What needs improvement in the 7D?

My contention is that the 7D is so good as it is that there really isn't much to improve on it, except possibly in the arena of video autofocus.

Which is to say, I think the 7D has the makings of a classic the way the 5D classic is, well, a classic.

So here's the question to the forum: is there anything you can think of that Canon will be able to do in the next 2 or 3 iterations of the 7D line that will make for a truly compelling upgrade from the current-generation 7D for someone who shoots still shots?

For me, I can't think of a thing that would be compelling. Yeah, there are some things that could be improved, e.g. low-ISO cleanliness (e.g., make the low-ISO performance when examining 100% crops equal to or better than that of the 5D classic at the same ISOs), but I don't see those things as being truly compelling.

So what do you think would make for a compelling reason to upgrade to a 7D successor for taking still shots (i.e., video improvements don't count for this thread)?


Edited to add: note that I don't really consider changing the sensor for a different sized sensor to really be a valid response here, because doing that would essentially create an entirely new camera (or, if the sensor is full-frame, another entry in the 5D line!). My intent with this question is what, if anything, Canon can do within the 1.6x crop family that would make for a compelling upgrade from the 7D for still-shot photographers.

There was a thread on this last year when it was first released so it'll be interesting to compare the responses now that people have had it for a while.

- User replaceable focus screen would make some people happier.
- True weather sealing would be nice.
- I would like to see even more customization available in button function assignments.
- My only real issue with it is the way the fps slows down in some lighting conditions.

None of those are truly compelling though. Compelling would be a larger sensor, maybe a 1.3 crop sensor like the 1d uses. Too bad that would bump the price so much higher.

krb wrote in post #10635506
None of those are truly compelling though. Compelling would be a larger sensor, maybe a 1.3 crop sensor like the 1d uses. Too bad that would bump the price so much higher.

At that point it wouldn't be a 1.6 crop camera anyway, and I'd have to consider it no longer a part of the lineage as such.

So it sounds like your take on it is much the same as mine: like the 5D (or perhaps to an even greater degree), Canon got the 7D so right for still shots that it'll be difficult to significantly improve on it.

The ability to set a max/min in shutter,aperture, and ISO

It's got all the features you'd ever want, and performance and handling can't really get much better without being a 1-series.

Main room for improvement would be in the IQ department, basically putting in a larger sensor. Maybe a new processor would help things.

Oh and yes, usable AF in video would be delightful

Generally though... I think Canon got the most out of it they could for that kind of price range, I don't think wrongly of any decision they made with it.

krb wrote in post #10635506
There was a thread on this last year when it was first released so it'll be interesting to compare the responses now that people have had it for a while.

- User replaceable focus screen would make some people happier.
- True weather sealing would be nice.
- I would like to see even more customization available in button function assignments.
- My only real issue with it is the way the fps slows down in some lighting conditions.

None of those are truly compelling though. Compelling would be a larger sensor, maybe a 1.3 crop sensor like the 1d uses. Too bad that would bump the price so much higher.

There is a user-replaceable screen, and there are many aftermarket ones out now.

I would add 5 AEB shots instead of 3, easily done in firmware.

I would add min and max ISO values for the auto-iso mode, again easily done in firmware.

screem wrote in post #10636103
The ability to set a max/min in shutter,aperture, and ISO

That plus a 3:2 screen like the T2i has. I think that's a must for any camera here on out. Screen should match the sensor.

I've been wondering over the past couple years, why does Canon use a smaller APS-C sensor than Sony & Nikon? Could they "upgrade" to a 1.5 crop and still have it work with EF-S lenses? If so, that would help the ISO performance (assuming they could resist the urge to try and break 20MP).

How about a fullframe sensor that used the inner portion when EF-S lenses are attached?

Bigger Raw + JPEG buffer, replacable focus screens like the 40D and 50D, clean low ISO, no slowdown in low light. Those are things Canon could do. I'd love the 1D's customizability, more AEB shots, min/max settings in a 7D but asking for that or 1.3x is unreasonable, Canon won't do it because they save that for the 1D (which is why I'm using old 1D bodies).

TeamSpeed wrote in post #10636178
There is a user-replaceable screen, and there are many aftermarket ones out now.

Know anyone who's done it? How does it mess up the metering? There is no support for it in custom functions unlike the 40D/50D/5D/1D.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #10636178
I would add 5 AEB shots instead of 3, easily done in firmware.

I would add min and max ISO values for the auto-iso mode, again easily done in firmware.

All of those are 1D features, won't see them in a 7D. Easy in firmware, been there for 10 years but still haven't moved them down for some reason.

I would have to dig around here on POTN, that is where this has come up before where folks were pointing out the aftermarket screens.

The T2i allows for ISO ranges to be set from what I can tell, unless I misunderstand...

I don't really consider changing the sensor for a different sized sensor to really be a valid response here, because doing that would essentially create an entirely new camera (or, if the sensor is full-frame, another entry in the 5D line!). My intent with this question is what, if anything, Canon can do within the 1.6x crop family that would make for a compelling upgrade from the 7D for still-shot photographers.

That said, a full-frame sensor combined with the current feature set would make for a compelling upgrade!

AF-linked spot metering. Both on 7d and 5D2.
Easy for Canon to do, and I would not accept any argument that one single feature would steal sales away from the 1D's or 1Ds's.

krb wrote in post #10635506
- User replaceable focus screen would make some people happier.
- True weather sealing would be nice.
- I would like to see even more customization available in button function assignments.

I definitely agree with these, especially the focusing screen issue. Only other thing I would add is better IQ/noise control at high ISO... since we're wishing for things.

Nearly everything suggested so far are 1D features, I suppose it is good to dream but Canon isn't about to cannibalize 1D sales for the feature's ya'll are looking to get.

Full frame is the funniest one, it's a 1.6 crop! Most of you, couldn't afford the price point of a camera with all of these features, or you would have bought the 1DMIV, which has most, if not all of them.

EDIT! Let me clarify something that doesn't sound right above. By "couldn't afford" I mean "wouldn't spend the money", if you have it or not. I can't say who can afford what here obviously.