Any reason to choose a 7D over a 70D?

[J.R.]

I've got a colleague at work who is looking to upgrade from the 550D and the choice is pretty much between the 70D and the 7D. A 7D2 even if released tomorrow appears out of question because going by the current Canon pricing, it is likely to be out of budget.

Her question to me, and I put this question to you guys for help is, whether there is any reason to buy the 7D over the newer 70D?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers ... J.R.

 

[Loswr]

Not many. If she plans to shoot a lot of fast action, the 7D's slightly faster frame rate (8 vs. 7 fps), and more importantly the significantly deeper RAW buffer and faster buffer clearing with a CF card, would be an advantage.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

The only advantage I see in 7D is 8 frames per second, and durability tested and known.

 

[JBeckwith]

If cost is a concern you can get the 7D for about $400 cheaper.

Aside from that the reasons I'd go for the 7D would be for the joystick and the build quality.

 

[Twostones]

The 7D has the more rugged magnesium alloy body along with dust and weather sealing. The 7D also has 100% view finder while the 70D is 98%. The 7D has a larger body and grip that I prefer over the smaller 70D. Video is better on the 70D so if video is a factor it would be a good choice. The 7D can be had refurbished at a savings right now from Canon and authorized dealers. Your friend should try both out to see what she prefers for fit and use. Some ladies like the 7D's larger grip. Some don't. Either model is a great buy but I believe the 7D is more professional oriented for photography. I wouldn't trade my 7D for a 70D.

 

[jdramirez]

Have her feel both of them. The 7D is bigger and I believe heavier. The added weight should allow for more stability when hand holding. Also it has a magnesium core which significantly is stronger than the poly carbonate core of the 70D.

If she's not averse to used or refurbished, she can find the 7D in good condition for around $700, and in refurbished with a 1 year warranty for 960ish before tax direct from Canon through the Canon Loyalty Program.

Both are really good cameras and I don't believe there is a difference in low light performance... if she is doing video... then I'd lean her towards the 70D... but she should be good with both.

 

[Don Haines]

I've got a colleague at work who is looking to upgrade from the 550D and the choice is pretty much between the 70D and the 7D. A 7D2 even if released tomorrow appears out of question because going by the current Canon pricing, it is likely to be out of budget.

Her question to me, and I put this question to you guys for help is, whether there is any reason to buy the 7D over the newer 70D?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers ... J.R.

The battery life is slightly better in the 70D and it has the touchscreen interface as well as the normal controls... the ergonomics are fairly compatible between the two cameras, but people seem to prefer the joystick on the 7D.

Live view focus should be better on the 70D, movies will be better on the 70D... Jpegs will be better on the 70D but RAW files should be more or less comparable.

The weather sealing should be better on the 7D, but keep in mind that the 70D is supposed to have comparable sealing to the 60D... which is better than the rebels and allegedly the 6D (can't remember where I read that). However you look at it, without sealed lenses it does not make much difference....

Wifi on the 70D opens up some interesting possibilities for remote shooting...

I prefer the compact flash of the 7D to the SD of the 70D, but if you are not shooting bursts it does not matter.

 

[Zv]

Hmmm that's a tough choice. I guess it depends on her shooting style and preferences.

If speed and durability is the priority then 7D.

If it's all round performance she wants in a relatively compact body that's geared towards video then the 70D is the better choice.

I've only briefly played with the 70D and I noticed it's AF system isn't as advanced as the 7D. It lacks some of the AF modes that are good for tracking moving subjects.

Wifi would be nice to have, you can really get creative and place the camera in all sorts of angles and use a smartphone to help you focus without straining your neck! Or do some cool selfies!

I think I would recommend the 70D. Overall it has more features, is smaller and lighter, newer and almost as fast as the 7D. SD cards are pretty cheap too.

 

[niklasR]

If you're in the states, CPS might be something to consider as the 70D does not count towards anything anymore, if I'm informed correctly.

 

[DaveMiko]

Not many. If she plans to shoot a lot of fast action, the 7D's slightly faster frame rate (8 vs. 7 fps), and more importantly the significantly deeper RAW buffer and faster buffer clearing with a CF card, would be an advantage.

+1 ... I'd recommend the 7D for the same reasons.

 

[J.R.]

Thanks for the replies. She doesn't shoot fast actionall that often and so I have advised her to get the 70D.

Cheers ... J.R.

 

[M.ST]

pro 7D:

- CF card slot like the pro bodys
- better shutter system in it
- better to use (wheel and joystick like the 5D Mark II on the back)
- better on top display

 

[Ruined]

In almost every way the 70D is better than the 7D functionally.

However, one cannot deny that the 7D is built better and simply feels better in the hand as a result.

This is why many are waiting for the 7D Mark II, to get better functionality than the 7D with a premium build - but that will be around double the price of the 7D/70D.

So if you have around $1000, get the 70D.

 

[jeffa4444]

As a 7d owner and given this camera came out in 2009 as opposed to 2013 I would go with the 70d purely because of the better sensor and Digic 5+ processor in the end its about images the 7d can get very noisey in low light.

 

[jdramirez]

not to train on the 70d parade, but the sensor isn't that much better than the 18 mp sensor used buy the t2i through the 7d.

video... ok... but in terms of stills it is relatively on par. digic 5 has its place, but if she is shooting in raw, the difference won't be that substantial.

I stop contend the best route is a 7d via clp or used via craigslist.

 

[DaveMiko]

As a 7d owner and given this camera came out in 2009 as opposed to 2013 I would go with the 70d purely because of the better sensor and Digic 5+ processor in the end its about images the 7d can get very noisey in low light.

Just to put the record straight: The 70D sports a Digic 5+ processor, that's true. But the 7D features two, not one, Digic 4+ processors.

 

[Zv]

As a 7d owner and given this camera came out in 2009 as opposed to 2013 I would go with the 70d purely because of the better sensor and Digic 5+ processor in the end its about images the 7d can get very noisey in low light.

Just to put the record straight: The 70D sports a Digic 5+ processor, that's true. But the 7D features two, not one, Digic 4+ processors.

Twi Digic 4. Not 4+

 

[ashmadux]

Not a single reason at all. Oh, actually, the body doesn't feel as cheap...got one reason.

 

[mkabi]

Depends on what your friend is going to use the camera for...

Stills & video, the 70D has more of the advantage...

But if you're willing to fool around, ML has unlocked 2.5K on the 7D...

 

[verysimplejason]

sentimental reasons, ML video raw, sturdier screen (according to Canon, swivel screen isn't better than fixed screen when it comes to construction), extra FPS (if you think a 8 fps is better than 7 fps), more buffer between burst shots, price... That's all I can think of. Personally if you can get a relatively new 7D at 2/3 the price of 70D, then go for the 7D. On the other hand, that swivel screen is really enticing especially for those situations where it's not so easy to use the OVF.