Canon Announces Canon EOS 80D

Canon, today on the 18th February 2016, announces a new DSLR to their line up, the Canon EOS 80D, successor to the popular Canon EOS 70D. The Canon EOS 70D is a pretty capable DSLR camera that I reviewed previously in 2013 and I bought it off from my friend David at a later stage. I am currently using more of the Canon EOS 70D over my other DSLR camera, the Canon EOS 1D Mark III, till I get hold of the Canon EOS 1DX Mark I in the near future. Being a current owner of the Canon EOS 70D, I know first hand on the capabilities and limitations of this model. Today, with the announcement of the Canon EOS 80D, I looked at the technical specifications and there are significant improvements to it from EOS 70D to 80D. The 45-point AF system with f/8 support at 27 points impresses me, a significant improvement!

The Canon EOS 80D, in my personal humble opinion, based on the technical specifications and news that I read, it’s an even more capable DSLR camera for fast paced photography and it also combines the power and capabilities of improved video recording, allowing the photographer to shoot stills and they can also produce quality video clips as well.

Let me share with you more information and pictures from the press release information –

Canon today launched the new EOS 80D, successor to the popular EOS 70D, together with the new EF-S18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM kit lens compatible with the newly developed Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1. The EOS 80D takes imaging quality to the next level with features such as an all-cross type 45-point AF system, DIGIC 6 image processor with a 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, and ISO speed expandable to 25,600.

“Following the success of the EOS 70D, Canon continues the quest in pushing the limits of imaging quality. The new Canon EOS 80D empowers photographers with greater creative possibilities, and will appeal widely to photography enthusiasts looking to bolster their photography skills to the next level,” said Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore. “Armed with a new kit lens and enhanced features such as the all cross-type 45-point AF system and 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, the EOS 80D is primed to deliver picture-perfect clarity and high image quality in every single frame.”

EOS 80D body (4)

Greater precision and control with the new AF system

The new EOS 80D boasts an all cross-type 45-point AF system, with f/8 support at 27 points. This is a significant leap from the previous all cross-type 19-point AF system available on the EOS 70D. Additionally, the AF area has also been widened both horizontally and vertically, enabling higher precision in tracking subjects in movement. With an increased minimum luminance to EV-3 at the centre AF, photographers can be confident of the EOS 80D performance even in low-light conditions.

With its 45-point AF system, users have greater versatility and control in situations where there are unpredictable subject movements by toggling between Single-point AF, large zone AF, or 45-point automatic selection.

The new EOS 80D also comes equipped with an intelligent viewfinder with approximately 100 percent coverage, a first in Canon’s mid-range DSLRs. The intelligent viewfinder enables users to easily view useful information such as AF areas, aspect ratio line, electronic level, flicker detection, et cetera. With the ability to check the image range in its entirety, photographers can focus on their desired picture composition without worrying about unintended objects at the edge of the image (common in DSLRs with a smaller viewfinder coverage area).

The EOS 80D is armed with an advanced AF system and a new mirror drive mechanism that reduces mirror bounce, in turn reducing vibration and shutter sound for faster and quieter continuous shooting at up to 7 fps. These capabilities make the DSLR the perfect companion for a wide variety of occasions, from action sports to events where silence is important, such as a theatrical performance.

 EOS 80D body (5)

Top notch image quality, smarter performance

Taking performance a notch up, the EOS 80D is equipped with a new 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor which renders higher resolutions images in sharp detail. Paired with the fast and powerful DIGIC 6 image processor, and ISO speeds of up to 16,000 (expandable to 25,600, or 12,800 for movies), users can obtain consistently high quality images under varying situations, including night photography, wildlife, sports, or indoor shots where using flash is not suitable.

The EOS 80D is armed with the new Canon EOS scene analysis system, capable of analysing AF, Auto White Balance, and Auto Exposure to determine the type of scene being composed and adjusting the optimum system settings for the desired image. The incorporation of the 7,560-pixel RGB + IR metering sensor in EOS Scene Analysis also addresses high frequency light flickers imperceptible to the human eye. For indoor shoots under artificial lighting, enabling the anti-flicker mode helps users with better control of their images to minimise irregular exposure and colours.

The new Colour Tracking AF feature intelligently seeks out AF points by detecting skin tone, thus placing priority on human subjects when it comes to focusing. This improves accuracy of auto exposure, bringing to focus the faces and expressions of subjects when taking portraits.

EOS 80D kit lens (4)

Brilliant movies with EOS Movie

With Canon’s advanced imaging technology, shooting vivid and expressive Full HD 60p movies is made incredibly simple on the EOS 80D, especially with its enhanced AF system. Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, also available on Canon’s newly launched flagship EOS 1D-X Mark II, enables users to switch focus from a foreground subject to a background subject quickly and simply by touch focus on the vari-angle touch panel. With Movie Servo AF Custom Speed, users can achieve focus racking with adjustable AF speeds of 10 different steps, allowing videographers more flexibility for creativity when filming to achieve cinematographic effects.

When shooting in varying lighting conditions, the EOS 80D’s HDR movies feature enables users to manage scenes with high contrast in light while preserving the scene’s details even at full HD resolution. This is accomplished by shooting each frame in both standard exposure, and underexposed. The underexposed version would retain all the details of the image, and combining both frames of the video will result in a video of optimum exposure with great clarity.

New Creative Filters have also been added to create new looks for videos. These filters include Dream, Memory, Miniature, Old Movies, and Dramatic B&W. With these filters, users can experiment and make fun short films to share with friends and family via the EOS 80D’s multitude of sharing capabilities[1].

EOS 80D kits lens (2)

New zoom lens and equipment stretches line of sight

Together with the EOS 80D, Canon has launched a new kit lens, the EF-S18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens, along with additional optional accessories geared towards enhancing the usage experience for photographers. The new kit lens provides zoom range flexibility and is equipped with a new Nano ultrasonic motor (USM) to achieve high-speed, quiet, and smooth AF for shooting both stills and movies.

Coupled with the optional Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1, movie shooting is enhanced with quick, quiet, and smooth operation enabling users to achieve smooth and gradual zooms. Zoom speed is controlled by operating the SLOW/ FAST switch and can be adjusted to 10 levels of incremental speeds.

By connecting mobile devices to the Wi-Fi access point on the camera, users will be able to use the Canon Camera Connect app to remotely control the zoom with up to 15 incremental levels.

The Directional Stereo Microphone DM-E1 is also introduced as an optional accessory and enables users to capture better aural quality for their videos from a wider range. This accessory is compatible with the EOS 80D and any other EOS camera equipped with movie shooting functions and an external microphone jack.

EOS 80D w Power Zoom Adapter 2

Pricing and availability

Pricing and availability of the EOS 80D, kit lens and accessories will be advised at a later date.

Product specifications

EOS 80D

Dimensions: Approx. 139 x 105.2 x 78.5mm

Weight: Approx. 650g (body only)

Image sensor: 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor

Imaging processor: DIGIC 6

ISO speed: 100-16,000 (expandable to 25,600)

Continuous shooting speed: Approx. 7 fps

Maximum video quality: Full HD 60p

AF: 45 cross-type AF points

Wi-Fi/ NFC: Yes

LCD: 3” (approx. 1.04 million dots) vari-angle touch panel 

EF-S18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens

Focal length: 18-135mm

Maximum aperture: f/3.5-5.6

Minimum focusing distance: 0.39m

Maximum magnification: 0.28x

Lens Construction: 16 elements in 12 groups

Filter Size Dimension: 67mm

Aperture blades: 7

Dimensions (L x W): Approx. 96.0mm x 77.4mm

Weight: Approx. 515g

Directional Stereo Microphone DM-E1

Directivity: Super directivity (SHOTGUN: monaural) / Single directivity (90°/120°: stereo)

Sensitivity: -42 dB (SHOTGUN: 1 kHz, 0 dB=1 V/Pa)

Dimensions (W x H x D): Approx. 40.0 x 84.0 x 130.0 mm/1.57 x 3.31 x 5.12 in.

Battery: One button lithium cell battery CR2032

Weight: Approx. 110 g/3.88 oz. (main body only)

Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1

Dimensions: Approx. 83.5 x 36.5 x 73.5mm

Weight: Approx. 120g (main body only)

Powered by: 4 AAA batteries

[1] Wi-Fi, NFC, Canon iMAGE GATEWAY (CiG), Canon Camera Connect

*Information and Pictures Courtesy of Canon Singapore and Ogilvy Public Relations Singapore*

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