Canon 70D officially announced with Dual Pixel AF technology

Canon 70D has finally been announced after months of rumors and speculation, along with a new 20.2-megapixel APS-C sensor and the innovative Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology.

Canon 70D can be easily considered one of the most rumored DSLRs of 2013. There have been countless reports about the camera, all agreeing that the device should have been revealed by now.

As time went by, it became clear that the EOS 70D will be introduced in the summer and released in August, just like multiple other xxD cameras. Anyway, without further introduction, behold the new Canon 70D.

Canon 70D is a mid-range DSLR camera, which has just become official along with a new Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology.

Canon 70D becomes world’s first Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology-powered DSLR

Canon has added a new 20.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS image sensor into the EOS 70D. The camera has become the world’s first DSLR with Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology. This system is the highlight of the shooter, as it provides faster and more accurate autofocus when capturing movies or stills in Live View mode.

The new shooter is powered by a DIGIC 5+ image processor and it offers a 19-point AF system, with all points being cross-type. Moreover, the camera is capable of capturing 7 frames per second in continuous mode, for up to 65 JPEG and 16 RAW shots respectively.

Canon 70D’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology explained.

Dual Pixel AF system splits pixels into two photodiodes

Canon emphasizes on the Dual Pixel AF technique. It is based on the on-chip phase detection technology, but it is very different and, on paper, a lot better. The company has created a system that does not mask pixels, instead choosing to split them into a pair of photodiodes, one of them facing right and the other one facing left.

Conventional pixels can only look to the right or to the left. This means that the Canon’s new pixels capture more light, can be used at apertures as low as f/11, and the AF is much more accurate, because it can keep subjects in focus even when they are moving.

Furthermore, the new Dual Pixel AF system is capable of working with the Face Detection AF, while providing 80% frame coverage. This system will only be active in Live View mode, when shooting stills or movies, and it is sure to impress a lot of videographers, who have never experienced such fast AF speeds on a DSLR.

The Canon 70D touchscreen is an articulated one, which is perfect for self-portrait shots.

Canon 70D specs include 3-inch tilting touchscreen, WiFi, and in-camera HDR

Beside the new stuff, there are other features which are aiming to attract as many photographers as possible. Canon has added a 3-inch Vari-Angle Clear View LCD touchscreen into the EOS 70D. The 1,040K-dot display allows users to pinch-to-zoom and swipe through pictures among others.

The Canon 70D comes packed with WiFi, which is useful for sharing photos to smartphones and tablets. Moreover, mobile devices can be used for controlling settings, such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

There are several shooting modes available to the users, including the usual manual ones. Additionally, there is a scene mode called HDR. The company says that photographers can capture photos at multiple exposures and combine them into one shot, for more dramatic colors and effects, without any post-processing activities.

Multiple important features have been added into the Canon 70D, such as WiFi, in-camera HDR mode, and a stereo microphone to match the superior full HD video recording capabilities.

Full HD with superior AF performance in Live View mode and stereo microphone

The EOS 70D can shoot full HD videos at 30 frames per second. Its ISO range stands between 100 and 12800, though it can be expanded to 25600.

The optical viewfinder provides a 98% coverage, while the shutter speed ranges between 1/8000 and 30 seconds. There is a single SD card slot, but a stereo microphone is there to provide superior audio recording quality.

Canon’s new DSLR is weathersealed, as it is resistant to water and dust. GPS is not built-in, but photographers can add an external one for geo-tagging support.

Canon 70D release date has been scheduled for August 2013, when photographers will be able to buy it for a $1,199 price tag.

Canon EOS 70D release date and price information

The camera weighs 26.63 ounces, while measuring 5.47 x 4.11 x 3.09-inches. USB and HDMI ports are there, too, the former allowing lensmen to capture time-lapse photography.

They will be able to do so at the end of summer, as the Canon 70D release date has been scheduled for late August.

The price of the DSLR stands at $1,199 for body-only, while an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens kit will cost $1,349 and an EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM bundle will be priced at $1,549.

Nikon D7100 is the arch-rival of the new Canon 70D. It has some advantages over the EOS camera, but Canon wins at autofocus performance in Live View mode.

Past and future competition

The EOS 70D is a direct competitor to the Nikon D7100. Dual Pixel AF is a major advantage, but only for videographers and people using the Live View. However, the D7100 features a 100% viewfinder, a bigger 3.2-inch screen, a pair of SD card slots, a 51-point AF system, and a 24.1-megapixel sensor, which does not have an anti-aliasing filter, thus outputting sharper photos.

Nikon D7100 is available at Amazon and Adorama for $1,196.95. The Canon 70D can be pre-ordered at both Amazon and Adorama for $1,199.

The Canon 60D has suffered a price drop, as Amazon is offering it for $599, while the Nikon D7000 can be purchased for $896.95.