Hardware REVIEWS See the test shots Go to web ID: 383941
Canon EOS 70D A stunningly fast new autofocus system makes the 70D a seriously tempting DSLR ❱❱ P RICE Body only, £899 (£1,079 inc VAT) ❱❱ S UPPLIER www.currys.co.uk
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he Canon EOS 70D adds yet more spice to the increasingly competitive mid-range DSLR sector. Whereas last year it was all about the emergence of full-frame cameras in the affordable mid-range, this year Canon has brought an innovative autofocus system into play with its latest 70D. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology splits 80% of the image sensor’s pixels in half, creating two independent diodes that are used as phase-detect autofocus points. The upshot is faster, more accurate autofocus in Live View. There’s also a separate phase-detection sensor, used when shooting with the viewfinder, which is no slouch either. The result is remarkably reliable autofocus: there’s no hunting back and forth as the camera tries to locate the subject, it simply snaps into focus at breathtaking speed. Previous Canon cameras have struggled with video autofocus, but the 70D has no such problems, and crucially it’s all but silent with the EF-S 18-135mm kit lens. It’s further boosted by a face-detection mode that keeps your subject perfectly in focus as they walk towards the camera – down the wedding aisle, for instance. Alternatively, you can tap the 70D’s
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touchscreen to adjust the focus point, with the camera responding quickly and smoothly. The 70D has 19 cross-type autofocus points, which can be selected individually or in zones. The slightly pricier Nikon D600 (web ID: 378103) has 39 autofocus points (although they’re more closely bunched in the centre of the frame than here). Rarely did we find ourselves craving more, though. Focus isn’t the only thing that’s bang on: exposure is beautifully judged, too. The camera coped well with a series of tricky situations, including portrait subjects sat in front of bright windows, direct sunlight and areas of high contrast. Colours are accurate, if a little flat on occasion. Canon has pushed the native maximum ISO limit up to 12800 (and you can also artificially bump this to 25600), which is four times the maximum sensitivity of the 60D it succeeds. This allows you to shoot indoor sports action at frame rates as fast as 1/1,000sec, without needing a flash or tripod. Photos are speckled with noise at ISO 12800, and although they can be saved with aggressive noise reduction in Lightroom, it leaves the images looking a little soft and unnatural. Shooting at ISO 6400 delivers much cleaner results. Canon isn’t being drawn into the megapixel wars. The
The kit lens autofocuses silently during video shoots
20.2-megapixel sensor is four megapixels worse off than Nikon’s cheaper D7100 (web ID: 383152) and eight megapixels poorer than the pricier D600. Once again, though, we rarely found ourselves yearning for greater detail. Photos shot with a 100mm macro lens were brutally sharp, although the kits lens did introduce softness at the edges. Built-in Wi-Fi is another feature that will appeal to studio-photography enthusiasts. The bundled EOS Utility software delivers remote control of the camera over a wireless network. The PC software provides a live view (at a limited frame rate) and allows you to adjust the focus point, aperture/shutter speed, autofocus mode and a range of other settings. Photos can be saved straight to the PC, or saved to both memory card and computer. There’s also a more limited iOS app that delivers direct remote control over the camera from an iPhone or iPad. In terms of body design, it’s difficult to find fault with the 70D. The LCD display on the top plate provides quick-glance access to key settings, and Canon hasn’t skimped on the buttons, despite the addition of an articulated 1,040kpixel touchscreen. There are dedicated buttons for autofocus and drive modes, autofocus selection area, ISO, metering mode, and several The LCD display on the top plate provides quick access to key settings
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more, plus a lock switch to avoid accidental setting tweaks. Most of the buttons can be manually reconfigured if you find a setting doesn’t fall easily to hand. We’re not convinced by the dual scroll wheel/D-pad that sits to the right of the screen, though, which performs neither function comfortably. In terms of speed, the 70D canters through the frames. We measured it at rapid 7fps in both raw and highest-quality JPEG, which is faster than the D600’s 5.5fps and even Canon’s professional-grade EOS 5D Mark III (web ID: 377806), which outputs at 6fps. In conclusion, we’re bowled over by the 70D. The new autofocus system is a genuine breakthrough, especially for those who shoot video from their DSLR, while performance and image quality can’t be faulted. At just over £1,000 for the body alone, it’s a seriously tempting option for enthusiasts who want to sample professional-grade features. Indeed, if Canon had managed to squeeze in a full-frame sensor, we’d be talking about our new A-List winner. Barry Collins
KEY SPECS 20.2MP APS-C sensor • 19-point autofocus (all cross-type) • 7fps burst mode • SDXC card slot • 1yr RTB warranty • 139 x 79 x 104mm (WDH) • 1.25kg (body only)
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IMAGE QUALITY FEATURES & DESIGN VALUE FOR MONEY
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PC PRO•NOVEMBER 2013
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