Jeff Patyk
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RESEARCH For about a month and half before purchasing the camera, I had done quite a bit of researching on this camera, as well as a couple of other cameras (pretty much between Nikon and Canon cameras), trying to decide which camera to get. Watching YouTube videos, reading reviews online and seeing sample photos, I eventually decided that this camera was the one to get. Let me say that - after using this camera for about a month - I LOVE THIS CAMERA. PHYSICAL CAMERA AND KIT REVIEW Physically, the Canon EOS 80D is a pretty hefty camera. Its larger body feels very comfortable in your hands, and the weight of the camera feels like you are holding something study and substantial. The kit comes with two different Canon brand lenses (an 18-55mm lens for close up shots and a 55-250mm lens for further shots), which are clear and produce great images. I did notice some lens distortion (bending on the image edges) with the larger lens, but it was very minimal and wouldnt be noticeable without close review. Another issue I have is that the viewfinder eye piece seems very dark when looking through it. This is really a moot point, however, because you can switch to viewing your image through the LCD, which is a much more convenient way to shoot photos - especially when trying to get that sweet new angle youve been trying to get! Besides the two Canon branded lenses, the kit also comes with an 1865mAh Canon brand battery (with Canon Charger), along with a Focus brand battery + Focus brand Rapid Charger. Having two batteries and chargers is extremely useful for quickly getting up and running with this camera. There is also a Sony brand 32GB SD card included in this kit, which can hold hundreds of RAW + Large JPEG files, so if youre just getting started, this should be more than enough space for you. The bag included with this kit is also nice, although it is a bit on the small side. The inside contains a number of "walls" which can be re-positioned using the built in velcro, so you can organize your camera accessories the way you want. I find that its hard to fit all the accessories include with this kit in the bag, and everything fits very snug. The other accessories for the camera (camera grip, lens cleaner, filters, etc) are nice additions, but I personally have not used them / found a need for them just yet in my hobbyist use. CAMERA QUALITY The quality of this camera is superb! I cannot stress this enough - it takes amazing pictures in all light situations (include low light situations), and the level of detail that it captures is astounding. Pictures speak better than words, so attached are a couple of sample images. OVERALL Overall - if you are on the fence about getting this camera [bundle], let me help you out... Get it. You wont regret it, and youll love your purchase. Be sure to do your research though - there are a LOT of options with this camera, and only be learning to use it will you really get your moneys worth. ADDITIONAL NOTES As you start using your camera, youll learn that the lenses that come with the kit (the 18-55mm lens and the 55-250mm lens) dont fit certain situations that well. Luckily, Canon has been in the business a while, so you will have PLENTY of lens options. Some lenses cost more than others (as you learn more about the lenses, you will understand why), but Canon is a good choice because there are plenty of options across a wide range of prices. I havent really reviewed the video capabilities of the camera because I havent used it that much. This camera can take video, and I can tell you that the video looks great. The biggest issue I have is when taking video with the camera is when you have to zoom; you have to manually turn the dial to zoom in your lens, which might not be smooth and may cause dial rotation noise on your video. There is a Canon Power Zoom accessory you can buy and attach to your lens, so know that this option is available if you want to use your camera to take more than just photos. I hope this review has helped you make a decision. Its a lot of money to spend, but if your in the market for a DSLR, this is the camera (and kit) to get.