Oct 17
Canon has spent years making incremental improvements to its DSLR line’s video features, yet it’s been ages since we’ve seen a major step forward in functionality. While the 60D
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Jul 02
Canon’s New 70D DSLR Beefs Up Autofocus, Could Be An Indie Filmmaker’s Dream Camera
Posted in: Today's Chili
Canon has just revealed its long-awaited 70D DSLR, the successor to the 60D. The 70D fits above the Rebel line in terms of price and specs in Canon’s interchangeable lens camera catalogue, and this new version focuses on improving one of the 60D’s most considerable strengths: movie making.
Canon has introduced new Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus, which has a sensor with double the pixel count to help improve focus tracing. The result is a fast, smooth autofocus function that especially helps when shooting video using the live view, vari-angle display on the back of the camera. It also helps with still AF to some degree, which is likewise boosted by a new AF system with 19 cross-type points (just like the much-respected, if aging Canon 7D), but the real benefit here is for aspiring filmmakers.
In a hands-on test of a pre-production unit, Engadget found that the new AF system works as impressively as advertised. Especially paired with Canon’s STM line of lenses, which are designed for smoother autofocus while shooting digital video, the combo should be amazing for videographers; in other words, Canon is looking to arm a whole new generation of Kickstarter filmmakers with the 70D, and has apparently done a very good job.
It also has some improvements in terms of expanded ISO capabilities, touch input via the 3-inch, high-resolution vari-angle display, boosted 7 FPS high-speed shooting modes, and built-in Wi-Fi, which offers live view shooting from smartphone apps, as well as camera-to-device transfers of photos and videos.
The new Dual Pixel CMOS AF works with 103 EF model lenses, including a lot of legacy glass, so it should fit nicely into an existing Canon kit. And the price tag isn’t crazy: $1,199 for body only, or $1,349 bundled with the 18-55mm IS STM kit lens, along with an EF-S 18-135 IS STM kit option for $1,549. All of the above should ship come September, according to Canon, so look to fall as a time when all those intro videos that preface Kickstarter projects start to get a noticeable production quality upgrade.
Jul 01
Looking to capture professional-quality video on the cheap? You’ve probably considered a DSLR, but for many users, an interchangeable-lens camera might not be the best pick. Camcorders and higher-end video rigs typically offer far more powerful autofocus capabilities, and while Digital SLR footage can look great, if you’re not tweaking the lens manually, things might not go as smoothly as you’d hope. Canon’s setting out to change that, with its brilliant new EOS 70D. On the surface, this 20.2-megapixel camera doesn’t venture far from its 60D roots, but internally, it’s an entirely different ballgame.
At the core of the 70D’s modifications is what Canon’s calling Dual Pixel CMOS AF. Essentially, the sensor includes twice the number of pixels in a (very successful) attempt to improve focusing. There are 40.3 million photodiodes on the sensor, and when they’re all working together, “it’s like 20 million people tracking the focus with both eyes,” as Canon explains. The result is camcorder-like focusing for both stills and video, when you’re shooting in live view mode. During our test with a pre-production sample, the device performed phenomenally, adjusting focus instantaneously when snapping stills, and quickly but gradually when recording video. Join us after the break for a closer look.
Gallery: Canon EOS 70D hands-on
Sep 24
It wasn’t too long ago that after all the rumors, Canon officially introduced the EOS 6D which seemed a bit of an in between the EOS 5D and the EOS 7D. That being said, we’re sure that there are Canon fans out there who are curious as to what the camera manufacturer could put out next. Granted it’s a bit early, plus Photokina has since passed, but according to some early rumors, it seems that come 2013, we can expect to see Canon introduce the 7D MK II, EOS 70D and the 700D. According to the rumors, these new cameras are expected to make use of a new sensor that will be introduced to Canon’s APS-C lineup which also means that the EOS 7D MK II will not be an APS-H camera as many had initially hoped for or thought of. Canon is rumored to be make the announcement in the first half of 2013, but given that we’re pretty far off, we suggest you take this with a grain of salt for now and be sure to check back with us at a later date for more updates!
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Canon EOS 4D referenced in video?, Canon PowerShot G15 revealed, Canon’s “fastest and brightest” compact camera to date,
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