Canon EOS 800D Review

The Canon EOS 800D is Canon's update to the 750D. The camera features a new 24mp APS-C CMOS sensor, ISO25600 that extends to ISO51200, 6fps continuous shooting, FullHD 60fps video recording, along with built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth. The 750D will remain on the market.

Canon EOS 800D Features

Introduced with the 77D and 800D is a new Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens, an ultra-compact kit lens, that Canon say is the World's smallest non-retractable kit lens. The lens offers up to 4-stops of Image Stabilisation (IS), with improved optics, and a size that is just 61.8mm long. When used with the new lens, the camera is said to offer the World's fastest focus for APS-C ILC cameras at 0.03s (when using the viewfinder). The new lens will also be available on its own, as well as part of a kit.

Nb. The Canon EOS 800D is also known as the Canon Rebel T7i (outside Europe), and the Canon KISS X9i in Japan.

At first glance, the Canon EOS 800D may appear quite similar to the previous camera, the 750D, but when we look at the specifications in more detail, we can see that a number of improvements have been made. 

Updated on the Canon EOS 800D - compared to the 750D:

• New 24mp Dual-pixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• Increased ISO range (extends to ISO51200)
• 6fps continuous shooting
• 600 shot battery life (compared to 440 on the 750D)
• FullHD video up to 60/50fps
• White Balance (Ambience, or White priority)
• New image processor (with additional lens correction)
• More compact body (redesigned battery layout)
• New Connection button
• New graphical user interface with easy / guided mode
• Bluetooth built-in 
• 45 AF points

The updates to the Canon EOS 800D, with a new user interface, and new connection button, with built-in Bluetooth makes the camera easier to use for beginners, as well as being more appealing to a younger generation, whilst the other improvements made to the camera make this more appealing to the more enthusiastic photographer.

The Canon EOS 800D is the Canon EOS DSLR camera for all – beginners and enthusiasts.

Wi-Fi is built-in and the camera includes NFC for quick connections, and Bluetooth is also available for low-power image transfers. 

There is a microphone socket on the side, a flash hot-shoe on top, plus a built-in pop-up flash. The 3inch vari-angle touch-screen can be tilted forwards so that it can be used as a selfie screen, and the built-in guide can be switched on and off. 

FullHD video is recorded at 60fps, with stereo sound. Electronic image stabilisation helps keep images steady, or you can use a lens with built-in optical image stabilisation (OIS). 

A new Bluetooth remote, BR-E1, has been introduced, offering a separate AF button and shutter button, letting you remotely control the 77D or 800D. The remote is not currently compatible with any other Canon cameras, and has a 5m+ range. 

The Canon EOS 750D is shown above, next to the new Canon EOS 800D.

Canon EOS 800D Key Features

• 24mp APS-C CMOS sensor (New)
• Dual Pixel AF 
• Digic 7 image processor
• 45 AF points, all-cross type + Dual Pixel AF
• 3inch vari-angle touch-screen
• 95% optical viewfinder, with 0.82x magnification
• ISO100-ISO25600 (extends to ISO51200)
• 6fps continuous shooting
• FullHD video at 60fps
• In-camera 5-axis electronic stabilisation (for video)
• Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth
• Built-in guide

Canon EOS 800D Handling

Compared to the previous version(s) of this camera, there is a much deeper grip, with a thinner body, making it feel excellent in the hand. Going back to the previous version is somewhat of an anti-climax.

The camera has plastic construction, however, this shouldn’t put you off the camera, with the camera feeling and looking solidly built. As testament to this, there are many older models still going strong today.

If you’re moving from a previous EOS camera, then the layout of buttons and controls will be very familiar, with the main difference being the addition of a “connection” button. The on/off switch also features a third position, which switches the camera into video mode.

Unfortunately, there is only one control dial/wheel, on top of the camera, which means you need to press the AV button when shooting in manual mode in order to switch between changing the aperture and shutter speed. It’s unfortunate that Canon doesn’t use a scroll wheel around the 4-way controller at the back or provide a rear command dial. (As they have done on some Canon Powershot and EOS M cameras).

The screen looks good, although the live-view refresh speed isn’t as quick as most mirrorless cameras, with a 30fps refresh rate. Using the touch-screen to change settings is easy, and the screen is very responsive to touch. Viewing angles are good, with a gapless screen, and being able to tilt the screen can make it easier to see what you are shooting.

There are now 45 focus points (with 49 available in live-view), and these can be viewed in the optical viewfinder when shooting, or on the rear screen when using live view. You can even switch on display of focus points in playback mode so that you can confirm you focused on the desired point(s). In live-view the focus area covers a large area of the image, and there is no penalty in focus speeds.

The optical viewfinder, whilst not the largest, features dioptre correction, and there is a soft rubber surround, making it comfortable to use both with or without glasses.

Menus - The new guided menu system can quite easily be switched off if you’re already used to Canon’s menu systems. If you’re not, the guided menu system is clear and easy to use, with brighter text and larger icons. If you go for the standard menu system, this is clear and well laid out, and you can use the touch-screen with both menu systems. The Q button gives quick access to settings, and these can also be changed with the touch-screen. The only interface that we’d like to see updated is the live view mode, where pressing the Q button brings up another method to change settings. 

Wi-Fi features - Setting up a connection to your smartphone or tablet is relatively easy. As the app, Canon Camera Connect, guides you through the process making it as easy as possible for you. Once setup, it’s easy to transfer images over, as well as remotely control the camera. You can also use the app to add location information to your photos. 

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 600 shots according to Canon / CIPA test results, which is very good and an improvement over the 440 shots possible on the 750D. This should save you money, as you're less likely to need to invest in a second battery.