This test was performed by Betternet, TIPA's camera testing lab. I edited the comments and results from their report and am a member of TIPA's Technical Committee.
The new Canon EOS 80D is an SLR system with an APS-C size sensor.
The follower of the 70D, which was introduced in 2013, it offers higher
resolution (24MP) than its forerunner (70D: 20 MP) and a lot of up-to-date
features. It has an EF-S mount and is able to use all EF/EF-S lens systems.
The camera is very compact. It is nearly the same size as
the Canon EOS 750/760D (Canon Rebel T6i/T6s). The design looks very similar to
this entry-level camera, but the function elements of the new camera show some
differences. The Canon 80D offers an 8-way control field, which is helpful for
navigation in image playback mode, when using the magnifier function in live
preview mode, or when setting up the desired focus sensor. By using the control
field the user can activate the focus area very quickly and intuitively.
The new Canon offers a fast AF system with 45 AF areas,
which are all cross type sensors. 27 of these sensors are very fast/light
sensitive and allow for work with a wide range of lenses. The focus system is
highly configurable: the photographer can choose single AF areas, groups of AF
sensors, and more. To configure or set up the AF system the camera has the
well-known “AF sensor” button on the back and a second, small focus system
button directly beside the shutter release button. Choosing an AF area or
configuring groups/AF areas is very easy with these buttons in combination with
the setup dials and the cursor control field.
The compact body of the Canon EOS 80D is well balanced and
fits comfortably in hand. Many function elements allow for quick setup of all
parameters. The camera has a setup dial right behind the shutter release
button and a second wheel/rotary knob that encircles the 8 way cursor field, so
setting up aperture and shutter speed in M mode is very comfortable. In all,
the camera supports easy menu navigation and image parameter setup. A large and
illuminated status LCD displays the most important settings.
The new Canon has a large 3-inch screen on the back with high
resolution (1,040,000 RGB dots). This LCD can be used as electronic viewfinder.
To activate this viewfinder the camera offers an LV switch right beside the
ocular of the optical viewfinder. The LCD of the 80D is touch sensitive. The
touch screen can also be used for parameter setup by pressing the “Q” button
and choosing parameters like ISO speed or the EV compensation. The monitor of
the Canon EOS 80D is fully articulated and can be rotated to the left hand side
or even to the front of the camera.
As a mid-range SLR system the camera offers a small pop-up
flash system, which is very helpful in many situations. The camera supports
Canon’s “E-TLL II” system and wireless multi flash systems for Canon Speedlite
flashes, which can be mounted on the accessory shoe on top of the camera.
The new Canon also has a Wi-Fi module including NFC, which
allows users to establish the wireless connection between the 80D and a smart
device. The free app for Apple iOS and Android allows image transfer as well as
using the smartphone/tablet as a remote control.
Image Quality Lab Tests
Color: The EOS 80D showed an excellent performance in
our color test. The automatic white balance system did a very good job, so the
gray pattern for neutral color nuances are located nearly exactly in the center
of our GretagMacbeth chart. Red colors are slightly boosted by a higher and
brighter yellow rate. Skin tones are reproduced perfectly. The overall
saturation is also nearly perfect. The Canon 80D reproduced the test chart with
98.8 percent. Our field test shots give proof of the very good color results of
our test charts.
Sharpness: The Canon EOS 80D reproduced the ISO 12233
test chart with 3634 of 4000 lines, which is a very good result. The camera
showed some over- and under-shot effects on hard contrast lines: the conclusion
is that its DIGIC6 processor uses an intense filtering to enhance sharpness.
Fortunately, it isn't intense enough to create real clipping effects, but the
boosting of sharpness may be visible in some image elements. In our real life
shots, this effect isn't as intense as in the shot of test chart. The camera
seems to intensify filtering effects depending on the scene. The test images
were taken in default settings, so the “Picture Style” was set to “Auto”, while
most other Canon SLRs use “Standard” with a fixed setup for sharpness, contrast
and colors.
Noise: The EOS 80D
performed in a typical way for Canon SLRs in our noise tests. At lower ISO
speed settings luminance noise level is a little higher than in images taken
with other APS-C cameras, but the color noise is very low. Color noise
artifacts get visible in images taken with ISO 1600 and clearly visible in
images taken with highest ISO speed settings of more than ISO 6400. The results
of the highest ISO speed settings (12,800/16,000) are still acceptable, but in
additional high mode up to ISO 25,600 it becomes more intense.
The dynamic range results are on an average or good level.
The camera reproduced the Stouffer 4110 chart with a maximum of 10.9 f-stops
with reduced dynamic range in images taken with higher ISO speeds.
