Canon has killed off the EOS 7D series, report says
May 30, 2019
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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Recently, word of a newly certified Canon DC126801 32-megapixel APS-C sensor came out. It was suspected that this might find its way into potentially upcoming EOS 80D and/or EOS 7D Mark II replacement models. Now it looks like the latter option is well and truly being taken off the table.
Canon Rumors is reporting that Canon is killing off the EOS 7D line completely. Although it does seem like an EOS 90D (I’m assuming that’s what an 80D replacement will be called), might be a little beefier than we expected as a result, given the mention of the LP-E6 battery alongside the new 32MP sensor.
We have been told that a few dealers and distributors are a bit worried about what Canon has in store for the replacement to the popular EOS 7D Mark II, as those buyers also buy lenses, more than EOS 80D buyers do. Canon has apparently told a couple of dealers that this concern will be addressed sometime later in 2019.
– Canon Rumors
It’s a little surprising to me, but also not, that Canon is killing off the 7D line. It was announced in September 2014, about the same time as Nikon users were expecting a D400 to come along. The Nikon never came, and the 7D Mark II essentially became the new king of APS-C DSLRs. Then the Nikon D500 came along in early 2016 and I rarely saw people talking about the 7D Mark II anymore.
I really expected Canon to have announced a 7D Mark III by now, but bowing out of the “Pro crop body” race to concentrate on mirrorless isn’t necessarily a bad move, although it might upset existing 7D Mark II shooters.
But then, the next series down Canon’s product lineup is getting pretty advanced, too. We also saw this with Nikon when many decided to forget waiting for a Nikon D300s replacement in favour of the D7000 – the D90 replacement. It had many of the qualities of the “Pro” Nikon D300s a lower price tag and it offered 1080p 24fps video with full manual control. Many even lauded the D7000 as “the” D300s replacement (it wasn’t). The D7x00 series is why Nikon had to really push the boat out with the D500.
So we may see with an 80D replacement what we saw with the Nikon D90 replacement. That the series has just gotten good enough that it can, mostly, effectively replace the next model up. But rather than Canon developing something today that’s as groundbreaking as the D500 was in 2016, they look set to just abandon the line altogether.
This does make some sense, though. The camera landscape is different now to how it was in 2014-2016. Mirrorless is a real thing now and Canon is focusing a lot of their attention towards their EOS R lineup. Canon Rumors suggests that a 7D Mark II replacement might actually be an APS-C EOS R model. Personally, though, I don’t buy it. Canon already has an APS-C mirrorless lineup with the EOS M, and they’ve said that the RF mount is for their full frame mirrorless system.
There has also been talk that an EOS R replacement for the EOS 7D Mark II will require the RF mount to meet target focusing speed and accuracy. Apparently, there’s more to come with the RF mount that has yet to be revealed to the world. We were given no additional insight into what we haven’t been told.
– Canon Rumors
I suppose it’s possible that Canon has changed its mind about that, though, and is planning an APS-C RF mount mirrorless. How that would sit alongside the APS-C EOS M line of products is an interesting thought, especially as Canon has said they will continue to work with the EOS M system.
Regardless, an EOS 80D replacement is expected to be announced at some point this year. One can only hope that it will improve on the 7D product line’s legacy, or some people are going to be more than a little upset.
[via Canon Rumors]
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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19 responses to “Canon has killed off the EOS 7D series, report says”
I do not trust, just, 1 source claiming 7D is ended. CanonRumors has made mistakes in their assumptions in the past. Why would Canon stop the top-line of APS-C? As a user of 7D and switched a few years back to the mark II of the 7D. There is little to no known camera that can match (unless going FF), most available models are a big step-down from the 7DmII. Most new features where from the 1D-line, put in APS-C. If there will be a replacement, it is most likely in conjunction with an other 1D.
Marc, they’re not killing off a fast aps-c body. They’re either merging with a new version of the 80d or merging and than going mirrorless.
Please remember that less numbers is always better. Merging with an 80D is a huge step-down. 7DmII has already dual-digic6, 80D doesn’t. Even 6DmII can’t match the specs.
Marc, I think you misunderstand. The 80d is better in a lot of ways. Plus, maybe the “7D” isn’t updated, but that doesn’t mean the type of camera is discontinued. My guess is that there won’t be a 6d3 either. It will be an R body. Does that mean that entry level full frame is gone? Of course not… my guess is that there won’t be a 5ds(r) mk2 either, it will be a mirrorless version with high res. One needs to understand the difference between specs and names .
Canon entry level full frame path is pretty clear : EOS RP. They say the sensor is pretty much the one from the 6D Mk2.
I did not misunderstand you, but maybe you did misunderstand me! The moment, when I got to realize I hit the maximum I could get from my 7D. All other camera’s available had specs less than my current/new camera. The 7DmII had new features comming from de 1Dx series, It was like a test-run on a APS-C body. From the moment I got the 7DmII the limits I hit before where gone. And I have probably many years to come, before I hit this barrier again. Even the latest 6DmII does not meet the level I have with 7DmII. 70D/80D/90D will always be on the behind. Updated or not, the 7DmII is way ahead of its time. Sure: no movable touch screen, no wifi/nfc. But that is not necessary and I do not need that. Even comparison sites say that 7DmII is better! https://www.digifotopro.nl/content/canon-eos-7d-mark-ii-vs-canon-eos-80d [1 mistake found in this website: 7DmII does have DualPixel Auto Focus systeem]
Canon is consolidating their line-up. No surprise. Keeping the full line-up is expensive for Canon and their dealers. You can not expect Canon dealers to keep a full line of mirror DSLRs and their increasing line of mirrorless as well as lenses for both..
In the foreseeable future, I expect mirror DSLRs to be an ever decreasing number of models for the die hard, dinosaur amateurs and pros stuck with a large number of lenses. Don’t expect Canon or Nikon to retain their entry level Mirror DSLRs much longer. Not making their EF lenses compatible with mirrorless will end up having consumers reevaluating their brand loyalty for their next body purchase (even if the RF does promise to be a better mount).
This would be very disappointing and likely force me to jump ship..probably to Sony.
Liar. As if you’re going to jump ship.. How many thousands of dollars worth of Canon lenses do you have? And if you don’t have then who really cares?
Yes jump ship. I did. From Canon to Fuji to Sony. Why stay with a camera brand that crippled its cameras
I had 10 canon lenses and 20 years with them. I think I suffered enough. I had the canon 40D and waited 6 years to upgrade to 60D and that was expensive. I thought there was going to be this great change from 10mp to 18mp but the 40D photos looked way better. Plus Fuji’s lenses were better designed so I switched. Then Sony came with full frame mirrorless and Fuji at the time had bad off camera flash so I switched again. Yes if all you thought was money spent then you’ll never switch. But I though about time waste instead of dollars waiting for future tech and if you look at it, Canon and Nikon are still behind technology wise when it comes to Mirrorless. That’s what you are missing besides mirrorless let’s you adapt any lens there is. Yes there is autofocus adapters for EOS to Sony mount. So you don’t have to sell your lenses right away
Like when the 40d was disappearing
5DSR is dead. 7D is dead. 1DX Mark III will be the end of that line too. Goodbye mirrors, your time has passed.
This is stupid…..
Not sure what all the drama is about. Find used 7D bodies if you like that platform. Canon is making changes to compete in the market.
It’s quite right decision to merge those “high-perfomance”, “pro”,”enthusiast” crop body line together. Canon’s segmentation for camera is too complex and unintuitive for newcomer and even some Canon user. Market is shrinking, should the segmentation be as well. It’s no longer the right time you seperate customer’s base by releasing two identical bodies with only different of 200$ price tag and a little screen( 750D & 760D).
I have a friend who was a big time professional back when Canon switched
mounts from FD to the EOS system. He went to Nikon and never looked
back. I have about $5,000 in Canon lenses and will switch to Fuji if
this is true. Canon could just make a last stop gap Canon 7D mark III
without a total rebuild. Put in a new sensor, a flip screen back, and a
faster chip design. Minimal design effort maximum impact. Then they
could charge a little less and keep the legacy shooters going with there
canon lenses till the whole thing settles out a little more. If the 7D
mark III is dead now is the time to switch. Our Canon EOS EF lens
investment will die without new body’s, and no real replacement in site.
Now Fuji needs to make a Canon quality EF adapter for it’s cameras and
they will clean out the Canon users.
brother what do you think about Leica?
Ok…. I have one but I think Leica is the best! but for me that’s not cool what canon do