Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Released in 2014, the EOS 7D Mark II is an APS-C DSLR built around movement. Its 10 fps maximum burst, 65 autofocus points and optical pentaprism viewfinder define what it is for.

Those features suit sports, wildlife and event photography, where capturing the decisive moment often depends on framing and timing. The optical pentaprism viewfinder gives a direct, through-the-lens view of the scene.

Owning one means carrying a 910 g DSLR body, so it suits deliberate outings with a camera bag rather than casual carry.

The 20.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor provides resolution with room to crop, and dual DIGIC 6 processors drive the camera's processing.

Speed is the strength here. The maximum burst reaches 10 fps, though that figure is a peak rate rather than a promise of sustained runs, and the shutter goes to 1/8000 s. Together they let you freeze a sprinter or a bird in flight and pick the sharpest frame from a quick sequence.

Sixty-five autofocus points give you many options for where to place focus when composing a shot.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 100 to 16000, a range that reaches into low light. The notable gap is stabilisation: none is built into the body, so shake reduction must come from the lens or a support. Even so, the Optics score of 61 rates as good, placing the camera around the middle of cameras in our database for Optics.

Video is a supporting role here. Recording tops out at Full HD with no 4K option, and the section score of 56 is assessed as modest. For clips that sit alongside stills, Full HD is workable; for 4K production the resolution ceiling is limiting.

The fastest frame rate offered for video recording is 60 fps, which gives smooth motion when panning or following fast action. Recordings write as MOV or MP4 files.

The body has no in-body stabilisation, so handheld video may benefit from a stabilised lens or firm support. Live view on the 3-inch rear LCD handles framing while recording. Weather sealing also helps when video work moves outdoors in dust or damp conditions.

The rear screen is a fixed 3-inch LCD with just over a million dots, so playback and live view look sharp and detailed. It neither moves nor responds to touch, so overhead or waist-level live view compositions take some approximation.

Live view is available for composing on the rear screen. The body has no Bluetooth connection.

Weather sealing protects against dust and moisture in ordinary field conditions, and it should not be treated as waterproofing. A built-in flash supplies occasional fill light, and the camera also takes an external flash when you need more power.

Built-in GPS records where each shot was taken, which saves guessing later if you cover wildlife or travel. The features score of 57 is modest: the screen lacks touch control and there is no Bluetooth, while weather sealing and live view contribute fully.

Two card slots take SD, SDHC and SDXC plus Compact Flash media, so you can use whichever cards you already own and buy either format going forward.

The LP-E6N battery is rated at 670 shots, a figure to treat as a rating rather than a promise of real-world endurance. Usage varies, so a spare battery covers long events.

There is no USB charging, so the battery cannot be recharged through a USB connection to the camera. Plan charging between sessions instead of topping up on the go.

The storage and battery score of 65 rates as good, reflecting full marks for the dual card slots alongside reduced points for battery life and missing USB charging.