two minute review
If you're an avid hobbyist photographer who also enjoys filming, the Canon EOS R7 is one of the best cameras you can buy and also the sweet spot in the camera giant's EOS R range for hobbyist photographers.
Sitting between classic DSLRs like the Canon EOS 7D Mark II and EOS 90D, it combines Canon's latest Dual Pixel CMOS AF II autofocus system with fast burst shooting speeds of 15fps (or even 30fps, when its electronic shutter is used).
Unlike Canon's full-frame cameras, the EOS R7 has an APS-C sensor. While they can't capture as much light as full-frame sensors in cameras like the Canon EOS R6, they do offer some advantages, including a smaller and lighter overall camera system and a lower price.
For its price, the EOS R7 offers an impressive array of features that show why it's now Canon's flagship APS-C camera. Unlike the EOS 90D, you get built-in image stabilization (IBIS), which helps preserve image quality when shooting handheld. You also get two UHS-II card slots and a solid lineup of video recording specs, including headphone and microphone inputs, plus the ability to shoot uncropped 4K/60p video.
(Image credit: future)
- Canon EOS R7 (black) at Amazon for €1,499 (opens in a new tab)
Together, these features make the EOS R7 one of the best mirrorless cameras that can't justify Canon's full-frame models, which share the same RF mount. But this mount is also currently the main weakness of the EOS R7: at the time of writing, there are only two native RF-S lenses for this camera's sensor.
One of those lenses is an "all-purpose" 18-150mm that's available in a bundle with the EOS R7, the other is an 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 kit lens. In addition to these two lenses, you have two options when it comes to optics: use existing full-frame RF lenses, or use EF or EF-S lenses via the optional EF-RF adapter. No solution is ideal for keeping things light and small, but hopefully as the system ages it will also grow to include more options.
Confusingly, you may already be familiar with Canon's "other" APS-C mirrorless system, which uses the EF-M mount. The lenses in this system are not compatible with the APS-C models of the EOS R series, and there is also no way to mount them via an adapter. Canon has yet to openly admit that it will stop making EF-M models. But that seems unlikely given the arrival of the EOS R7 and EOS R10, and the fact that the EF-M system was never developed in any significant way in the first place.
Fortunately, the EOS R7 is otherwise an excellent all-rounder. Shooting up to 30fps combined with Canon's latest autofocus wizardry, it's a wildlife, action and sports photographers dream, especially as this crop sensor will get you closer to the action with your long-term goals.
Canon EOS R7 Specifications
Sensor: 32.5MP APS-C CMOS
AF Points: 5915 manually selectable, 651 automatic selection
Video: 4K/60p, Full HD/60p, Full HD 120p high speed
Viewfinder: 0,39-inch, 2,36 million-dot OLED resolution
Memory card: Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II
LCD: 2,95-inch 1,62m-dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
Maximum Burst: 15 fps mechanical shutter (224 JPEG / 51 raw buffer), 30 fps electronic shutter (126 JPEG / 42 raw buffer)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Size: 132 × 90,4 × 91,7mm
Weight: 612g (with battery and SD card)
You also get in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which Canon's mid-range DSLRs lacked. With up to eight stops of compensation, it's ideal for handheld shooting with slower shutter speeds or in low-light conditions.
The EOS R7 is also a good little camera to use. You get a reasonably solid and chunky grip, plus a good array of dials and buttons that make changing settings in different situations a joy. Its vari-angle touchscreen is also useful for taking photos from different angles, and while the electronic viewfinder is a bit pedestrian, it gets the job done.
The two UHS-II card slots are a nice bonus for a camera like this (and at this price point), which suggests it could also be preferred by professionals looking for a good fast backup camera model for their main body of full frame. A range of useful video specs, including uncropped 4K/60p video, round out the spec sheet nicely to make the R7 a great little all-rounder.
In our real-world tests, the camera produced great images in a variety of conditions, although, as we'd hoped, it didn't quite measure up to its siblings' format when it comes to low-light or high-ISO shooting.
The main problem is the lack of a real lens system to exploit the potential of the EOS R7. Having to compromise on lenses upfront isn't ideal, especially when Sony and Fujifilm have a strong set of lenses to back APS-C cameras like the Sony A6600 and Fujifilm X-T4 (and the rumored Fujifilm X-T5). But if the R7 and R10 prove as popular as Canon surely hopes, this lack of native lenses will be less of an issue over time.
Canon EOS R7 release date and price
- Available for pre-order now
- €1,499 / €1,349 / AU€2,349 (body only)
- €1,899 / €1,699 / AU €1,959 (18-150mm slow con)
The Canon EOS R7 is aggressively priced enough to make it much more attractive on a budget, compared to full-frame models. He also compares favorably to other APS-C big hitters.
The EOS R7 is slightly more expensive than the three-year-old Sony A6600. It's also significantly cheaper than the more capable Fujifilm X-H2S, another flagship model with fast shooting and fast autofocus.
It's a little closer in price to the Fujifilm X-T4 - the EOS R7 wins with autofocus but loses with native lenses, so the decision between the two depends largely on your existing lens situation.
(Image credit: future)
Canon's older full-frame technology, like the full-frame Canon EOS RP, is available for less than the EOS R7, but it uses much older technology, meaning autofocus and video aren't a patch. in the R7.
If you mainly shoot static subjects, an older full-frame camera might be worth considering, especially in the upcoming Black Friday camera deals. But otherwise the R7 offers better value for money, especially if you already own EF adaptive lenses or find cheap lenses in the Black Friday sales.
We've yet to see an "entry-level" full-frame drop-in replacement for the Canon EOS RP, but it's not impossible that there will be one in 2023.
Canon EOS R7 review: Design
- Control wheel and joystick combined
- Vari-angle screen and modest viewfinder
- Weather resistance to the same standard as the EOS 90D DSLR
Canon has combined elements from its existing DSLR range and EOS R series cameras to make the EOS R7 portable and intuitive.
If you've used a Canon EOS camera before, you'll probably be quite comfortable with it. But even if it's your first time with the brand, it won't be too hard to find everything you need. Impressive for such a small camera, the EOS R7 manages to pack a thick, deep grip, which should be popular with photographers. At the same time, the overall size of the camera is not too large for travel photography.
As you'd expect for a mid-range camera, it doesn't have an LCD screen on top to quickly check settings. The same goes for the full-frame EOS R6, so APS-C users shouldn't feel too bad here. What you get is a cleverly designed control scheme, including a mode dial to the right of the viewfinder, a control dial just behind the shutter button, and dedicated buttons just behind the one for ISO and video record.
(Image credit: future)
Going back to the rear of the camera, there's a control wheel/joystick hybrid that some will love and others may hate. It takes some getting used to, especially if you already own a Canon. But after a few days in your company, it works quite well in conjunction with the main control dial. The dials can be used to adjust shutter speed and aperture, depending on which shooting mode you're in, as well as navigate menu items and images during playback.
The joystick is great for moving the focus point around the frame when shooting through the viewfinder, although you can also use the screen to do this as long as you have 'Touch and drag' enabled in the main menu.
Other buttons include a four-way directional pad, a handy "Q" button for quick access to common settings, and buttons to play and delete photos. Almost all controls are on the right hand side of the camera, which is ideal for one-handed use, the small body size means everything is within easy reach.
(Image credit: future)
If you're switching to the EOS R7 from a DSLR, one thing you might get used to is an electronic viewfinder. The R7 is arguably dated, offering 2,36 million dots, 1,15x magnification, and a 120fps refresh rate. But if you've never used anything better, you'll probably find it perfectly usable. Those switching from a DSLR can also enable OVF (optical viewfinder) simulation, which can help if you're not totally sold on EVFs yet.
The fully articulating touchscreen is only three inches, but being able to maneuver it into the position you need is useful for videos and shots from a difficult angle. It's also nice that you can fold the camera screen in on itself when carrying it in a bag to protect it from scratches. A similar weather-sealing standard to the EOS 90D means the EOS R7 should be able to withstand light showers, but we'd probably keep it out of heavy downpours or sea spray where possible.
A camera for outdoor and sports fanatics, the EOS R7 was expected by some to include a CFexpress slot for lightning-fast shooting. Instead we have two UHS-II slots. On one hand, it's a shame not to have the CFexpress speeds, but that's not particularly surprising for an APS-C camera at this price point, and it's certainly an easier setup. It is also much cheaper to buy…
