Canon officially unveiled the EOS 7D last week, confirming the largely accurate leaks that it would introduce a new category of camera aimed at pros and high-end amateurs that sits between its top-range full-frame models and its mid-range APS-C format bodies such as the 50D.

It offers high frame-per-second burst speeds and HD video capture in a robustly designed camera body that will be priced significantly less than Canon's 5D or 1D series models. Costing around £1700 when it goes on sale in the UK early next month, the 7D delivers many of the shooting features of the 5D and top-range 1Ds Mark III, but not their 21 million pixel resolution full-frame sensors.

Instead it uses a newly designed 18 million pixel APS-C CMOS sensor, together with dual Digic4 processors, and features such as an ISO range that extends to 12,800 equivalent, and continuous shooting at eight frames per second. The 7D also features an 'improved' 19-point cross-type AF sensor, which has a range of manual and automatic settings, including Zone and Spot AF to track and capture subjects quickly and accurately, says Canon. It adds that 'AF settings are highly customisable, allowing for rapid reaction to changes in the scene', and that 'different AF points can be set for vertical or horizontal orientation, so photographers can automatically switch between landscape and portrait shots without touching a button'.

The camera uses a new metering system, Focus Colour Luminance (iFCL), which 'intelligently measures focus, colour and luminance across 63 zones'. Canon adds that 'complementing the 19 AF points, the dual-layer sensor is able to gather information from each distinct zone to obtain a more accurate and consistent exposure'.

Its newly designed viewfinder delivers 100% coverage, with 1x magnification, which is a first for an EOS design. 'A transmissive LCD incorporated in the viewfinder allows photographers to choose between various overlay features - such as AF points, the spot metering circle and composition grid - providing a range of tools that help when framing a shot,' says Canon. 'The 7D is also the first EOS to introduce a Dual-Axis Electronic Level - in the viewfinder and on the LCD - that indicates both pitch and roll angles. This feature is particularly useful when shooting landscapes to ensure a level horizon, or when used in conjunction with a tilt-and-shift lens to level the camera.'

Masanori Uchidoi, group executive of Canon's Photo Products Group, commented: 'We consulted more than 5000 photographers worldwide and asked them what they most wanted to see from a camera. Matching this insight with cutting-edge technology, we were able to develop a camera that truly gives photographers the versatile tool they require to experiment with their images.'

The final product is designed to compete against Nikon's D300s and D700, says a Canon France spokesman, who showcased the camera to BJP at Visa pour l'Image's photojournalism festival last week. 'We're targeting the "high-advanced amateurs" - photographers who want a camera that can do mostly everything and who don't mind not having a full-frame body'. He added: 'When you look at the specifications, it doesn't scream sport photography or wildlife, but it can handle both. We're also thinking it will be a very good second body for professional photographers.'

Further features include a three-inch 'Clear View II' LCD screen, which claims to deliver a viewing angle of 160 degs and to be effective even in bright light, together with an integrated Speedlite transmitter that allows shooters to control flash guns without any additional accessories. Canon says it has also improved the built-in flash system to include manual control and wider flash coverage to cover focal lengths as wide as 15mm. The HD capture includes the ability to set exposure and frame rate, 'with options for 24 fps to create that cinematic feel'.

Canon says that its body, designed to defend against moisture and dust, is equivalent to its former EOS-1N camera. It is compatible with all EF and EF-S lenses as well as EX Speedlites.

New zooms

The company is also announcing three new lenses, including an L-series EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, the first EOS optic to include image stabilisation in a macro lens, giving photographers the potential to shoot close-ups without the need for a tripod. 'The new hybrid IS system features up to four-stop correction,' claims Canon, adding that it 'corrects shift movement problematic when shooting up close, as well as angular movement, providing photographers with the benefit of up to two stops at 1x magnification'.

It also uses ultra low dispersion lens elements and 'Super Spectra' coatings to reduce ghosting and flare, and includes a nine-blade circular aperture and 'a silent, high-speed ring type USM Autofocus motor'.

Available early next month, it will be priced £1000, alongside two new EF-S kit zooms, delivering 35mm equivalent focal lengths of 24-136mm and 29-216mm, priced £530 and £850 respectively.

Visit www.canon.co.uk.