The messiah has arrived!

The messiah has arrived!

Although I hate to be cliche and quote a Bob Dylan classic but “the times, they are a definately a’changing”. Canon have released the details about their upcoming new DSLR the Canon 7D. I’m way more excited about this then the previous 5D MKII release for a number of reasons:
First of all there is the price. You’ll get the body for only $1699 and a kit form for only $1899US. It will probably be cheaper on the streets but thats over a grand saving over the 5D right there and puts it in the price point that anyone can afford.
Secondly Canon have listened, and they have listened hard. The 7D will have full manual controls and selectable framerates at 24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p. That’s ridiculously good news, even most prosumer cameras don’t offer that amount of framerates. 50p and 60p will only be available at 720p but that’s hardly much of a downer and will provide some awesome looking slow mo shots.
Thirdly, there’s wireless support that will allow you to control the 7D from a computer with wifi support in a browser. You’ll see what the camera sees and will be able to control its manual functions wirelessly! That’s in itself is so freaking awesome.
Fourthly the processing power has been upgraded, now there are 2 Digic 4 processors, akin to a dual core upgrade in computer terms. That means improved rolling shutter artifacts and better lowlight performance. The 5D was no slouch in the lowlight area so this thing must be able to see in the dark.
There’a many more improvements in the 7D and you can read them at the links below.
You can read an indepth review at dpreview here.
You can view some awesome looking footage shot by the 7D here.

Sure this thing isn’t fullframe like the 5D but I prefer tighter shots. I’m glad I have a selection of m42 glass as these will work fine on the 7D with an adapter. I just pity the people who laid out the bones or are flexirenting a 5D as the 7D just leaves it in the dust.

edit: I have since found out the wireless function only works with an add-on. The lowlight capabilities are also not quite as good as the 5D but some test shots suggest improved rolling shutter skew and less nasty moire effects.