willing to slog through it, Canon Rumors offers up a difficult-to-parse Google Translate version of a Chinese press release from which everyone's painstakingly pulled the basic specs. (I'll update this post when the camera's officially announced; consensus has that happening on September 1, though it's not clear which continent that refers to, so it might be September 2 here in the U.S.)

Rather than an inexpensive but full-frame version of the 5D Mark II, the 7D looks to be a direct competitor for the Nikon D300s--and it's about time. Canon basically ceded the entry-level pro performance market to Nikon in 2005 with the arrival of the D200; since then, Canon's 30D, 40D, and 50D have taken the slower but less expensive road, with a relatively stagnant AF system, that Nikon leapfrogged. But with entirely new AF and metering systems, a new high-resolution (and seemingly low-noise) eight-channel readout sensor coupled with dual Digic 4 image processors and a new 100 percent coverage viewfinder, plus 1080p video capture, the 7D looks like an aggressive attempt to make a comeback.

Here's where it fits into Canon's line:

At $1,000 less than the 5D Mark II (based on unofficial price guesstimates), with high enough resolution for most people and a better AF system, the 7D looks like quite an attractive alternative. And if Canon has seriously improved its noise reduction at the high ISO sensitivities, the video support, better metering, and better AF make an attractive upgrade from the somewhat disappointing 50D.

Here's how it will likely stack up compared to the competition:

I really like the D300s, and the 7D looks comparable or better in most ways--despite the specs, AF performance is an unknown until tested. In addition to adding AF areas, Canon greatly increased the sophistication of the system, with capabilities that now include Spot AF (allowing for a smaller single focus point), AF point expansion (to use a cluster of AF points around a selected area) and Zone AF (five selectable focusing zones composed of preset clusters of focus points). Some of these capabilities sound like those of the E-3's AF system, which I really like. And the new iFCL smart metering system (Intelligent, Focus, Color, Luminance) sounds like it works similarly to Nikon's in that it incorporates color information. Like the updated version of the 5D Mark II, the 7D supports manual exposure controls during video capture. The camera also sports a significantly redesigned weather-sealed body, and the new viewfinder has an LCD overlay for providing additional information, like an on-demand grid and electronic levels. and this is the first EOS dSLR to incorporate wireless flash.

The 7D will be available by the end of September. I'm looking forward to this one.