Canon EOS 70D Pro Reviews

The Canon EOS 70D is a first-rate 20.2MP DSLR and gives one of our favorites, the Nikon D7100, a very good run for the money. We really like the operability and still quality of both. However, the Canon really trumps Nikon on the video front. Canon’s new Dual Pixel AF technology is a real winner. Given its combined still and video results, the 70D gets our Editor’s Choice Award. But Canon please do something with that Wi-Fi software.

There's no doubt that live view use (as well as movie capture) is becoming more widespread amongst DSLR users. Until now though its always felt like a bit of compromise in use, with most systems offering a relatively clunky user experience that's easily overshadowed by system cameras in this area. But with the arrival of the Canon EOS 70D's 20.2MP Dual Pixel CMOS sensor, I have to say I'm generally impressed with its swift performance in live view. It's not quite on par with the best system cameras though, but it's now a pleasurable user experience that can be relied upon, rather than a clunky mode that's only often used out of necessity. The results from the new sensor don't disappoint either and while it doesn't quite have the same headline grabbing resolution as the Nikon D7100, its still very good, while image noise performance is handled extremely well for both JPEG and Raw files. Comfortable to hold, the 70D is nicely put together and the touch-sensitive display works seamlessly with the camera's on-body controls to deliver a very well rounded and satisfying camera to shoot with. To sum-up then, the 70D is a very impressive piece of kit that does so many things very well, while the Dual Pixel AF sensor will no doubt revolutionise the way AF performs on a DSLR. For the enthusiast photographer, the EOS 70D is one of the most complete DSLRs available.

Until we see Dual-Pixel CMOS AF inevitably make its way across the EOS range, we'd recommend the new Canon EOS 70D as the APS-C camera to go for if you're currently considering a mid-range DSLR camera. It offers a winning blend of features, performance and image quality that is hard to beat, both by its EOS brothers and other manufacturers' offerings. The new EOS 70D marks a real step forward for both Canon and the venerable SLR camera.

The long-awaited Canon 70D comes packed with a groundbreaking new technology -- Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF system -- that provides on-chip phase detection autofocus at every single pixel. That means a DSLR can finally record video with full-time continuous AF that's truly camcorder-like, with smooth racking and exceptional subject tracking. And it improves Live View AF to the point where using the LCD monitor feels almost as fast as traditional viewfinder shooting. The 70D also gets an upgrade to 20.2 megapixels of resolution, as well as compelling Wi-Fi features that include remote image capture with full exposure controls. The camera may not wow enthusiasts looking for significantly better still image quality, but the Canon 70D marks a serious step up for photographers wanting pro-level video performance and quality.

Many cameras involve some compromises in what you can take, but the 70D suffers from little if any of those limitations. It can quickly respond to a wide variety of situations, taking high quality stills, tracking fast action through the viewfinder, shooting high speed bursts and confidently refocusing for movies. These make the 70D one of the most capable all-round cameras I've tested, even if the star of the show is the continuous movie AF. And if continuous AF while filming is important to you, then you've definitely found your camera.

Offering most of what an enthusiast looks for in a digital SLR, the Canon 70D takes it a step further with excellent live view and movie mode autofocus. Good continuous shooting performance and Wi-Fi simply serve to sweeten the deal.

The Canon EOS 70D delivers the smoothest Live View focus we've seen in a traditional D-SLR, but it can struggle to lock that focus in dim light.

I wanted to give the camera an image quality rating of 7.5; it's very good, but overall not quite as good as the D7100, all things considered. It's unfortunate, because the rest of the package -- excellent autofocus system, streamlined shooting design and appropriate feature set for the price -- adds up to a camera I really like.

A few minor niggles but still a consummate all-rounder – our new favourite enthusiasts' SLR

A stunningly fast new autofocus system makes the 70D a seriously tempting DSLR

The new dual pixel AF feature noticeably improves focus during video and live view, as promised, this will be particularly impressive and useful for those who shoot with Canon lenses for video or live view use, although at the expense of battery life, which drops dramatically from the otherwise excellent 920 shots offered. However, for those that are simply looking for a high performance digital SLR style camera with no lens preference, the price of the 70D is noticeably more expensive than the competition with alternatives offering a weather sealed body, higher resolution sensor (D7100, A77), faster continuous shooting (A77, 12fps), a smaller body and lenses (E-M5, GH3), as well as extremely fast live view focusing (A77, E-M5, GH3), and within Canon's own range, the Canon EOS 7D offers quicker continuous shooting. For videographers the 70D with touch screen control over focus point will be extremely appealing, and the microphone socket is useful, although no doubt some will wish for a headphone socket as well. For those that are looking for a true Digital SLR with an optical viewfinder, combined with very good live view, and excellent video focus (with STM lenses), the Canon EOS 70D delivers, whilst also delivering that all important Canon feature: High Image Quality. The Canon EOS 70D delivers excellent colour and has almost everything you could wish for in a Digital SLR.

The 70D represents the DSLR in the post-mirror age. If you're looking for an all-rounder when it comes to both still images and movie capture then there's no other pure DSLR out there that can offer such a varied and successful feature set. It's the camera's autofocus systems that wins out though. The Dual Pixel AF system truly closes the gap on the compact system camera market when used in live preview and movie capture modes, while the viewfinder-based 19-point cross-type autofocus system works swiftly in both single and continuous autofocus. We've been genuinely impressed how each system works independently depending on how you use the camera - and there's no compromise for one or the other. A revelation when considering how poorly the Canon EOS M functioned. It's a shame that the 70D's viewfinder doesn't offer a 100 per cent field-of-view, but otherwise a strong feature set - including that 3-inch, tilt-angle touchscreen - counters at almost every other avenue. Great new technology, great image quality, and great in use - there are only a few nitpick shortcomings to the Canon EOS 70D. Otherwise it's as close to redefining the mid-level DSLR sector as we've seen in recent years. It sure does earn its stripes; this is the colonel of cameras and deservedly so.