Canon EOS Rebel T7

4/ 5 Very good

pros and cons

Pros

• Low price for a DSLR camera
• Autofocus works great
• Image quality is good
• Size makes it easily portable

Cons

• Can only shoot 3fps in continuous shooting mode
• No 4K video

$479.99 at Best Buy $479 at Crutchfield $479.99 at Target more buying choices

As an avid content creator, I wanted to upgrade my camera, so I purchased the Canon EOS Rebel T7. On most weekends, you can find me at a racetrack taking pictures of late-model stock cars, so I need a camera that can catch the fast-moving cars with excellent clarity, and this Canon didn't disappoint.

Is it the most flashy and extravagant camera? No. Is it the best camera on the market for less than$1,000? Arguably, yes.  

Though the camera model came out in 2018, it remains a great option both for those new to photography and for veterans of the craft. TheCanon EOS Rebel T7 gains an improved 24.1-megapixel sensor over its predecessor, the T6, but otherwise the two cameras are identical.

You can find this camera for$479 on Amazon with the EF18-55mm lens included. You can also get it as a two-lens kit, with both the EF 18-55mm and EF 75-300mm lenses included, for $599 on Amazon . Though the two-lens kit is only$120 more expensive, if you buy theEF 75-300mm lens  later that'll cost$199 by itself. 

While this DSLR camera is one of the cheaper options when it comes to photography, I put it to the test to see how it stacks up against some of the higher-end mirrorless cameras.

Also: The best DSLR Cameras

Specifications and features

Before buying a camera, it's always important to check the specs. With a 24.1MPsensor, this camera is very competitive with its Nikon and Sony counterparts. 

Megapixels	24.1MP
Frames per second (fps)	Up to 3
LCD screen size	3 inches
ISO range	100-6400
Shutter speed	30-1/4,000 sec.
Autofocus	9-point AF system and AI Servo AF

The Nikon D3400  and theSony Alpha 7 II , the Canon T7's closest equivalents from each brand, have a 24.2MP and 24.3MP resolution respectively, but both shoot video at 5 frames per second, while the Canon T7 shoots at up to 3fps. Though the Canon T7 lags in frames per second and megapixels compared with its counterparts, it makes up for it in price.

This camera features a Digic 4 Plus image processor, which enhances the quality of images by quickly processing high-ISO pictures -- 60% faster than its predecessor. Additionally, with the T7's built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, you can connect it to your mobile device, printer, Canon Image gateway, or even another camera.

Lastly, this camera is compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses, allowing you to find the perfect lens for portraits, nature photography, or whatever else your creative heart desires.

Also: The 6 best cameras

Design

As a Canon user for a couple of years, I found the company's design is consistent and easy to navigate, which stands true with this camera. When put side-by-side with the Nikon D3400 and Sony Alpha 7 II, you can see that all the buttons on the Canon EOS Rebel T7 are neatly positioned on the right side of the camera. Having the buttons near the thumb rest makes accessing different settings on your camera much simpler. 

Josh Slate/ZDNet

As for the rest of the camera, the three compared here are similar across the board. The Canon T7 has a rotating knob at the top, which you can use to choose between 14 different modes ranging from automatic to food photography. On the top of the camera you'll also find the on/off switch, the manual flash button, a wheel that allows you to change various settings, and most importantly, the shutter-release button.

What's in the box?

In addition to the camera body, the EOS Rebel T7 base package gets you an EF-S 18-55mm lens, a battery and charger, and a high-quality strap included in the box. As I mentioned earlier, there are various kits you can purchase as well. 

You will also find a user's manual that includes step-by-step instructions on how to set up your camera.

Let's put it to the test

To get the most out of this camera, I went to a place I'm incredibly comfortable, a racetrack. I got the chance to be credentialed media atNorth Wilkesboro Speedwayin North Carolina -- a track with loads of history and a picturesque aesthetic. As well as the racetrack, I visitedRomare Bearden Parkin Charlotte, North Carolina, to capture shots of the skyline and the garden during the morning hours

Note that I used the EF 75-300mm lens, not the base EF-S 18-55mm lens, for all the photos from the park and most photos from the speedway. I've included which lens I used in the caption of each photo. 

Romare Bearden Park

Charlotte is a beautiful city, and it has a great park located in the heart of Uptown. I've never dabbled in nature photography before, but after a short time with this camera, I think I might start doing it more. 

Shot with the 75-300mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

The shots I was able to capture from the park required no editing and came straight from the camera. By using various settings and the nine-point autofocus, taking these pictures was a walk in the park, literally. 

Shot with the 75-300mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

Capturing the perfect picture is all about location and how well you can direct your camera's focus. For the picture above, I wanted to see how well it captured the subject of the photo if there was an obstruction in the view. As you can tell, it did a great job of focusing on the waterfall fountain while blurring out the leaves in the foreground.

Shot with the 75-300mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

Overall, I was impressed with how these pictures came out and excited to capture more images of the outdoors in the near future.

Also: The 5 best DSLR cameras

North Wilkesboro Speedway

This racetrack is one of the most historic racetracks in stock car racing, and when the gates recently reopened, I knew I had to shoot some photos. I tested this camera's ability to shoot fast-moving objects as the cars ran into the corners at over 100 mph. While I wasn't impressed with the camera only shooting 3 frames-per-second in continuous shooting, I was still able to capture a lot of great photos from the track.

After adjusting my camera settings to the ever-changing lighting, I was able to capture some incredible shots of the cars.

Shot with the EF 75-300mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

Most of the pictures required minimal editing. With outdoor photography, every cloud affects what settings you need on the camera. After dealing with a rain shower, cloudiness, and sunshine, I was able to adjust the settings to get shots like these easily. 

Shot with the EF 75-300mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

While testing out how the camera worked with action shots, I also wanted to see how the camera performed when using it the capture the environment at the track. Here are two of my favorites from among those pictures.

Shot with the EF 75-300mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

Shot with the 18-55mm lens.

Josh Slate/ZDNet

Canon EOS Rebel T7

$479 at B&H Photo-Video

Bottom line

There are better and newer cameras on the market than this one, but if you're proficient in Lightroom or other editing software, you can make about any photo look good. Also, most of these photos required minimal editing, and I was able to take them straight from the camera to my flash drive. With camera prices ranging from a couple of hundred bucks to a couple of thousand bucks, having a camera that captures images and video effectively for cheap is ideal; this DSLR camera offers just that.

Though this camera doesn't have 4k video capabilities, you can shoot in full HD at 1920x1080 with 30fps. If you will mainly be shooting video with this camera, it might be a better option to go with theCanon Rebel T8i .

Is it the most flashy and extravagant camera? No. Is it the best camera on the market for less than$1,000? Arguably, yes. And that's why I highly recommend this camera to people looking to step into the realm of photography.

Alternatives to consider

Nikon D3400

$500 at Nikon

Sony Alpha 7 II

$898 at B&H Photo-Video

Canon EOS Rebel T8i

$899 at B&H Photo-Video

Recommends

The 100+ best October Prime Day deals you can buy: Live updatesThe 5 best VPN services (and tips to choose the right one for you)The best Android phones you can buy (including a surprise pick)The best robot vacuum and mop combos (and if they're worth the money)

• The 100+ best October Prime Day deals you can buy: Live updates
• The 5 best VPN services (and tips to choose the right one for you)
• The best Android phones you can buy (including a surprise pick)
• The best robot vacuum and mop combos (and if they're worth the money)