Agree agree agree. The current 7D is a feature-laden camera for non-beginners. I see the 6D as a fairly nerfed camera that happens to be FF. I still contend -- though I have no data to back it up -- that a higher percentage of 7D owners are more serious shooters (shoot more, know their cameras' limits, features, etc.) than 6D owners.
The idea that the sensor size singlehandedly differentiates between novice and expert is absurd.
- A
I don't know whether such a sweeping statement holds true. If this were so the 5D2 (near identical to the 6D) would not have been a success.
Anyhow, I see where you are coming from - most people who have bought the 6D are hobbyists who have upgraded from APS-C cameras to go FF. The "pros" on the other hand have gone for the 5D3.
Apologies for sweeping user generalizations -- that's unfair to many folks. Let me explain.
I use a 7D-owning friend of mine as an example. Like myself, he's an enthusiast. He possibly has the money to go FF, but his great hobby is shooting car races. He typically has his Sigma 150-500 on it. Reach is paramount for him. He knows his 7D in and out, and loves most everything about it.
When I ask him about the 6D, it's a very simple conversation for him. The AF and burst rate for the 6D underweight compared to his 7D, and his go-to glass would no longer have the reach he'd need. So it's a not a $2k 'upgrade' to him, it's a $3-6k investment to get the 6D and new glass...
and possibly miss shots due to AF or limited burst rate. Yes -- his keepers might be a bit better on FF, but he'd fundamentally have less keepers, right?
For him, the 6D is never going to happen.
In contrast, I have another friend who over 10+ years ago enjoyed shooting 35mm film cameras. When overwhelmed by all the tech in DSLRs today, he said:
- Focal length multipliers are annoying. I understand and think in FF terms.
- Why do I need 87 modes and dials and video and blah blah blah. I'll shoot manual.
- I want to take great pictures of my family.
And he ended up with the Nikon D600.
I'm not calling the 7D friend a better photographer than the D600 guy, but the 7D guy knows his camera cold -- everything about it. The D600 friend is taking really nice snaps of his kids.
These two people are not the market, but I see in each of my friends exactly who Canon/Nikon are aiming for. I really do see the 7D camp as serious shooters with modest budget, and I see the 6D camp somewhat the opposite.
I'm sure there are family scrapbooking folks with 7Ds and serious pros with 6Ds, but I would argue that they are the exception to the rule.
- A