Canon has announced a new addition to its EOS Digital SLR camera line, the 70D. The new camera offers wireless transmitter that lets users not only share pictures and video, but control camera settings from the smartphone. The 20.2-megapixel APS-C Canon CMOS sensor and Digic 5+ image processor offer an ISO range of 100 to 12,800 (expandable to 25,600) and continuous shooting of up to seven frames of second. Canon has put an emphasis on video with this model, offering advanced auto-focus while shooting HD video.
The unit allows photographers to shoot full HD up to 30fps with continuous phase-detection autofocus, which allows for quick and accurate focus tracking of moving objects in the central 80 percent of the imaging area. The company says the process, dubbed “Dual Pixel CMOS AF,” lets users shoot video with nearly the same quality as a 1080p standalone camcorder. The dual-pixel technology allows all of the effective pixels are able to perform both imaging and phase-detection autofocus at the same time, which improves dramatically the autofocus performance during Live View and when shooting video over other EOS cameras.
The new system achieves shorter focusing times and better tracking performance with smoother autofocusing during video shooting, which means that users in Live View mode can concentrate on composition rather than focusing. The 70D also supports 103 models of EF lenses, including many earlier models.
While the company’s emphasis has been on the 70D’s video capabilities, it retains the EOS abilities for still image creation, including a 19-point all cross-type AF system with a high-precision f/2.8 dual cross-type AF center point. The 70D also includes a 63-zone dual-layer IFCL (intelligent focus, color and luminance) AE metering system, which enhances accurate exposures by minimizing random metering errors. It also includes a built-in Electronic Level Function, manual white balance settings an AF micro-adjustment.
The wireless capability extends to computers, DLNA devices, other Wi-Fi capable Canon cameras and PictBridge compatible printers. The unit also features a external stereo microphone with audio-level adjustment and an attenuator function, along with an accessory jack for external microphones. Photographers can also employ built-in High Dynamic Range, multiple exposure, a Handheld Night Scene mode and HDR backlight control. It also features built-in RAW image processing and image resizing. There are seven creative filters available in Live View that can be viewed in the three-inch touch screen monitor without having to shoot the image first.
The camera will find its way to retail stores in September with an expected retail price of $1,199 for the body. Bundle deals include one for $1,349 that includes an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, and another bundle for $1,549 that includes an EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens.
