I bought this camera two and a half years ago, to do some freelance videography. After a lot of research, it appeared to be a worthy, and certainly better-priced, alternative to the flashier 5D and 7D models. And it has definitely lived up to such billing.

I must reinforce that photography has never been my primary interest in purchasing, nor using this camera. It has served me well in that regard, but I can't claim to have pushed any limits to test it. It has, however, provided me with great-looking 1080p video, a range of shooting modes and options, and the valuable option of attaching a microphone. I received a basic 18-55mm lens with it, which does well, but I'd recommend investing in high quality lenses at various desired focal lengths, rather than relying on a basic zoom lens to do the job.

The only major drawback I've experienced is that the camera is susceptible to hot temperatures and high humidity. After about 12-15 minutes of continuous shooting in a tropical climate, it will shut down. After a few seconds, you can restart it without bother. I've heard that, with a firmware update, you can adjust these settings, but I wouldn't, personally. Canon put the system in place to protect the camera, so I would trust it to do so.

As with all Canon cameras, it is relatively easy to pick up and learn, if not to master.

Overall a very impressive camera.