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SLRs

$1,000-$2,000

Canon EOS 7D

1. Intelligent 100% Viewfinder: The viewfinder provides a remarkable 1.0X magnification and an overlaid LCD display. 2. Live View/Video Switch: The Live View/Video switch makes it easy to access features. 3. High-Res LCD Monitor: The 7D sports a 3.0-inch, 920,000-dot LCD monitor with a special scratch-resistant coating.

Canon EOS 7D

LIST PRICE: $1,699 (body only)

Canon’s newest D-SLR, the 18-megapixel EOS 7D offers the highest resolution of any APS-C-sensor camera to date.

LIVE MODE WITH 3 AF OPTIONS: In Live View mode, you can choose Quick (phase-detection) AF, Live AF (contrast-based; slower, but no disruption of Live View) or Face Detection (contrast-based) AF—or focus manually with the image magnified 5X or 10X.

LENS CORRECTIONS: With AF Microadjustment, you can fine-tune focusing for up to 20 lenses, correcting for any tendency to front or back focus. Lens Peripheral Illumination corrects for vignetting.

NEW AF SYSTEM: The 7D features a new 19-point AF system, with all 19 points cross-types and dual diagonal cross-type sensors at the center. AF speed is improved, and focusing takes into account artificial lighting and macro shooting.

DUAL-AXIS ELECTRONIC LEVEL: Handy for architectural and landscape photography, this new feature makes it easy to level the camera when using the LCD monitor or viewfinder.

The EOS 50D introduced Canon’s powerful DIGIC 4 processor to the EOS family; the new 7D features two DIGIC 4s working together. DIGIC 4 improves image quality (especially at higher ISO settings), speeds operation and provides better battery life; dual DIGIC 4s do it even better. Additionally, 14-bit A/D conversion, with four times the tones/color shades as 12-bit, improves image quality.

The normal ISO range of 100-6400 can expand ISO settings to 12,800 when necessary. Auto Lighting Optimizer and Highlight Tone Priority help image quality throughout the range, as does improved High ISO Noise Reduction.

The EOS 7D can shoot full-sized, 18-megapixel RAW images, but also mRAW (10.1 megapixels) and sRAW (4.5 megapixels) images when you don’t need the full 18 megapixels. The camera also can shoot JPEGs at three resolutions and two compression levels.

EOS HD Movie provides a wide range of video resolutions and rates. You can shoot 1080p full HD at 30, 24 or 25 fps, 720 HD at 60 or 50 fps and standard-definition video at 60 or 50 fps. The 7D provides easy manual control of exposure and focusing, adaptive exposure compensation and even in-camera video editing. You can record mono sound via the built-in microphone or stereo sound via an optional external mic.

STANDOUT FEATURE: Continuous shooting at 8 fps is the fastest in this category of cameras and rivals top-tier pro models. Shoot up to 126 JPEGs in a single burst at this speed (requires a UDMA CF card).
VERDICT: With its high pixel count, video capability and quick performance, the new EOS 7D is a knockout D-SLR for enthusiasts and pros alike.

Canon EOS 50D
It doesn’t offer video, but the EOS 50D provides 15.1 megapixels, quick startup and autofocusing, Live View with three AF options, AF Microadjustment, Lens Peripheral Illumination (vignetting) compensation and lots more—for about $500 less than the 7D. List Price: $1,199.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II
If you like the 7D, but want a full-frame sensor, the EOS 5D Mark II offers it, along with 21.1-megapixel resolution, 1080p full HD video capability and an expanded ISO range from 50-25,600. The 5D Mark II offers superb image quality, but it’s a lot slower than the EOS 7D—the top drive rate is a respectable 3.9 fps, but nowhere near the 7D’s 8 fps. List Price: $2,699.