It's biggest strengths and what sets it apart from it's competition are the 4f stops, mirror lock, eye controll focus, focusing speed and very silent operation.

Low light assist beam is very bright will scare the c*%p out of an unsuspecting subject. Can be cancelled with custom function. :-)

It's the best value out there. Very competent camera at a price that won't send you to file for bankruptcy.
Speed and silence plus the flexibility of the Elan7e make it the clear winner in the mid level SLR market. The EOS system has a great selection of lenses and accesories to choose from. USM, eye controll focusing and IS. are just a few of the Canon innovations that make the EOS system a pleasure to use.
Go for the Elan7/7e and you will be very glad you did. :-)

Customer Service

Never used. :-)

Similar Products Used:

N80, Maxxum7

Ergonomics (eventhough I am left eye dominant), eyecontrol AF, feel (although better with bp-300), silent, custom functions, e-ttl with 380EX or 420EX flash.

strobe flash af help light
(should definately turn it off if you don't want your subject to be scared away!).

This is a very nice body to get if you're thinking of stepping up from simple (automatic) slr camera's. I found the EOS 500N (rebel) too light and lacking manual control, especially in metering. Also the focussing was not up to par. If you want to have 'complete' control but still be able to take those quick candid shots, this is the camera to buy. Good value for money.

Customer Service

never needed.

Similar Products Used:

EOS 500N with EF28-105 USM and EF100-300 USM, Mamiya ZE Quartz body and sekor-E lenses, Olympus OM-10 body and lenses, Yashica body and lenses.

Ergonomics, custom features, silent, fast film wind, 4 frames per sec., eye controll, price.

Low light assist beam.

I am very pleased with my EOS30e, it's performance has been great. The eye controll is more accurate than my EOS50e and it is faster, it is quieter and focuses faster as well. It is avery competent back up to my EOS3, I find myself shooting the EOS30e more and more because of it's ease of use and it's light weight, plus it's focusing performance is equal to my EOS3 and the metering is very accurate. The EOS30e is also very flexible, you can customize it to fit almost any situation by using it's cutoms functions.
I highly recommend the EOS30e.

Customer Service

Excellent.

Similar Products Used:

F80, F90, EOS50e.

Canon EOS 30 offers specification that compares favourably with any other camera in its price range. Good selection of exposure modes, seven point AF system, a fast motordrive and large number of other features. Eye control feature functions far better than one may expect, really helpful. Great handling and excellent performance.

The ten percent partial meter is not as good as spot meters on other comparable cameras, but results delivered are good enough

I would recommend this camera as the best value for your money. I have used it now for two months and I do not regret the choice I made, with appropriate care taken this camera delivers results limited only by your own capabilities.

Customer Service

Good.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax MZ3; Nikon F80

Lightweight, fast focus, 4fps, ergonomic design. Controls are well placed and easy to access. Multiple metering modes. Ultra-quiet operation. Eye control focus works extremely well.

AF assist could scare animals if used.

I purchased this camera as a kit with 2 lenses, BP300 grip/battery pack etc. This camera is a real beauty to operate. Very quiet, fast auto-focus using USM lenses, and extremely quiet film advance. I photograph wildlife in natural and captive settings and this camera is exactly what I need to capture them on film, as often they are moving and the predictive AF hasn't failed me yet.

Customer Service

Never needed to use it - haven't had any problems with Canon photographic equipment

Similar Products Used:

Canon AE1-Program

Versitility, Strength, Durability, Focus Speed, Lens syetem, Slient operation

Eexposure tends to be too bright, Dark light display info., Time factor getting used to automatic features.

Lots of features packed into an intermediate priced camera. I waited for this camera availability over the Nikon 80 because I like Canon. For me it was the advanced features and better build of the camera over the lighter and slightly more user friendly Nikon. As I tried to shoot more complicated lighting photos,I found the Canon Elan very...acccomidating. I could choose several special settings for portrature, landscape, back lighting, and/or landscape...etc., that upon developing did particularly well. I also used the 420EX Flash to get better indoor shots which were super. I can't fault the Cnaon Elan 7e...The "e" worked perfectly well whenever I used it. But as with any camera, it takes some time to manage the extra features that may be presented to you. The 50mm 1.4 lens is really good and I can't see a reason to use the Contax/Zeiss 50mm, yes that is what I said, over the Canon for this lens. I have a five year old son who moves fast and my vision isn't what it used to be so automatic focus was my need. The Canon Elan 7E deivers for this purpose. I will need about a year or so to make this camera my favorite...the Contax 167 holds that spot right now. But I fully expect that the autofocus and lens combinations in the Canon system will give me all that I need. I expect that this camera will take time for most to use to its full capabilities but it is a solid buy for me. Some telephoto caapabilities are non-existant with other camera systems.
If you like candid photos and have noticted a drop off in focus with your manually focus lens, I say give this camera and its lens system a try. For the price, its a no brainer. By the way, I banged this camera from Philly to the Philippines, Hong Kong, and back and right now its the camera I take with me wherever I go if I want those unposed shots of my son and wife.

Customer Service

Not needed...yet

Similar Products Used:

Contax 167, Conon F1 new, Canon Sureshot Z115

Fast and silent AF, fast and silent film advance/rewind. Lightweight but also strong. Great price for what you're getting in return. Next best thing to an all out professional model at twice the price. All controls within easy reach and most can be customized to your own preference.

No spot metering...I have read this in a number of review but do you need it? Instead of buying a different model that may have spot metering or buying a stand alone spotmeter try this...Use a long lens (300 or more) and switch to partial metering from evaluative metering. You now have a spot meter.

I only bought this camera because of failing eyesight and I couldn't be sure of focus with my A-1. Best thing I ever did. My pictures are back to being sharp again. All in all I would recommend this camera to anyone without deep pockets, but who still wants a professional quality camera. Remember, YOU take the picture, not the camera.

Customer Service

Even though I purchased the 7E model it came with only a model 7 manual. Called Canon and they said they would send out the right manual. Still waiting.....three months. Minor detail as I only am missing the instructions on the eye control focus.

Similar Products Used:

Canon A-1
Canon Rebel 2000 QD

Mirror lock up.

No spot metering, Max. 9 multiple exposure.

Eye control is cool but not for serious protographer, i always look around the edges before pressing the shutter. I think 10 Segment 3D Matrix from Nikon is better than 35 zone metering from canon. Anyway, I always use spot metering so Canon is out for me.

Similar Products Used:

F80, F100

Good ECF Focus Speed,
Body Case, Af Area Button(simmilar Nikon's)
price, Compact Body

shutter Speed 1/4000
Spot Metering

Good Value of Price Body, Alluminum case is strength , I think that EOS30 is Best Value at
this Price List..
F80 is too high price .. but spot Metering

Customer Service

not yet.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F100, F4S
EOS 5(Elan2A), EOS50
EOS1 HS(not N or V)

Ease Of Use Is Simple Enough For The Amateaur Yet Comprehensive Enough For The Pro...The Seven Autofocus Points And Eye Controlled Focus Are Great...Program Mode Allows Shifts...Fast And Accurate, Yet Silent Motor Drive...

Lack Of Spot Metering Is Strange...The Eye Controlled Focus Seems To Malfunction When Shooting With Eye Glasses...

By Far, The Best Camera In Its Range...Beats Even The Canon A2E...The Solid Feel Of The Contoured Grip And Aluminium Body Give A Steady Shot...Features Are Plentiful And Useful - Many Photographers Won't Even Use...More Logically Set Up Than The Nikon N80 (Its Counterpart)...

Customer Service

You'll Never Need It...

Similar Products Used:

Canon Elan IIE, A2E... Nikon N65, N80, FM...