Long live the HD-DSLR: Canon 80D released along with Nano-USM kit lens & Power Zoom add-on
posted Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM EDT
The introduction of Dual Pixel CMOS AF in the Canon 70D was a game-changer for DSLR video: no hunting or wobble during focusing; quick and accurate AF with no front- or back-focusing issues; and smooth, adjustable, cinematic focusing for video. This heavily video-focused DSLR was certainly an interesting direction to take Canon's xxD-series enthusiast DSLRs.
Now, a few years later, we're seeing the first iteration upon the 70D "platform," if you will, with the new Canon 80D. Under an exterior that's strikingly familiar to its predecessor, the new 80D sports some welcomed technical improvements as well as a few minor performance enhancements.
Starting with the sensor, we see a small resolution increase with an all-new 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor with Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology (of course) supplanting the 20.2MP chip of the 70D. The 80D also comes complete with a faster DIGIC 6 image processor, which offers a slightly different ISO range, up to native ISO 16,000 (and expandable to 25,600, for both stills and video) and the welcomed addition of 1080/60p video. However, the camera is still lacking the increasingly popular 4K or high frame rate video modes.
The Canon 80D also includes a sizable improvement to its phase-detect, through-the-viewfinder AF system, going from the 19-point AF system of the 70D to a healthy 45-point one that includes 27 f/8-compatible AF points.
On the video front, aside from the nice 60 fps framerate option, the 80D at last includes a headphone jack for monitoring audio. One of the other major video features is a brand new 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM kit lens. Not only does it feature a new "Nano-USM" AF motor, which offers the speed of USM focusing with the smooth and quiet operation of STM lenses, but it can also accept a cool add-on Power Zoom accessory for adjustable, wirelessly controllable camcorder-like powered zooming.
For all the details about Canon's brand new HD-DSLR and cool Nano-USM zoom lens, check out our Canon 80D Hands-On Preview.
The Canon 80D will be sold body-only for an estimated retail price of $1,199, or with the new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Nano-USM kit lens for $1,799. The new 18-135mm lens will also be available for purchase by itself for $599.99.