After 200 000 exp on mechanical shutter, some thousands on electronic, and lots of video, most wildlife and birds, I`m done with the R7i. The price tag was too low, and it was not a successor of the 7Dii. In short, and its about shooting in demanding conditions shooting birds and wildlife: The AF misses a lot, and even report hits when it is a miss. AF also often jumps off after some shots in a burst, even in slower pace. Far too few keepers. Electronic shutter can`t be used on moving objects because of the very slow read out speed that gives a horrible rolling shutter. 1. curtain electronic works fine, but very noisy.
Else a very good camera which delivers excellent results under less demanding conditions. I've had no issues with them (we have two), and they have survived lots of sub arctic hard weather on shorter and longer trips all year round. But do not expect the R7 to compete with top shelf /full frame) cameras on challenging objects.
I have waited for the upgrade to come. And I hope it will be a top shelf camera in the APS-C class. A little sibling to R5ii. 32 MP is enough, but most important the camera has to deliver better focus, with AF in high class, have pre shooting in RAW, fast electronic shutter and keep the noise down, companied with eye tracking like the big 3 (plus R6iii? Guess it will be a standard on top cameras). APS-C format has some advantages Canon should lift to the top shelf. My big wish for the R7ii (or what its name will be) is to be a real companion together with my new R5ii.
I bought the R7 thinking it was the successor and came to the same conclusion. I found the noise was unacceptable for a modern camera. It missed a LOT, even in not particularly demanding situations. I also found that the shutter was incredibly noisy and jolting. It felt like mirror slap almost. I felt like I was holding a $300 entry-level model. I stuck with my R5 for closer subjects, and brough the R7 for if I was shooting stuff over the ocean, or raptors higher up. Even in those situations the R7 was tough to get good results from, and in anything other than perfect lighting the noise was disappointing. After about 4 months I set the R7 on a shelf and haven't touched it since. I've never used a body less than that one.
Upvote
0