Pro Moviemaker Jan/Feb 2023 - Web

GEAR CANON EOS R7 AND R10

LENS DUO MADE FOR SMALLER CAMERAS

stop less in the 18-45mm version. That’s a bit optimistic, though, especially using the longer focal lengths. We found both lenses to be decent performers, especially for stills. Of course, the smaller is made to collapse and be as compact as possible, while the larger zoom has a huge focal length range. These compromises do affect the optical quality. As such, they’re not ideal for video use but can make for a good all-purpose choice when you want to travel really light.

The £320/$300 18-45mm is a very small lens for everyday shooting – a compact build with a lens-retraction mechanism. It has manual focus override and STM for smooth, quiet movie autofocus. The £520/$500 18-150mm lens brings you even closer with a zoom range verging on superzoom territory. The lenses work with the in-body image stabilisation in the EOS R7 and Movie Digital IS in the EOS R10, as they are equipped with Dynamic IS and in-lens optical image – for up to seven stops of IS in the 18-150mm lens and half a

The RF mount on both the EOS R7 and EOS R10 is the same, full-size version that’s used on Canon’s full-frame EOS mirrorless cameras. So you can use any existing RF lenses, or EF lenses with an adapter. Canon even offers a converter to boost lens speed and widen the focal length to retain the 35mm equivalent size. However, it makes sense to look at some even smaller, lighter and cheaper RF lenses made especially for APS-C cameras. These so- called RF-S lenses are the 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM and 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM.

MIX AND MATCH Add a compact mic

Both of the cameras use deep learning and Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, with subjects including vehicles, animals and people, plus head, face and eye detection. Touch and Drag AF features in both, too. While lots has been said about the Canon AF system and its excellence, the R7 and R10 didn’t feel quite as snappy or clever as some of the more expensive cameras in the range. But the focus guide system is there, which is a great feature for video shooters in manual focus. It exploits the AF system to show which way the focus ring needs to be turned to attain sharpness. For manual focusing, the R7 has peaking which is very useful. The viewfinder and screen aren’t as high-resolution as the full-frame cameras in the range, as you might expect. The cameras are definitely built to a lower price point. The R7 body feels robust enough and is the first EOS R camera to have a combined AF multi-controller and control wheel on the rear panel. This takes getting used to and is a different experience to the classic Canon set-up. If you’re used to shooting Canons, you’ll probably miss the usual triple-dial adjuster and control wheel around the menu set button. The menus are typical of the latest Canon cameras, so are easy to navigate. And both cameras have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a clean HDMI output for streaming. “Both are fitted with the multi-function accessory shoe that works perfectly with added extras”

such as this Sennheiser and the package is still pretty small and light

Surprisingly, both the EOS R7 and EOS R10 are also fitted with the new multi-function accessory shoe that works perfectly with added extras like wireless mics. If you want to use an XLR mic, then simply bosh the Canon-approved Tascam XLR adapter onto the hotshoe and you don’t need any wires at all. Once you’ve done this, there’s simply no going back. One of the biggest benefits of the camera is its compact size and weight. When mirrorless cameras first hit the market, this lack of bulk was a major selling point, but many have become more cumbersome over the years. The EOS R7 is a refreshing return to a smaller, lighter body that can take Canon’s new range of petite APS-C mirrorless lenses. The vari- angle LCD screen is ideal for video and there’s a headphone jack, too. As an affordable, compact camera that can put out high-quality 4K, it’s a good buy.

SNOW JOKE Stills and video performance is very good, with the AE systems not even struggling in a brightly lit winter location

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