60d or 7d

john t

john t

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Name
John
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Hi
I currently have a 450d with 17-85 and 70-300 lens. Most of my photography is of landscape and wildlife.

I want to upgrade and I'm looking at the 60d or 7d. I would be interested to get your opinions for the best upgrade.

Thanks
John
 
Hi John, I had a 450d and bought a 60d it's a big step up from the 450d very easy to navigate with lots of great options!
I discounted the 7d *** of the size of !!
 
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If you can afford it buy the 7D. Slightly heavier, slightly bigger but only by a few grams and millimetres.

Better AF. More options in setting up the AF. Better processors. Higher FPS. Longer shutter life. AF micro adjustment.

Sound so good I might buy one!!
 
the 7d is standard issue for wildlife photographers ain't they? They should come in camouflage!:)
 
Hi,

There is a comparison video on Digital Rev video between the two along with the 550D.

550D vs 60D vs 7D

Mike.
 
I would get the 7D if you are shooting wildlife
Much better camera for this for example with the joystick control you can very quickly move around the focus point worth it for that alone:)
 
I'd consider a 60D, and use the money saved (i've not looked at the price difference) towards an UWA lens sigma 10-20 or the like, if landscapes is something you like.
 
stew1982 said:
I'd consider a 60D, and use the money saved (i've not looked at the price difference) towards an UWA lens sigma 10-20 or the like, if landscapes is something you like.
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OP says that landscapes and wildlife are the priorities. The 60D and the 7D are just about equal for landscapes (the articulated LCD of the 60D may make it easier to use sometimes) but the 7D is substantially better than the 60D for wildlife.
 
Read a lot of review for both (Not just Digital Rev which according to them 60D is a ******* that should not have been born. Read their reviews with a large dose of salt :-) ouch I will be told off here).

There are many excellent in depth reviews by technical knowledgeable people such as http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos60D/
and http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E60D/E60DA.HTM and http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos7d/ just a sample.

Finally, compare them side by side: http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/com.../for_home/product_finder/cameras/digital_slr/

If the difference is not important to YOU go for the one you can afford. My only 2 pences here, is to save money for an excellent Wild Life or landscape lenses, where you will see the biggest difference in quality.
 
OH and go to a shop and try them both, after all you are the only onw who will be carrying it. See how it feels in you hands. Good luck.
 
The 7d will ship from August with a major firmware update that will enhance its performance even further.

If you go for the 7d the new firmware will show as 2.0.X in the menu.
 
I moved from the 7D to a 60D and missed very little and found (oddly) that lenses that needed MA before didn't on the 60D which was just as well!

Also if you've heard of it Magic Lantern is available on the 60D and opens up all sorts of doors.

I took shed loads of shots when I had my 60D and many bird in flight shots so don't worry too much about the AF, the major issue I had with the 7D was that I found the images too noisy once I got to 800ISO or so, now others would argue with me but that was my main reason for downgrading and was very happy.

Now as others have said there is new firmware which may make a difference.
 
JohnN said:
the major issue I had with the 7D was that I found the images too noisy once I got to 800ISO or so, now others would argue with me
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Yup, I'll disagree with that. This post shows ISO6400 images.

JohnN said:
Now as others have said there is new firmware which may make a difference.
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Nope. Several people have done before/after tests. There is no difference in noise between Firmware 1.2.5 and 2.0.0
 
there should be no difference in noise performance between 60D and 7D they use the same sensor:)
 
7D 2.0 firmware

Nothing earth shattering but some useful improvements.


Improves the maximum burst in continuous shooting.
JPEG Large/Fine: About 94 (126) bursts *1 -> About 110 (130) bursts *2
RAW: About 15 (15) bursts *1 -> About 23 (25) bursts *2
RAW+JPEG Large/Fine: About 6 (6) bursts *1 -> About 17 (17) bursts *2
*1 The figures are based on Canon's testing standards (ISO 100 and Standard Picture Style) using a 4 GB card. The figures in parentheses indicate the number of shots that can be taken with an Ultra DMA (UDMA) 4-GB card, based on Canon's testing standards.
*2 The figures are based on Canon's testing standards (ISO 100 and Standard Picture Style) using an 8 GB card. The figures in parentheses indicate the number of shots that can be taken with an Ultra DMA (UDMA) 128-GB card, based on Canon's testing standards.
Supports a new accessory, GPS Receiver GP-E2.
Adds an ISO Auto maximum setting.
Adds an in-camera RAW processing function.
Adds a Quick Control function during image playback.
Adds a rating function.
Adds a JPEG resize function.
Adds an auto recording level manual adjustment function.
Adds a function to freely set text for file names.
Adds a function to make time zone settings.
Increases the screen scrolling speed when magnifying images.
Fixes a phenomenon where a slow shutter speed may result when an external flash is used to fire intermittent, consecutive flashes.
Corrects the color space information in the Exif file for movies.
 
there are rumours that the 7d firm ware upgrade has fixed the auto focus issues that some 7d owners experience
I will reserve judgement on this until I Have tried it some more
 
Was in the same boat recently and in the end having used both due to friends plumped for the 60D for 2 reasons
Could not justify the extra £300 for the 7D
Found all the setup options on the 7d mind boggleingly complicated and as a simple old soul just felt that the 60D would be more fun,no complaints so far
 
They feel very different to each other in the hand, I much preferred the 7D hence the reason I bought it (along with a few other reasons)
 
Had same dilemma a few months back really pleased i went with the 7d, i was concerned a little about reports that it was complicated! i simply read up and watched videos for a couple of months before i bought it which helped immeasurably and have had no problems whatsoever, absolutely love it and can handle it by feel on main controls already without looking at them. Paired with canon 400 5.6 Bifs so easy, with back button etc. And the best pics i have ever taken. 7d for me :thumbs:
 
hollis_f said:
Yup, I'll disagree with that. This post shows ISO6400 images.

Nope. Several people have done before/after tests. There is no difference in noise between Firmware 1.2.5 and 2.0.0
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That's a fantastic result at such high iso. But I too will not use my 7D above 800 iso.
For me it's a great camera when lots of light is a available but sadly those days are few & far between. I know lots of people won't agree but these are my findings with my 7D.
 
Both have 18MPs so good in that respect for wildlife and cropping into the image, think the 7D wins though on the autofocus performance, ok not up to 1D standards but better than the 60D in that respect.
 
LCPete said:
there should be no difference in noise performance between 60D and 7D they use the same sensor:)
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Should be but its not what I found.
 
JohnN said:
Should be but its not what I found.
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I,ve got a 550D and 7D and both have the same sensor so IQ should be the same :)
But it is important not to underexpose as you will get noise
I have found that I,m getting lower noise from my 7D just because its much easier/quicker to add exposure compensation so I more often get the exposure spot on
so my 7D shots often show less noise:)
what I,m trying to say is maybe you had an exposure problem with your 7D
 
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Guys thanks very much for all your comments. I think on balance with my skill level and considering to cost difference, I think I'm going to go for the 60d.

Have any of you, brought from Hdewcamera's. They seem to be one of the cheapest. Would you recommend them.
 
john t said:
Guys thanks very much for all your comments. I think on balance with my skill level and considering to cost difference, I think I'm going to go for the 60d.

Have any of you, brought from Hdewcamera's. They seem to be one of the cheapest. Would you recommend them.
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They offer grey market equipment, so as long as you are happy with that, no problems.

In most cases the difference between a "UK" and a "Grey Market," or imported product, is the cost of the item and the terms of the item’s warranty coverage. The products themselves are otherwise identical. As a rule, "Grey Market" items cost less than their UK counterparts. "Grey market" products never qualify for manufacturer's rebate programs.
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If you're good with a grey market offering then Panamoz are cheaper still and on top of the listed price you can get a further 5% off via bank transfer so I believe, if so then that would take the cost to £515.85 vs the cheapest on CPB £699 - oh thats body only, if you were after a kit the savings would be more.

Theres also one in classified for £550 if thats more to your liking.

On the grey market point - sometimes the savings can be such that I'm told you can get a repair done and still be better off.
 
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just bought a 7D for less than £850 for the speed, AF, buffer and build quality.
doesn't feel much better than my old school 40D though., hopefully taking it out for a run tomorrow but it's really low light situations that I bought it for
 
I'm going with a 60D simply because of the weight and size difference. I've found it to be huge, plus the 60D feels more comfortable to hold, the 7D feels big and clunky and it's also harder for me to take decent photos with because I struggle to hold it properly. I have very small hands which is possibly part of it. OH has the 7D so I've played with it a lot, I just can't seem to get used to it.
 
StephyB said:
I'm going with a 60D simply because of the weight and size difference. I've found it to be huge, plus the 60D feels more comfortable to hold, the 7D feels big and clunky
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Which is very strange because, where it matters - the grip, the 60D is slightly bigger than the 7D.
 
All
I have just purchased the 60d from Panamoz.

thanks for all your help.

John
 
Nice one, let us know how you get on with it.
I have a 7D but I'm quickly starting to hate it.
 
drexyl said:
Nice one, let us know how you get on with it.
I have a 7D but I'm quickly starting to hate it.
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Why ?
 
BigJohn said:
Why ?
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Mine is simply unusable at anything over 800 iso. I feel I've wasted so much time with it & missed tons of opportunities because of it.
Loads of friends own it too & feel pretty much the same about it so I know I'm not alone.
Currently deciding which body to get next. Probably 1D 1v.
 
drexyl said:
Mine is simply unusable at anything over 800 iso. I feel I've wasted so much time with it & missed tons of opportunities because of it.
Loads of friends own it too & feel pretty much the same about it so I know I'm not alone.
Currently deciding which body to get next. Probably 1D 1v.
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I have a friend with both who reckons the noise handling is better on the 60 although as others have said the sensor is the same,I borrowed a friends 7D and whilst not unusable the grain at 3200 was one of the reasons i went for the 60D
 
drexyl said:
Mine is simply unusable at anything over 800 iso. I feel I've wasted so much time with it & missed tons of opportunities because of it.
Loads of friends own it too & feel pretty much the same about it so I know I'm not alone.
Currently deciding which body to get next. Probably 1D 1v.
Click to expand...

I did a little ISO test a while back following on from another poster's method. (Tim IIRC)

I under exposed iso 100 by 4 stops in camera and doubled the ISO, ending up at 12800.

Now as most people know about the 7D, underexposing in not the best idea and pushing 4 stops in LR3 to achieve correct exposure is never going to be pretty, let alone a good idea.

Nonetheless, I felt the more properly exposed shots at the higher ISOs came out well considering, and are usable after some pp.

ISO 100 (4 stops under exposed IIRC) 1/60th @ f5.6 (Tamron 17-50mm @ 50mm)




200 1/60th @ f5.6



400 1/60th @ f5.6



800 1/60th @ f5.6



1600 1/60th @ f5.6




3200 1/60th @ f5.6

 
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6400 1/60th @ f5.6



12800 1/60th @ f5.6




Anyway my point being that ISO 800 (and above) is usable IMHO :)

Oh and feel free to exterminate me :D
 
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I recently upgraded from a very very noisy 50d to a 7d(pre-owned) and what a difference! The 7d is an awesome piece of kit especially coupled with my 70-200 f2.8L.
There was very little size difference between the 2 cameras gripped.
I see a lot of people complaining about the weight! but honestly cant see what the problem is,i tend to get camera shake with a lighter camera.
The other thing i did was to update the firmware to v2.0 and it has worked perfect and added a few more options in the menu's.
As for people saying the Canon 7d has a complicated menu that's "Piffle" you should try a Nikon! they are really over the top! so many settings and gizmo's you will always nearly forget to reset something.
As for the noise on the 7d i dont know what you must be doing,try a 50d then you will see noise lol
 
No extermination Rob :D

Are these cropped at all ? the reason I ask that several people say that when cropping an high ISO image that is when noise becomes apparrant, if that is the case I think although the 7D is regarded as a good nature camera, if birding then cropping sometimes a lot could cause a problem :shrug:

it is probably my turn for extermination :D
 
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