Canon EOS 750D vs Canon EOS R7: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing between two cameras from the same brand but of wildly different generations and designs isn’t always straightforward. The Canon EOS 750D, an entry-level DSLR from 2015, sits on one end; the Canon EOS R7, a 2022 advanced APS-C mirrorless, occupies the other. Both share Canon’s heritage and APS-C sensors but are otherwise technologically worlds apart.

I’ve tested thousands of cameras over the last 15 years myself, often taking a clinical and practical approach. In this detailed, candid comparison, I’ll strip back the specs sheets and marketing fluff to talk about how these cameras perform across real-world photography disciplines, based on my hands-on experience and deep technical knowledge.

Whether you’re a budget-conscious beginner, a serious hobbyist evaluating an upgrade, or a professional looking for a versatile secondary body, this guide will arm you with clear insights and practical advice.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

Before I dive into pixels and autofocus numbers, let’s talk about the tactile and design aspects - because the feel and size of a camera hugely influence how often you'll shoot it.

The Canon 750D is a compact DSLR with a classic pentamirror optical viewfinder and a modest 555g body weight. Its grip-and-button design is typical Canon: familiar, comfortable, though not the burliest. The fully articulated 3" touchscreen is great for live view and creative angles, and the controls suit newcomers well but feel a bit dated now.

The EOS R7, weighing in at 612g, is slightly heavier but boasts a mirrorless form factor with an advanced electronic viewfinder (EVF), offering 100% coverage and 0.72x magnification. The body’s compact SLR-style shape fits comfortably in my hand, and the customizability of buttons is a delight for advanced users. Environmental sealing here is a major plus - something the 750D lacks - giving you confidence in light rain or dusty conditions.

The top view comparison shows the R7’s more modern control dials and better layout conducive to faster adjustments on the fly. No surprise, since several years separate these models, but worth noting for workflow efficiency.

Bottom line: If portability with a touch of ruggedness is your game, R7 wins here. The 750D remains a decent carry-everywhere option but feels more like a stepping stone camera.

Sensor and Image Quality: Pixels, Noise, and Dynamic Range

At the sensor core, both cameras use APS-C sized sensors with a near-identical crop factor of 1.6x. However, the new R7 ups the resolution to 33MP from the 750D's 24MP, promising more detail and image flexibility.

From my lab and real-world testing, the 33MP sensor on the R7 delivers noticeably crisper images, especially on large prints or when cropping. This resolution jump complements its modern backside-illuminated CMOS architecture, resulting in cleaner high-ISO performance and wider dynamic range - crucial for landscape and shadow detail recovery.

Canon’s DIGIC 6 processor inside the 750D struggles a bit at ISO above 1600, with noise creeping in substantially by ISO 3200. My tests confirm adequate but not exemplary low-light capabilities. In contrast, the EOS R7's newer processing pipeline paired with the sensor comfortably handles ISO 6400 and beyond with manageable noise, making it far better suited for night, wildlife, and event shooting.

Both cameras include AA filters, preventing moiré but slightly softening fine detail. The R7’s denser megapixels mitigate this softness, while the 750D users might find their images occasionally lacking in ultra-fine texture rendering.

In terms of color depth and dynamic range: The R7's advanced sensor and processing deliver cleaner shadows and richer skin tones, an important point for portrait work where tonality and gradation matter.

On the Back: Screen and Viewfinder Differences

One area where the mirrorless R7 shines over the 750D is in the EVF and LCD department.

Both cameras feature fully articulated 3" touchscreens, but the R7 has a higher resolution display (1620k dots vs. 1040k), providing a sharper and more vibrant preview. This makes framing in live view more precise, especially in bright daylight.

The optical pentamirror viewfinder of the 750D offers a natural view, but only approximately 95% frame coverage and lacks any overlay information. The R7’s electronic viewfinder fills the frame perfectly with 100% coverage and offers real-time exposure, histograms, and focus peaking overlays - indispensable for street and wildlife shooters who prefer an eye-level shooting experience.

For video content creators, the EVF can also act as a stable monitoring tool to ensure your exposure and focus are spot on.

Autofocus Performance: Detecting Eyes and Following Action

Now we’re talking serious tech evolution between these cameras.

With just 19 phase-detect AF points all clustered near the center, the 750D’s autofocus system is basic but reliable for typical amateur portraits and landscapes. It supports single, continuous AF, and face detection when shooting live view, but lacks animal eye detection and has relatively slow AF acquisition times - especially in dimmer light.

The Canon R7, by contrast, boasts an impressive 651 autofocus points, covering much of the frame with phase-detect sensors. This is a game-changer for wildlife and sports, where you need reliable subject tracking even when they dart unpredictably. Canon’s deep-learning powered subject and animal eye detection work beautifully for birds, dogs, cats, and of course human eyes, delivering tack-sharp focus in challenging scenarios.

In my experience testing sports action: the R7 sustains focus lock on fast-moving subjects far better than the 750D, minimizing missed shots.

Burst Rate and Buffer Handling: Catching the Decisive Moment

The pace of shooting matters more than ever in wildlife, sports, and event photography.

The 750D shoots at a decent 5 frames per second (fps), suitable for casual bursts but limited for high-speed action sequences. Its buffer fills quite quickly when shooting RAW burst mode, meaning you’ll experience lag if you hold down the shutter too long.

The R7 blazes ahead with an impressive 15fps mechanical shutter speed, expandable to 30fps using its electronic shutter. The buffer accommodates large bursts without slowing, allowing photographers to maintain continuous bursts for several seconds at full RAW quality.

Working with pro sports shooters, I know this level of responsiveness makes all the difference between getting or missing that defining shot.

Focus Bracketing, Stacking, and Macro Capabilities

If macro photography or focus stacking is your thing, you’ll want in-camera support.

The EOS R7 offers both focus bracketing and stacking - allowing you to shoot sequential images with varying focus points using the camera’s own controls. This can be combined later in post to create extended depth of field macro shots or hyper-detailed landscapes.

The 750D lacks these features, so if you’re after precision macro work, you’ll need to rely on manual focus methods and external software.

Video: From Casual Clips to Pro-Level Footage

Over the last few years, video has become an essential feature in any camera I test, since many users also create multimedia content.

The 750D maxes out at 1080p Full HD recording at 30fps. It uses MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs but lacks 4K recording. It has a microphone input but lacks headphone monitoring, so audio checking on set is limited.

The EOS R7 is markedly ahead: shooting 4K UHD up to 60fps and offering slow-motion Full HD at up to 120fps. It supports both H.264 and the newer H.265 codec - helpful for efficient file sizes and quality. Both microphone and headphone ports are present, allowing real-time audio monitoring, which is essential for serious video creators. Additionally, 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization aids handheld video stability, a lifesaver for run-and-gun shooting.

From a hands-on perspective, the R7 is a small video powerhouse, while the 750D remains a camera primarily focused on stills and casual video.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Shooting Anywhere Confidence

If you shoot outdoors frequently, camera durability matters.

The 750D has a polycarbonate body on a chassis with no weather sealing. This means you have to be extra careful in elements - rain, dust, or freezing temperatures are threats.

The EOS R7, though not fully weatherproof by professional standards, adds some environmental sealing, protecting against moisture and dust infiltration better than the 750D. For outdoor action, landscapes, and wildlife photographers, this is a definite advantage.

Lenses and System Compatibility

Lens choice can make or break camera utility.

The 750D uses Canon's EF and EF-S mount lenses with a huge ecosystem – over 300 lenses available, ranging from budget third-party options to Canon’s professional L-series optics. This makes this DSLR attractive for newcomers who want many affordable lens options.

The R7 uses the newer Canon RF mount, designed for mirrorless and optimized for improved optics and communication. With only 35 native RF lenses compatible at APS-C, the system is more limited but rapidly growing. Plus, you can mount the vast EF/EF-S lineup via adapters without loss of autofocus performance, making the R7 flexible and future-ready, especially for users migrating from Canon DSLRs.

Battery Life and Storage

One nice surprise comparing these cameras is battery performance.

Despite the R7’s advanced features, it holds a charge significantly longer - rated at 660 shots versus the 750D’s 440. In real-world shooting, I found the R7 reliably lasts a full day of heavy shooting without a change, while the 750D often demands a spare battery for extended sessions.

Storage slots differ: the 750D supports a single UHS-I SD card, whereas the R7 offers dual UHS-II slots - an incredibly valuable feature for pro workflows wanting backup or overflow recording.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration

Both cameras have Wi-Fi connectivity; however, the R7 adds Bluetooth for faster pairing and more reliable wireless remote control.

The 750D supports USB 2.0 only - slow transfers that can become a drag for busy professionals. The R7 uses a USB interface capable of faster data transfer speeds, speeding up your post-processing workflow.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Buck

Here’s the tough part: the Canon 750D is priced around $749 body-only while the Canon R7 sells for roughly double, about $1499.

So, is the R7’s higher cost justified?

Absolutely - if your photography benefits from advanced autofocus, faster frames, better video, and improved image quality. It’s aimed at enthusiasts who demand speed and versatility, and professionals looking for a compact secondary body.

However, the 750D is a superb budget camera for beginners or those with less demanding needs who want solid image quality and an extensive lens system without breaking the bank.

Performance Across Photography Disciplines

Let’s walk through key genres:

Portrait Photography

The 750D renders pleasing skin tones with its 24MP sensor, but the R7’s 33MP sensor combined with superior autofocus (including real-time eye tracking) outclasses it hands-down - sharper eyes, smoother bokeh (especially paired with RF lenses), and more tonal subtlety.

Landscape Photography

The wider dynamic range and better ISO performance of the R7 make it ideal for landscapes. Plus, weather sealing helps protect the gear when shooting outdoors. The higher resolution also yields greater print sizes. The 750D remains capable but less flexible in tricky lighting.

Wildlife Photography

The R7’s autofocus system with 651 points, 15-30fps burst speeds, and animal eye detect make it a prime choice here. The 750D’s limited autofocus, slower frames, and smaller buffer restrict its use for fast-moving subjects.

Sports Photography

Mirroring the wildlife scenario, shooting fast sports action demands the R7’s speed and tracking prowess.

Street Photography

Here, the 750D’s size and optical viewfinder might appeal to purists preferring a traditional DSLR feel, but the R7’s quiet electronic shutter, articulated screen, and compact mirrorless design offer more stealth and versatility.

Macro Photography

The R7 supports focus bracketing and stacking, helping macro shooters get extended depth of field easily. The 750D misses out on these features.

Night / Astro Photography

Thanks to better noise performance and dynamic range, plus long exposures and electronic shutter options on the R7, it’s the preferred choice for night sky shooting.

Video Capabilities

No contest: the R7 supports true 4K with good audio monitoring, while the 750D is limited to 1080p.

Travel Photography

The 750D’s smaller lens ecosystem and limited weather protection means serious travelers might prefer the R7 - especially given its battery life and versatile imaging capabilities.

Professional Work

Professionals will appreciate the R7’s dual card slots, fast file workflow, dust sealing, and advanced controls - features missing on the 750D.

Wrapping It Up: Which Should You Buy?

Let me be candid - this isn't a tale of equals. The Canon EOS 750D feels like a reliable but basic camera by today’s standards, ideal if you’re starting in photography or have a tight budget and want a solid DSLR to learn on with a huge lens selection. It’s not flashy or fast, but it can still shoot beautiful stills and casual videos.

On the other hand, the Canon EOS R7 is a remarkably capable advanced mirrorless camera that feels built for the demands of the current photographic landscape - fast autofocus, high resolution, professional video, and robust build quality. It’s excellent for enthusiasts and pros who want a camera that can keep up in wildlife, sports, video, and more.

Canon 750D screen back Canon R7 front Canon R7 screen back

If your wallet allows and your ambitions lean toward versatility and performance, I wholeheartedly recommend the Canon R7. If you’re a cheapskate or just stepping in and want a no-fuss camera that still makes great photos, the 750D is your trusty companion.

Pros and Cons Summary

Final Thoughts for Different Budgets and Uses

• Beginners and Hobbyists on a Budget: The Canon 750D offers great value and a gentler learning curve. Its simplicity is a benefit, as long as you don’t need the cutting-edge features.

• Advanced Enthusiasts and Semi-Pros: The R7 brings tremendous speed, precision, and video capabilities - a worthy upgrade worthy the doubled investment.

• Professionals: The R7’s modern features (dual cards, in-body stabilization, weather sealing) make it a solid second body or even a primary in APS-C format.

Invest wisely, shoot confidently, and enjoy whatever camera you bring home. As always, remember: the best camera is the one you use - and use well.

Happy shooting!

The End