Canon EOS-7D Mark II vs Nikon D500 Camera Comparision

Canon EOS-7D Mark II vs Nikon D500 APS-C camera comparison

My readers know I have picked the Canon EOS-7D as the best value APS-C camera for wildlife photography 4 years in a row. When the EOS-7D Mark II came out in September 2014, I bought it immediately and put the camera through some global wildlife photo shoots to test the new body.

The Nikon D500 was announced in January, 2016. It represented the closest challenge to the Canon DSLR. You can read my complete review of the EOS-7D Mark II. I just came back from a photo tour to the High Arctic. Met a photographer with the Nikon D500 and AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6 VR lens. We spent a few days together and I got the opportunity to see the Nikon equipment first hand.

The feeling I came away is this. Both APS-C cameras are excellent. The Canon EOS-7D Mark II may have finally met its match. It really boils down to one's preference and investment in lens inventory. The EOS-7D Mark II came out over one and a half year's ago so one would expect the Nikon D500 may have some of the latest features unavailable to the Canon. I expect Canon to come out with a major firmware upgrade late this year to increase the functionality of the Mark II and keep it competitive until the Mark III arrives in 2017.

Canon Asia Published Interview With EOS-7D Mk II Developers

                               
                        * * *  My EOS-7D Mk II camera review from the sub Arctic  * * *


Canon announced the EOS-7D Mk II camera on September 15, about 5 years after the release of the Mk I model. The new camera is receiving raved reviews but delivery is not expected until early November. My readers know I have picked the original EOS-7D as the best APS-C cameras four years in a row. My order is in and when the new camera arrives, I will go on a few real world wildlife photo shoots and write a review on it.

As a wildlife photographer, I like to get the maximum focal length with the fastest lens speed. This is always a compromise because once an extender is added, the aperture gets smaller. Alternatively, a long lens like the EF 800mm f/5.6L IS is heavy and cumbersome. That's why I prefer cropped frame cameras like the EOS-1D Mk IV and EOS-7D Mk II. Two of the most appealing features of the new Mk II are 10 fps burst rate and the ability to autofocus down to f/8.

Unfortunately, the EOS-1D Mk IV has been retired but fortunately, the EOS-7D Mk II has the same two features I use most. Now I can use the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II and EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM 1.4x Extender lenses and have maximum reach and AF at the same time.

You can see sample images and videos from Canon Japan, download the Instruction Manual and the Guide Book on how to master the 65 point cross-type AF system and see a field report on the camera and watch a short film shot entirely with the new camera.  I am very excited about this new EOS-7D Mk II. Hoping to get the camera and lens before I leave for my Polar bear trip in early November. You can see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Canon Asia has published a four part interview with the designer of the EOS-7D MK II camera. You can read the interview below :

• Part One - EOS-7D Mk II Concept
• Part Two - EOS-7D Mk II Body
• Part Three - EOS-7D Mk II Technology
• Part Four - EOS-7D Mk II Shooting