Canon EOS 7D

Manufacturer: Canon Type: camera Year introduced: 2009

Overview

The Canon EOS 7D was an 18-megapixel APS-C DSLR that became arguably the dominant underwater camera of 2010. It combined strong still image capabilities with excellent HD video in a body priced below $2,000, making it the first Canon crop-sensor camera to truly offer “the best of both worlds” for underwater photographers interested in both stills and video (^[1]).

A key advantage of the APS-C sensor was compatibility with the Tokina 10-17mm fisheye, described by Berkley White as “arguably the greatest wide angle lens ever made for underwater photography” (^[2]). The camera also featured a pop-up flash useful for fiber optic strobe triggering and was well-suited as an all-around topside camera.

The 7D’s video capabilities drew significant attention. Testing revealed that video noise characteristics were highly dependent on ISO settings, with multiples of ISO 160 (considered the “native” ISO of Canon CMOS sensors) producing significantly cleaner footage than other values (^[3]).

The camera spawned a competitive housing market, with offerings from Aquatica, Nauticam, Sea & Sea, Subal, Ikelite, and others. The Nikon D7000, released in late 2010, was later considered a “similar performer to the 7D, and in some respects, seems to actually deliver better results” according to Adam Hanlon’s housing review (^[4]).

Reviews & Discussion

• ^[5] — Berkley White’s review of shooting stills and video with the 7D in an Aquatica housing. Praised the camera as “quite possibly the best of both worlds” for underwater photographers with an interest in video.
• ^[6] — Ross Gudgeon’s comparison review of Aquatica ($2,800) and Nauticam ($2,800 street price) housings for the 7D. Both housings were competitively priced.
• ^[7] — Analysis showing that ISO multiples of 160 produce significantly less noise in video, an important finding for underwater videographers shooting in low-light conditions.

References

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