Canon EOS 80D Review: Is it Good it in 2023?

This is a review guide covering the Canon EOS 80D.

⭐ In a hurry? Here’s the quick review of the Canon 80D:

Overall, the Canon 80D is an advanced amateur-level DSLR camera with a high-resolution 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor, a fast and accurate Dual Pixel AF system, and advanced video features such as 1080p full HD recording at 60fps and built-in time-lapse and intervalometer for versatile still and motion recording capabilities.

It features:

• 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF system
• 45-point all cross-type AF system
• 7 fps continuous shooting
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC
• Full HD 1080p video recording at 60 fps
• Vari-angle touchscreen LCD
• 7560-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor for accurate metering
• Durable build with weather-sealing
• DIGIC 6 Image Processor
• ISO range of 100-16000
• Compatibility with a wide range of EF and EF-S lenses
• Built-in flash and hot shoe for external flash
• Creative filters for still and video

Canon 80D Review Summary

I am not saying that the Canon EOS 80D is the best in the segment.

There are many cameras with better features like higher resolution, no optical low pass filter, better (faster) image processor, etc.

If you are looking for a decent DSLR on a budget with decent features then the EOS 80D is worth the look.

However, if you want higher resolution, faster frame rate, and most importantly 4K/UHD capability then the EOS 80D is not for you.

Pros and Cons Canon EOS 80D

Canon EOS 80D Intro

Budget mid-range DSLRs are value-for-money propositions for someone who is looking for his/her first interchangeable lens camera.

The Canon EOS 80D is one such starter camera that offers you a balanced package.

The fact that the EOS 80D has been replaced by the EOS 90D (we reviewed the EOS 90D recently you can read all about that camera here) means that the investment of this camera has come down of late.

This review will look at the features and functionalities of the EOS 80D and find out whether it is still a good camera to invest in 2021.

Is Canon EOS 80D Good for Beginners?

The EOS 80D is a great camera for beginners. Despite being a few years old it is feature-loaded for still photographers.

For a start, it has a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and the same 45-point all cross-type autofocusing mechanism.

Sure, the image processor has improved in the latest EOS 90D and that results in better continuous shooting performance and the all-important 4K/UHD capability among other features.

But the EOS 80D is still a capable camera.

All in all, this is a decent product to invest in if you are looking for a brand new interchangeable lens camera.

Canon EOS 80D Specs

The optical sensor is the heart of any digital camera. It is where the light rays are converted into digital information and then finally processed using the image processor to produce color images.

The resolution of the sensor determines how much detail a camera can capture. The higher the resolution, the higher is the amount of detail that the camera can capture.

24.2 effective megapixel is decent. Yes, there are modern DSLRs that offer much higher resolution.

But at the end of the day, you don’t need too much resolution unless you want to print large, or, crop too much, or do both. For example, wildlife photographers tend to crop a lot.

Most of their compositions are done hurriedly because their subjects are mostly fidgety or shy.

So, they may not always have the time to compose they want to. so, tend to get the focusing and the exposure right.

If they want to eliminate elements in the image that they don’t like or move the subject towards a side of the frame, that they do in post-processing.

The EOS 80D is capable of serving 7 frames per second in continuous shooting mode. Is that enough? I would say yes.

Continuous shooting speed should always be considered while taking into account the buffer capacity of a camera.

In that regard, the EOS 80D shoots about 53 large fine JPEGs before the buffer fills up. If you test it in RAW mode, the EOS 80D will shoot about 24 RAW frames before the buffer fills up.

Once the buffer fills up the number of continuous frames will drop. Your camera will shoot and intermittently stop (waiting for the buffer to clear as the camera processes and writes the data to the memory card) before firing again.

In all practicality, if you make short well-timed bursts while allowing the buffer to clear, you can use the EOS 80D in demanding situations likes sports and wildlife.

I like the 45-point cross-type autofocusing mechanism of the EOS 80D.

Cross-type autofocusing points are better than line sensors because they can detect contrast in two axes.

This makes them doubly efficient in terms of focusing accuracy.

The EOS 80D has 45 of these cross-type AF points. Plus, they are scattered over the central area of the frame.

Technically, you can capture an off-center composition without any issues. That said, large parts of the frame remain without an AF point coverage.

If you compare the EOS 80D or for that matter any other prosumer DSLR with a mirrorless camera you will notice that the mirrorless has higher AF point coverage. This is one of the many reasons why mirrorless cameras are doing so well these days.

The EOS 80D comes with my favorite live-view shooting feature – dual-pixel CMOS autofocusing. This is what makes focusing so much easy when one is shooting in the live-view mode.

Needless to say, this mode is also active when shooting videos and the performance is very smooth. Focus rocking is softer and there is no jittery motion like in the USM motors.

Coming to the touch-to-focus option I am not a big fan of this feature. Because for some reason I can’t seem to nail it precisely where I want it to be.

And this can be very frustrating when I am shooting videos. You don’t want to rock focus on something that you did not want to in the first place.

Another reason I don’t like the touch to focus option is that the touchscreen is a fingerprint magnet and after a while, it can get pretty difficult to see things.

Canon EOS 80D Design

The design of the EOS 80D is a tried and tested one. Much of that design has been retained in the new EOS 90D. the buttons and dials of the EOS 80D are easy to access.

You could access almost the whole of the camera with the fingers on your right hand, except for the Menu and the Info buttons on the far left-hand corner of the rear of the camera.

Further, to operate the main mode dial you have to again use your left hand.

Canon EOS 80D Image Quality

I know many of you would be content just by shooting JPEG images and sharing them straight out of the camera.

Thanks to the built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity features of the EOS 80D that is a possibility.

Out of the camera, the JPEG images are crisp and colors are natural.

The real test of any camera is when you push the ISO to try and find out how much dynamic range is the camera able to capture at that high ISO.

To be honest the EOS 80D is a dated camera. It was launched back in March 2016. It has now been replaced by the EOS 90D and there have been new cameras even after the EOS 90D.

Therefore, high ISO noise performance and dynamic range are a bit on the lower side if you compare the EOS 80D with the EOS 90D or any of the new prosumer cameras.

Canon EOS 80D Video Quality

The Canon EOS 80D shoots full HD video at a frame rate of 60 fps. There is no 4K/UHD shooting option.

But then to be fair to this camera back then 4K was not in vogue like today. Even today most people use a full HD resolution TV.

But still, if you want to be future-proof and need a 4K shooting option then you are better off choosing the EOS 90D or any other Canon model that allows you to shoot 4K/UHD.

On the other hand, if full HD is more than enough for you then you can certainly take a look at the EOS 80D.

The EOS 80D comes with a built-in stereo mic. Plus, there is the option to plug in an external mic for better quality sound.

As has already been mentioned before the EOS 80D comes with the dual-pixel CMOS autofocusing feature.

This feature improves the live video autofocusing performance manifold. Especially when you are shooting videos.

Canon EOS 80D Overall Performance

I am reasonably happy with the performance of the EOS 80D. sure, I cannot expect it to compete with the cameras that launched in the last couple of years.

The technology inside the 80D is a little old but it still holds its own. Resolution wise the EOS 80D offers plenty of resolution and captures a lot of detail.

Faster and better image processors can handle high ISO images better. Plus, with a better image processor, you will be able to shoot a higher frame rate and 4K videos.

This is something that is lacking in the EOS 80D.

Notwithstanding, this is a decent camera to invest in for people who are budget conscious. It has everything you need to get started in interchangeable lens cameras.

If this is going to be your first camera you have a decent performer in hand and it will be able to take excellent images for years to come.

FAQ

We hope you enjoyed this review guide on the Canon EOS 80D.

Consider everything we’ve reviewed as to whether this is the right camera for you!

Also, check out the full list of best lenses for Canon EOS 80D.

Have fun, good luck, and keep photographing!

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