GADGET GIZMO REVIEW - Canon EOS 750D

GADGET GIZMO REVIEW Canon EOS 750D

PRICE Rs 55,995 (with 18-55mm lens)

SPECIFICATIONS

24.2 Megapixel CMOS, Digic 6, 3-inch articulating touchscreen LCD, 1080p (30fps) video, Hybrid AF system with 19 cross AF points, 5fps continupus shooting, WiFi + NFC, 1,040mAh battery, SDXC slot, 555 grams

There's always been a marked difference between the different DSLR `lines' from Canon: the four digits being the entry level (EOS 1200D for instance), three digits for the mid-range (EOS 600D for instance), two digits for semi-professional (70D) and the single digits, meant for professional use (like the EOS 5D, 7D, 1D and so on). With some recent launches, Canon seems to want to blur those lines. The EOS 750D and 760D are prime examples. Both cameras are mostly similar but there are a few key aspects that propel the 760D upwards, closer to the professional line or for more advanced users (more on this later). Our review is for the EOS 750D.

Picking up the 750D, it's a very recognisable EOS model with familiar lines, buttons and ergonomics.One of the great things that Canon has done with their DSLRs (as compared to their direct competitor, Nikon) is to stay away from too much variation in button placement. Even if you're moving from the (now ancient) EOS 300D to a brand new 750D, you should be able to figure out how everything works in a couple of minutes. Naysayers will argue that this means 12 years of stagnation -but the familiarity feels good. If you're a Canon EOS user, any new EOS instantly becomes `yours'.

The new 750D has a 24.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor (the highest resolution in Canon's mid-range), improved light metering and a new AF system with 19 cross type auto focus points. A big complaint with older EOS cameras was that the focusing speed in live view mode (or while capturing video) was too slow and this has been addressed directly . It still has the excellent articulating touch LCD (with a high resolution of 1.04million dots and high brightness), dual microphones for stereo audio and dioptre adjustment on the viewfinder. The casing is all plastic but with a deeper `matte' finish for an upmarket feel. The soft-touch grip areas are also much larger.

Getting started is super-easy . There are three auto modes that take care of everything: a full auto (with auto flash), a non-flash auto and a creative auto. You'll also find several scene modes (including High Dynamic Range) and all the manual modes. ISO ranges from 100 to 12,800 (with 25,600 on offer). Noise is fairly well controlled up to ISO 6400. We were able to achieve great results with very little effort and yes, the new auto focus system works fast and like a charm -even in live view mode.

As is the trend, the 750D also includes WiFi and NFC for the first time in an EOS camera -when paired with the Canon Camera Connect app, you can use your mobile device to browse through images stored in-camera or use the mobile device as a remote control. In these cases, the camera directly connects to the mobile device over WiFi. In addition, when your camera is connected to a WiFi network, you can auto upload images to a web service, display them on a DLNA device or print from a compatible wireless printer. In our use, the WiFi implementation is a little iffy: for starters, you have to hunt for the WiFi option in the menu. In addition, the camera refused to connect to a OnePlus One in access point mode but it worked just fine with an Asus Zenfone 2. If you change the mode on the camera, it disconnects from the phone. So, overall, results may vary . On the plus side, if the camera is in manual mode, you can control aperture, shutter speed, ISO, AF mode and drive mode from the app itself. Coming to the more advanced EOS 760D, it has a top-mounted LCD in addition to the primary display .In fact, this is the first mid range EOS with a top LCD.It also has a rotating ring around the D-pad and because of this, there are faster, more intuitive ways to control all aspects of shooting. Next, the mode dial on the 760D is on the left and it has a locking button to prevent accidental operation. The kit on offer also differs: the 750D kit includes the EF-S 18-55mm IS STM lens for `55,995 while the 760D kit includes the excellent EF-S 18-135mm IS STM lens for `77,995.What you choose from these two depends on your skillinterest level and budget, but keep in mind that you can get an EOS 60D with 18-135mm IS lens for less than the price of the 760D kit (`68,995). The 60D includes the better pentaprism system optical viewfinder instead of the pentamirror found the 750D. If you're a Nikon user, consider the D5500 instead.

hitesh.bhagatET1JUL15