Canon EOS 80D

The Canon EOS 80D is an APS-C DSLR released in 2016. A CMOS sensor and a pentaprism optical viewfinder give it the classic DSLR experience, with direct, lag-free viewing of the scene.

The body works with Canon EF-S lenses, so photographers who already own those lenses can keep using them.

Weighing 730g, the 80D is a solid body rather than a light travel option, but the 960-shot battery rating means fewer stops to swap power during a long day of shooting.

The 80D earns a good optics score of 63, which places it around the middle of cameras in our database for Optics. Its 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor pairs with the Digic 6 processor, and that resolution leaves room for generous cropping.

Autofocus offers 45 selectable points, giving you real choice over where focus lands instead of recomposing around a single spot. The camera also shoots at up to 7fps, enough for brief action sequences, though that figure is a maximum rather than a promise of sustained shooting.

The pentaprism viewfinder shows the scene optically, with no display lag while you frame. There is no in-body stabilisation, so the body itself does not counter camera shake; steadier handheld work calls for a faster shutter speed, a stabilised lens or a support.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 100 to 16000, and the shutter reaches 1/8000s, giving broad control for shooting in bright light.

With a good video score of 70, the 80D covers everyday filming. It records Full HD video, and its maximum frame rate is 60fps. Footage captured at the higher rates can be slowed in editing for smoother motion.

There is no 4K recording, so projects that demand higher resolution need different equipment. For online clips and family videos, Full HD still holds up well.

A built-in timelapse function automates interval shooting, which saves you from buying an external intervalometer. The camera also records in both MOV and MP4 formats.

Handheld filming benefits from a tripod or a lens with its own stabiliser, because the body does not steady the shot itself.

The 80D earns a good features score of 70. The 3-inch LCD uses a 1,040,000-dot panel, responds to touch for menu control, and flips out so you can frame from waist level, over crowds or with the camera facing you. Live view offers a preview alternative when the optical finder does not suit the shot.

Weather sealing guards the body against dust and moisture in changeable conditions, though it does not make the camera waterproof. A built-in flash covers unexpected low light, and the external flash connection lets you add stronger lighting when you need it.

Wi-Fi is built in for wireless connection. Bluetooth and GPS are absent, so the camera offers neither Bluetooth pairing nor built-in location tagging.

Storage and battery is the 80D's modest area, with a score of 43. The single card slot accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC media with UHS-I compatibility, but there is no second slot for extra recording capacity.

The LP-E6N battery carries a rating of 960 shots, a figure that means fewer battery swaps during a long day of use. Treat the number as a specification rather than a promise of real-world endurance.

There is no USB charging, so you cannot top the battery up over a USB cable. A charged spare LP-E6N is a sensible purchase if you shoot away from home for extended periods.