The Canon EOS 70D DSLR Camera features a 20.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5+ image processor to ensure high-resolution images and excellent low-light sensitivity. Both the sensor and processor work together to produce well-detailed, clear imagery that exhibits natural tonality and color gradations with minimal noise when working in difficult lighting conditions. The processor also provides notable speed throughout the camera system, including the ability to record up to 7 fps in full-resolution, quickened AF speeds, and full HD 1080p video recording in multiple frame rates with manual exposure and audio level control.
Serving to benefit working with live view in both still and movie shooting modes, Dual Pixel CMOS AF is a powerful technology that revolves around the incorporation of two photodiodes within each pixel to provide an expansive phase-detection focusing system. This system affords focusing advantages that are similar to how a camcorder works and as such can focus on subjects in an incredibly fast and precise manner. The benefits of this system are three-fold: the ability to focus quickly and smoothly; the ability to truly utilize the vari-angle touchscreen LCD monitor to its full potential; and the ability to utilize a wide range of over 100 EF and EF-S lenses. Also benefiting from Dual Pixel CMOS AF is the Movie Servo AF mode, which enables continuous auto focusing when recording movies. This focusing mode is especially useful for maintaining critical focus on moving subjects and for realizing the near-silent performance of compatible STM lenses.
The 3.0" 1,040k-dot vari-angle Clear View II touchscreen LCD monitor profits greatly from the advent of the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system and its ability to utilize Touch AF focusing for finely controlled selection of the point of focus. The monitor's vari-angle design also enables more efficient shooting and viewing from both high and low angles and an anti-reflective, smudge-resistant coating allows for clear well-detailed viewing.
In addition to the LCD monitor, the 70D also features an optical pentaprism finder that can be used for eye-level shooting of still images. This Intelligent Viewfinder incorporates a superimposed LCD to provide an intuitive means for monitoring exposure and camera settings during shooting. While working with the viewfinder, an expansive 19-point all cross-type AF system is visualized for acquiring focus; integral to this array is a high-precision dual-cross center AF point that is compatible with f/2.8 and faster lenses.
Providing a wealth of additional functionality to the camera is integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows instant and direct sharing of image files to an iOS or Android mobile device for sharing online. This functionality also allows for wireless remote control over camera settings, including exposure controls, focusing, and shutter release, from a mobile device when using the Canon EOS Remote app.
When working with still imagery, this focusing system works to acquire focus quickly and accurately, making it ideally suited to shooting and tracking moving subjects so that critical focus is attained with each shot. When shooting video, focusing is smooth and natural when changing from different subjects or different distances within the scene. Benefited by the Touch AF system, rack focus is possible simply by touching elements within the scene on the touchscreen in order to change focus in an intuitive manner. Subject tracking in movies is also heightened due to the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system's ability to recognize subjects and maintain focus when working within changing or cluttered scenery.
This focusing system provides full and intuitive use of the vari-angle touchscreen monitor through its keen integration of touch controls for focusing and articulating design of the screen for viewing from any shooting angle. Additionally, Dual Pixel CMOS AF is fully supported by over 100 current and former EF and EF-S lenses to offer a wide spectrum of compatibility for both still and video applications.
When used in combination with the optional GP-E2 GPS Receiver, geotagging and embedding of locational data into images' metadata is possible for plotting imagery to maps and for recording the elevation, direction, and Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) of each photograph.
Movie Servo AF mode is available to provide continuous auto focusing when recording video and pairs especially well when using an STM lens to realize near-silent focusing during filming. Focusing is also heavily benefitted by the incorporation of the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system to provide smooth, controllable focusing in live view with the added benefit of the Touch AF function.
The Video Snapshot mode can also be used to record short video clips, in 2, 4, or 8-second segments, and in-camera editing and music can be applied to these files for finalized results straight from the camera.
When working with still imagery and shooting at eye-level, an optical pentaprism Intelligent Viewfinder is available and provides 98% frame coverage. A superimposed LCD screen within the viewfinder provides pertinent exposure and camera information for more efficient eye-level shooting and also has the ability to outline AF points, grid lines, and an electronic level to aid in composition.
This metering system employs evaluative, center-weighted, and spot metering methods to determine exposure, as well as allowing for a +/- 5 EV exposure compensation for greater manipulation of the determined exposure setting.
Multiple exposures are also possible in-camera and up to 9 exposures can be recorded onto a single file using 2 distinct settings for control. When in Additive mode, this closely resembles making multiple exposures on film and layers each exposure; manual exposure compensation is required. Average mode layers the images and automatically compensates for the final exposure, eliminating the unintended possibility of gross under or overexposure. Multiple exposures can be recorded in either JPEG or RAW formats, and furthermore you can utilize an existing RAW image as a starting point from which to layer subsequent images, which can then be manipulated in real time on the LCD.
Special Scene modes also help to enhance your imagery by applying a system of corrections for use in more difficult lighting situations. Handheld Night Scene automatically captures four consecutive exposures, at shutter speeds fast enough to handhold, and layers them into a single frame. This allows you to effectively record images in darker situations without the need of a tripod or stabilization device. HDR Backlight Control works in the same manner and records a series of exposures at different values to ensure highlight and shadow values are not lost. These under and over-exposed images are blended to create a final image with a wider dynamic range.