While I was plenty happy with the 19-point AF system in the 70D, the level of control the new 45-point AF system offers makes the 80D feel more professional and nimble in real world use. The new 45-point AF system is a big win for the 80D. These batteries are great because they last a long time and, as a Canon shooter, I now have collected several of them over the years. The 80D continues the long line of mid-range and pro models using the LP-E6 battery. That’s okay, of course, because Canon got quite a bit right with the 70D’s handling and controls. The physical layout of the 80D is nearly identical to the 70D. If you have shot with either the 70D or 60D, you are going to feel very comfortable around the 80D. This is not an entry-level camera and while it is extremely easy to pick up and start shooting, it is designed with the seasoned photographer in mind.

Handling and User-FriendlinessĪs noted, the 80D is a workhorse and is situated as a mid-range camera. As we’ll see, this is an important feature for the way Canon has been marketing the 80D to video creators. While a little late the party, the inclusion of a headphone jack is much appreciated for the video shooters out there. This makes for smooth and fun slow motion when conformed to a 24p timeline. While Canon remains reluctant to offer 4K video capture in a mid-range camera, the 80D offers us the ability to shoot 1080/60p. Additionally, the 80D now gives us the ability to use Continuous AF mode when shooting stills in live view mode. This also works exceptionally well during still image capture using live view. On the video side, the 80D retains the popular Dual Pixel AF system for generally excellent autofocus during video capture.

You can go back and read my Canon 70D review for a point of reference. The new RGB+IR 7560-pixel metering sensor is another big improvement over the 70D’s 63-zone dual layer sensor. The 45-point AF system is also a big step up from the Canon 70D’s 19-point AF system. A new 24MP CMOS sensor delivers solid image quality and better dynamic range than its predecessor. The Canon 80D offers an impressive combo of some of Canon’s latest advancements for both still and video shooters. While the 80D offers its fair share of fancy features, it shines as a reliable DSLR capable of excelling when shooting still images or HD video. The Canon EOS 80D is mid-range workhorse DSLR in a world full of mirrorless cameras that offer bells and whistles galore.

Canon 70d bokeh video lens