Take long-term focus with Canon

Snap: The Canon 700D can also shoot full high-definition video. Source: Supplied

WHEN it comes to Canon's camera range, improvements are easier to spot if you take a long-term view.

Five years ago, the "entry-level" EOS digital SLR was the 450D that boasted 12.2 megapixels and light sensitivity from 100 to 1600 ISO.

Jump forward to today and Canon has launched what it calls its "flagship entry-level DSLR", the 700D.

The megapixel count has expanded significantly in those five years, with the 700D offering 18 megapixels and a Digic 5 image processor.

An even bigger advantage is its ISO range, with the 700D able to shoot low-light photographs with a 6400 ISO that is expandable to 12,800. Basically, photos you would miss with an older DSLR because of insufficient light you can snap with the 700D.

While the 700D is a leap forward from its five-year-old predecessor, it's a small step up from the one-year-old 650D that shares many of its features.

Like the 650D, the 700D has a 3-inch articulating screen that is touch-sensitive, making it easier to navigate menus and, best of all, tap to choose a point of focus.

It can also shoot full high-definition video and has a stereo microphone for matching high-quality sound.

One of the key differences over the 650D is this camera's ability to see Canon's seven creative filter effects as a preview on the screen.

If you think that sailing boat in the harbour might be a good subject for the tilt-shift or miniature effect, you can preview the effect before you hit the shutter button.

Another new 700D feature is one of those "why didn't they do this before?" features. The mode dial you twist to choose a photo mode now rotates 360 degrees. If you want to swap modes, you can keep spinning it rather than stop and turn it back the other way.

The 700D sits comfortably in your hands and has a different coating than the previous model, which puts it more in line with higher EOS models.

The 700D shoots five frames per second and has a nine-point autofocus system. We tested the autofocus in low-light, shooting pictures of people around a campfire, and while it's not in the class of the 5D Mark III (which has a top ISO range of 25,600, expandable to 102,800), it did a remarkably good job for an entry-level camera.

The basic kit comes with the new EFS 18-55mm lens that also distinguishes it from the 650D.

Along with the built-in image stabilisation, the stepping motor lens range is designed to focus silently for better video shoots.

As a starting point to dive into the world of DSLR shooting, the 700D has enough features to make some older hands wish they were beginning over again.

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CANON EOS 700D

Canon, $705 (body only)

canon.com.au

Rating: 4/5

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