• APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon 7D Mark II advantages over Sony HX80

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.11 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 390 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.50x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    103 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony HX80 advantages over Canon 7D Mark II

  • Less expensive
    $368* vs $1799
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 7D Mark II

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; High ISO performance improved over predecessor; Excellent burst speeds (up to 10fps); Significantly improved buffer depths; 65-pt AF system; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Can focus down to f/8 (great for teleconverters); 1080/60p video; Headphone and mic jacks; Rugged build quality.

  • Autofocus speed (AF shutter lag) slower than 7D and 70D; Mediocre battery life for a pro DSLR; Dynamic range at low to moderate ISOs not as good as competitors; Phase-detect AF did not perform as well as expected in our low-light AF tests; No built-in Wi-Fi; No autofocus for 1080/60p video.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 7D
  • $1599
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Less shutter lag
Sony HX80
Canon 7D
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 6D
  • $1599
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sony HX80
Canon 6D
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 70D

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 70D
  • $1599
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony HX80
Canon 70D
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 7D Mark II
Sony A77 II
  • $1599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony HX80
Sony A77 II
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon 7D Mark II
Nikon D7200
  • $1599
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $1018
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony HX80
Nikon D7200
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1018
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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