Canon EOS 7D

Before I start, this is by no means a full review, but simply my observations and opinion of this camera.

I have now purchased a Canon EOS 7D, and what a magnificent beast it is! OK, a couple of minor quirks, but on the whole, a totally outstanding camera. This is the true "King of the APS-C's" at the moment. I would have liked to see a programmable button for Mirror Lockup, given the vast array of customisation available on the 7D. Heavier and somewhat larger than the xxD range (40D/50D) and even bigger than the new EOS 60D, which is smaller again than the 40D/50D. It is even heavier than the EOS 5D Mk II, but really feels the business. The EOS 7D has a really tactile feel to it, only bettered by the 1D range. It is solid, built like a tank, and the buttons and adjustment wheels have a solid click to them, like no other camera I have ever used. The new Shutter is rated at 150,000 actuations, and with 8 frames per second continuous shooting, the 7D is really in Pro territory. To drive 8 fps, the 7D employs TWO Digic 4 processors, together with advancements to the pipelining and 14-bit A/D conversion. The 7D also has viewfinder coverage of 100%, a major advance for crop sensor cameras, and also a completely new 19-point crosstype AF system with Transmissive VF display. This means there are no add-in Focussing Screens for the 7D, as grids, etc. are overlayed in the VF, and are customisable. Metering is TTL full aperture metering with 63 zone Dual Layer SPC. Battery life is very good: I have taken over 750 images, with some flash use, etc. and the battery is still displaying 15% remaining. The EOS 7D shares the same battery as the EOS 5D Mk II. The ISO range is from 100 to 6400, expandable to 12800. I am totally amazed how clean images are up to ISO 3200. ISO 6400 and 12800 are fine after some Noise reduction. For an 18 Megapixel  sensor, the noise (or lack of) really blew me away. Shutter speeds range from Bulb, 30secs to 1/8000sec. The EOS 7D also features Wireless Flash Control, which means any compatible Speedlite can be triggered without the use of a cable, or a wireless transmitter. This can range from a single Speedlite to 3 groups of Speedlites in various configurations and flash output power. I am mow off to bed, so more on the EOS 7D soon!