Canon 80D Review

Canon 80D Review

With the Canon 80D, the EOS 70D gets an improved successor model. For example, a new 24-megapixel APS-C large CMOS sensor with dual-pixel AF is used for the video function. The phase autofocus has also been improved and now uses 45 measuring fields. Image processing is to be accelerated by the Digic 6 image processor; the Canon 80D achieves seven serial images per second. The video resolution remains at Full HD but now records up to 60 instead of only 30 frames per second.

A 24 megapixel resolving sensor is already known to Canon connoisseurs from the 750D/760D, but the sensor of the 80D is said to have been further improved.

The light sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to 16,000 and can be extended to ISO 25,600. The improvement of the sensor also concerns the Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which is used in Live-View as well as for video recordings.

It should now not only offer an improved AF speed but also have a finer autofocus control, for example for pull-focus effects in video recordings. Another new feature is that the Dual Pixel CMOS AF should now work with all EF and EF-S lenses.

Ergonomics And Workmanship

The camera works with 45 cross sensors and a sensitivity of -3 LW. The cross sensor in the center is particularly sensitive and supports especially F2.8 fast lenses for particularly precise focusing even with open apertures. 27 of the autofocus sensors also work with F8 low-light lenses or lens/teleconverter combinations, with nine of the 27 sensors still working as cross sensors.

Also improved is the light meter, which now has 7,560 RGB+IR metering pixels and, with flicker detection activated, ensures that the shutter is released at the right moment to achieve a constant exposure. If you want, you can switch the white balance to a white priority so that it works really neutrally instead of capturing the color mood in warm light.

Video recordings are made at maximum Full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) at up to 60 frames per second, stored in MP4 format.

Instead of the integrated stereo microphone, an external one can also be connected via the 3.5mm jack socket. New is the possibility to control the sound with headphones (also 3.5 mm jack).

The interval function allows the individual frames to be automatically combined to form a Full HD video. The rotating and swiveling 7.7 cm touch screen also allows unusual perspectives. It has a resolution of 1.04 million pixels. The classic SLR viewfinder has also been slightly improved. Although it still enlarges only 0.95 times (0.59 times compared to 35mm), it now covers 100 percent of the image field instead of 98 percent.

Like its predecessor, the Canon 80D enables continuous shooting at seven frames per second, but can now hold out for 25 raw or 110 JPEG shots if a UHS-I-SDHC/SDXC memory card is used. The EOS 80D enables wireless transmission of images to a smart device via WLAN and can also be remotely controlled via app. NFC makes it easy to connect to compatible smartphones.

The Canon 80D presents itself as luxuriously equipped as no other DSLR of the manufacturer. Strong image sensors, first-class professional features, and many modern extras hardly miss anything at first glance. No question, the Canon 80D has what it takes to become one of the best APS-C DSLRs. But why does it miss this goal – albeit only narrowly – after all? To anticipate: Unnecessary modesty would be the right answer with regard to some equipment features.

Image Quality For The Canon 80D

At the heart of the Canon 80D is a 24-megapixel sensor in APS-C size. The adjective “new” is deliberately missing because it is probably the same image chip that is already used in the sister models EOS 750D and EOS 760D.

The Canon 80D serves just over 1,700 line pairs per image height with a minimum light sensitivity of ISO 100. The high edge sharpness is maintained up to and including ISO 1,600. Even detail fidelity and noise remain in the good range until then. Shooting in twilight is therefore hardly a challenge for the DSLR – great!

From ISO 3,200, however, owners must show a willingness to compromise: Details visibly decrease, noise clearly increases. However, those who don’t search their shots with a magnifying glass or in the 100-percent view, respectively, should take it lightly. However, it becomes more critical in the highest ISO levels of 12,800 and 25,600. Even shots that are reduced by half are characterized by a lack of detail and image noise. For an APS-C sensor, however, this can be regarded as a solid result overall – even there is still air upwards.

 The 80D is likely to be criticized by videographers: The Canon model is limited to a maximum of Full HD and 60 full frames per second. Ultra HD, on the other hand, lacks any trace. It seems that Canon has artificially reserved 4K resolution for its top model EOS 1D X Mark II. This is also incomprehensible because the half as expensive competition, such as the Panasonic Lumix G70, has this feature. And because the Canon 80D with headphones and microphone connection including audio level control seems to have been created for professional filming.

Almost without exception, however, the pace is satisfactory. The series shooting at seven frames per second is fixed enough for animals, athletes and other dynamic subjects. About 140 JPEG images before the camera starts stuttering can also be considered remarkable. However, the high performance of the predecessor EOS 70D with unlimited series length is not quite achieved. In RAW format, the DSLR treats itself to small writing breaks after only 25 shots.

Specifications Of The Canon 80D

Canon 80D Datasheet