Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon EOS Elan 7 35mm SLR Camera (Body Only)

I just purchased an EOS Elan 7E the last week of Feb. 2001. The Elan 7E is the Elan 7 with eye control focus added--not worth the extra $... or so since I wear bifocals and the manual says eye control can often be fooled by bifocals. Overall, I've been very impressed with the camera.

I had considered the Rebel but got turned off by the plastic body and savvy buyers' concerns about ruggedness (the Elan 7 has an aluminum body). See the reviews of the Rebel 2000 and several buyers' admonitions to buy the 28-105 USM lens rather than the cheaper--and more cheaply made--28-90 that comes standard with the "kit." I bought the 28-105 and love it even though it's ... more expensive.

If you want very detailed information about the camera, go to the Canon web site where you'll find lots of info and recommended accessories (most of which Amazon carries). In addition you can find out more detailed info about the EF line of lenses.

The camera is smooth, quiet, and feels very solid. It operates like a dream, although I was a bit overwhelmed by all of the options the camera provides and the information I had to absorb (I'd never used anything except totally manual SLRs). The 7-zone autofocus system works well but does take some getting used to. One advantage to the zone system is that you can select a single focus point (or have all 7 in operation) to help you key in on an essential detail that absolutely must be in focus.

My only gripe, and it's a big one: there's no fine focusing center spot prism and the prism is fixed (not interchangeable like some of the higher-priced bodies). While you can switch the lens and camera to totally manual operation (something I'm doing quite a bit), there isn't the traditional center spot fine focus prism arrangement like there was in the older cameras in the mid-priced line. As a result, you have to depend on the autofocus (which you can still use even in the manual mode if you like) or you have to trust your eye to focus the whole image in the viewfinder. So, especially on outdoor and distance shots where there's a lot of detail and varying depth of field, I usually stop down the lens a bit just to be on the safe side. It does have depth of field preview which helps a bit. Nikon's center circle split image and the older Canons' center circle fine focus systems provided much greater control, however.

I bought the Elan because I've used Canon products for 25 years and love the construction, optics, and feel. The newer EF-mount lenses are interchangeable with Canon's digital SLRs as well so being able to use the same lens on both film and digital bodies is a plus. The USM (ultrasonic motor) lenses are accurate and quiet.

From the reviews I've read, people love the Rebel--especially with the better 28-105 USM lens. If you want greater control and a more rugged camera, upgrade to the Elan 7.

BTW: the Magic Lantern camera guides are an excellent investment. While there isn't one available yet for the Elan 7 since it's so new, I did buy the Rebel 2000 guide when I was considering purchasing the Rebel. It answered many technical questions about the Rebel's features--all (and more) of which are included in the Elan 7.

I recently purchased the Canon Elan 7 camera body about two months ago and am very pleased with it. I just recently started to take up photography about 5 months ago and started out with a Canon rebel 2000 Kit. Although it was a good starting camera, I quickly grew out of it and decided to get a better camera with more features. The Elan 7 was a perfect choice. I currently have a Sigma 28-300 lens with the camera and the pictures I take are excellent. The Elan 7 has all the features needed for a beginner to intermediate level photographer and I can't imagine purchasing another camera.

The camera with my sigma lens is extremely quiet, fast, and responsive. Although I still consider myself a beginner to intermediate level photographer, this camera has all the advanced features that can be used in professional photography. If you're one of those types like me who always asks the question, " Will I outgrow this camera? Will I want something better soon with more features? Is it worth the extra $$?"Answer: Get the Elan 7. You will not be disappointed.

If you want power, control, and quality in your photographs, look no further than the Canon Elan 7. Any variation is equally as good (7E,7EQD,w/lens,etc...). This past summer I purchased a Rebel G from a pawnshop and was amazed at how nice it was, considering the low price in retail stores and the fact that it was all plastic, but I soon began to notice some of it's shortcomings. The AF system was grossly outdated, as was the AE, the drive was loud and whiny, the shutter was too slow, and it just seemed to be made for somebody that would never really want to use it beyond family gatherings. Then I found out about the Elan 7. 7 focusing points that can pick out the finest line in the darkest room. 4 frames per second motor drive. Extremely silent if properly set up. All the latest technology in photography, outside of color metering, which is only available in super high-end professional 35mm cameras. The control layout is easy to learn within an hour or so, and nothing is out of reach if you are properly holding the camera. Acessories and lenses number in the thousands (counting third-party lenses, which are just as good, and less $$$). All metal construction, including the lens mount and the body plates. Still light enough to comfortably wear around your neck. And, well, you get the idea. I'm running out of room to go on, and there are so many things left over. So, to end it all out, from fully manual operation to fully automatic operation, the Canon Elan 7 has everything any non-professional could ever need.

Going from a total manual slr to the Elan 7.....I can't rave about this camera enough. From portraits, to city scapes, ocean shots to a crowded family gathering - you'll LOVE THIS CAMERA! The photos are sharp, clear (use fugi) and professional. I would skip the kit purchase and opt for an alternate lens like a 28-200 or 300 like a previous reviewer also did. If you're in the market for a great camera you'll have forever at an affordable price, you won't be sorry if you purchase the Elan 7 (also skip the 7e it's not worth the extra you pay for redundancy.

strengths: autofocus, easy manual modes, everything about it. weakness: ? overall: the controls and dials are very easy to learn. The autofocus is fast and accurate. i love being able to control EVERY single detail on the camera. its amazing experimenting with the shutter, aperture, depth of field, exposure, and flash. the structure is very nice. its very easy to use, even when its in manual mode. the pictures come out beautifully. i couldnt be happier with anything else.