The 7D's IQ at the pixel level

[Romy Ocon]

A friendly female Brown Shrike allowed me to test the image quality of the 7D's tiny pixels under good lighting and at optimal ISO 200 (where noise isn't too much a factor yet). This can be an IQ reference to those who are curious about the 7D's output. ;D


Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus, migrant, female)
Habitat - Common in all habitats at all elevations.
Shooting Info - Candaba wetlands, Pampanga, January 14, 2010, 7D + 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 700 mm, f/7.1, ISO 200, 1/400 sec, Plain Tina bean bag, manual exposure in available light, near full frame




100% crop at the 7D's native pixel size - processed and sharpened to the point where artifacts are nearly visible (to maximize detail):





The crop above is downressed to correspond with the 40D's pixel size (downressing = 75%, or 3888/5184 pixels), then a touch of sharpening was added to counteract the softening of downsizing. In my subjective experience, this downressed crop appears to have more detail than when a 40D is used in the same shooting situation. No surprise there though, as all tests in the net agree that the 7D resolves more detail on a per frame basis than any previous xxD body.




Now, if only the mid-ISOs are as clean as the 40D at the pixel level, I'd have been as happy as Neon let loose at Candaba after a jail term........ ;D

[Lydia Robledo]

I borrowed my nephew's 7D and used it with my 300mm F4L - oh my, the craving set it immediately, I had to disengage my lens as fast as I could. I got a better understanding of how addiction can pin one down. A short experience can already lead to withdrawal symptoms. I can beat it! No, no... except when it is delivered to me from the heavens, not falling from the sky, please. telyd

[Romy Ocon]

Jan 18, 2010 5:02:39 GMT Lydia Robledo said:

I borrowed my nephew's 7D and used it with my 300mm F4L - oh my, the craving set it immediately, I had to disengage my lens as fast as I could. I got a better understanding of how addiction can pin one down. A short experience can already lead to withdrawal symptoms. I can beat it! No, no... except when it is delivered to me from the heavens, not falling from the sky, please. telyd

Hehehe..... you're in danger of being seduced by the 7D's AF and fast frame rate, TeLyds!


Seriously, unless you're into video or BIFs, there's very little that the 7D can add to what your 40D can do. I'd suggest lusting after a 300 2.8 IS instead. ;D ;D ;D

[Bobby Kintanar]

Hehehe, better get the 7D already telyds! The 300 f/2.8 weighs in at 2.5 kilos, and costs more. Hehehe. Go for it na! :-)

[Edu Lorenzo Jr]

Jan 18, 2010 5:38:15 GMT Romy Ocon said:

Jan 18, 2010 5:02:39 GMT Lydia Robledo said:

Seriously, unless you're into video or BIFs, there's very little that the 7D can add to what your 40D can do. I'd suggest lusting after a 300 2.8 IS instead. ;D ;D ;D

YIKES!! I better stay away from this thread! ;D

[William Lim]

Seriously, unless you're into video or BIFs, there's very little that the 7D can add to what your 40D can do.

Hi Romy, incredible details. I have a 40D and is happy with its performance but not with BIF's. What is holding me back from the 7D is the noise issue. I hope it will be resolved.