Best body for my needs? [yet another 6D vs 70D thread, sorry]

[red_trela]

I know, there's a few (or more) posts about 60D vs 7D already. But I'd really appreciate input on my specific needs. If you're already fed-up with this kind of threads, kindly move on or only just vote in the poll. Otherwise, I'd really appreciate a post. Short, long, extremely long and detailed - whatever suits you best. Thank you in advance.

So I used to have a Canon EOS 350D years ago, and a 550D since shortly after its release. Now I feel I need an upgrade as I have advanced to a decent level, but can't quite decide between the 6D and 70D. Both seem to lack usable features of the other but maybe I'm judging "what's right for my needs" wrong. Or how much the single differences matter in actual usage.

So, here's a list of things I shoot frequently:

• Landscapes
• Long time exposures at nightfall / night
• Temples / Shrines / other interesting buildings (no, I don't have or want shiftable lenses)
• Flowers / insects / small animals (close-up and macro)
• Portraits and Cosplay (from close-ups to groups)

Things that might be worth mentioning as they might have an impact on the discussion:

• I only ever take pictures outdoors. Indoor might become an option in the future, but I wouldn't like to take this into consideration as it's no priority at all..
• I usually just use the available light (no flashes, etc.) and I don't need a built-in flash for sure (in those rare situations where I do use a flash, I require a "big" one)
• I often take the camera to hiking or longer city trips, so weight and size do matter some. Also, I do GPS-tag my pictures.
• I currently own only one EF-S lens, all the others are EF ones and I wouldn't mind not being able to use the EF-S anymore
• I already got read of my older DSLR, i.e. they will not act as "you can still use them in whatever scenario" cameras
• I don't care taking pictures of moving things (no sports, kids, animals)
• I don't make videos and I don't need continuous shooting
• I'm (obviously?) only a hobbyist and don't make nor plan to make any money from it so I'm not ruining somebody's wedding by having the wrong gear

For those interested (for judgment of my needs or otherwise), you can find my best-shots-only-gallery at http://www.sandro-mathys.ch/ - it's currently three pages (the last one nearly empty), so shouldn't take too much time to scroll through and it gives a really good overview of what I use the camera for.

 

[MintChocs]

Based on what you shoot and how you shoot, the 6D is more suitable and appropriate.

 

[stephan]

Definatly the 6D. You pretty much leaned towards the 6D in your post, it seems like you just need an outside confirmation.

Which lens is the EF-s?

I recently purchased it, and regret not getting it earlier.

 

[weixing]

Hi,
Yap... go for the 6D.

1) The IQ from 6D is a lot better than 70D (which IQ is similar to 60D) especially at ISO 800 and above.
2) The 6D only got 11 AF points and looking on your requirement, you might not need that many AF points, but the 6D center point is very good at low light AF which I think you'll find it very helpful in your night shot.
3) The 6D got GPS built-in (I use it when I forgot to bring my external Garmin GPS unit).

The only feature I think you'll miss from 70D is the flip screen which is very helpful when you shoot at low angle... although you get the similar function using the 6D wifi remote apps with your phone.

Good luck and have a nice day.

 

[red_trela]

Definatly the 6D. You pretty much leaned towards the 6D in your post, it seems like you just need an outside confirmation.

Which lens is the EF-s?

I recently purchased it, and regret not getting it earlier.

Thanks for your post (and also thanks to MintChocs for the earlier one).

Actually, I really don't lean towards either. To me, they both have pros and cons and come out about equal. But I lack the detailed (real-life) experience / understanding of some things like how much more AF points or the type of AF points matter.

The lens is a Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM.

 

[MintChocs]

I upgraded to the 6D from the rebel series Xsi (450D), if you happy with the AF system on the rebels then you'll be fine with the one on the 6D. The only feature I miss from my rebel series is the lighter weight and size. I love the sound of the shutter or more like lack of sound from the shutter. I wish it had a couple more cross type AF points but the 5Dmkiii was costing far too much just for that. The menu system is a bit different from my other camera and it does take some time and practice to learn how to change settings.

 

[red_trela]

Hi,
Yap... go for the 6D.

Thanks for the comment!

1) The IQ from 6D is a lot better than 70D (which IQ is similar to 60D) especially at ISO 800 and above.

Honestly, so far I tried to keep with ISO 100-400 because of the noise (with the 550D) and noticed I can usually good shots at 100. Seeing that the 6D would take in more light with the bigger sensor, I tend to think I never have to go to ISO 800 or above. But obviously it's good to have the possibility - or rather the possibility without paying with IQ.

2) The 6D only got 11 AF points and looking on your requirement, you might not need that many AF points, but the 6D center point is very good at low light AF which I think you'll find it very helpful in your night shot.

Actually, I would have liked some more AF points in the past and I'd still like more (or rather have them distributed over a bigger space) but I can deal with that. And better low light AF is definitely a good argument. Didn't quite know / consider this (though I heard it before....sigh, so many things to know / look at).

3) The 6D got GPS built-in (I use it when I forgot to bring my external Garmin GPS unit).

Yea, I really like the built-in GPS with the 6D, if it's good. I tend to forget to turn on the GPS-tracking app in my smartphone. :/

The only feature I think you'll miss from 70D is the flip screen which is very helpful when you shoot at low angle... although you get the similar function using the 6D wifi remote apps with your phone.

Good luck and have a nice day.

Right, that's one of the major points against the 6D for me. I would really love the flip / fold-out screen. I missed that in the past a couple of times, already. But you're right (and I totally forgot about it), there's now a app for that. With that, the 70D actually lost one of its bigger pros.

Thanks again!

 

[verysimplejason]

I've been using 500D for quite a while before upgrading to 6D. I also have used 5D2 for work. To summarize, 6D is just too good to pass. It's even a lot better from 5D2 for low-light work though it took me awhile to adjust to 6D's controls. If there's one thing I'd copy from 5D2 for the 6D, it's the joystick. Other than that, 6D IQ will just tide you over. Heck, I've often chose to forego bringing a tripod because ISO 8K is still very good for 6D.

 

[red_trela]

Based on what you shoot and how you shoot, the 6D is more suitable and appropriate.

Thanks for your comments. Yes, I'd probably agree by now. Though macro is the one field where APS-C should be much better. And I occasionally do use a telephoto lens (not mentioned in the OP), which also works better magic with APS-C. But yes, neither is my main focus and the FF sensor suits all the other fields just as well or better. Maybe I should consider a low-end APS-C to fill that gap, later on.

I upgraded to the 6D from the rebel series Xsi (450D), if you happy with the AF system on the rebels then you'll be fine with the one on the 6D. The only feature I miss from my rebel series is the lighter weight and size. I love the sound of the shutter or more like lack of sound from the shutter. I wish it had a couple more cross type AF points but the 5Dmkiii was costing far too much just for that. The menu system is a bit different from my other camera and it does take some time and practice to learn how to change settings.

I'd agree on weight and size but at least the weight doesn't differ much between the 70D and the 6D and I don't need to compare to rebels anymore, they're out of questions.

More cross-type AF are one of the major (probably THE major) argument for the 70D. But from the other comments (plus some of my interpretation and other things I've read), it seems that's not that important - mostly since more light will allow for better AF, too.

5D3 - or rather it's equivalent by then - will be my next move, once I feel I've advanced enough so the 70D/6D isn't good enough anymore...so I guess in a few years or so.

 

[red_trela]

I've been using 500D for quite a while before upgrading to 6D. I also have used 5D2 for work. To summarize, 6D is just too good to pass. It's even a lot better from 5D2 for low-light work though it took me awhile to adjust to 6D's controls. If there's one thing I'd copy from 5D2 for the 6D, it's the joystick. Other than that, 6D IQ will just tide you over. Heck, I've often chose to forego bringing a tripod because ISO 8K is still very good for 6D.

Appreciate your comment! Interesting what you say there, and hearing I might be able to leave the tripod at home in those situations where chances are small I'm going to use it anyway is definitely a good argument.

So everyone is strongly recommending the 6D so far. That makes my life easy, but don't hold back on pro-70D comments if you think it would suit me better and serve me well.

 

[Sella174]

Looking at the pictures on your website and based on your "usage" list, I suggest you have a serious look at the micro-4/3 offerings.

 

[candc]

I have and use them both. for your intended use the 6d is better. The iq of both are comparable at lower iso if you are using good lenses but the 6d is much better at higher iso (1600 and up).

the reasons i use the 70d are:
better af
much better live view
touch screen
crop factor reach for wildlife shooting

the reasons i use the 6d are:
much better high iso
like the feel of the larger body
focuses much better in low light
wider view with same lens compared to crop

other peoples reasons may be different but the 6d advantage is mostly in low light, the 70d advantage is in reach so they both have their uses.

 

[fragilesi]

Interesting, I followed a similar path to you in that I wanted to upgrade from the 550d.

I actually went for the 70d because I really like action photography. As I also do some shooting indoors the 6D called to me loudly too but most of my time is outdoors with the action so I'm happy with the 70d.

You are pretty much the opposite it seems so although I'm a big fan of the 70d I would agree with the analysis above, the 6d is the one for you and I suspect you'll love it just as much as I do the 70d

 

[Random Orbits]

+1 for the 6D. Full frames have ~2 stop advantage in high ISO (although you do lose some DR). Full frames also give you greater control over the DOF, which is an advantage in portraiture. There are many more options for WA, UWAs on FF, and it allows you to use UWA lenses to their full capabilities.

You'll learn to work with the 6D's quirks. Go to a camera store with your own memory card and try out both bodies. The experience you gain first hand will mean more than forum recommendations.

 

[red_trela]

Looking at the pictures on your website and based on your "usage" list, I suggest you have a serious look at the micro-4/3 offerings.

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. But really, for my needs? Doesn't seem to fit anything but maybe the macro thingy. I will probably consider this instead of an APS-C to complement the full frame sensor - if I decide to go with the 6D. But as my primary camera? Really don't see that. Happy to hear your more detailed arguments based on my "usage list", though. I'm probably missing something here.

I have and use them both. for your intended use the 6d is better. The iq of both are comparable at lower iso if you are using good lenses but the 6d is much better at higher iso (1600 and up).

the reasons i use the 70d are:
better af
much better live view
touch screen
crop factor reach for wildlife shooting

the reasons i use the 6d are:
much better high iso
like the feel of the larger body
focuses much better in low light
wider view with same lens compared to crop

other peoples reasons may be different but the 6d advantage is mostly in low light, the 70d advantage is in reach so they both have their uses.

Very valuable comparison, thanks a lot! Of your reasons for both bodies, only about half each matter to me and so both the feel about equal again. But thinking about it a bit from a technical standpoint, I guess that's again more of an argument for the 6D.

Interesting, I followed a similar path to you in that I wanted to upgrade from the 550d.

I actually went for the 70d because I really like action photography. As I also do some shooting indoors the 6D called to me loudly too but most of my time is outdoors with the action so I'm happy with the 70d.

You are pretty much the opposite it seems so although I'm a big fan of the 70d I would agree with the analysis above, the 6d is the one for you and I suspect you'll love it just as much as I do the 70d

Well, that sure is a new approach for a recommendation - a recommendation for the opposite case. Sorta. Helpful too, thanks!

 

[red_trela]

You guys are awesome, you write replies quicker than I can respond.

+1 for the 6D. Full frames have ~2 stop advantage in high ISO (although you do lose some DR). Full frames also give you greater control over the DOF, which is an advantage in portraiture. There are many more options for WA, UWAs on FF, and it allows you to use UWA lenses to their full capabilities.

You'll learn to work with the 6D's quirks. Go to a camera store with your own memory card and try out both bodies. The experience you gain first hand will mean more than forum recommendations.

Thanks for your assessment!

I did have both in my hands a couple of times and with different lenses on them. Unfortunately I can only just try them "on the spot" and shooting the interior of a shop is not exactly what I'm interested in.

 

[Random Orbits]

I did have both in my hands a couple of times and with different lenses on them. Unfortunately I can only just try them "on the spot" and shooting the interior of a shop is not exactly what I'm interested in.

Yes, but if you bring a lens that you routinely use for your shots and test the ISO capabilities on both bodies then you'll see whether or not you'd take advantage of the higher ISO capabilities of a FF camera. Stores tend to be relatively dim, so they can be a good spot for tests. If you don't have a high speed prime, see if you can try one in the store on both bodies and see if the shallower DOF is to your liking. Better yet, take someone with you and use him as your model. These don't have to be keepers -- they just have to show you whether you value one camera's IQ enough over the other.

 

[milkrocks]

This comment is from someone who's only had a 6D for about 18 hours. Compared to my previous XTi the noise performance is incredible. I'm not a pro nor am i interested in performing super detailed testing, but playing around last night with a friend's 2 year old has me really excited.

ISO 6400 looks better than ISO 800 in my XTi (maybe even similar to ISO 400). The 24-105 F4L is marvelous. I spent a lot of time making this choice and am very pleased with the result. I plan to post an amatuer review comparing the difference between these two systems.

 

[Marsu42]

• Landscapes
• Long time exposures at nightfall / night
• Temples / Shrines / other interesting buildings (no, I don't have or want shiftable lenses)
• Flowers / insects / small animals (close-up and macro)
• Portraits and Cosplay (from close-ups to groups)

Based on that: stay with your 550d at least it runs Magic Lantern (timed bulb exposures, unlimted hdr bracketing, focus stacking for macro).

The 70d sensor isn't a significant upgrade, and you don't seem to have the need for a better af system. A full frame isn't really better in all cases, as it has a more shallow dof and this is what you *don't* want for macro, and for landscape it depends on how much you want to boost the shots in postprocessing.

 

[RLPhoto]

I'd get the 6D.