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Introduction
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01.Sample Photos
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02.Design
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03.Product Tour
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04.Hardware
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05.Durability
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06.Photo Gallery
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07.Image Quality
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08.Sharpness
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09.Color
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10.Noise Reduction
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11.Dynamic Range
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12.Low Light
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13.Distortion
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14.Video
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15.Usability
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16.Ease of Use
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17.Handling
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18.Controls
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19.Speed
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20.Features
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21.Extras
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22.Video Features
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23.Specs & Ratings
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24.Conclusion
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25.Comments
Canon EOS 7D
Previous: Page 7
Image QualityNext: Page 9
ColorSharpness
Sharpness is good, image stabilization works, and high-contrast dynamic range is great, but chromatic aberration is visible at image edges.
Sharpness
Shooting with this high-quality lens, the 7D achieved a very respectable sharpness score. More on how we test sharpness.
 Click blue squares to change sample crops below |
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Image Stabilization (4.87)
The 7D outscored the comparison cameras in our group by a substantial margin, once again underscoring its suitability for shooting in difficult lighting situations.
The stabilization system built into the 28-135mm lens consistently reduced image blur caused by camera shake, earning a good score in this section. We test the effectiveness of image stabilization systems by mounting the camera in a specially designed rig that produces repeatable, controlled camera movements along the horizontal and vertical axes, at a low and a high rate. This simulates the effect of shooting standing reasonably still (low shake) and while moving, or with one hand (high shake). We shoot in each situation at shutter speeds ranging from 1/8 second to 1/500 second, with stabilization turned off and turned on. By comparing the resolution of the test photos,we determine the camera’s blur-fighting fitness.
Except for the fastest shutter speed, the Canon image stabilization system produced a significant improvement in our low shake testing, particularly against vertical shake at the tough-to-handhold 1/30 and 1/15 second speeds.
Even when we cranked the camera movement up to a higher level, image stabilization still produced a substantial improvement when the camera shook vertically.
| Image Stabilization Comparison Table | Expand | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Low Shake
IS Off |
Low Shake
IS On |
High Shake
IS Off |
High Shake
IS On |
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| 1/500 |  |
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| 1/250 |  |
 |
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| 1/125 |  |
 |
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| 1/60 |  |
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| 1/30 |  |
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| 1/15 |  |
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| 1/8 |  |
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The Canon 7D outscored all of the other cameras in our test group for image stabilization.
The following table shows same-size crops of representative photos from our horizontal shake testing, to help visualize the level of improvement we found under the different test conditions.
Shop for the Canon 7D
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