VR Features

Like its elder silblings in the xxD line, nothing much has changed with regards to button layout in terms of operating controls. The AF/Drive and the ISO buttons have swapped places (they were the other way round on the EOS 30D). Other than that, it remains the same in this aspect.

An addition to the few buttons found near the bottom of the camera is the Picture Style button, which allows you to change Picture Styles quickly should you need to do so.






One of the more obvious change is to the camera body. The body now takes on the shape of the full-frame EOS 5D. There is a depression below the shutter release button to allow a firmer and more comfortable grip. I am sure that this minor yet important change would be welcomed by photographers.






The mode dial remains where it is, but three user customisable modes (C1, C2 and C3) have been added to bring convenience to photographers who have a few sets of configurations which they would use while holding on to the same camera body.






A handy AF-ON button has been added beside the FEL and AF point selection buttons.

When Live View function is activated, autofocus can be activated (if Custom Function III 6-1 is active) by pressing the AF-ON button. The mirror will drop down temporarily while the button is held, allowing autofocus to function.






The menu is fully operated by the scroll wheel and the multi-direction controller. The multi-direction controller can be used to switch through the different menus, or move through the options up and down, while the scroll wheel just takes care of up-down direction selections.






Much thought has been put into designing the layout and it has proved to be an easy-to-use system, where most settings can be changed with just a single hand.






Some people prefer the Nikon grip to the Canon grip because it "fits Asian hands better". The grip of the Canon is wider - for bigger hands, while that of Nikon is deeper. However, I strongly recommend that one try out the camera first and get a feel of it before deciding on what to purchase.