FIRST LOOK – Canon EOS 80D

In summary

The EOS 80D features a new 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6 processor, a new 45-point all cross-type AF system and an expanded buffer memory. The camera’s metering system and video capabilities are also upgraded, although movie recording remains limited to Full HD 1080p resolution.

Expanding the number of sensor points in the AF system from 19 in the D70 to 45 in the D80 provides a better base for accurate autofocusing, improved low light capabilities and more accurate focus tracking. All 45 points are cross-type and they can be selected individually or grouped into areas to enable fast and accurate focusing virtually anywhere in the frame.

The AF system can operate in light levels as low as moonlight (-3EV), while the central 27 in the array can operate at apertures as small as f/8. Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology carries over from the EOS 70D for Live View shooting and AF speed and AF tracking sensitivity are adjustable, providing a high level of control over the pace and responsiveness of focusing.

A new 7560-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor measures both visible light and invisible infra-red light for more accurate exposures. Flicker Detection ensures reliable exposures when shooting under artificial lights. A new White Priority setting in the white balance sub-menu helps to subdue the influence of warmer tones when shooting in artificial lighting.

The Intelligent Viewfinder display has been expanded and now covers 100% of the frame.

Aside from the higher-resolution sensor and new DIGIC 6 processor chip, the new autofocusing and metering systems are likely to be the most relevant to  Photo Review  readers. The expanded buffer memory could be significant to those who make frequent use of continuous shooting.

Full review

Canon’s new EOS 80D will replace the EOS 70D when it is released in late April.   Designed for enthusiast photographers, it represents a relatively minor upgrade that builds on the capabilities of its predecessor. The main improvements include a new 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6 processor, a new 45-point all cross-type AF system and an expanded buffer memory. The camera’s metering system and video capabilities are also upgraded, although movie recording remains limited to Full HD 1080p resolution.  

Canon’s new EOS 80D, shown with the pop-up flash raised and the new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM kit lens. (Source: Canon.)

Back view of the  EOS 80D with the monitor opened.(Source: Canon.)

Top view  of the  EOS 80D withthe new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM kit lens. (Source: Canon.)

The table below provides a quick comparison between the EOS 80D and the EOS 70D it will replace.

 What’s New?
Aside from the higher-resolution sensor and new DIGIC 6 processor chip, the new autofocusing and metering systems are likely to be the most relevant to Photo Review readers. The expanded buffer memory could be significant to those who make frequent use of continuous shooting.

Expanding the number of sensor points in the AF system from 19 in the D70 to 45 in the D80 provides a better base for accurate autofocusing, improved low light capabilities and more accurate focus tracking. All 45 points are cross-type and they can be selected individually or grouped into areas to enable fast and accurate focusing virtually anywhere in the frame.

The AF system can operate in light levels as low as moonlight (-3EV), while the central 27 in the array can operate at apertures as small as f/8. Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology carries over from the EOS 70D for Live View shooting and AF speed and AF tracking sensitivity are adjustable, providing a high level of control over the pace and responsiveness of focusing.

A new 7560-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor measures both visible light and invisible infra-red light for more accurate exposures. Flicker Detection ensures reliable exposures when shooting under artificial lights. A new White Priority setting in the white balance sub-menu helps to subdue the influence of warmer tones when shooting in artificial lighting.

The Intelligent Viewfinder  display has been expanded and now covers 100% of the frame. It is also easy to switch between the viewfinder and monitor screen, which carries over largely unchanged from the previous model.

A new 50p frame rate has been added to the camera’s Full HD 1080p movie recording capabilities, while a 25p option is added to the HD 720p menu. VGA recording is no longer offered but the camera can capture a time-lapse movie containing up to 3600 individual frames captured at user-selectable intervals. The EOS 80D includes both headphone and microphone inputs, allowing users to capture and monitor audio during a shoot.

Canon’s new DM-E1 Directional Stereo Microphone, shown on the EOS 80D  camera. (Source: Canon.)

Announced concurrently with the EOS 80D is the new DM-E1 microphone, which the first Canon-branded external microphone to be offered for use with the EOS cameras. A switch on the DM-E1 enables users to switch recording in stereo with 90^o/120^o directional characteristics and there’s a super-directional shotgun mode for recording monaurally in narrow areas. A   shock-resistant mount helps to reduce the mechanical noise that occurs with EOS cameras and EF lenses. Weighing only 110 grams and powered by one CR2032 button battery, the DM-E1 is compatible with the following EOS cameras: 1DX, 1DC, 1DX Mk II, 5D Mk II, Mk III, 5DS, 5DsR, 7D, 7D Mk II, 6D, 60D, 70D, 80D, M, M3.

Carried-over Features
 Although the EOS 80D is a bit lighter than its predecessor, the body design has changed little since the EOS 70D and both models are made from polycarbonate resin reinforced with glass fibre. Both cameras are splash- and dust-resistant and both include a pop-up flash with a GN of 12 (metres/ISO 100).

The same LP-E6 rechargeable lithium-ion battery as has been used in the 60D and 7D/7D II is also used in the EOS 80D. It’s CIPA rated for approximately 960 shots/charge when the viewfinder is used, a small improvement on the 920 shots/charge rating for the EOS 70D.

Built-in Wi-Fi and Dynamic NFC connectivity make it easy to connect the 80D to a smart-phone or tablet with Canon’s Camera Connect app. Users can send full resolution JPEGs to the smart device or connect to and control the camera via a PC for easy backing-up of images. Canon’s optional Connect Station CS100 provides a single accessible location for saving, viewing and sharing photos and movies online.

Conclusion
 In the 2.5 years between the EOS 70D and its successor, Canon has released seven DSLR cameras: four with APS-C sized sensors and three ‘full frame’ models. The most recent was the professional EOS-1D X Mark II, which was announced on 2 February.

The 80D provides some worthwhile improvements on its predecessor,  although they may not be enough to spur existing owners of 70D cameras to upgrade. It slots into the line-up just below the EOS 7D Mark II, which remains the ‘flagship’ model in Canon’s cropped-sensor range.

With its magnesium alloy body covers (compared with plastic in the 80D), maximum burst speed of 10 frames/second (vs 7 in the 80D) and larger buffer capacity, the EOS 7D Mark II is a more sophisticated camera in almost every respect, including weatherproofing. This is reflected in its price.

Going on the average asking price for the EOS 70D we would estimate the new camera’s price as being in the vicinity of AU$1200-$1400 for the body only. Canon currently has the EOS 70D listed in its online store for AU$1099 (a reduction in price from the previously-listed AU$1269), while the EOS 7D Mark II is shown priced at AU$2209 (body only).

We look forward to reviewing the EOS 80D ““ and the new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens announced concurrently with it ““ when review units become available.

SPECS  

 Image sensor: Approx. 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor with 25.0 million photosites (24.2 megapixels effective); built-in, fixed low-pass filter with fluorine coating
 Image processor: DIGIC 6
 A/D processing: 14-bit
 Lens mount: Canon EF (excluding EF-M lenses)
 Focal length crop factor: 1.6x
 Image formats: Stills ““ JPEG (Exif 2.3 compliant), RAW (14-bit Canon original RAW 2nd edition), any combination of RAW+JPEG, M-RAW+JPEG, S-RAW+JPEG; Movies ““ MOV/MP4 (H.264 intra-frame/inter-frame); Linear PCM/AAC audio
 Image Sizes: Stills ““ 3:2 aspect: 6000 x 4000, 3984 x 2656, 2976 x 1984, 1920 x 1280, 720 x 480; RAW – 6000 x 4000, M-RAW – 4500 x 3000, S-RAW –   3000 x 2000; Movies: 1920×1080 (Full HD) at 50p/30p/25p, 1280×720 (HD) at 50p/25p settings
 Image Stabilisation: Lens based
 Dust removal: EOS integrated cleaning system
 Shutter / speed range: Electronically controlled focal plane shutter / 1/8000 to 30 seconds plus bulb, X-sync at 1/250 sec.
 Exposure Compensation: +/- 5EV in 1/3- or 1/2-EV increments
 Exposure bracketing: +/-3 EV in 1/3- or 1/2-EV increments (can be combined with manual exposure compensation)
 Self-timer:   2 or 10 seconds delay
 Focus system: TTL-CT-SIR with a CMOS sensor, 45 sensor points (all cross-type), centre point is f/2.8 and f/5.6 dual cross-type), brightness range EV -3 – 18 (with center AF point, at room temperature, ISO 100)
 Focus modes: One-Shot AF, AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF, Manual focusing (MF), Single-point AF (Manual selection), Zone AF (Manual zone selection), automatic selection AF, Predictive AF up to 8 metres, Tracking sensitivity & Acceleration/deceleration tracking adjustment, AF Microadjustment
 Exposure metering: 7560-pixel sensor for RGB + IR metering, 63-segment TTL full-aperture metering with Evaluative (linked to all AF points), Centre-weighted average, Partial (approx. 6.0% of viewfinder at centre) and Spot (approx. 3.8% of viewfinder at centre)
 Shooting modes: Scene Intelligent Auto, Flash Off, Creative Auto, Special scene [Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, Handheld Night Scene, HDR Backlight Control, Food, Kids, Candlelight], Creative Filters, Program AE, Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Manual exposure, Bulb exposure, Custom
 HDR Shooting: Auto, +/-1 EV, +/-2 EV, +/-3 EV, Auto image align supported
 Multiple exposures: 2 to 9 exposures with Additive or Average exposure control
 Picture Style/Control settings: Auto, Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Fine Detail, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Def. 1 – 3
 Colour space options: sRGB, Adobe RGB
 Custom functions: 26
 ISO range: Auto ISO, ISO 100 – ISO 16000 (in 1/3- or whole-stop increments), or ISO expansion to H (equivalent to ISO 25600)
 White balance: Auto (ambience or white priority), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White fluorescent, Flash, Custom (1 setting can be registered), Colour temperature setting, WB bracketing (+/- 3 levels)
 Flash: Retractable, auto pop-up flash, GN approx. 12 (ISO 100, in meters), coverage to 17mm lens angle of view; integrated Speedlite transmitter
 Flash exposure adjustment: +/-3 EV in 1/3- or 1/2-EV increments
 Sequence shooting: Max. approx. 7 shots/sec. for up to 110 full-resolution JPEGs or 25 CR2.RAW files with a UHS-I certified SDHC or SDXC card
 Storage Media: Single slot for SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards; UHS-1 compatible
 Viewfinder: Eye-level pentaprism with 100% FOV coverage, 22mm eyepoint, approx. 0.95x magnification (-1 m^-1 with 50mm lens at infinity), -3.0 to +1.0 dioptre adjustment, fixed focusing screen, electronic level display
 LCD monitor: Vari-angle 3-inch 3:2 Clear View II TFT colour LCD with capacitative touch screen technology; approx. 1.04 million dots; 7 levels of brightness adjustment, Dual Axis electronic level display
 Live View shooting: 3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 1:1 aspect ratios, Dual Pixel CMOS AF system/Contrast-detection AF   system (Face+Tracking, FlexiZone-Multi, FlexiZone-Single), Phase-difference detection with the dedicated AF sensor (Quick mode), Manual focus (approx. 5x and 10x magnified view possible for focus check), 3 types of grid display, histogram, electronic level
 Playback functions: Single image display, Single image + Info display (Basic info, shooting info, histogram), 4-image index, 9-image index; highlight alert, Approx. 1.5x – 10x magnification, jump by 10 or 100 images, by shooting date, by folder, by movies, by stills, by rating, movie playback, slideshow (all images, by date, by folder, by movies, by stills, or by rating), movie playback; in-camera raw image processing, direct printing of JPEG and raw images supported
 Interface terminals: A/V out/digital terminal USB 2.0, HDMI mini (Type C, CEC-compatible), Wi-Fi with NFC, external microphone IN (3.5 mm stereo jack), 3.5mm terminal for headphone
 Power supply: LP-E6N rechargeable lithium-ion battery; CIPA rated for approx. 920 shots/charge
 Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx. 139.0 x 105.2 x 78.5 mm (body only)
 Weight: Approx. 730 grams (CIPA Guidelines, incl. battery and memory card)

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