Canon EOS 70D- The First EOS DSLR with Dual Pixel AF Technology

BRAND: Canon

BODY TYPE: Mid-sized SLR

TYPE: Canon EOS 70D

LEVEL: Enthusiasts (Semi-Professional)

Announced last July 02, 2013 and was open in the market last August 2013, the Canon EOS 70D is considered to be the first EOS Digital SLR camera to feature a Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, Canon's newly developed technology that improves the AF performance of capturing images and even full High Definition movies with on-chip phase detection autofocus system at the image sensor plane thus every single pixel effectively performs very well in Movie Shooting and Live View Mode. 

Canon EOS 70D is considered to be the successor of the Canon EOS 60D with full-packed upgraded features such as the 20.2 effective megapixels with 1.6x focal length multiplier complemented with the company's DIGIC5+ Image Processor and fully articulated 3.0 inches Clear View II TFT color Touch-screen LCD with 1,040,000 screen dots.  Aside of the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, the Canon EOS 70D comes with the compelling WI-FI technology from that of the Canon EOS 6D for sharing and transferring captured images allowing instant uploading to social networking sites. Additionally, the Canon EOS 70D can connect to a smartphone using EOS remote application. Moreover, the launch platform  of Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus comes with 63-zone iFCL metering system and 19-point AF system with cross-type of all point and sensitive to -0.5 EV.

The Front view of the Canon EOS 70D. Left image shows the Canon EOS 70D body with the cap while the right image shows the Canon EOS 70D body with open cap.

KEY SPECIFICATION FEATURES:

- 20.2 Megapixels (Effective pixels)

- APS-C Sensor size (22.5 x 15 mm)

- CMOS Sensor (DUAL PIXEL AF System)

- Digic 5+ Image Processor

- ISO 100-12800 (25600 with boost)

- Full HD video/Movie (1920x1080p at 23.976, 25, and 29.97fps)

- Built-in WIFI

- With Remote Control using RC-6 wireless remote or smartphone

- Single-axis Electronic Level

- 3.0 inches Clear View II TFT color Multi-Touch LCD screen (with 1,040,000 screen dots )

- Autofocus (Contrast Detect- sensor, Phase Detect, Tracking, Single, Continuous, Touch Live View, Face Detection, Multi-area, Center, Selective single-point)

- Max resolution at 5472 x 3648

- Shutter speed at 1/8000 sec (The maximum)

- 7.0 fps (Continuous Shooting Speed)

- With Viewfinder (about 98% coverage and .95x magnification)

- Environmentally sealed (Water and Dust Resistant)

- Silent shutter mode

- With panorama (image ratio of 16:9)

- In-camera High Dynamic Range (HDR)

- Multiple Exposure Modes (JPEG-only)

- 7 Creative Filters (Art Bold, Fish-eye, Water Painting, Grainy Black and White, Soft Focus, Toy Camera, and Miniature Effects)

- 63 Zone iFCL Metering System

- 19 Point AF system (All point cross-type and sensitive to -0.5 EV)

- Built in flash at 12 meters

- Optional GPS

- Exposure Bracketing of up to 7 frames

The Canon EOS 70D's fully articulated Multi-touch LCD Screen with the EF-S 18-135mm IS STM Lens.

CONCLUSION:
The newly-developed Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with the DIGIC5+ Image processor and complemented with many advanced features and well-designed interface makes the Canon EOS 70D a top-notch and impressive Digital SLR amongst many other EOS cameras available in the market. The newest technology offers an updated excellent performance with 19 Point Autofocus technology at all point cross type delivering smooth focus on every image pixel. 

Additionally, the Canon EOS 70D has higher burst mode which can shoot continuously at 7.0 frames per second higher than the professional EOS 5D Mark III which can fire up to 6.0 frames per second complemented with the "silent" shutter mode. Moreover, the Canon EOS 70D uses the lithium-ion LP-E6 battery pack which can shoot at approximately 920 shots with Electro-Viewfinder similar to the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and the Canon EOS 70D.

The connect-to-smartphone feature with its 3.0 inches at 3.2 wide Clear View II TFT color Multi-Touch LCD and fully-articulated Screen with 1,040,000 effective screen dots is one of the great features of the Canon EOS 70D  for shooting movies and even capturing images with awkward position not to mention its built-in WIFI for easy image sharing and transferring.

This may be a great camera for anyone who shoots Movie as it includes continuous focus and digital zoom (3-10x zoom) and may be one of the best EOS Digital SLR's for live view mode Canon manufactured yet.

The Rear View of the Canon EOS 70D with close LCD Screen. As you may noticed, the fully articulated screen is similar with that of the Canon EOS 60D and Canon EOS 600D.

REASONS TO BUY (PROS):

- Excellent image quality (with 20.2 megapixel)

- With Dual Pixel CMOS AF (Great for Live View and Movie Shooting)

- Fully-articulated 3.0 inches Clear View II TFT Multi-touched LCD Screen

- Expandable ISO at 25600 with boost

- With built-in wireless LAN function (WIFI enabled)

- With GPS (Image tagging/Geotags and location recording)

- Compatible with EF and EF-S lenses

- With Digic 5+ Image Processor

- Great for Videos/Movies with continuous focus(1920x1080p at 23.976, 25, and 29.97fps)

- Digital Zoom in Movie Mode (3-10x zoom)

- With AF micro-adjustment (similar to Canon EOS-1D X, Canon EOS 6D, Canon EOS 5D Mark III)

- Effective High Dynamic Range (HDR) with Multiple Exposure Modes

- Significantly lower noise at high ISO (6400)

- With Larger Viewfinder using Optical (pentaprism) with 98% coverage

- Longer Battery Life approximately at 920 shots 

- Environmentally sealed (Water and Dust Resistant)

- Impressive "silent" shutter drive mode

- With 7 Creative Filters for Fun shooting

- 7 frames per second shooting speed

- Remote shooting using smartphone

- 63 Zone iFCL Metering System

- 19 Point AF system (All point cross-type and sensitive to -0.5 EV)

WEAKNESSES (CONS):

- Dual Pixel AF does not allow autofocus tracking in burst mode

- Only 1 SD card slot

- Low Battery Life in Live View Mode at 210 shots
- No HDR in raw

Above image shows the Canon EOS 70D with and without the battery grip.

Above image shows the Top View of the Canon EOS 70D. As you may noticed, the mode is located on the left side of the body while AF, drive, ISO are located on the right side.

Above image shows the Bottom view of the Canon EOS 70D.

Above image shows the right and left side views of the Canon EOS 70D for comparison. The Card holder for the SD Memory card is located on the right side of the EOS 70D while both AV Out connection, HDMI port and the mic are located on the left side of the EOS 70D. The control button of the built-in flash is also located on the left side.