7D - A77 - D7000 which to buy?

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Sam
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After watching reviews of so many cameras my brain hurts!

I'm currently looking for a camera what has/good at

All rounder
Crop sensor
Price £1000 mark
Good af points
Fast fps
High Iso

I personally am a canon person but i'm open to try and learn to use different brands. I enjoy shooting wildlife,landscape,stills time to time and currently trying to set up a studio.

From all the reviews i've watched with 7D vs D7000 , D700 vs A77 ect ect the all seem to learn towards the 7D, Could just be me tho.

After seeing on DigitalRev 7D is currently in the sale for £969.99 or 999.99 with a 18-55 IS lens.


Now i would be very great full on some advise as end of the day they all have good specs and some areas are better than each other

Thank you for any replys
 
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I take it you mean d7000? The d700 is full frame and a lot more than £1k!
 
7D vs D700 , D700 vs A77 ect ect the all seem to learn towards the 7D, Could just be me tho.

Do you mean the D7000 not the D700? Two quite different cameras, the D700 is full frame (35mm format sensor) and more expensive (outside the budget you give), whereas the D7000 is much more in line with the 7D and A77 you're also considering (crop sensor, price).

The best thing you can do it get yourself to a physical shop and try them all in the hand and see how you feel with the button placements. Nobody can tell you which will work better for you, it's a personal thing, but if you buy without trying you could end up with a very expensive nice camera that you simply don't get along with. Also try a pentax K-5 while you're there, another superb choice (arguably the best/best value all-rounder crop sensor on the market at the moment).

The 7D seems to me (and a lot of other people) to be falling behind a bit on value for money, make no mistake it is an extremely capable camera but some of the others are cheaper and out perform it in some areas. DO NOT let that put you off it if you find it suits you best though. Also have a look at investing more in lenses. For wildlife the lens is going to be a big money sink as it needs long focal length and in a perfect world fast apertures as well (if you want light weight on top of all that you're going over £5000 easily :nuts:). It's wise to give a lot of thought to lens options as well before choosing a brand.
 
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If I were you, I will wait for a month because their next generation is coming soon :)

Is there set dates when there coming out?

I take it you mean d7000? The d700 is full frame and a lot more than £1k!

Yes sorry, So many numbers and names :D


Do you mean the D7000 not the D700? Two quite different cameras, the D700 is full frame (35mm format sensor) and more expensive (outside the budget you give), whereas the D7000 is much more in line with the 7D and A77 you're also considering (crop sensor, price).

The best thing you can do it get yourself to a physical shop and try them all in the hand and see how you feel with the button placements. Nobody can tell you which will work better for you, it's a personal thing, but if you buy without trying you could end up with a very expensive nice camera that you simply don't get along with. Also try a pentax K-5 while you're there, another superb choice (arguably the best/best value all-rounder crop sensor on the market at the moment).

The 7D seems to me (and a lot of other people) to be falling behind a bit on value for money, make no mistake it is an extremely capable camera but some of the others are cheaper and out perform it in some areas. DO NOT let that put you off it if you find it suits you best though.

Sorry yes i did mean the D7000,
I dont think theres a local camera shop which has them on show if one!

As for feel, Ive had a feel on A77 and a 7D but not enough to say i'm going to buy it, As for the K-5 i've never seen one :lol:
 
Can't see a replacement for the 7D coming yet, more likely to be a 5D mkIII

Couldn't say which one to buy, but i'm more than happy with the 7D and not seen any of the noise that some people complain of.

Sure the others are fine cameras too, just not so sure about the K-5, read a few troubling comments about various faults.
 
Whichever upgrade is about to be announced it's bound to be in excess of the £1,000 budget. If the 7D is that price, a 7D2 isn't going to be cheaper is it. To be honest, the 7D is everything it's been built up to be. The AF is excellent, the IQ is excellent too and it does handle noise pretty well up to ISO1600. I'm using my 5D2 more than the 7D at the moment, but come the summer the 7D will be out more for airshows, wildlife and sport.
 
1. Whatever you do - anything like 7D with 18-55 is ridiculous and a waste of money. Good glass comes first

2. A77 has no optical viewfinder and one of those experimental things called EVF in it's place.

3. D7000 seems to have a better sensor than 7D
 
Can't see a replacement for the 7D coming yet, more likely to be a 5D mkIII

Couldn't say which one to buy, but i'm more than happy with the 7D and not seen any of the noise that some people complain of.

Sure the others are fine cameras too, just not so sure about the K-5, read a few troubling comments about various faults.

There were plenty of problems with the D7000 when it first came out. I am not saying that K-5 hasn't had a fair amount of QC issues but then I doubt it is unique to that model.

If you buy from a reputable reseller even if you have any problems they will sort it out quickly.

Having said that the K-5 has the upper hand on anything from size, build quality to features to in body stabilisation and lately even in price. I think the only thing that the D7000 is better at is the rather flexible and advanced AF system and maybe battery life.

Check the range of Pentax lenses if you find things that cover your needs I wouldn't even think twice about getting a K-5.
 
Check the range of Pentax lenses if you find things that cover your needs I wouldn't even think twice about getting a K-5.

I would certainly make sure to try one out though. I've had my hands around one and the grip is very shaped. Great if it suits you, but if it doesn't suit you you'll certainly feel it (personally I really don't get along with pentax's (which is a shame), where I can do fine with canon, nikon and sony grips, it is a very personal thing).

2. A77 has no optical viewfinder and one of those experimental things called EVF in it's place.

Hardly experimental, they've been on bridge level cameras for years. It's not the same as looking through an optical finder, but you can't deny it has advantages.
 
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I don't think you've said what type of photography you wan to do? It's all well n good us giving an answer be firstly we need some insight.

The 7D is an amazingly fast camera and has a great build quality too. Weather or not its 18mp is a little ott, causing an increase in noise will be a debate that will go one for years.

I have used both the D7000 and 7d as part of my job. My friend has just sold her 7d but I had used it for two or three months and it was faultless. If you go down this route, make sure you get the sensor aligned/calibrated. Sometimes the sensor is not 'flat' but don't just reject the camera hoping for a better one, just get it checked ASAP and its under warranty so no cost to you but you'll end up with a very sharp and fast pro quality DSLR. With its price at the moment, it's a bargain!!!

The D7000 is not quite as fast (if speed is needed??). It has far better noise and lower pixel density. It too has a great AF system and dual card slots which is nice for shooting video and stills, RAW and jpegs or if you want to back up your images...

Stock of the D7000 is very short with the issue they have in Thailand so don't expect a dealer to discount the body. I know I wouldn't. You may have to wait a few weeks or so for one.

As someone has said, glass is more important. Either camera will be stunning and personal choice will be a big part of your decision but choose your glass wisely!
 
The sony a580 is also worth looking at. Same sensor as D7000 and larger buffer. No SLT issues either.

Can't beat just picking them all up and trying them out. It's the only way.
 
I hated the A77 when I picked it up, it was the EVF that killed it for me.

I'd also suggest not getting the 7D with the 18-55 lens and budgeting for a better lens.
 
Vrapan got there before me.

Definitely consider the K5. Some of the early ones had problems with stains on the sensor, but I've not heard of any problems recently.

About £730 with the kit lens.

Dave
 
Craikeybaby said:
I hated the A77 when I picked it up, it was the EVF that killed it for me.

I'd also suggest not getting the 7D with the 18-55 lens and budgeting for a better lens.

+ 1 to that! Canons 18-55 is ******!!!

I have the D7000 and an extremely happy with it. I have no problem shooting up to 6400 and don't hesitate on higher!
 
Thank you all for so many replys!

As for the deal with the 18-55 was only to resell it on which i forgot to mention which goes for £50 fairly easy, So £950 for the body as such.

This is how i feel at the moment,

I'm stuck at either d7000 or 7D due to i have plenty of friends with both brands,
A77 i like but the EVF is't for me and the k-5 well have't seen one or know any pentax owners.


Whichever upgrade is about to be announced it's bound to be in excess of the £1,000 budget. If the 7D is that price, a 7D2 isn't going to be cheaper is it. To be honest, the 7D is everything it's been built up to be. The AF is excellent, the IQ is excellent too and it does handle noise pretty well up to ISO1600. I'm using my 5D2 more than the 7D at the moment, but come the summer the 7D will be out more for airshows, wildlife and sport.

I'm sure it wont be, But if a 7D2 did come out it would lower the 7D price.

1. Whatever you do - anything like 7D with 18-55 is ridiculous and a waste of money. Good glass comes first

2. A77 has no optical viewfinder and one of those experimental things called EVF in it's place.

3. D7000 seems to have a better sensor than 7D

Will be reselling the 18-55 lens if i did get it ;)

I agree about the A77 but need to get my hands on a D7000!

There were plenty of problems with the D7000 when it first came out. I am not saying that K-5 hasn't had a fair amount of QC issues but then I doubt it is unique to that model.

If you buy from a reputable reseller even if you have any problems they will sort it out quickly.

Having said that the K-5 has the upper hand on anything from size, build quality to features to in body stabilisation and lately even in price. I think the only thing that the D7000 is better at is the rather flexible and advanced AF system and maybe battery life.

Check the range of Pentax lenses if you find things that cover your needs I wouldn't even think twice about getting a K-5.

I've had a scan at the Pentax lens, After thinking about it all of my friends have nikon and canon. Perhaps it'll be wise to stick to them two.

I don't think you've said what type of photography you wan to do? It's all well n good us giving an answer be firstly we need some insight.

The 7D is an amazingly fast camera and has a great build quality too. Weather or not its 18mp is a little ott, causing an increase in noise will be a debate that will go one for years.

I have used both the D7000 and 7d as part of my job. My friend has just sold her 7d but I had used it for two or three months and it was faultless. If you go down this route, make sure you get the sensor aligned/calibrated. Sometimes the sensor is not 'flat' but don't just reject the camera hoping for a better one, just get it checked ASAP and its under warranty so no cost to you but you'll end up with a very sharp and fast pro quality DSLR. With its price at the moment, it's a bargain!!!

The D7000 is not quite as fast (if speed is needed??). It has far better noise and lower pixel density. It too has a great AF system and dual card slots which is nice for shooting video and stills, RAW and jpegs or if you want to back up your images...

Stock of the D7000 is very short with the issue they have in Thailand so don't expect a dealer to discount the body. I know I wouldn't. You may have to wait a few weeks or so for one.

As someone has said, glass is more important. Either camera will be stunning and personal choice will be a big part of your decision but choose your glass wisely!

As said at the start of the thread,
I enjoy shooting wildlife,landscape,stills time to time and currently trying to set up a studio.

I'm going to see if i can get my hands on a D7000 to play with today before i decide which camera i go for.

The sony a580 is also worth looking at. Same sensor as D7000 and larger buffer. No SLT issues either.

Can't beat just picking them all up and trying them out. It's the only way.

Thanks, I will keep it in mind. Due to 90% of all my friends having canon and nikon think it'll be cheaper to stick to one of them for now :)

I hated the A77 when I picked it up, it was the EVF that killed it for me.

I'd also suggest not getting the 7D with the 18-55 lens and budgeting for a better lens.

I cant agree more about the A77, And 18-55 is only to sell on.

Thanks for all replys great help
 
Ref "I cant agree more about the A77" above:


No offense, Sam, but have you actually tried the EVF on the a77 ?

I've had/still have a lot of Canon gear including the well-regarded 5D, 5DII, 1DIII, 1DsII and 1DsIII bodies from Canon and, to me, the EVF on the a77 (which I have) is more useable than all of the aforementioned. Seeing/shooting in almost complete darkness is possible for a start - whether you would want to do it is another thing !

The EVF on the a77 (which I have recently acquired) is nothing that on like on pointy-squirty cameras of yesteryear (and today to some extent).

For certain, the a77 has its limitations but the EVF is never going to limit any normal person in their photography.

Just my £0.02 worth.


Edit: meant to add, I had the 7D for a few months and consider the IQ from the a77 to be superior AT LOW ISO (<800).

This is a bit intangible since I'm not sure if it is the slight increase in detail the Sony gives or a better dynamic range (if indeed it has ?) or a combination of these or othe factors. Anyway, as a user I MUCH prefer the a77 to 7D. I possibly will get 7D2 if it is a significant improvement over the current 7D, which it may well be though (?).
 
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Ref "I cant agree more about the A77" above:


No offense, Sam, but have you actually tried the EVF on the a77 ?

I've had/still have a lot of Canon gear including the well-regarded 5D, 5DII, 1DIII, 1DsII and 1DsIII bodies from Canon and, to me, the EVF on the a77 (which I have) is more useable than all of the aforementioned. Seeing/shooting in almost complete darkness is possible for a start - whether you would want to do it is another thing !

The EVF on the a77 (which I have recently acquired) is nothing that on like on pointy-squirty cameras of yesteryear (and today to some extent).

For certain, the a77 has its limitations but the EVF is never going to limit any normal person in their photography.

Just my £0.02 worth.


Edit: meant to add, I had the 7D for a few months and consider the IQ from the a77 to be superior AT LOW ISO (<800).

This is a bit intangible since I'm not sure if it is the slight increase in detail the Sony gives or a better dynamic range (if indeed it has ?) or a combination of these or othe factors. Anyway, as a user I MUCH prefer the a77 to 7D. I possibly will get 7D2 if it is a significant improvement over the current 7D, which it may well be though (?).

None taken Gary,
I used a customers for around 20mins when they poped in with one.
Im sure it has more pros than cons but its not for me,

I could search all day for pros and cons on all thies camera but 7D is going to be the one i purchase.


Thank you all for your comments and feedback

Any one wanna recommend few lens? ( ideally on the shorter side as i have my eyes on a 150-500 sigma os hsm)
Also memory cards?
 
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Hi Sam

You will LOVE the 7D I'm sure.

To add another £0.02 worth, IMHO the best lenses for Canon include the 70-200f2.8ISLII (costly but means you have amazing 70, 100, 135 and 200f2.8s in one package) and Sigma 50f1.4. Lots of great shorter lenses available.


Good luck with your choices.

Gary
 
Hi Sam

You will LOVE the 7D I'm sure.

To add another £0.02 worth, IMHO the best lenses for Canon include the 70-200f2.8ISLII (costly but means you have amazing 70, 100, 135 and 200f2.8s in one package) and Sigma 50f1.4. Lots of great shorter lenses available.


Good luck with your choices.

Gary

Thank you Gary!

Yes that lens is on my list after i've sorted my mini studio out :lol:

Any suggestions on memory cards tho? As no idea what speeds would fit 8fps
 
Hi Sam

Not my area as I tend to mix and match cards that I have in my pocket - these are usually top-end Kingston CF but I'm sure decent Sandisk, Transcend etc.... will do a job.

l'm not a big burst kind of guy so others here will advise you much better on what is needed to empty the buffer at max speed.

Gary
 
Thanks once again Gary!

Guessing DigitalRev is a safe and uk stock website?

As it states Free Shipping within United Kingdom and Local Warranty
 
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Digital Rev is based in Hong Kong.
 
Is the Nikon D300s not the direct competitor or the 7D rather than comparing it with the D7000? I'm a Canon man but unless the D7000 has replaced the D300s, I'd be looking at that as well.

My brother in law has the D300 and it takes great photos!
 
Is the Nikon D300s not the direct competitor or the 7D rather than comparing it with the D7000? I'm a Canon man but unless the D7000 has replaced the D300s, I'd be looking at that as well.

My brother in law has the D300 and it takes great photos!

Hi,
I had a quick scan and used my friends d300 earlier.
Lovely camera but going to stick to canon soon as i find the best priced 7D about and work out what memory card ill need :)
 
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