New Rebel T4i vs 60d/7D

[Rocguy]

I think I know what I'm going to do already, but I thought I'd ask some people that know what they're talking about. Sorry if this kind of topic is done to death here.

I currently own a Rebel XSi. It is long overdue for an upgrade. My dilemma is do I get another Rebel or do I bump things up a notch or 2 and get the next level up. So I started looking at a 60D or even the 7D. Which i think are the next levels up. But from my understanding these models have not been updated in awhile? Whereas I know the T4i was updated in the last year. I don't need the absolute latest newest, but I don't want to spend the extra money and get technology that is a couple years old either.

So definitely leaning towards the Rebel, but with my luck a new 60D or 7 D would come out the day after I get the Rebel. Lol I'm also going on vacation in 2 weeks and am not wanting to wait long for anything newer. So would the current 60D be a better purchase than the T4i now?

I'm a very amateur amateur. I'm really using the camera for fun. Travel pictures etc. at this point a 5D3 isn't even a wish for my purposes. I just want a basic "good" camera. Any input would be appreciated.

[wellfedCanuck]

I'm a very amateur amateur. I'm really using the camera for fun.

I think this puts you squarely in the T4i demographic. There are various side-to-side comparisons available on the web t4i vs. 60D, but it sounds to me like you wouldn't use the features that make the 60D a slightly  higher-ranked camera. The image quality would be about the same, the t4i should handle low-light a bit better and it has continuous auto-focus for video.

[Don Haines]

I shoot mostly with a 60D... To me the big advantage of the 60D over the rebels is the shoulder display and the easy access to some of the controls with it, particularly having a seperate wheel for Aperture and Shutter speed.

That said, I am intrigued with the T4i touchscreen and how it operates....I have not tried it but it has a lot of promise... one would really have to use it for a while to see how they like it before passing judgement.

If I were to make a recomendation, I would say get a 60D if you shoot a lot in manual, shutter priority, or aperture priority modes..... if you don't I would say get a T4i. Either one is a great camera.

Also, avoid superzooms..... they tend to be the softest lenses on the market.

[Rocguy]

 the features that make the 60D a slightly  higher-ranked camera. The image quality would be about the same,

I guess this is where I get confused. If it is a higher ranked camera shouldn't picture quality be better?

[wickidwombat]

 the features that make the 60D a slightly  higher-ranked camera. The image quality would be about the same,

I guess this is where I get confused. If it is a higher ranked camera shouldn't picture quality be better?

identical sensor = identical Image quality

[Don Haines]

 the features that make the 60D a slightly  higher-ranked camera. The image quality would be about the same,

I guess this is where I get confused. If it is a higher ranked camera shouldn't picture quality be better?

The T4i is three years newer and has a lot more computing power, this allows better noise algorithms. Image quality MAY be a touch better than the 60D, but it shouldn't be a huge difference... Probably not noticeable without pixel peeping, but that's a guess as I have not used the T4i.

It's the ergonomics that sets the two apart.

[jdramirez]

I started out with an XS and I upgraded to a 60D.  I really liked the feel of the 60D in my hands and what pushed me to that instead of a t3i (newest available at the time) was the 9 cross type auto focus points.  I bought the 60D and sold the kit lens and it took a while, but I have a few nice lens to pair with it (a 50mm f/1.4, a 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro, and a 24-105mm).  I really really like the 60D.  I use the LCD at the top right of the body ALL THE TIME.  The 5+ frames per second comes in hand and while the 7D would blow it away with 7 or 8 frames per second, I personally don't miss it that much. 

Both the 60D and 7D are due for an upgrade.  The announcement could be any day, but you can find very nice prices on the cameras now.  I've seen the 60D body alone sell on ebay (new) via Big value for 586.  B&H had a deal not too long ago for the 60D, an 18-135mm, and a 70-300mm IS for 1100.  If you sold the kit lens and the zoom, you are looking at about 400 for the body alone. 

As for the 7D... I think I saw it around 900 for a canon refurb, which isn't bad, but I still think that is too much. 

As for the t4i, it has the cross type AF points I wanted in the 60D, and it is much better in regards to video when paired with an STM lens.  Outside of that... I don't think it is a big upgrade over the 60D. 

The old adage is to buy good glass and keep your body till it dies... I don't disagree with it, though I did buy the body before I bought my nice glass. 

[jdramirez]

 the features that make the 60D a slightly  higher-ranked camera. The image quality would be about the same,

I guess this is where I get confused. If it is a higher ranked camera shouldn't picture quality be better?

At 4x6, you can't tell the difference.  At 12x18... you'd notice the difference.  But one wouldn't be a ton better than the other... it is just a marginal improvement.  If you got a 5d mkii or mkiii, then you might be able to tell a difference at a 5x7. 

[cliffwang]

Looks 7D is not what you should get.  For me there are only three reasons for 60D.
1. 1/8000 shutter speed
2. Weather sealed
3. Better build body

[wellfedCanuck]

 the features that make the 60D a slightly  higher-ranked camera. The image quality would be about the same,

I guess this is where I get confused. If it is a higher ranked camera shouldn't picture quality be better?

Not necessarily, there are many other things to consider- features that make the photographer's life easier, features that make it more likely that a sucessful photo can be achieved under conditions that may be difficult, the ability to tweak and adjust the machine or expand the system...

Not that the 60D is one- but if you just need a decent car- a Hyundai will do- don't let someone upsell you to a Cadillac. If you plan on building a hotrod, entering car shows or going on rallys- buy a Chevy, Corvette or Range Rover.

[jdramirez]

Looks 7D is not what you should get.  For me there are only three reasons for 60D.
1. 1/8000 shutter speed
2. Weather sealed
3. Better build body

I will say one feature I would like in my 60 d is micro auto focus adjustment.  It was in the 50 d, but not in the 60.  Ifyoudecidetogetreally large aperturelenses, that can come in handy.

[Marsu42]

the features that make the 60D a slightly  higher-ranked camera. The image quality would be about the same,

I guess this is where I get confused. If it is a higher ranked camera shouldn't picture quality be better?

Not at all, even the new 5d3 has less sharpness at low iso than the old 5d2. But all these minor difference don't matter if you're not doing such large prints that 100% crop is important, it's much more important to get the shot done at all - and that's where the af system is important but also the usability: weather sealing, holding the camera for longer periods, changing settings, storing settings, viewfinder, button locations, firmware customizations. There is a reason older 1d cameras still sell for a lot of money though they have inferior sensors.

Concerning the 60d: I would never want to use a camera w/o a back dial like the Rebels again because I change the exposure compensation on every other shot.

I will say one feature I would like in my 60 d is micro auto focus adjustment.

One of Canon's worst marketing decisions to protect the 7d by crippling the 60d firmware and proof that Canon goes to any lengths to differentiate their lineup at the expense of consistent camera packages.

[Rocguy]

Not that the 60D is one- but if you just need a decent car- a Hyundai will do- don't let someone upsell you to a Cadillac. If you plan on building a hotrod, entering car shows or going on rallys- buy a Chevy, Corvette or Range Rover.

This analogy I understand. I guess my question is is it better to get a brand new Hyundai vs a 2year old Cadillac with slightly older technology.

[sandymandy]

I would just get the Rebel in your case. Upgrading from APS-C to another APS-C doesnt make things different much. Just save ur money til u can a "real" FF upgrade. 7D i only suggest it if u need the high FPS. Next level from Rebel is 6D imho. An upgrade should be a real difference not a different body material and button layout. Fullframe is more different noise wise, lens FOV wise etc.

[tortilla]

I will say one feature I would like in my 60 d is micro auto focus adjustment.

One of Canon's worst marketing decisions to protect the 7d by crippling the 60d firmware and proof that Canon goes to any lengths to differentiate their lineup at the expense of consistent camera packages.

Actually it was rather one of their smartest marketing decisions, because the missing AFMA is the reason why people spent more money and take the 7d instead of the 60d (at least I did).

To the OP: The XSi is a fine camera - as long as you don't do large prints of landscape and architecture I recommend to keep it and wait for the rebel T5i, it is expected to get a new sensor.