Canon EOS 70D body only – $1199 – Amazon | Adorama | B&H | DigitalRev
Canon EOS 70D with 18-55mm lens – $1349 – Amazon | Adorama | B&H | DigitalRev
Canon EOS 70D with 18-135mm lens – $1549 – Amazon | Adorama | B&H | DigitalRev

And, btw, the Canon EOS 60D is just $599 at B&H and Amazon.

Ok, samples first. Canon Japan (thanks Mark) published a page with sample images and videos (downloadable). The following crop is taken from a sample shot at ISO 3200.

Let’s go on with some consideration by DPreview about the EOS 70D’s sensor:

[…] on the inside it sports an entirely new sensor that is, potentially, revolutionary. It offers 20.2MP resolution, but uses a ‘Dual Pixel CMOS AF’ design in which every single pixel is split into two separately-readable photodiodes, facing left and right. This means that in principle they are all capable of phase detection autofocus in live view and movie mode.

Yes, the new sensor, and its AF capabilities, are the true innovation that Canon introduced with their latest prosumer/enthusiasts DSLR. Canon has long be criticised for their rather conservative approach to sensor technology. Having “only” 18MP on most of their recent APS-C DSLR was by some people interpreted as a inability to keep up with modern imaging technology. Now we know that Canon was quietly researching something that’s throughly innovative. If you want to have a deeper look into the Dual Pixel CMOS Auto-Focus system featured on the EOS 70D, have a look at this well made technical introduction by Canon itself. The technology behind the Dual Pixel CMOS AF is well explained also on this page of dpreview’s hands-on. About the AF system, they write:

So far we’ve only had our hands on a non-final EOS 70D for a relatively short time, but our initial impressions are pretty positive. With the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit zoom, the camera is clearly much faster and more decisive at focusing in Live View than any previous EOS – or indeed any other SLR.

The new AF system of the Canon EOS 70D is a great leap forward in sensor tech. So much that it will challenge the likes of Sony and the 4/3 consortium in general. This is the sensor that most probably will be featured on the EOS M2, and it is a game changer, hence the next Canon mirrorless system camera could be a game changer.

Canon also beefed up the 70D, compared to its predecessor, the EOS 60D EOS 60D (price & specs). For example, AF micro-adjustement has been introduced.

More hands-on. Techcrunch thinks the EOS 70D is Indie Filmmaker’s Dream Camera. Another hands-on by techradar, they also compared the 70D to the 60D. More: PC Magazine, Heise DE (German), PetaPixel. Imaging Resource asks if “this new DSLR [will] change autofocus forever?“. Newsshooter asks if the Dual Pixel CMOS AF is a revolution is AF for video.

Some videos. The first from Canon France:

Another one from Canon Germany:

A hands-on by What Digital Camera:

A behind the scenes that explains the Dual Pixel CMOS AF:

That’s all for the time being. If you like what I am doing here on Canon Watch, then consider pre-ordering your EOS 70D using one of the links below. It won’t cost you a penny more as usual, and I get a small commission that helps me to pay the bills at the end of the month.

Canon EOS 70D body only – $1199 – Amazon | Adorama | B&H | DigitalRev
Canon EOS 70D with 18-55mm lens – $1349 – Amazon | Adorama | B&H | DigitalRev
Canon EOS 70D with 18-135mm lens – $1549 – Amazon | Adorama | B&H | DigitalRev