Canon has officially announced the EOS 80D as a follow-up to the 70D. While it is an incremental upgrade, there are several notable features that allow it to remain competitive in a stacked category.
Canon EOS 80D Key Features
- 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC 6 Image Processor
- 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
- Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
- 45-Point All Cross-Type AF System
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF
- Expanded ISO 25600, Up to 7 fps Shooting
- Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC
- RGB+IR 7560-Pixel Metering Sensor
For still shooters, the upgrade to 45 AF points (all cross-type) in the 80D is worth a headline of its own. The 70D’s inclusion of 19 AF points was a nice upgrade over the 60D, but the 80D’s AF system puts the “pro” in its prosumer classification. If it performs as expected, that’s a very nice upgrade to see on a prosumer camera and its about time Canon put more “pro” into this line.
Dual Pixel CMOS AF also gets an improvement for both accuracy and speed for live view and video shooting. The optical viewfinder has been upgrade to 100% frame coverage and video frame rates jump to 1080/60p.
Of course, Canon video shooters will continue to lament the lack of an affordable 4K video capture option as they watch Sony release cameras like the A6300 for under $1K. However, the 80D also includes an external mic port and, as a first for the product line, a headphone jack so you can monitor audio as you shoot.
Alongside the 80D, Canon also released the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens, which is equipped with a new Nano USM focusing motor that combines the benefits of Canon’s USM and STM tech for smooth, quiet and fast AF. The lens ships with the new EW-73D lens hood.
Additionally, Canon announced the PZ-E1 Power Zoom Adapter to go with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens, which Canon says provides silent and smooth zoom operation for video capture.
The zoom speed can be adjusted to 10 different levels and it can also be controlled remotely using the Canon Camera Connect app.
Canon also announced its first EOS system shotgun mic, the Canon Directional Stereo Microphone DM-E1. It has a built-in shock mount and offers a frequency response range of 50Hz to 16kHz. It includes a wind screen and is powered by a single lithium cell battery.
The Canon EOS 80D will ship in March for $1199 for the body only and $1799 with the new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens. You can pre-order it here at B&H Photo.
Additionally, the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens will be available on its own for $599.99. You can pre-order it here at B&H Photo.
The Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 and Directional Stereo Microphone DM-E1 are currently scheduled to be available in June 2016 for $149.99 and $249.99, respectively.
More details in the full press release below.
Canon EOS 80D Press Release
MELVILLE, N.Y. – Artists looking to turn their passion into popular online videos or to show the world their unique perspective through social networks now have a new tool available to them that helps them tear down creative barriers and produce dynamic visual content for both still and video. Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to introduce the new Canon EOS 80D Digital SLR camera, featuring an new 45-point AF system1, 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor for crisp images with fine detail. For the budding videographer or online video star, the camera features Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus (DAF) technology coupled with an intuitive touchscreen capability for easy focusing when shooting video.
Canon is also introducing a new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens optimized for high-speed autofocusing when shooting stills and quiet and smooth zoom when shooting video. The lens is also compatible with Canon’s new Power Zoom Adapter for smooth cinematic ‘pulls’ when changing focal length on a subject, and responsive adjustments at the push of a button for stills or video.
Updated features in Canon EOS 80D DSLR Camera include:
- New 45-point all cross-type AF system
- Intelligent Viewfinder with approximately 100% viewfinder coverage
- Newly Developed 24.2 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS sensor
- DIGIC 6 image processor for enhanced image quality
- Improved Dual Pixel CMOS AF for smooth, fast and accurate autofocus with video and stills
- Built-in Wi-Fi®2 and NFCTM2 capability for easy transfer of images and movies to compatible mobile devices
- 1080/60p Full HD video to capture brilliant results in MP4 format for easy movie sharing on select social networking sites
- Vari-angle Touch Screen 3.0-inch Clear View LCD II monitor enables flexible positioning and clear viewing even outdoors
“In today’s world, where everyone is a photographer or videographer, we at Canon are looking to provide the tools and features that help creative-minded people stand out from the pack and get noticed. The right technology cannot make someone creative, but it will help bring a creative vision to life,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The right combination of camera and lens helps those with a vision stand out and be recognized. We look forward to seeing what this new generation of passionate artists will create with these new tools.”
New AF System and Dual Pixel CMOS AF
The 45-point all cross-type viewfinder AF system in the new Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera, compared to 19-points in the Canon EOS 70D DSLR camera, is now wider both horizontally and vertically for easier compositions with off-center subjects. Low light AF performance has been improved all the way down to EV-3 at the center point to achieve sharp results even in extreme low-light situations. The camera’s AI (Artificial Intelligence) Servo AF II autofocusing system utilizes color tracking with a 7,560-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor that automatically detects skin tone and colors to enhance tracking sensitivity, even with moving subjects that are rapidly changing pace or direction. Enhancing the ease-of-use of the new AF system is the Canon EOS 80D’s new Intelligent Viewfinder which features approximately 100% viewfinder coverage. The full coverage helps prevent photographers from missing objects that are in the corners of the scene, which can reduce the need to crop images later on.
Dual Pixel CMOS AF employs a new Canon CMOS sensor with which all of the effective pixels are able to perform both still imaging and phase-detection AF simultaneously to achieve dramatically improved AF performance during Live View and video shooting. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology in the Canon EOS 80D camera features enhanced tracking sensitivity and is compatible with the full line of Canon EF Series lenses, including the new Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM standard zoom lens.
High-Quality Still and Video Image Performance
Featuring a new 24.2 megapixel APS-C Canon CMOS sensor and Canon’s superb DIGIC 6 Image Processor, as well as an improved still image ISO range of 100–16000 (Video ISO range 100–12800, both expandable to 25600), the Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera is capable of producing sharp, detailed images and videos even in low-light conditions. High-speed continuous shooting up to seven frames per second (fps) combined with the 45-point all cross-type AF allows photographers to capture fast moving subjects easily and accurately, while the camera’s Scene Intelligent Auto Mode delivers optimized photos and offers outstanding scene detection for amazing results even when shooting in low light. HDR mode provides creative filter effects, such as natural, art standard, art bold, art vivid and art embossed. For added convenience, the Canon EOS 80D camera features Anti-Flicker shooting, similar to that found in the EOS 7D Mark II DSLR camera. Anti-Flicker shooting produces consistently high-quality results even when shooting in areas with fluorescent lighting or other flickering light sources by detecting the flicker cycle of the light source and shooting when brightness is near its peak.
When users select the EOS Movie mode, the Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera offers the ability to shoot in 1080p Full HD video up to 60 fps, compared to 30 fps in the Canon EOS 70D, in MP4 format and in either ALL-I or IPB compression modes with optional embedded time code. For expanded creativity the Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera features HDR movie and Time-Lapse movie modes and Movie creative filters like fantasy, old movie, memory, dramatic monochrome and miniature. Movie Servo AF custom settings allow users to speed up or slow down focusing speeds, enhancing creativity and artistic expression. For added flexibility, the Canon EOS 80D digital SLR camera also features a built-in headphone jack, a built-in stereo microphone with manual audio level adjustment, and an additional stereo microphone jack.
News Lens, Power Zoom Adapter, and Directional Stereo Microphone Enhance Video Quality
In addition to the new Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera, Canon U.S.A., Inc., is also introducing the Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens, a newly designed lens with a premium exterior design that will serve as the kit lens for the new Canon EOS 80D camera. This the first Canon lens equipped with Nano USM, a new type of focusing motor that combines the benefits of a ring USM (ultrasonic motor) for high-speed AF during still photo shooting and lead-screw type STM (stepping motor) for smooth and quiet movie AF, and improved AF speeds up to 4.3x (Tele) and 2.5x (Wide) faster than the previous model. The Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens also provides up to four stops of optical image stabilization. A new lens hood, the EW-73D, is included with the new lens.
To further enhance the ease-of-use when shootings movies with a Canon DLSR or Cinema EOS cameras, Canon is introducing the Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1, specifically constructed to be compatible with the design of the new Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens. The Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 is the world’s first detachable zoom adapter that provides silent and smooth zoom and can adjusted incrementally to 10 different levels of zoom speed3. Additionally, the PZ-E1 can be controlled remotely using the Canon Camera Connect app4.
In addition to the new lens and power zoom adapter, Canon is introducing the first Canon-branded external microphone for the EOS system, the Canon Directional Stereo Microphone DM-E1. This new accessory microphone will help improve sound quality while shooting video, allowing users to rotate the direction of the microphone up and down from 90 to 120 degrees depending on the shooting situation. The DM-E1’s durable shock mount construction helps to reduce camera operation noise and lens drive sounds and is built to withstand the rigors of a variety of shooting situations. Featuring a frequency response range of 50Hz to 16kHz, the DM-E1 comes with a wind screen to help limit peripheral sound from wind and other outside factors, allowing shooters to utilize the microphone in a broad amount of shooting situations. Featuring a built-in power supply from a single “button-type” lithium cell battery, the DM-E1 also has a power indicator lamp allowing users to easily check its battery level.
Availability
The Canon EOS 80D Digital SLR camera and EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens are currently scheduled to be available in March 2016 for an estimated retail price of $1,199.00 for the body only, $1,799.00 with the new EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens and $599.99 for the lens only.
The Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 and Directional Stereo Microphone DM-E1 are currently scheduled to be available in June 2016, for estimated retail prices of $149.99 and $249.99 respectively.
For more information visit, www.usa.canon.com/eos.
Jared says
So cool that they seem to be adding WiFi and NFC (I know the 6D has WiFi).
I wonder how long until it becomes standard on the 5D series.
Jared says
It seems they’re also eliminating the 3-pin remote.
It makes sense, because of the smaller, more standard connector. Next body upgrade, I’ll probably have to pick up a couple of new remotes as well. More stuff to carry with me…
brian says
The 70D also had the headphone jack style remote port, FYI.
Incremental upgrade. Not enough to get a 70D user to upgrade at that price. Maybe when on sale in few months?
I’ll be sure to (not) pickup that $250 microphone.
Jared says
I had the 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, which all had 3-pin remote jacks, and was great as I moved to the 5D Mk2 and 5D Mk3. I just assumed (incorrectly) that only the Rebel series had the 1/8″ jack.
Am I the only one who finds it odd to put effort into a power zoom adapter for a consumer-grade (f/3.5 – f/5.6) lens? Maybe it’s a good way to test the technology before bringing it to the 5D and 1D series.
Agreed about the microphone. It doesn’t appeal to me at all.
brian says
No, it’s a bit strange. I own the 18-135 IS STM and it is a nice lens, but rarely do I keep it on the camera. It’s a great location scouting lens, or when there’s a ton of light available… but I 100% agree – if this were a constant F4 through then I could at least see some benefits.
When looking at the “assembled” 80D with the mic and power zoom, it just looks cumbersome, uncomfortable, difficult to rig, difficult to mount on a tripod. Appears that it may “need” a battery grip to get the mounting thread lowered below the zoom base. It reminds me of the cobbled together mount that the GH4 came out with to “solve” the audio problems, mixed with the XC10. As a video person, if this is supposed to excite me, then maybe I’m the one who’s not doing something right?
I can honestly say that I am not 100% confident I will like the 5DMk4 when it’s released. The A7sII/A7rII and A6300 are looking better and better each day.
Jared says
I’m curious about the 5D Mk4 as well. It might be my last Canon body before jumping to Sony.
Hopefully Canon will be able to catch up to Sony in that regard.
Eric Reagan says
Yeah. I don’t think either of you guys are the target market for this camera. I think Canon is more after the semi-pro / wanna-be-pro that is shooting with the likes of the T5i right now.
The number of people that are doing (or trying to do) video work for hire with the Rebel series would probably be staggering if we could quantify it. The level of ignorance at the low end of the video production market is orders of magnitude below the same group in the still image market.
As Canon fanboys (admittedly, I’m one), I think we overestimate the level competence of the lower end user base. I am in a few Facebook groups for church media production, which has been eye-opening to the kinds of equipment that some shooters are trying to use to accomplish a higher-end look. (Some are doing quite well.)
The DSLR remains a game-changing device for lower-end shooters. And some people are still stretching the T5i and its ilk to produce great images. For some of those who still want the availability of shallow DOF along with video capture for more traditional camcorder shots, I think there is some use and appeal to the adapter. The lack of a LANC remote input makes it somewhat less useful though IMO.
As for the shotgun mic, I’m with you guys. It looks like a money grab from Canon. I suspect that we will see bundles in the few months that contains this new mic (and maybe the lens adapter too) and that Canon will no longer sell its Video Creator Kit bundles with the RODE VideoMic GO inside.
The $250 asking price for the DM-E1 seems egregious considering you can get a RODE VideoMic Pro for under $200 and the VideoMic GO for about $85. I can’t imagine that DM-E1 comes close to the quality of the VideoMic Pro but I’ll try to take a look at it in an upcoming review.
brian says
The 70D when it first came out was a good camera for the video market. The live view AF was great. (Despite what most say with manual mode, having AF that works for video is a great help at times for low-budget work when not having a massive dedicated crew.) It’s been nice to have a few 70D’s in the arsenal of tools. Will hold onto them and continue to use when necessary. When shot with good lenses, it performs well. Footage holds up reasonably well in post, especially when shot with a profile that pseudo enables a log-like recording. It cuts reasonably well with footage from other Canon cameras.
Unfortunately, this upgrade/update for the 80D is just more of the same from Canon – a minor update, which seems to be so minimal we can already predict what the 90D will/should feature.
Maybe we really need to be holding out hope for a Canon C1/C5 style camera at NAB this year if the 5DMk4 leaves much to be desired? I know people say the 1DC is that camera, but it’s begging for an update…
Jim L says
It is so sad to see the photo companies concentrating so much on video as they bring out newer models. I have little use for video and was hoping the 80D would bring higher ISO numbers at lower noise levels. The combination of video and still capabilities in EVERY model has driven the prices up while catering more to video than stills. I wish Canon would lead the industry in offering “still photo only” bodies with advanced features and keep the prices down while raising the performance. Why is it just assumed that everyone wants video?????
Cliff B. says
I agree totally with Jim L … I am continually looking for that still camera that will forego the dubious joys of video and yet make my heart race. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax … listen to up please!!
brian says
Pentax was likely your best shot at this, but even they offered 1080HD video, despite 4K rumors. Sony sees the market and will continue to offer (tech leading) video in all their cameras as well as the sensors they provide to other manufacturers.
The Canon 5DS sounds more like what you want. As does the Sony A7rII. But both will continue to offer video in some fashion. Sony A7sII is a low light beast.
Maybe time to change to medium format?
Jim L says
Brian,
You suggest Sony or medium format. There is a simple principle that seems to be going over your head. Many of us can’t just pick up and change camera companies because we have invested years and cash on lenses. As for medium format, that is not a serious suggestion, is it? Can you please confine your answers to more useful comments or none at all?
Faisal Usman says
There is a very little difference. Isn’t Canon trying to make money by addition of few extra features?
brian says
please stop link spamming the comments on this blog
Jim L says
Please stop making silly suggestions to valid concerns.
Brian says
Just a little different than the rumored specs…
brian says
please stop link spamming the comments on this blog