Canon EOS 800D
Newcomers to DSLR photography are well served by Canon’s entry-level models. Does the latest addition to the range continue the trend? Audley Jarvis finds out
This latest entry-level DSlR is given a full appraisal by Audley Jarvis
Canon’s triple-digit EOS range has long been a popular option for those seeking either an upper entry-level or step-up DSLR. In recent years, Canon has muddied the waters somewhat by offering not one triple-digit EOS model at a time, but two. This has come to consist of a standard model alongside a slightly more advanced one. In 2015, this approach resulted in the launch of both the 750D and the 760D. The main difference between the two was that the 760D featured a top-plate LED display and dual control wheels, whereas the 750D lacked both and was purposely designed to be more beginner friendly. Fast forward to 2017, and Canon has introduced two new models to succeed the 750D and 760D: the 800D and the 77D. The 800D serves as the successor to the 750D, while the 77D is intended as more of a 760D replacement that is positioned just below the enthusiast-grade 80D.
Also referred to as the Rebel T7i for the US market, the 800D shares the same key specs of the 77D, although in keeping with the 750D/760D differences outlined above, gets a simplified controls in order to enhance its appeal with first-time and novice DSLR users. This deliberate simplification extends to button configuration, with the 800D getting a four-way directional pad on the back that, in addition to acting as a controller for AF point selection and in- camera Menu scrolling duties, also provides access to Drive Mode, White Balance, AF mode and Picture Style settings. The 77D, on the other hand, gets a rotating thumbwheel in its place that can be used as a secondary
control dial, allowing you to adjust shutter speed and aperture independently when using the camera in Manual mode. The 77D also gets an AF- ON button for regular users of back-button focus, an automatic eye sensor for the viewfinder and a small LCD display on the top-plate that pushes the main exposure mode dial onto the opposite shoulder. For these small differentiating features, the 77D comes with a £50 premium over the 800D. In virtually all other respects, the two cameras are identical.
Features
The 800D is built around a 24.2MP APS- C CMOS sensor – as used inside the more advanced 80D (£840 body only). While the 750D/760D also sported 24.2MP sensors, neither encompasses Canon’s Dual Pixel AF technology, so while effective resolution remains identical, the 800D’s sensor does represent a fairly big step forward – for reasons we will discuss in more depth shortly. Likewise, the 800D also employs Canon’s latest generation of DIGIC 7 image processor, as opposed to the DIGIC 6 chip found inside the 750D/760D. Canon claims that the DIGIC 7 is able to process data 14 times faster than its predecessor, which not only enables the 800D to provide a higher maximum burst speed of 6fps (compared to 5fps on the 750D/760D), but also to fire off a higher number of consecutive images when burst shooting. In addition, the new sensor and processor pairing also allows the 800D to offer a higher maximum native sensitivity setting of ISO 25,600 (along with the equivalent of ISO 51,200 in expanded mode). By way of comparison, the 750D/760D both offer a maximum native sensitivity setting of ISO 12,800 – with the equivalent of ISO 25,600 available in expanded mode.
Perhaps the most notable enhancement the 800D enjoys over its predecessors, however, is the addition of Canon’s Dual Pixel AF technology. Introduced with the EOS 70D in 2013, Dual Pixel AF is the name given to Canon’s proprietary on-sensor phasedetection technology. In practical terms, the main benefit of Dual Pixel AF is that it greatly speeds up focus acquisition times when the camera is being operated in live view. The way it basically works is that each pixel on the sensor’s surface is split into two individual photodiodes – one left and one right. Each of these can be read separately, thereby allowing them to be used for phase- detection AF purposes. Prior to the introduction of Dual Pixel AF, Canon DSLRs relied on contrast- detect technology and were known for providing fairly sluggish AF performance. The move to Dual Pixel AF therefore represents a big step up in terms of performance. Indeed, Canon claims that its latest iteration of Dual Pixel AF is the fastest on-sensor phase- detection technology currently available to DSLR users. Until now, the technology has been confined to models higher up in Canon’s DSLR range, such as the 80D and 7D Mark II, and this is the first time the technology has trickled down to Canon’s mid-range models. In addition, the 800D’s viewfinderbased phase- detection AF system has also seen a major revamp and now employs 45
individual AF points across the viewfinder, all of which are cross-type – an improvement from the 19-point system employed by the 750D/760D.
In terms of exposure modes, the 800D is well served by a generous range of options, including the standard PASM quartet for more experienced users, alongside Scene Intelligent Auto mode and 10 individual Scene modes (some of which can be selected directly from the Exposure mode dial) for point-and-shoot duties. Those wanting to get creative in- camera can take advantage of 10 built-in digital filters (including old favourites such as Toy Camera, Miniature effect and a trio of HDR options), or choose one of nine Creative Auto settings, each of which is designed to capture images with a unique ambience. JPEG processing options extend to Canon’s proprietary Picture Styles, of which there are eight presets and three User Defined slots to customise as you wish. In addition, the 800D also provides a range of in- camera lens- correction tools for minimising unsightly effects such as purple fringing and distortion, alongside the company’s longstanding Auto Lighting Optimizer tool to auto- correct image brightness and contrast.
Build and handling
As with previous triple- digit Canon DSLR models, the 800D is a compact, lightweight and neatly styled DSLR. While it does feel a little plasticky (a common trait of entry-level Canon DSLRs), overall build quality is actually pretty much on par for a camera of this price and specification. Inside the polycarbonate outer shell, the internal electronics of the 800D are protected by an aluminiumalloy chassis, which should provide ample protection against the kind of gentle knocks and accidental scrapes most cameras experience at some point in their lifetime. Unlike models further up the EOS range, the 800D’s body is not weather sealed, though, so you will need to keep it as dry as possible when shooting in wet weather.
For a DSLR of such modest overall proportions, the 800D’s handgrip is surprisingly deep and pronounced. With our averagely sized hands, we were comfortably able to wrap three fingers around
it, while the contoured thumb grip on the back of the body gives you something to brace your thumb against for a secure grip. With the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens attached, the 800D feels exceptionally well balanced, too. The camera’s physical buttons and controls are all clearly labelled, well spaced and have a reassuringly responsive ‘clicky’ feel about them when pressed.
The 800D’s optical viewfinder employs a pentamirror design that provides 95% scene coverage at 0.82x magnification – exactly the same as the 750D/760D. While the viewfinder itself isn’t overly large, it does provide a pin-sharp view of the scene through the lens. Below the main viewfinder window, the 800D displays a range of key settings including shutter speed, aperture, ISO and a metering/ exposure compensation bar.
Below the viewfinder, the 800D’s 3in, 1,040k- dot vari-angle touchscreen LCD display also carries straight over the 750D/760D models. The Clear View II TFT screen is of very good quality and displays captured images in great clarity with vivid colour and good levels of contrast while the camera is being used in Playback mode. The touchscreen is nice and responsive, too, and never misses a beat when it comes to inputting commands through the screen with your fingers. As with previous models, the screen is side-hinged to allow it to be extracted fully 180° from the camera body, from where it also rotates through 270°, enabling the screen to be positioned so that it faces the rear of the camera for regular shooting as well as the front for self portraits and suchlike. Naturally, you can
also rotate the screen for overhead and hip-level shooting. One small improvement the 800D does enjoy over the 750D/760D is the addition of an electronic level that can be used to get perfectly straight horizons. This is activated via the Info button just to the left of the viewfinder.
Autofocus
While the introduction of Canon’s Dual Pixel AF technology represents a significant step forward for those who like to work in live view mode, the 800D’s phase- detection AF system also sees notable improvement from previous triple- digit EOS models. More specifically, whereas the 750D/760D both used 19 cross-type AF points, the 800D inherits the same AF system used inside the 80D, which benefits from 45 cross-type AF points across the central portion of the viewfinder. While there is still a sizeable gap around the edges that isn’t covered, focusing remains speedy and precise with a working range of -3 to 18EV at ISO 100. But moving between all these focus points can be a slow affair, first requiring a push of the AF area selection button on the camera’s shoulder, then lots of presses of the d-pad buttons.
Switching to the 49-point Dual Pixel AF live view system, the working range drops slightly to -2EV to 18EV at ISO 100. Either way, that’s still pretty good and enables the camera to attain focus even in dim conditions. When used in live view mode, you can set the active AF point via the rear touchscreen, simply by tapping on the subject you want to focus on. Canon also provides a Touch Shutter function that automatically captures an image once the camera has attained focus on the chosen subject. Servo AF is also available in live view mode for shooting moving subjects alongside One Shot AF for stationary subjects.
Performance
The addition of the newer DIGIC 7 image processor certainly makes a difference as far as burst-shooting performance goes. With a 16GB SanDisk Extreme Pro Class 10/U3 SDHC card inserted, we were able to record 25 consecutive raw images at the maximum 6fps with AF-S employed. By way of comparison, the 750D could only manage eight frames at 5fps before slowing down. Switching to Raw+JPEG capture, the number drops to around 22 images. In JPEG capture, there appears to be no upper limit, aside from the size of your memory card and the amount of battery charge remaining, of course.
JPEG image quality is, as we’ve come to expect from Canon DSLRs, very good indeed. Even with the camera set to its ‘Standard’ Picture Style setting, colours are deep and vivid with good levels of contrast. Of course, if you want to boost saturation then there’s a ‘ Vivid’ Picture Style to choose from, whereas if you’re looking for something flatter, the ‘Neutral’ option will give you precisely this. Matrix metering from the 7,560-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor proves consistently accurate in all but the most extreme high- contrast situations, resulting in evenly lit images that are neither too dark nor too bright. Likewise, Automatic White Balance also serves up consistently accurate colour.