Canon EOS 80D DSLR Kit Review

Whenever you’re wading into the waters of buying a professional camera, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

For professionals and amateurs alike, the specifics of each camera and deciding which is the best DSLR camera for your needs can be daunting, and it’s not easy to decide.

The Canon EOS 80D DSLR Camera is a highly-anticipated upgrade to the 70D that includes many new features, as well as improvements on some of the old ones!

Of course, not every person will need the same camera; two different amateur photographers can sometimes need two totally different cameras.

Here’s a rundown of the things you can expect out of a Canon EOS 80D DSLR, as well as some information to help you make the decision on if it should be your new buy.

Canon EOS 80D DSLR Camera: The Details

Specs

• Weight: 3.8 pounds
• How many megapixels: 24.2 megapixels
• Flash Type: Pop-up
• Display Size: 3 inches
• Display Resolution: 1080p and 720p
• Optical Zoom: 1x
• Viewfinder Type: Eye-level SLR with fixed pentaprism

Accessories

The Canon EOS 80D DSLR comes with a free accessory bundle on Amazon that includes:

• SanDisk Extreme 32GB SD Card for holding your image files.
• AmazonBasics Large DSLR Gadget Bag for packing your camera and accessories.
• AmazonBasics 50-inch Lightweight Tripod, which comes with its own separate bag, for setting your camera on.

Features

Precise Focusing with Autofocus

The Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera has a precise focusing system, complete with autofocus.

By default, the camera will focus on what appears to be the main point of the photo, but you can also control that manually, and do so very precisely and easily.

There are also hybrids between the two where the viewfinder is split into small boxes, ranging from 45 to three, allowing you to choose a small square where it will then autofocus.

Informative Viewfinder

The EOS 80D camera has a viewfinder that shows the photograph image, as well as an LCD to show you certain settings.

The image in the viewfinder covers almost 100% of what the final photo will be, allowing you to know the exact specifications of the final product before it’s even taken.

The viewfinder is simple, but provides a grid to help with composition as well as see small details in your photos.

Built-In Wireless Connectivity and NFC

With the EOS 80D camera, you can send your images over Wi-Fi, and you can also control the exposure settings from an app used on a compatible iOS or Android smartphone.

A compatible Android phone can organize all your photos and store them where you need to, without ever needing to remove the SD card.

The wireless feature also allows you to transfer photos from the camera onto your phone, share them between two Canon devices, or print them from a compatible printer.

This is a handy tool that allows you to skip the step of having to upload photos to your computer before sharing.

Movable Touchscreen Monitor

The EOS 80D has a touchscreen monitor that can flip out and angle up, down, or sideways, allowing you to view the camera’s field of vision no matter where you’re standing.

The monitor uses general touch gestures, which control zooming and changing images, as well as operating the menu and other control settings.

In addition, the smudge-resistant screen ensures that you don’t have to constantly wipe the screen to maintain a clear view of your photos.

Multiple Modes and Filter Options

The EOS 80D has many helpful alternative modes for both still image and video.

New to the 80D is a number of HDR video modes that enhance clarity, especially in adding shadow and lighting detail to videos that may otherwise seem flat.

There are also differences that HDR can add to still photography for more effects, like adding intensity and colour to photos.

The 80D has a Time-Lapse Movie feature, where the camera will take photos at specified intervals over a length of time and join them together to create a time-lapse video.

Lastly, there are a significant number of filters that can be added to photos and videos to give them a creative visual appearance.

Megapixel Sensor 

To help you take the most stunning photos possible, Canon has included a newly developed 24.2 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS sensor with this camera.

This means your camera will be able to use high ISO speeds to reach levels of superior quality.

This high quality sensor is sensitive enough to work with your processor to not only capture amazing snapshots, but to help with the quality of your movies as well.

Anti-Flicker

Ever take an impromptu photo or video only to be surprised to find lines of flickering upon review?

This is an occurrence that Canon hopes to minimize with the 80D’s flicker detection.

Your camera will alert you if it detects flickering, and try to fix the issue before you’ve taken your shot.

In this scenario you’ll be able to take advantage of the Canon 80D’s Anti-Flicker Shooting function that signals the camera to only take shots when your surrounding lighting is at its peak.

Just another way that Canon has your back.

Canon EOS 80D DSLR Camera Review

The Positives

Simple and Understandable

The way the Canon EOS 80D is set up allows the user to quickly pick up on how to use it, even if it’s their first time handling a Canon.

The touchscreen controls are intuitive, and the autofocus allows for a faster, easier picture-taking experience.

Comfortable and Easy to Use

The ergonomics of the EOS 80D make your hands very comfortable even if you’re shooting for a long period of time, and all the essential and frequently-used buttons are ready and available with your hands in the normal position.

In addition, the fact that you can use your phone to look at, edit, and arrange your pictures means that you can set the camera down if you would rather not hold four pounds while arranging a large amount of photos.

Rapid Autofocus and Subject Tracking

The autofocus the EOS 80D uses is fast and simple.

Even in low lighting, it tends to be quick and accurate, picking up the intended focus and honing in on it near-immediately.

The 80D also has improved human awareness, meaning it’s able to tell when a human has entered the shot and instantly focus on them; this feature is drastically improved in the 80D as opposed to the 70D.

The EOS 80D absolutely has some of the best DSLR camera autofocusing in the business.

Updated, More Durable Build

The EOS 80D is a sturdily built camera that splits the difference between intensely protected but heavy cameras, and lighter but flimsier ones.

It’s a very durable build, suitable for normal wear and tear for many years.

In addition, an update with the 80D is a headphone jack on the side that is incredibly important for people filming video, as it allows you to hear exactly what will be on the video from the position of the 80D’s speakers.

Here’s a video of what the camera looks like upon delivery.

Warranty

Nothing is worse than when you’ve invested money on an exciting new item to only have it fritz out on you in a matter of days.

While Canon has built a reputation on being durable and reliable, the fact they offer a 1-year warranty with their 80D DSLR camera is comforting.

The Canon warranty includes both a 1 year coverage for parts, and a 1 year coverage for labour. So if you happen to find any defects with your camera, Canon will repair or replace your camera at no additional cost.

Just be sure to take care of it without causing any of your own damages.

The Negatives

Wireless Connectivity Eats Battery

Though the Wi-Fi is clearly helpful when using this camera, it can cause the battery to run down very quickly.

The battery is otherwise quite durable, so this can come as a bit of an unwelcome shock if you’re using the Wi-Fi for the first time.

Spare batteries should be brought if the wireless features are going to be used frequently during a shooting session.

No 4K Video

One of the things that many people were upset about upon the release of this camera came was the lack of 4K video recording capabilities.

For people that use 4K very frequently, this can be a big issue, as 1080p is definitely high quality but may not be high enough when wanting to get really detailed shots.

Especially as 4K is becoming more and more popular with televisions, 1080p may look less professional on a high-definition television than 4K would.

Not the Best for Lots of Travel

The EOS 80D is definitely a lighter camera than some others, but at almost four pounds, it’s definitely not lightweight.

This camera really shines when it’s used at home or in places where it’s easy to put down if you need to rest your arms for a while; it would likely be more difficult to use on a hiking trip or other outside venture.

However, the weight is a side effect of having more durability, so if you’re stronger, you may be able to keep it with you on outdoor trips without worrying about the exterior being damaged.

Using a strap with this camera will make for less hassle.

Overall Verdict

The Canon EOS 80D DSLR is one of the best DSLR cameras in the industry right now.

The quality of the images it creates combined with the simplicity of its controls means that it’s easy to use even for beginners, and the autofocus capabilities it provides are some of the best in the business.

The main issue that may arise is that if you need 4K; for example, if you film videos intended for televisions, or you need to capture very tiny details, this would not be a good fit for you.

Where to Buy the Canon EOS 80D DSLR Kit

Canon is not only a reputable brand, but it’s also one of the top choices when it comes to photography and videography.

The EOS 80D has become an item of envy in the creative world and thanks to its popularity, it makes it easier to find in retail stores or online.

To start, check out the following online stores.

• Best Buy (from $1249)
• B&H Photo Video (from $1249)
• Canon (from $1249)

And of course, this camera is also available on Amazon.

That’s a wrap on our Canon EOS 80D DSLR Kit review. Are you tempted to give it a shot?