Canon rebel t7 reviews: Canon EOS Rebel T7 – Full Review and Benchmarks

Canon EOS Rebel T7 review: Excellent value for new and experienced photographers

As an avid content creator, I wanted to upgrade my camera, so I purchased the Canon EOS Rebel T7. On most weekends, you can find me at a racetrack taking pictures of late-model stock cars, so I need a camera that can catch the fast-moving cars with excellent clarity, and this Canon didn’t disappoint.

Though the camera model came out in 2018, it remains a great option both for those new to photography and for veterans of the craft. The Canon EOS Rebel T7 gains an improved 24.1-megapixel sensor over its predecessor, the T6, but otherwise the two cameras are identical.

You can find this camera for $479 on Amazon with the EF18-55mm lens included. You can also get it as a two-lens kit, with both the EF 18-55mm and EF 75-300mm lenses included, for $599 on Amazon. Though the two-lens kit is only $120 more expensive, if you buy the EF 75-300mm lens later that’ll cost $199 by itself. 

While this DSLR camera is one of the cheaper options when it comes to photography, I put it to the test to see how it stacks up against some of the higher-end mirrorless cameras.

Also: The best DSLR Cameras

Specifications and features

Before buying a camera, it’s always important to check the specs. With a 24.1MP sensor, this camera is very competitive with its Nikon and Sony counterparts. 

Megapixels

24.1MP

Frames per second (fps)

Up to 3

LCD screen size

3 inches

ISO range

100-6400

Shutter speed

30-1/4,000 sec.

Autofocus

9-point AF system and AI Servo AF

The Nikon D3400 and the Sony Alpha 7 II, the Canon T7’s closest equivalents from each brand, have a 24.2MP and 24.3MP resolution respectively, but both shoot video at 5 frames per second, while the Canon T7 shoots at up to 3fps. Though the Canon T7 lags in frames per second and megapixels compared with its counterparts, it makes up for it in price.

This camera features a Digic 4 Plus image processor, which enhances the quality of images by quickly processing high-ISO pictures — 60% faster than its predecessor. Additionally, with the T7’s built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, you can connect it to your mobile device, printer, Canon Image gateway, or even another camera.

Lastly, this camera is compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses, allowing you to find the perfect lens for portraits, nature photography, or whatever else your creative heart desires.

Also: The 6 best cameras

Design

As a Canon user for a couple of years, I found the company’s design is consistent and easy to navigate, which stands true with this camera. When put side-by-side with the Nikon D3400 and Sony Alpha 7 II, you can see that all the buttons on the Canon EOS Rebel T7 are neatly positioned on the right side of the camera. Having the buttons near the thumb rest makes accessing different settings on your camera much simpler. 

Josh Slate/ZDNet

As for the rest of the camera, the three compared here are similar across the board. The Canon T7 has a rotating knob at the top, which you can use to choose between 14 different modes ranging from automatic to food photography. On the top of the camera you’ll also find the on/off switch, the manual flash button, a wheel that allows you to change various settings, and most importantly, the shutter-release button.

What’s in the box?

In addition to the camera body, the EOS Rebel T7 base package gets you an EF-S 18-55mm lens, a battery and charger, and a high-quality strap included in the box. As I mentioned earlier, there are various kits you can purchase as well. 

You will also find a user’s manual that includes step-by-step instructions on how to set up your camera.

Let’s put it to the test

To get the most out of this camera, I went to a place I’m incredibly comfortable, a racetrack. I got the chance to be credentialed media at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina — a track with loads of history and a picturesque aesthetic. As well as the racetrack, I visited Romare Bearden Park in Charlotte, North Carolina, to capture shots of the skyline and the garden during the morning hours

Note that I used the EF 75-300mm lens, not the base EF-S 18-55mm lens, for all the photos from the park and most photos from the speedway. I’ve included which lens I used in the caption of each photo. 

Romare Bearden Park

Charlotte is a beautiful city, and it has a great park located in the heart of Uptown. I’ve never dabbled in nature photography before, but after a short time with this camera, I think I might start doing it more. 

Shot with the 75-300mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

The shots I was able to capture from the park required no editing and came straight from the camera. By using various settings and the nine-point autofocus, taking these pictures was a walk in the park, literally.  

Shot with the 75-300mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

Capturing the perfect picture is all about location and how well you can direct your camera’s focus. For the picture above, I wanted to see how well it captured the subject of the photo if there was an obstruction in the view. As you can tell, it did a great job of focusing on the waterfall fountain while blurring out the leaves in the foreground.

Shot with the 75-300mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

Overall, I was impressed with how these pictures came out and excited to capture more images of the outdoors in the near future.

Also: The 5 best DSLR cameras

North Wilkesboro Speedway

This racetrack is one of the most historic racetracks in stock car racing, and when the gates recently reopened, I knew I had to shoot some photos. I tested this camera’s ability to shoot fast-moving objects as the cars ran into the corners at over 100 mph. While I wasn’t impressed with the camera only shooting 3 frames-per-second in continuous shooting, I was still able to capture a lot of great photos from the track.

After adjusting my camera settings to the ever-changing lighting, I was able to capture some incredible shots of the cars.

Shot with the EF 75-300mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

Most of the pictures required minimal editing. With outdoor photography, every cloud affects what settings you need on the camera. After dealing with a rain shower, cloudiness, and sunshine, I was able to adjust the settings to get shots like these easily. 

Shot with the EF 75-300mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

While testing out how the camera worked with action shots, I also wanted to see how the camera performed when using it the capture the environment at the track. Here are two of my favorites from among those pictures.

Shot with the EF 75-300mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

Shot with the 18-55mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

Bottom line

There are better and newer cameras on the market than this one, but if you’re proficient in Lightroom or other editing software, you can make about any photo look good. Also, most of these photos required minimal editing, and I was able to take them straight from the camera to my flash drive. With camera prices ranging from a couple of hundred bucks to a couple of thousand bucks, having a camera that captures images and video effectively for cheap is ideal; this DSLR camera offers just that.

Though this camera doesn’t have 4k video capabilities, you can shoot in full HD at 1920×1080 with 30fps. If you will mainly be shooting video with this camera, it might be a better option to go with the Canon Rebel T8i.

Is it the most flashy and extravagant camera? No. Is it the best camera on the market for less than $1,000? Arguably, yes. And that’s why I highly recommend this camera to people looking to step into the realm of photography.

Alternatives to consider

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Overview and specifications Canon EOS Rebel T7

Contents of

  • Review Canon T7

  • History of the EOS Rebel T7 Series

  • Pluses and minuses

  • Grades and places in the TOP

  • Dimensions

  • Comparison of closest competitor sizes

  • Canon EOS Rebel T7 full specifications

Review Canon EOS Rebel T7


Released February 26, 2018,
Canon EOS Rebel T7 has 24 megapixels, refers to
SLR cameras
with APS-C
(22. 3 x 14.9 mm) CMOS sensor.


The Canon T7 comes with a 22.3 x 14.9mm CMOS sensor that measures 26.82mm (1.05″) diagonally.

– Full frame sensor

– Canon EOS Rebel T7

Canon T7 sensor resolution ~ 6000 x 4000 pixels.

Canon T7 has a Crop factor (Crop Factor): 1.61

The physical size of the sensor is 332.3 mm².

The matrix has a size of approximately 24,000,000 dots (pixels).

Series History

Model Year $ Matrix ISO Weight Dimensions
Canon T8i 2020 24 MP 100 – 25600 515gr 131 x 103 x 76mm
Canon SL3 2019 24 MP 100 – 25600 449gr 122 x 93 x 70mm
Canon 4000D 2018 18 MP 100 – 6400 436gr 129 x 102 x 77mm
Canon T7 2018 24 MP 100 – 6400 475gr 129 x 101 x 78mm
Canon SL2 2017 24 MP 100 – 25600 453gr 122 x 93 x 70mm

Pros and cons of the Canon T7


Let’s take a closer look at this camera. Consider the main pros and cons of the Canon EOS Rebel T7 and
compare EOS Rebel T7 with the closest competitors in
mirrorless cameras for beginners
.

Canon EOS Rebel T7 has an overall score of 63 out of 100 points
and is located at 100 out of 206
in its category, out of all 1222 cameras, it occupies 283 position .

Estimates Canon T7


Picture quality

Functions

Price-quality ratio

Portability

Overall rating

Average rating in this category


Picture quality

Functions

Price-quality ratio

Portability

Total estimate


Dimensions Canon T7


Canon EOS Rebel T7 has a weight of 475g and dimensions
129 x 101 x 78mm (5.08 x 3.98 x 3.07″). Category average weight
mirrorless for beginners
538 gr,
Canon T7
63 grams less than the average weight in his category.

Weight comparison


Mirrorless for beginners


Canon T7

Average weight

Minimum weight

Weight Limit

Thickness comparison


Mirrorless for beginners


Canon T7

Average thickness

Minimum Thickness

Max Thickness

Canon EOS Rebel T7 front view with dimensions:


Size comparison of

closest competitors


Model Weight EOS Rebel T7 Dimensions EOS Rebel T7
Canon T7i 532 g 475 g 131 x 100 x 76mm 129 x 101 x 78mm
Canon T6 485 g 475 g 129 x 101 x 78mm 129 x 101 x 78mm
Nikon D3500 365 g 475 g 124 x 97 x 70mm 129 x 101 x 78mm
Canon SL2 453 g 475 g 122 x 93 x 70mm 129 x 101 x 78mm
Nikon D3400 395 g 475 g 124x98x76mm 129 x 101 x 78mm
Canon T6i 555 g 475 g 132 x 101 x 78mm 129 x 101 x 78mm
Nikon D5600 465 g 475 g 124 x 97 x 70mm 129 x 101 x 78mm
Canon SL3 449 g 475 g 122 x 93 x 70mm 129 x 101 x 78mm

Specifications Canon EOS Rebel T7


support

General
Brand Canon
Model EOS Rebel T7
Released February 26, 2018
Type Compact SLR
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S
Manual focus
Focal Lens Multiplier 1. 6
Number of lenses 321
Macro focus range n/a
Shield
Screen size 3″
Screen type Fixed
Screen resolution 920k pixels
Touch Screen
Live View
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Optical (pentazerkalo)
Viewfinder resolution no electronic viewfinder
Viewfinder coating 95%
Frame cover 0. 5
Auto focus
Autofocus Touch
Continuous AF
Autofocus Single
AF tracking
Autofocus selection
Autofocus to center
Multiple AF
Live View autofocus
Face detection
Contrast determination
AF with phase detection
Number of focal points 9
Number of cross focus points 0
Photo specifications
RAW
Minimum shutter speed 1/30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 sec
fps 3. 0
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure mode
Exposure compensation
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9. 20
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye
External Flash
Exposure bracketing
Exposure bracketing range ±5EV
WB bracketing
Matrix
Matrix size APS-C
Matrix type CMOS
Matrix size 22. 3 x 14.9 mm
Matrix area 332.3 mm²
Matrix resolution 24 MP
Max. photo resolution 6000 x 4000
Max. native ISO 6400
Min. native ISO 100
Max. improved ISO 12800
Min. improved ISO 0
Video specifications
4K
Max. video resolution 1920 x 1080
Formats MPEG-4, H.264
Timelapse
Microphone port
Headphone port
Exposure modes
Multisegment
Medium
Point
Partial
AF-Area
Center alignment
Connectivity
GPS
Wireless connection
Bluetooth
HDMI
USB USB 2. 0 (480 Mbps)
Battery
Battery capacity 500 shots
Battery type Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E10
Physical
Weight 475 gr
Dimensions 129 x 101 x 78 mm
Environmental protection environments
Waterproof
Dust protection
ESD protection
Reinforced housing
Frost resistance
Memory
Memory type SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Flash slots 1
Other
Timer
Selfie friendly

New
mirrorless for beginners

Canon EOS Rebel T8i

24 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Canon EF/EF-S lens

Canon EOS Rebel SL3

24 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Canon EF/EF-S lens

Nikon D3500

24 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Nikon F lens

Canon EOS 4000D

18 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Canon EF/EF-S lens

Canon EOS Rebel T7

24 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Canon EF/EF-S lens

Canon EOS Rebel SL2

24 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Canon EF/EF-S lens

Canon EOS Rebel T7i

24 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Canon EF/EF-S lens

Canon EOS 77D

24 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Canon EF/EF-S lens

Nikon D5600

24 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Nikon F lens

Nikon D3400

24 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Nikon F lens

New
SLR cameras

Pentax K-3III

26 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Pentax KAF2 lens

Canon EOS Rebel T8i

24 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Canon EF/EF-S lens

Nikon D6

21 Mpx |
full size
CMOS
| Nikon F lens

Nikon D780

25 Mpx |
full size
BSI-CMOS
| Nikon F lens

Canon EOS-1D X Mark III

20 Mpx |
full size
CMOS
| Canon EF lens

Canon EOS 90D

33 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Canon EF/EF-S lens

Canon EOS Rebel SL3

24 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Canon EF/EF-S lens

Nikon D3500

24 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Nikon F lens

Canon EOS 4000D

18 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Canon EF/EF-S lens

Canon EOS Rebel T7

24 Mpx | APS-C
CMOS
| Canon EF/EF-S lens

Canon vs Nikon: Which camera brand is better?

You can’t go wrong with a mid-range or flagship smartphone if you need a great camera for capturing memories and casual shots. But to make your photography a work of art or even a livelihood, consider getting a professional camera.

There are many great camera brands out there. Companies like Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, and Leica have made great consumer and professional cameras. However, Canon and Nikon still can’t be beat when it comes to DSLRs and the lenses they offer. Canon EOS R5 vs Canon EOS R6 comparison: What’s the difference and which one is better?

So, if you are planning to become a professional or just want to learn photography as an artist, what brand of camera should you choose? Canon or Nikon

upgrade path

Canon and Nikon are the two largest camera manufacturers in the world. According to Statista, Canon’s share of the digital camera market is 45.8%, while Nikon’s is 11.3%. But if you look at the subset of DSLR sales, PetaPixel reports that Canon dominated it with a 59.8% market share, while Nikon dropped to second place with 33.9%.

Considering these details, Canon and Nikon certainly didn’t earn those numbers by offering low quality products. This is why finding the best camera brand based on image quality or usability is controversial and academic. These two attributes are usually in the realm of user preference, so it’s very difficult to be objective when comparing the two brands.

Instead, we will focus on camera and lens offerings. After all, if you’re buying an entry-level Canon or Nikon camera, you’re more likely to go down that path when upgrading.

Canon vs Nikon: Lenses

While most new users focus on camera performance, lenses are an important factor when choosing a camera brand. This is because lenses will last longer than most camera bodies. They are also more expensive, with premium and professional lenses costing more than the camera.

Canon currently offers three lines of lenses in its shop – EF/EF-S, EF-M and RF/RF-S. The EF/EF-S is designed for Canon’s EOS DSLR line and the EF-M is for the EOS M cameras. However, Canon integrates most of its lenses into the RF/RF-S for mirrorless cameras.

In total, Canon has about 77 lenses in three lines. There are 42 EF/EF-S lenses – eight APS-C DSLR EF-S lenses with a 1.6x crop factor (what’s a crop factor?), eight consumer EF lenses, 20 professional EF lenses, and six specialty lenses.

EF-M offers three telephoto lenses and three prime lenses (what are primary lenses?), while RF/RF-S contains 29. RF/RF-S is split into three RF-S lenses for mirrorless format cameras. APS-C, eight consumer RF lenses, 17 professional RF lenses and one special lens to create VR 3D stereoscopic 180 degrees.

However, it should be noted that Canon is gradually phasing out its DSLR business. This means that some EF/EF-S lenses are either out of stock or in stock.

Now let’s look at Nikon lenses. We’ll break down lens offerings into: camera type (DSLR vs. mirrorless), autofocus type (manual, in-body, or on-lens), and sensor format (1.5x DX crop factor or full-frame FX). Check out Planning to upgrade to a mirrorless camera? Why you should buy a DSLR lens.

First, we will count Nikon DSLR lenses. It offers 21 lenses exclusive to DX cameras, 38 autofocus lenses, 13 lenses that require the camera’s focus motor, and 11 manual focus lenses. This brings the number of Nikon lens options to 83 – and that’s just for DSLRs.

For its line of mirrorless cameras, Nikon offers a total of 35 – five DX lenses and 30 lenses for FX and DX sensor formats. This brings the total number of Nikon lens options to 118. The best part is that you can easily add most of them to your cart on the Nikon website.

Considering the sheer quantity and availability, Nikon outperforms Canon in the lens category. But no matter which brand you choose, you need to know how to choose the right lens for your style of photography in order to know which one to buy. Check out How to Choose the Best Lens for Portrait Photography.

Winner: Nikon

Canon vs. Nikon: DSLR Options

DSLRs generally fall into three categories: entry-level, mid-range, and pro-level. Let’s see what Canon and Nikon have to offer below.

Digital SLR cameras for beginners.

These are the most affordable cameras for $1,000 or less. It’s also what most consumers buy as their first camera. It is usually at this point that you determine if a person will use Canon or Nikon for the majority of their life. This is because once you invest in a camera system, it will be difficult and expensive to change it afterwards.

Based on our selection, Canon offers three models and Nikon only two. The Canon EOS Rebel T7 and Nikon D3400 are some of the most affordable cameras from each manufacturer.

canon price Production date Nikon price Production date
EOS Rebel T7 $399. 99 (set) March 25, 2018 D3500 $649.95 (set) August 3, 2018
EOS Rebel SL3 $649.99 April 10, 2019 D5600 $699.95 January 10, 2016
EOS Rebel T8i $749.99 March 12, 2020

As you can see from the table above, the Rebel T7 is the cheapest camera in the line, which already includes a set of lenses. Nikon’s entry-level offerings are 60% more expensive than Canon’s cheapest models.

Since beginners usually buy the cheapest camera, here we give the victory to Canon. This also has a domino effect as newcomers are more likely to choose Canon cameras and lenses when upgrading.

winner: canon

mid-range DSLRs

Mid-range DSLRs offer better performance and a more robust build than entry-level cameras. It typically takes more shots per second, has more I/O options, and uses a pentaprism viewfinder for a brighter lens. They usually range from $1,000 to $2,500.

canon price Production date Nikon price Production date
EOS 90D $1,199.00 August 28, 2019 D7500 $999.95 April 12, 2017
EOS 6D MK II $1,199.00 June 29, 2017 D500 $1,599.95 May 5, 2016
D780 $1,999.95 May 7, 2020

Canon has only two offerings at this level – the cropped EOS 90D and the full frame 6D Mk II. Both devices are priced at $1,199, although the latter was released for $1.

On the other hand, you have three options with Nikon. Both the D7500 and D500 are cropped DX cameras, while the D780 is a full frame SLR.

The mid-range category undercuts entry-level DSLRs – Nikon offers more options and also offers affordable mid-range DSLRs. But if you want the cheapest full-frame DSLR, you should go for the Canon EOS 6D Mk II.

However, the arrival dates of these cameras must be taken into account. The EOS 90D, released two years after the D7500, consistently performs best in reviews. The same can be said about the 6D Mk II and the D780 – since the latter is newer, it has better performance.

winner: Paint

Professional DSLRs

These are the most expensive DSLRs in the line, usually starting at $2,500 each. They also usually contain the best the camera manufacturer has to offer.

canon price Production date Nikon price Production date
EOS 5D MK IV $2,499. 00 September 2016 D850 $2,499.95 July 25, 2017
EOS-1D X Mk III $6,499.0 March 1, 2016 D6 $6,499.95 March 12, 2020

The Nikon D850 is only 95 cents more expensive than the 5D Mk IV. The same applies to the D6 and 1 DX Mk III. At this level, the difference in image quality and performance is minimal.

The most likely decision point for most buyers of these cameras is the equipment they already have. If they have a Nikon system they will probably deal with Nikon, but if they have Canon lenses they will probably buy a 5D Mk IV or 1D X. : mirrorless cameras

With the development of mirrorless camera technology, more and more users prefer mirrorless cameras over traditional DSLRs. After all, if you get the same quality and performance, why choose something heavier? In 2021, PetaPixel reported that Canon had put development on its EOS DSLRs on hold. Nikon will follow suit in 2022, according to Nikkei Asia.

Mirrorless cameras for beginners.

If you’re buying an entry-level camera and want it to last a long time, you should choose an entry-level mirrorless camera. As both Canon and Nikon move forward with this technology, you’ll find many new mirrorless models at all levels of the camera spectrum.

canon price Production date Nikon price Production date
EOS M200 $549.99 (set) August 25, 2019 Z 30 $609.95 August 5, 2022
EOS R50 $679.99 May 2023 Z50 $759.95 October 10, 2019
EOS R10 $879. 99 May 2022 Z fk $859.95 July 23, 2021

The M200 is the cheapest mirrorless camera. However, we don’t recommend them as EF-M lenses are no longer produced in favor of RF/RF-S lenses. The Z 30 is a great option because it’s relatively new, yet affordable.

But if you want to enjoy the latest technology from Canon, the R50 is the one to go for. Although this APS-C mirrorless camera is more expensive than the Z 50, it was released in May 2023. So you should expect Canon to include their latest developments here.

However, a better cheaper option is the Nikon Z 30. You can also opt for the Z fc if you want a camera that mimics the manual dials and controls of older cameras. For this reason, we’ll give Nikon the win in this category. Check What is a telephoto lens and what is it used for?

winner: Nikon

Midrange Mirrorless Cameras

Unlike midrange DSLRs that offer cropped and full frame cameras, midrange mirrorless cameras are exclusively full frame.

canon price Production date Nikon price Production date
EOS R8 $1,499.00 February 2023 Z5 $999.95 July 21, 2021
EOS R6 Mk II $2,499.00 January 2, 2022 Z 6II $1,699.95 October 14, 2020

The comparison table shows that Canon’s offer is much more expensive than Nikon’s. However, that’s probably because both cameras are newer – two to three years younger than the Z 5 and Z 6II.

In terms of performance, Canon’s mid-range mirrorless cameras barely outperform Nikon’s offerings. EOS R8 is the best choice. Although it is more expensive than the Z 5, it is much newer and more affordable than the Z 6II.

winner: canon

Professional Mirrorless Cameras

Buyers in this category don’t usually compare prices because they have to consider other equipment. So let’s take a look at what Canon and Nikon have to offer for professionals.

canon price Production date Nikon price Production date
EOS R5 $3,399.00 July 9, 2020 Z 7II $2,599.95 October 14, 2020
EOS R3 $5,499.00 January 27, 2021 Z 9 $5,499.95 January 24, 2021

The EOS R3 and Z 9 are the same price, but the EOS R5 is $800 more expensive than the Z 7II. The quality of these cameras is about the same, especially since they were all released at about the same time.

Someone who transitions to a professional mirrorless camera from their entry-level or mid-range offerings will likely end up with a brand they have invested heavily in. However, if one is considering switching brands, the Nikon Z 7II’s much lower price point might be tempting.

winner: Nikon

Canon or Nikon better?

If we record our results, we get the following details: two points for a draw, two points for Canon, three points for Nikon. That being said, we see that Nikon has a slight advantage over Canon. However, before you go out and buy a Nikon camera, you should first try it out for yourself.

As a former professional photographer, I have always recommended trying both brands to see which one works best for you. After all, once you’ve invested in a brand, you’re more likely to stick with it for the rest of your life.