The Canon EOS 70D is definitely the first DSLR to arrive with an autofocus on-chip phase detection device that is not solely dependent on the contrast detection feature to ensure focus. This also helps this masterpiece to deliver quick and smooth autofocus while recording the videos, although in the dim lighting it falters a bit. The flip screen Canon DSLR EOS 70D is a perfect match for all canon shooters who want to go beyond their contemporary look without going to a complete frame. While it delivers very well in the video aspect, with the Nikon D7100, which has been widely considered as the most perfect DSLR in the mid price range, it falls a bit short, unlike canon flip screen cameras.
Pros
- Smooth video autofocus
- Lucid touch-screen LCD.
- Cutting edge pentaprism optical viewfinder
- Quick focus
- 7fps nonstop drive shooting
- Tons of physical controls
- Availability of vertical grip add-on
- Flash sync speed of 1/250-second
- Integrated Wi-Fi
Cons
- Live view autofocus falters in dim lighting
- Only a single SD card slot
- No built in GPS
- Absence of PC sync socket
- 1080p video confined to only 30fps
- Inability to record video with enabled WIFI
Canon EOS 70D Review
The Canon EOS 70D flip screen comes as the only traditional DSLR which offers the smoothest live view autofocus, even though it fails a bit to lock that focus in low light.
canon 70D review
Design and controls of Canon 70D
DSLR Canon EOS 70D with flip screen
The Canon EOS 70D is much larger in dimension, measuring 4.1 by 5.5 by 3.1 inches and weighing approximately 1.7 pounds. While the large size may be a limitation for few, the same is effectively compensated for by all the extra physical controls and a larger, heavier pentaprism viewfinder. The Pentaprism viewfinder can be viewed as an improved version of the pentamirror that was present in the Rebel T5i. It is quite a sturdy piece of glass along with a reflex mirror that directly diverts the light captured by the lens to your eye.
Although it won’t give you full frame coverage, Canon claims that almost 98 percent of the image captured by the lens will be delivered, with a bit of information missing from the edges. Well, that’s something where its rivals Nikon D7100 (best priced at Amazon only) and Pentax K-5 II (best priced at Amazon only) do better as they both provide your eye with 100% of the coming picture.
You’ll find Canon EOS 70D loaded with loads of controls right as you expect it from a typical DSLR. You will find a preview button at the edge of the lens mount to monitor the field’s depth. On the other hand, on the left of the eyepiece right at the top plate, you can see a mode dial control. It will come as locked so that you have to trigger it when pressing the center button. You will find the power switch right under the dial. To monitor the autofocus mode, ISO, drive mode and metering pattern, there is also a monochrome information LCD located to the right of the finder along with buttons ahead. In front of that, you’ll also find a small button that will allow you to monitor and change the shutter and the active focus points.
Functions of Canon 70D
Rear camera and focus points of Canon 70D
With all the info buttons and a menu, the rear front of the camera is very simple, along with a toggle switch that will allow you to switch between the still and video recording, with an inbuilt button to toggle the live view. You can find the AF-ON button right behind the information display to activate the focus, a lock button for exposure, along with a button to let you pick each of the Canon EOS 70D’s 19 focus points. While the Canon EOS 70D does not give as many focus points as the D7100, all of its focus points are briefly cross-typed.
Shutter Speed and ISO of Canon 70D
The image below was taken with Canon EOS 70d with 1/320 shutter speed
Flip-screen Canon EOS 70D dslr with shutter speed
A rear control dial along with a center set button will also be provided; in most of the modes, the given dial will allow you to directly access exposure compensation adjustment control. In addition, the Q button, one of the most common features of Canon SLRs, triggers a touch-sensitive menu directly on the rear LCD. It also provides smooth and quick control over the speed of the shutter, aperture, ISO, flash compensation, compensation for exposure, image type, focus mode, white balance, drive mode, measurement pattern, image quality, and all other settings for image optimization. You may find them similar to the normal on-camera controls, but a certain magic for the hands is generated by accommodating all of them in one place.
1040k-dot resolution
A vari-angle design comes with the rear LCD where the hinged display would allow it to swing to the side of the camera. In addition, to let you see it with the camera over your shoulders, at your hip, or positioned up front, it can also be angled. The 3-inch monitor is touch-sensitive and has an impressive 1040k-dot resolution and is fully loaded. While its powerful rival Sony Alpha 77 (best price at Amazon) also comes with a hinged display, with the entire hinged display system being a little different, there is no touch screen available.
The Canon EOS 70D also includes Wi-Fi much like the full-frame 6D (Best Priced at Amazon), but due to the lack of GPS, it still lags behind the 6D. You can quickly pass all the images to your smart phone or tablet with the free EOS Remote app, just like other Canon cameras. In addition, you can also print a shot on a Canon Wi-Fi printer, beam it to another Canon camera, display the shot via DLNA on an HDTV, or upload it to the web right away. You need to link the camera to your desktop or laptop in order to upload it to the web and then configure the type of web service you would like to use through the Canon Image Gateway service. The canon-provided EOS Remote app also goes well with a remote control. On the screen of your smart phone or laptop, you can see a live view stream, so you can easily monitor and adjust the focus point, exposure compensation, while still firing the shutter. The lack of full manual control is still a little distracting. In addition, when the Wi-Fi is on, you can’t record a video, and that is also one of the Canon EOS 70D’s main downsides.