Canon EOS 70D

The EOS 70D is an APS-C DSLR released in 2013, built around an optical pentaprism viewfinder and Canon's EF-S lens mount. At 755 g and measuring 139 x 104 x 79 mm, it is a substantial enthusiast camera rather than a light travel option.

That heft pairs with a through-the-lens optical view, and the EF-S mount accepts matching Canon lenses. It suits photographers who prefer composing through the viewfinder, whether for everyday subjects, family shooting or building their skills over time.

The optics score of 58 is modest, and the camera sits around the middle of cameras in our database for Optics. In practice that suggests a solid everyday specification rather than a standout one.

At its core is a 20.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor paired with a Digic 5+ processor. That resolution leaves room for tight crops or large prints, and the 100 to 12800 ISO range keeps options open as light falls.

For movement, bursts reach up to 7 fps and the shutter tops out at 1/8000 s, while 19 autofocus points are on hand for focus placement. None of these figures is exotic, but on paper they suit casual action photography.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so shake reduction relies on a stabilised lens, a faster shutter speed or a support such as a tripod. Without any of those, handheld work in dim rooms or at longer focal lengths carries more risk of blur.

The EOS 70D records video up to Full HD and stores it in MOV files. The fastest listed frame rate is 30 fps. Because those are separate maxima in the stored specifications, do not assume the highest resolution and highest frame rate are available together without checking the selected recording mode.

Its Video score is 43 out of 100, assessed as modest. Full HD suits normal viewing and web delivery, but there is no 4K capture for extra detail or later cropping. Buyers planning a 4K workflow will need a different body.

There is no built-in timelapse function. Interval sequences need a different workflow, such as manually timed frames, if time-compression work matters to the project.

Handling is where this camera earns its good score of 70. The 3-inch LCD carries 1.04 million dots, which makes checking focus and detail comfortable, and it both flips out and responds to touch.

That articulating screen works with live view to frame shots from waist level or overhead, angles an optical viewfinder cannot reach. It is a real help for still-life setups and candid work close to the ground.

Wireless connectivity is handled by built-in Wi-Fi, while Bluetooth is absent, and there is no GPS, so the body cannot tag your files with location data.

Weather sealing offers protection against dust and moisture, though it is not waterproof. A built-in flash covers you when light runs short, and external flash is supported when you need more power.

Storage and battery is the weakest area, with a limited score of 37. There is a single SD, SDHC or SDXC slot, so a shoot lives on one card with no second copy written as you work.

The LP-E6 battery is rated at 920 shots under standard testing. Treat that as a rating rather than a promise: heavy live view, flash and screen use will drain it faster, but it gives useful scale for planning a day of stills.

Charging happens in a mains charger because there is no USB charging. Pack a charged spare for long days or travel, since the camera cannot top itself up from a power bank between locations.