Best Canon DSLR Cameras

Hey guys, I trust you are doing well? Remember my goal of raising enough money to be able to purchase some foodstuffs and clothing for motherless babies’ homes and also to purchase 3 items as reward for hard work on this website. Recall that the three items stated were a brand new phone, a laptop and a professional laptop. Following from my blogging goals, I write to identify the potential camera when I reach my goals (by God’s grace).

Following from the previous post of the value for money analysis of the top 5 Nikon cameras, I decided to proceed with the value for money analysis of the next camera brand which is the Canon. As stated in the previous post, the yardstick for ranking would be based on the three E’s of value for money namely Efficiency, Effectiveness and Economy. A fair note of warning though, the decision arrived at is based on my personal preference and budget, and there might be some bias. This means the camera chosen is not necessarily the best of the lot.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III Review

Canon EOS 5D Mark III is a full frame camera with substantially improved autofocus, faster shot to shot time superb metering and upgrades to video performance when compared to its predecessor, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. The Canon EOS 5D Mark III features a 22.3MP with exceptional still image and video recording capabilities while integrating Canon’s new DIGIC 5+ image processor and 14 bit A/D conversion.

This camera is a gem in low light situations with its extended ISO range up to 102400. Image quality is further enhanced by the new 61-point density reticular autofocus, including up to 41 cross-type AF points and 5 dual diagonal AF points for improved sharpness.

When it comes to video capabilities, Canon EOS 5D Mark III is top notch quality. It boasts full HD video with manual exposure control and in multiple frame rates, including 1080/30P and 720/60p.

Overview of the Canon EOS 5D Mark III

22.3MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
DIGIC 5+ Image Processor
3.2″ 1.04m-Dot ClearView II LCD Monitor
Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 30 fps
61-Point High Density Reticular AF
Native ISO 25600, Extended to ISO 102400
6 fps Shooting in RAW+JPEG
63-Zone Dual Layer Metering Sensor
14-Bit RAW Files and S-RAW Format
Magnesium Alloy Body, SD/CF Card Slots

Value for Money Analysis of EOS 5D Mark III

Efficiency: The Canon EOS 5DMark III is super-efficient with the newly included 61 point high density reticular autofocus and DGIC 5+ Image Processor which ensures that processing speed and power are increased to promote overall performance and response from all aspects of the camera.

Final verdict on Efficiency: 5/5.

Effectiveness: With the 22MP full frame CMOS sensor backed with the 61 point high density reticular autofocus, it is a sure bet that Canon EOS 5D Mark III would always produce high quality images.

Final verdict on effectiveness: 5/5.

Economy: Coming to the economy aspect of it, the camera is on the high side, with the body in a price group of 6/10 when compared with other camera’s in this list. Quick reminder though, the camera is meant for professional photographers or people like me who are looking to go into photography. Even with this, it is still a bit high as we have to purchase lenses to go with the body.

Final verdict on economy: 3/5

>>Click here to buy Canon EOS 5D Mark III on Amazon

Canon EOS 5DS Review

Canon EOS 5DS is another beast of a camera and one of the best professional cameras for photography in the world. It boasts an outstanding full frame 50.6MP CMOS Sensor. It has the ability to capture ultra-high resolution images suitable for large scale printing such as on billboards etc., and also for extensive creating cropping.

Its processor is an upgrade to the one previously discussed under the Canon EOD 5D Mark III, featuring Dual Digic 6 Image processors which ensures lightning fast speeds and top notch image quality. Like the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, the Canon EOS 5DS also has a 61 point high density reticular AF sensor with 41 cross type points enabling accurate autofocus. There is also a bonus of Canon’s EOS ITR (Intelligent Tracking and Resolution) which enhances performance by using information from the metering sensor.

Aside the many features listed above, the Canon EOS 5DS is designed to perfection, with a customizable view of focus points and grid lines, playback and live view composition with 1.04m- dot resolution and 170’ viewing angle on its 3.2” Clearview II LCD monitor. The Canon EOS 5DS also comes with a magnesium – alloy build for resistance, a PC terminal, an external microphone jack as well as HDMI out, 3 pin input and USB 3.0 compatibility.

As usual, before we assess this camera based on value for money, let’s take a brief overview of the camera.

Overview of the EOS 5DS

50.6MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
Dual DIGIC 6 Image Processors
3.2″ 1.04m-Dot ClearView II LCD Monitor
Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 30 fps
61-Point High Density Reticular AF
ISO 100-6400; 5 fps Continuous Shooting
150,000-Pixel RGB+IR Metering Sensor
Lowepro Photo Hatchback 16L AW Backpack
64GB SDXC Memory Card
4TB External Hard Drive

Value for Money Analysis of Canon EOS 5DS

Efficiency: The 50.6MP full frame CMOS sensor and autofocus system, leaves no doubt about its quality. Backing its efficiency and overall quality of the Canon EOS 5DS is the prestigious grand prix (GP) japan 2016 editors awards awarded to Canon EOS 5DS in 2016.

Final verdict on efficiency is 5/5

Effectiveness: The Nikon EOS 5DS alongside the Nikon EOS 5DS R are the pioneers of the 50MP camera, with other brands like Sony and Nikon wanting to follow suit. With the powerful CMOS sensor comes 61 point high density reticular autofocus and 150,000 IGB + IR metering sensor. Video recording is also crisp clear with video capability including HD 1080p capture at 30fps and a time lapse movie function which takes still photos at set intervals and combines them into a full movie.

Even with the above, I might still have to downgrade its effectiveness rating to a 4 beacause of the absence of a low pass filter.

Final Verdict on effectiveness: 4/5

Economy: The Canon EOS 5DS is adequately priced for its caliber and quality, but for me, there is no way I can afford that unless I want to go full time into digital photography. The Canon EOS 5DS is in a price group of 8/10 when compared with other cameras within this list.

Final verdict on economy: 3/5

>>Click here to buy Canon EOS 5DS on Amazon

Canon EOS 7D Mark II Review

The Canon EOS 7D Mark II is an adequately priced camera that features an APS – C – Sized 20.2MP CMOS Sensor, dual DIGIC 6 Image processors, and a top continuous shooting rate of 10fps. Though not a full frame camera, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II still holds its own against top cameras. It has a 65-point all cross-type phase-detection AF system and Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology and it is a performer in low light conditions with a low light sensitivity to a native ISO 16000 further expandable to ISO 51200.

When it comes to video capabilities, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II outshines some of the other well renowned FX cameras. It supports recording full HD 1080 p video in multiple frame rates of 60fps while also allowing recording of uncompressed video to optional external recorders via an HDMI connection.

Before we assess this camera based on value for money, let’s take a brief overview of the camera.

Overview of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II

20.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
Dual DIGIC 6 Image Processors
3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Clear View II LCD Monitor
Full HD 1080p/60 Video & Movie Servo AF
Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Live View
65-Point All Cross-Type Phase-Detect AF
Native ISO 16000, Extended to ISO 51200
10 fps Shooting at Full Resolution
Built-In GPS Receiver & Digital Compass
Magnesium Alloy Body Construction

Value for Money Analysis of Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Efficiency: For a crop frame camera, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II is a pretty efficient camera which leaves viewers of it pictures guessing if it was a crop body or full frame that took it. Also, the autofocus system gives you complete control when shooting.

Final verdict on efficiency is 4/5

Effectiveness: Even though it has a cropped sensor, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II still produces top quality pictures, and with a 65 point All Cross-Type Phase-Detect Auto Focus, there is little wonder why it is ranked so highly.

Final verdict on effectiveness is 5/5

Economy: The Canon is a semi pro camera suitable for me to learn with as it is easy to use and less complex than the aforementioned cameras. In a price group of 2/10, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II is adequately priced.

Final verdict on economy: 5/5

>>Click here to buy Canon EOS 7D Mark II on Amazon

Canon EOS 1-D X Mark II Review

This is officially Canon’s flagship model of the Canon DSLR lineup. The camera is a super beast of a camera boasting a 20MP full frame 20.2 MP CMOS sensor and dual DIGIC 6+ image processors. The EOS 1-DX features an outrageously good ISO range from ISO 50 – 409600.

Images from the Nikon D4S are marked by smooth tonal gradations and vivid, yet accurate, color reproduction as well as an expansive dynamic range. The D4S also features an ISO range of 100 – 25600 which is expandable up to a remarkable ISO 409600 to benefit working in difficult lighting conditions. It also has the capacity for continuous shooting of 16fps in live view, 14fps with full time AF and AE. The sensor and processor also avails the user DCI video recording at 120 fps, along with the ability to record on-board to a CFAST 2.0 memory card. It also allows for uncompressed full HD video to be saved via HDMI to an optional external recorder.

The EOS-1DX also boasts a 61-point high density reticular AF II system, which includes 41 point type points. Which makes it suitable for shooting I all kinds of lighting conditions.

Before we assess this camera based on value for money, let’s take a brief overview of the camera.

Overview of the Canon EOS-1D Mark II

20.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
Dual DIGIC 6+ Image Processors
3.2″ 1.62m-Dot Touchscreen LCD Monitor
DCI 4K Video at 60 fps, 8.8MP Still Grab
61-Point High Density Reticular AF II
Native ISO 51200, Expanded to ISO 409600
14 fps Shooting, 16 fps in Live View
Dual Pixel CMOS AF and Movie Servo AF
Built-In GPS, CFast & CF Card Slots

Value for Money Analysis of Canon EOS 1D Mark II

Efficiency: Come on, this is the flagship of Canon, You sure bet it is very efficient in doing what it does. With a dual image processor that is up to the mark and a 61 point high density reticular autofocus system, the Canon EOS 1-D X Mark II not only takes quality pictures but does so at amazing speed. Little wonder why the camera is highly treasured by professional photographers. The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II gets a 5 for efficiency

Final verdict on efficiency is 5/5

Effectiveness: Notwithstanding its lower megapixels, the Canon EOS 1-D X Mark II makes up for this with its 14 fps shooting with Movie Servo AF which offers smooth and natural focusing when changing from different subjects or different distances within the scene, as well as the ability to specify tracking sensitivity, AF speed and face tracking priority.

Final verdict on effectiveness is 5/5

Economy: The Canon EOS – 1D Mark II is ridiculously expensive but it is understandable why. It is in a price group of 10/10 for the body alone, it is way above my capacity and for that I would have to score it a 2 based on my personal preference.

Final verdict on economy is 2/5

>>Click here to buy Canon EOS 1D Mark II on Amazon

Canon EOS 80D Review

This is another top notch camera from Canon. Although not a camera with a full frame sensor, the Canon EOS 80D still produces amazing photos. The Canon EOS 80D features 24.2MP CMOS APS- C sensor and DIGIC 6 image processor. The Canon EOS 80D is able to record up to 7 fps.

When it comes to ISO sensitivity, the Canon EOS 80D has a native sensitivity of ISO 100 – 16000 which can be further be expanded to ISO 25600 to support working in low light conditions . Full HD 1080p Video recording is also supported at 60fps in the MP4 format.

Coming to its autofocusing capacity, the Canon EOS 80D has a 45 point AF system with a series of four AF area selection modes, including single point AF; Zone AF, where you can select from nine AF Zones; Large zone AF, which offers a choice of three selectable zones; and 45 point autofocus selection which allows the camera select a single point automatically.

Before we assess this camera based on value for money, let’s take a brief overview of the camera.

Overview of the Canon EOS 80D

24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
DIGIC 6 Image Processor
3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
45-Point All Cross-Type AF System
Dual Pixel CMOS AF
Expanded ISO 25600, Up to 7 fps Shooting
Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC
RGB+IR 7560-Pixel Metering Sensor

Value for Money Analysis of Canon EOS 80D

Efficiency: Having a crop sensor can be negative or positive. Negative in the sense that it might not work well for landscape and fashion photographers that need larger print size and positive in the sense that DX camera as manufacturers now manufacture smaller and low cost lenses cost much less than regular lenses for film and full-frame sensors.

Final verdict on efficiency is 4/5

Effectiveness: The Canon EOS 80D is very effective in taking crisp clear pictures, but unlike its counterpart crop sensor camera, EOS 7D Mark II, it has a 45-Point All Cross-Type AF System as opposed to the 7D mark II 65-Point All Cross-Type Phase-Detect AF.

Final verdict on effectiveness is 3/5

Economy: The Canon EOS 80D is in a price group of 2/10. This is pretty cheap considering the many features it is jampacked with. For this reason, the Canon EOS 80D is definitely getting a 5/5

Final verdict on economy is 5/5

>>Click here to buy Canon EOS 80D On Amazon

The Winner:

The winner based on my personal preference is Canon EOS 7D Mark II. Note, this might not be the best for you based on your preference or reason for purchasing the camera, but for me, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II moves to the final round.

Top 5 Canon Professional SLR Camera’s