New Autofocus Features Allow More Control of Focus Tracking While Shooting Video

Canon announced the EOS 7D Mark II at Photokina this week, upgrading the original 7D's video capabilities by increasing the maximum frame rate of 1080p video to 60 and adding the option to recording using all-intraframe (All-I) and interframe (IPB) codecs.

The camera supports recording to .MOV (with linear PCM audio) as well as .MP4 (with AAC audio) files, and the mini HDMI port supplies a clean 8-bit 4:2:2 image (plus stereo audio) for outputting to an optional external recorder. Dual CF and SD card slots are on board.

The 7D Mark II includes the second generation of Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF auto-focus technology (although it's turned off when shooting at 60p), including new Movie Servo AF features — user-selectable adjustments to autofocus speed and tracking sensitivity that help the camera track moving subjects across 80 percent of the image area. Naturally, an intervalometer is built in for time-lapse photography, while the camera's GPS receiver can record location information, including camera direction and UTC, to still and movie file metadata.

A cable protector is designed to guard the USB 3.0 and Mini-HDMI ports. Headphones can be used for monitoring audio, and audio levels can be adjusted during a recording. The camera is powered by a new LP-E6N lithium ion battery pack that's backward compatible with the existing LC-E6 battery charger.

It's no slouch for still photography, either, boasting an attractive 10 fps rapid-burst shooting mode and a standard ISO range of 100–16,000 (expandable to 51,600). The imager is a new 22.4x15mm APS-C (crop-sensor) format CMOS sensor with an effective resolution of 20.2 Megapixels (5472×3648).

The camera body weighs 29.9 oz (820g) and measures approximately 5.85 inches wide by 4.43 inches high by 3.08 inches deep.

The EOS 7D Mark II is expected to ship in November for an estimated list price of $1,799, or in a kit with a bundled EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM lens for $2,149. A new battery grip (BG-E16) and Wireless File Transmitter (WFT-E7A Version 2) will be available later, with price and shipdates to be announced.