CANON EOS 800D (REBEL T7I)
Built for beginners but loaded with pro features, does this EOS DSLR offer value for money for the serious amateur?
Is this an ideal offering for enthusiasts?
Starting all the way back with the EOS 300D in 2003, the Canon EOS range of entry-level interchangeablelens cameras have always incorporated enticingly advanced features, many of which have trickled down from higher-end professional and semi-professional models. The EOS 800D (EOS Rebel T7i) has a slightly more complex relationship with its stablemates than past iterations, entering the Canon line-up alongside the EOS 750D and EOS 760D. All three feature 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensors and also share Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, along with Full HD recording.
While outwardly the 800D appears similar to its predecessors, there have been significant internal upgrades. The sensor itself is new-generation, having more in common with that found in the EOS 80D than the other entry-level bodies. When combined in operation with the new Digic 7 processor, image quality has taken a step up from the 750/760D. The new engine has enabled Canon to extend the ISO sensitivity of the 800D to ISO 51,200, up from ISO 25,600 on the 750D.
The camera handles image noise very well throughout the sensitivity range. Even at the highest setting, in-camera JPEGs retain impressive levels of detail, with chrominance noise all but absent and luminance ‘grain’ only problematic in the deepest shadows. There is some loss of colour saturation in images taken at these settings, but this can be remedied through in-camera JPEG customisation or in post-processing.
Colour reproduction is natural and punchy in out-of-camera JPEGs and there are a plethora of tint and tone customisation options. Probably the most obvious updates centre around the 800D’s autofocus system – a significant advancement on the 750D’s 19-point AF array. The new system features 45 AF points, all of which are cross-type, with 27 operational down to a maximum aperture of f8 (at which nine remain cross-type). The camera is quick to find focus in low and highcontrast lighting, demonstrating the upgraded -3EV low-light AF capability. The Al Servo continuous focus mode is a great introduction to action photography for beginners, although sometimes there was a noticeable pause when re-focusing between near and far subjects.
In terms of handling, the 800D is very comfortable to hold – the deep hand grip is contoured and gives the feeling of being able to hand-hold the camera securely on the move. The size and placement of the main mode dial allows almost full control of the camera when working one-handed, and all buttons are logically placed and easy to reach. The inclusion of touch sensitivity on the articulated LCD adds to its versatility and gives a true interactive feel to the selection of camera settings and navigation of menus.
The Canon EOS 800D would make a fantastic first DSLR – the helpful Guided UI, simple operation and extensive feature set make for a fully rounded package, equally capable of finding a place as a quality back-up camera for a working professional.