Canon EOS 7D Professional Products 2010 Brochure - Page 23

TECHNOLOGY AF points display Hide all Grid display Spot metering display Dual Axis Electronic Level display Single point AF Spot (single-point) AF AF point expansion Zone AF Auto Selection AF Professional Features New Stellar AF System: Fast, Precise and Reliable Now that top- performing DSLR cameras capture images at resolu- tions exceeding that of film, the technological AF sensor unit challenges to ancillary systems, such as autofocus, are renewed and magnified. While camera makers have embraced multipoint AF as a performance- enhancing technology, one fact remains: multiple AF points are useless unless accom- panied by sufficiently "intelligent" subject identification and tracking capabilities. In the EOS 7D, Canon has again risen to the challenge: The new AF system, which includes an advanced viewfinder and Intelligent Viewfinder technology dramatically improves autofocus performance, giving photographers better, sharper images with more intuitive control in more shooting situations. • New 19-Point All-Cross Type AF Sensor The EOS 7D features a newly developed AF sensor that employs 19 cross-type AF points in a densely-packed pattern covering a large central portion of the image area. Canon uses an all-cross type design because cross-type AF points are more accurate and excel at discerning diverse or difficult image patterns. All 19 cross-type AF points are f/5.6-sen- sitive, making them ideal for predictive tracking. The center AF point is additionally f/2.8-sensitive, providing enhanced focusing sensitivity and precision, especially with large-aperture lenses. The center AF point and four additional frequently used points also feature a novel, twoline staggered alignment sensor configuration, which reduces detection error and further improves focusing accuracy. This staggered sensor alignment also enhances subject detection capability under extremely unfocused conditions, enabling the AF system to rapidly recapture focus control. • AF Correction Based on Light Source High-resolution images, such as those captured by the EOS 7D, can be rigorously scrutinized using photo-editing applications on a computer. That means small capture errors which might have gone unnoticed in the past are now more easily revealed, errors, such as slight focusing inaccuracies, that photographers may not necessarily be able to correct "after the fact" in post-processing. AF error caused by different light sources can be troublesome to photographers who do most of their shooting in artificial light. Because each color in the visible spectrum has its own unique index of refraction, images that form on the AF sensor naturally have chromatic aberrations. This can become a problem because each type of light source has a different spectral balance. (For example, compared to most artificial lighting, sunlight is rich in the red end of the spectrum.) Chromatic aberrations, consequently, vary with light source, and an AF sensor calibrated for daylight can introduce slight focusing errors in artificial light. Canon has developed an innovative solution to this problem: Light metered by the EOS 7D's new iFCL metering is passes through dual layer color filters, enabling the detection of relative red and blue spectral content. This information is transferred and processed by the AF system, which applies corrective action as required. By effectively detecting the type of light source and compensating for differences, this technology eliminates yet another source of potential AF error, ensuring accurate focus under a wider range of shooting conditions. • New Intelligent Viewfinder Integral to the advanced EOS 7D AF system is a newly developed Intelligent Viewfinder that provides a bright, precise, and highly informative "heads-up" display. The viewfinder specifications are impressive. The EOS 7D not only provides approximately 100% coverage; it does so at 1.0x magnification. At 1.0x magnification, the viewfinder image is more natural and less tiring to the eye, especially during long shooting sessions. Moreover, the EOS 7D viewfinder has an uncommonly wide 29.4° angle of view, which produces a large, highly detailed image. The viewfinder has a high eyepoint of 22mm, and allows dioptric adjustment in the range of -3 to +1m-1 ("m-1" is an international unit for dpt (diopter)). 109 The new viewfinder design is also highly informative and seamlessly integrated with the advanced AF system, creating the Intelligent Viewfinder. By using an advanced transparent liquid crystal display focusing screen, the EOS 7D Intelligent Viewfinder enables the superimposition of various graphic overlays in the viewfinder that aid immeasurably in composition and photographic decision-making. For focusing, the 19 AF points are displayed together, singly, or in groupings corresponding to the focusing mode selected. A Spot metering circle and Grid Display can also be displayed. The Intelligent Viewfinder can also display the new Dual Axis Electronic Level, which provides indicators to help the photographer achieve a horizontally level and non-pitched camera position when required. A Hide All mode turns off all superimposed displays, providing a clean, unimpeded view when desired. When shooting in low light, the LCD can be illuminated to more clearly show critical viewfinder information. Viewfinder Information Spot metering circle < > Single AF point < > Spot AF (single point) Grid Area AF/ Zone AF frame Battery check Exposure level indicator ±3 The Canon design has negligible effect on perceived brightness and clarity. What makes this possible is the use of a large, highgrade prism, similar to the one used in the EOS-1D series cameras. The eyepiece lens is made of high-refraction glass to control aberrations and produce a clearer image. Overall brightness and acuity are further enhanced by the use of a special anti-reflective coating in the prism. Below the image area within the viewfinder, the information display has also been improved. There is now a battery check indicator, and the exposure level indicator has been expanded to ±3 stops. Arrows have also been added to the ends of the exposure level indicator to warn of an off-the-scale setting. Unprecedented Exposure Control and Accuracy The EOS 7D incorporates a sophisticated new iFCL AE sensor unit (Intelligent Focus Color Luminance) metering system that features advanced use of both color and AF information in addition to luminance. At 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor R wavelengths G wavelengths B wavelengths First Layer (receiving light) Second Layer (receiving light) its heart is a newly developed 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor, which is linked to the 19 AF points. The system enables Evaluative, Partial, Spot (center only), and Center-Weighted average metering modes. Partial metering covers approximately 9.4% of the viewfinder area, while spot metering covers about 2.3%. Metering sensors have historically exhib- ited increased sensitivity at the red end of the light spectrum. This has made photographing predominantly red subjects problematic, as the metering system would frequently take an inaccurate red-biased reading, causing under- exposure. The Canon iFCL system comprises a color measurement function that can detect the relative amounts of red and blue wave- lengths in the image. A proprietary algorithm then analyzes the color content and, if red dominance is detected, accordingly makes corrections to the metered value. Advanced new algorithms also utilize AF information more effectively in the metering system. A novel defocus map method uses information from the 19 AF points to determine the portion of the viewfinder image that corre- sponds to the subject in the frame. Because the 19 AF points detect the amount of defocus, the point that achieves focus and all adjacent points with similar distance readings define the subject area for the purpose of metering. Without this method, even a slight change in the position of the focus point over the subject could cause a wide swing in calculated expo- sure. The subject area gleaned from the AF data is used rather than relying on a single AF point. The result is more consistently correct exposure, even in difficult lighting conditions. Exceptional Dependability and Durability 150,000 Cycle Shutter Rated for 150,000 shutter cycles, the professional-grade shutter assembly in the EOS 7D offers sturdy durability and advanced capabilities. It also ensures high precision and outstanding performance, providing a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 second to 1/60 second, X-sync at 1/250 second and continuous shooting speeds of up to 8 fps at the camera's full 18.0 Megapixel resolution. The refined design of the shutter also enables the EOS 7D's extensive Live View shooting capabilities. Rugged Construction The EOS 7D is an agile, easy-to-handle camera, yet it is also a rugged tool capable of withstanding professional heavy-duty use. The top, front and rear covers of the body are made of magnesium alloy, known for its outstanding strength and light weight. Furthermore, by integrating the camera grip with the front cover, Canon engineers have achieved excellent body rigidity. The body's basic chassis is constructed of stainless steel for robust durability and long-term mechanical reliability. This construction also ensures reliable electromagnetic shielding for added data protection. Dust- and Weather-Resistant Seals and gaskets have been added at key points throughout the EOS 7D camera body to ensure a high degree of resistance to dust, moisture and other adverse environmental conditions. Seals around the battery compartment and memory card slot cover, in particular, have been improved for added protection from the elements. These measures make the EOS 7D a versatile DSLR, ideal for use in a wide variety of shooting situations, including demanding professional assignments. Highly Durable Finish The EOS 7D features the same high-grade body finish as the top-of-the-line EOS-1D series cameras. The textured grip surface provides added handholding security. The matte finish is resistant to wear, ensuring a quality look and feel even after an extended period of regular use. 110