Canon 7D vs Canon 60D - Can't decide which to upgrade to.

[!Xabbu]

Sure, it's a little silly to wait always for the next model, because that's going to be "the one" that will make you a great photographer. But in this case it's an upgrade only (probably) a few months away (not years), which should feature a new sensor (better IQ). Since the guy has already a T1i, there are no missed shots to worry about during the wait.

From what I read here it seems like the 70D is most likely still quite a way in the future (i.e. not in stores before christmas).

I currently own a 450D (I'm happy with my lenses) and think about upgrading to 60D. Do you think that the improved AF and better ergonomics are enough to justify the upgrade?

 

[Marsu42]

I currently own a 450D (I'm happy with my lenses) and think about upgrading to 60D. Do you think that the improved AF and better ergonomics are enough to justify the upgrade?

Absolute standard reply ... nobody knows if it's worth it except yourself. One very big advantage (did I mention "very big"?) of the 60d is the ability to run magic lantern which considerably extends your photographic options. You know about the ergonomics the second you take the 60d in your own hand in some shop (the 7d is even better for larger hands) and the lcd display and back dial are a must for me. I don't know about the af advancement 450d->60d, but the 60d af is ok for static objects and has an extra sensitive center point for lenses of f2.8+.

 

[Aglet]

(My main focus is portraits, landscapes, group events, and occasional basketball games)

I'm full of opinion. (with data to back most of it up)
60D will do all of your major topics tho might struggle a bit more with indoor basketball than the 7D's AF would.
IQ on both are about the same for hi ISO and I'll take the 60D every time for 100-800 ISO work. They both have similar noise levels at all ISO but the 60D doesn't show banding noise like the 7D.

 

[picturesbyme]

Sold my 5D2 and 7D and got a 60D plus L lenses. Never looked back.

Now that's very is interesting because most people do it the other way around and even I am thinking - driven by general aps-c FUD - about getting a 5d2 as a replacement or addition to my 60d. And people who got a 5d always say it's a smart move just like you always say it was a great holiday even if it was raining 24/7...

* Which L lenses do you use on the 60d? Did you have any issues due to the missing af micro adjustment?

* What things - if any - do you miss from the 5d2?

Used these on the 60D: 24-70L, 100L, 17-40L, 200 2.8L, 85 1.8, 50 1.4, 60 2.8, S 8-16 I sold the 100 and the 17-40 but never needed MA on any of them. Actually I had a few more Sigma, Tokina, and non-L Canon but I settled with these, I guess I was lucky b/c my 24-70 is sharp, my 200 has amazing color, the 85 and 60 are also sharp to the last pixel. Now I am trying to justify the 70-200 2.8 II vs my 200 prime but not sure about it..

Missed the ISO capabilities from the 5D2 a little but I'm better now Actually I wanted to keep the 5D but I think I did the right thing. The setup worked well for my needs - according to ExposurePlot I barely ever I shot above 400 - and now when I'll buy one will save $6-700 on it what I can spend on another lens or on pistachios...

 

[nicku]

I had the same dilemma 7D vs 5D2. I chose 7D despite the fact that 5D2 have better IQ. the much better AF, weather sealling and 8fps made the difference. for what i do 7D IQ is pretty good (commercial use). 5D3 was/is the perfect tool, but $ 3800 (where i live) is a high price for me at this time.

 

[sanjosedave]

I went with the 60D because of the articulated screen. I fell for the articulated screen on the G11 and found that I was always using it for waist level and lower shots. I didn't need the faster fps of the 7

 

[Marsu42]

5D3 was/is the perfect tool, but $ 3800 (where i live) is a high price for me at this time.

And the 5d3 really presents a challenge to the Canon aps-c line: the 7d is really a super rebel now as it only qualifies as poor man's 5d3 with built-in 1.6x tc. I wonder if Canon has something in the queue to re-establish a top aps-c model again.

 

[nicku]

5D3 was/is the perfect tool, but $ 3800 (where i live) is a high price for me at this time.

And the 5d3 really presents a challenge to the Canon aps-c line: the 7d is really a super rebel now as it only qualifies as poor man's 5d3 with built-in 1.6x tc. I wonder if Canon has something in the queue to re-establish a top aps-c model again.

In my opinion 60D is the super rebel. 7D is the wildlife, traveler photographer cheaper alternative ( to the 1D3, 1D4 back in 2009). Regarding the 1.6 crop frame.... in may ocasion this feature is a biiig + .

 

[Superka]

The only one important advantage of 7D is AF micro adjustment. But if you check lenses when buying, you may not worry. There were no such feature in the past.
I prefer Canon 60D or 5DM2., but not 7D. 7D is for sports and birds.

 

[briansquibb]

The only one important advantage of 7D is AF micro adjustment. But if you check lenses when buying, you may not worry. There were no such feature in the past.
I prefer Canon 60D or 5DM2., but not 7D. 7D is for sports and birds.

AF is very important - I would go for the 7D if there is no other overiding reason to choose otherwise

 

[CTJohn]

I made the move from a T1i to a 7D last year, and have been thrilled with the quality of images I get with the 7D. And not just wildlife and sports - landscapes are phenomenal also. I did make the move to L lenses prior to the move, which I would recommend as well.

 

[Marsu42]

In my opinion 60D is the super rebel.

) ... actually, I wasn't that serious - now that the 5d3 is out all aps-c bodies are inferior except for weight, price and the mentioned built-in tc.

 

[RLPhoto]

The 7D is the BOMB! its a real workhorse of a camera for me. Its fast, snappy AF is worth the extra $$$ over the 60D. AF expansion is awesome for tracking subjects, 8FPS, 18 Cross Type AF points and AF micro-adjustment. Sweetness..... BTW! has wireless Speedlite triggering from pop-up flash. Great feature for strobists.

The 60D has a funny thumb-wheel/directional pad that wasn't practical to me and the ergonomics just didn't feel right. The 7D feels thought out and complete with its button placement, while the 60D just feels like a mess.

The 60D is a super rebel while the 7D is what the 60D should have been.

 

[Wideopen]

Id choose a 7D. high burst rate, 19 AF points, and weather sealing who could ask for more from canons crop sensor dslr lineup.

 

[mdm041]

The 7d has lens micro adjust which makes it much more valuable to me over the 60d. I would tend to agree you generally would want to upgrade glass over a camera but I'm not sure the lenses in the <500 range would really make a big difference.

 

[Deleted member 42026]

The 7D has been fantastic to me too. Its reliable, its fast, its relatively weather sealed (a must for me) and the most important bit, I have been making and continue to make very good shots from it.

I looked at a 60D the other just for the hell of it. It does look and feel a lot cheaper.

 

[Marsu42]

I looked at a 60D the other just for the hell of it. It does look and feel a lot cheaper.

Maybe because it *is* a lot cheaper ... and for people with limited budget, it might be a good tradeoff to get a lenses for the price difference which will keep its value longer than the current end-of-life 7d... anyhow, since the 5d3 is out the 7d is inferior in every way except for the built-in 1.6 to, so that's something to think about too.

 

[!Xabbu]

My 60D is ordered and I will pick it up on Saturday - I'm really looking forward to the upgrade and will definitely report back on my experience with it.

I hope that it will significantly exceed my 450D, especially in AF performance, but possibly also in high ISO noise.

 

[Marsu42]

My 60D is ordered and I will pick it up on Saturday - I hope that it will significantly exceed my 450D, especially in AF performance, but possibly also in high ISO noise.

Good you made a decision - but don't get your hopes up concerning iso noise, the 18mp sensor is good until 400, ok until 800 but everything above needs noise reduction that kills sharpness. But other than that, the 60d is a fine camera that is a good basis for more equipment (like a bounce flash like the 480ex2, be sure to get something like this sooner or later). And don't forget to install magic lantern!

 

[OldSalt]

Id choose a 7D. high burst rate, 19 AF points, and weather sealing who could ask for more from canons crop sensor dslr lineup.

These were some of the main reasons I choose the 7D over the 60D back in Jan when I upgraded from my 450D. I also got it brand new with the 28-135 kit lens for $1052.00 out the door! making the price a real bargain and pretty much sealed the deal. I am exceedingly happy with my decision as I'm sure you will be with the 60D they are both awesome cameras. Enjoy!