Canon 60D vs 70D

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Michael
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Hi all

Joined up a few days ago and been absorbing loads of information available with respect to which camera to get to compliment my travel zoom (canon powershot sx200)

Anyway, no good just lurking so I thought I had better start interacting and share my dilemma of which DSLR to get.

I was going to get Canon 70D with 18-55 kit lens, which I thought would be just the ticket for my general purpose picture taking needs and be a camera I could grow into nicely. Once I have got to know the camera and understood the type of photos I like taking, I intend to invest in more lenses over the next couple of years, as they are rather costly (since my current thinking is EF-S 17-55mm IS F2.8 + macro + long zoom).

I want to stick with Canon as I like what I get with my SX200 and I have a few mates with Canon which might come in handy for borrowing lenses. I do not like the "entry" Canon range (100, 1100, 600,etc) as they are just too small in my hands and I did not feel comfortable playing with them.

BUT, I am now thinking it might be more sensible to start with better glass option so am debating if I should get a 60D with a EF-S 15-55 IS F2.8 instead (which is around similar money) !

Any thoughts ?

TiA
Michael
 
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its generally better to put you main investment in lenses so i'd concur - also the 70D is pretty new so there may be bugs and glitches as yet unresolved.
 
agree, if you don't need the superior af system the 70d in what i have seen and even what canon have stated is "raw files are about on par with the 60D" and the jpeg sooc are meant to be better with the digic 5 as opposed to the 4.

It's wether the af system is worth £400 more in your eyes.
 
The AF on most canon cameras is pretty swift tbh - so while the 70 is allegedly better the 60 is no slouch

wheras the 18-55 against the 15-55 is a massive difference in IQ

you could take the logic further and get a second user 50D and more lenses - or for that matter go for a 600D - it depends on what sort of photography you are intending to do
 
Grab a 60D, I use one as a third backup for weddings and I can't fault the thing! 70D isn't worth the extra money and I would use that money to fund some decent glass ;)
 
The AF on most canon cameras is pretty swift tbh - so while the 70 is allegedly better the 60 is no slouch

wheras the 18-55 against the 15-55 is a massive difference in IQ

you could take the logic further and get a second user 50D and more lenses - or for that matter go for a 600D - it depends on what sort of photography you are intending to do



Indeed no need to tell me mate, I have my pair of 60's and love them!

Great AF in my eyes!
 
I've picked up a 70D today and from first impressions it's very good. I was a bit disappointed that my 2 Sigma lenses with need some MFA for the 70D but none of the Canon lenses I've tried have needed any alterations. I've had a bit of a play with it now and the IQ is very good.

The 2 photos I posted here http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=502333 were taken before any MFA has been done. I've taken a few snaps outside at 9 o'clock at ISO1600 up to 6400 and I can confirm the noise is handled better than the 7D I had.

I had a 60D that I swapped for the 7D and overall I regretted swapping. The 7D AF system was my primary reason for swapping, but I've had 2 7D's and the 60D and the 60D takes the best shots SOOC. If you're going to PP all your shots then the difference is negligable though. The 60D is a great bit of kit and if you're just setting out then the 60D may be the better deal to start with as it will give you more to spend on lenses.

The only reason I went for the 70D over the 7D was the noise at ISO1600 and above on MY 7D. At low ISO's the 7d is excellent but I'm more than happy with my 70D so far. I'm going to take the manual up to read in bed tonight for a read through, the wireless setup is a little confusing without reading the manual so that's where I'll start.
 
What do you shoot mainly? Would help with lens suggestions.

At present, a bit of everything - still finding my feet so starting with 15-55 kit lens or 17-55 until i decide on what next. Been playing a bit with macro as so many bugs/flowers about this summer,
 
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have to be honest I would get the 60D then with a good lens, there really is nothing wrong with the af system at all.

I shoot jets with it, motorsport and birds, its really better than people give credit to it
 
Cheers all for the feedback. TBH I feel like a kid in a candy store and just want to get the biggest and best for my money but know I can come back next year and buy more.

So it looks like I cannot go wrong with the 60d combo but will I miss anything on the 70d ?

New larger sensor and digic5
Better AF
Higher ISO
Wifi-nice to but looks useful for macro and as remote trigger
 
Cheers all for the feedback. TBH I feel like a kid in a candy store and just want to get the biggest and best for my money but know I can come back next year and buy more.

So it looks like I cannot go wrong with the 60d combo but will I miss anything on the 70d ?

New larger sensor and digic5
Better AF
Higher ISO
Wifi-nice to but looks useful for macro and as remote trigger

wifi is a gimic - I bet you hardly ever use it (unless you are a studio shooter and if you are a 6D might be a better bet anyway), and larger sensor is misnomer the sensor is exactly the same size, it just has more MP crammed into it (which may not be a good thing)
 
wifi is a gimic

I'd use it for;

-Self portraits/shots that I'm in.
-shooting and directing models more comfortably in the studio environment.
-all kinds of video work.
-wildlife.
-sports where it allows me two angles and more control.
-weddings, again a two camera set up.

The ability to totally control a body over Wi-Fi is fantastic and I would pay extra to have it easily.
 
To give you an idea of how the 60D copes with weddings, this was shot on my 3rd backup with a 24-70 F/2.8, the multi AF is handy as I wanted the groom in focus for this shot but slightly blur out the bride, the only PP done was b&w conversion and slight vignette :)

1074749_10153102548130026_744629401_o by FlightPhoto, on Flickr
 
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wifi is a gimic - I bet you hardly ever use it (unless you are a studio shooter and if you are a 6D might be a better bet anyway), and larger sensor is misnomer the sensor is exactly the same size, it just has more MP crammed into it (which may not be a good thing)

I am certainly not a studio shooter, I much prefer the outdoors but I am thinking it would be handy for long exposure shots.

Differences in sensors details kinda goes over my head - I suppose I get caught up in the marketing "bigger/more is best" when it should be get what you need.
 
I think whichever you choose you should be happy with. I am looking to get a 60D myself. It just feels right in my hands. If you like the 70D get it. You only live once!
 
I'd use it for;

-Self portraits/shots that I'm in.
-shooting and directing models more comfortably in the studio environment.
-all kinds of video work.
-wildlife.
-sports where it allows me two angles and more control.
-weddings, again a two camera set up.

The ability to totally control a body over Wi-Fi is fantastic and I would pay extra to have it easily.

I can't comment on the first two or sports because I don't do that kind of work - but how many wildlife sites or wedding venues have reliable wifi ( I realise you can create a mobile hotspot from a smart phone, but there are easier ways of controlling a camera remotely)
 
I can't comment on the first two or sports because I don't do that kind of work - but how many wildlife sites or wedding venues have reliable wifi ( I realise you can create a mobile hotspot from a smart phone, but there are easier ways of controlling a camera remotely)

Pete,

You realise that the 70D gives you live view over Wi-Fi as well as touch to focus etc...I don't know of any better alternative. That is what makes it such a great feature.

And yes - mobile hotspots are the way to go.
 
The wifi is one of the features that would allow me to be lazy and I can lie in bed whilst shooting the camera outside (or similar).
 
Pete, You realise that the 70D gives you live view over Wi-Fi as well as touch to focus etc...I don't know of any better alternative. That is what makes it such a great feature. And yes - mobile hotspots are the way to go.

It is my understanding also that it is peer-to-peer so you don't need any other wifi/mobile hotspot to connect your phone to the camera
 
Don't forget you can buy an external wifi live view system for less than the price difference between the two ;)
 
Don't forget you can buy an external wifi live view system for less than the price difference between the two ;)

That's fine if that's the only feature you're after over the 60d

If you're considering the 60d then you could easily consider the 650d though!
 
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not really , its an xxxD so you'll have distinctly worse ergonomics, worse build quality, and stupid arrow buttons on the back instead of the two scroll wheel system. Its not an inherently bad camera in itself , but its not a patch on any of the xxD range - I'd rather have my old 40D than a 650
 
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thats the same for pretty much every camera, I looked at the 7D, opted for the 60D instead.

Much like you could go through from the 1Dx all the way down to the 100 looking at it from other points of view.

It depends on what the user wants, if image quality is the thing then the 60D with the good glass is the way forward as I personally can't see and havent heard of much of an improvment if any in the RAW files
 
agree with Moose, I use my Mrs 1100d every now and then to walk around but would never want to have one over the better ergonomics of the x / xx series as they make work based jobs much quicker and easier
 
Well let's put it simpler, I own both the 1DX and 60D and can't fault them and use them for weddings, if we can make money using a 60D then surely it's worth the money :)
Rebel bodies are too small and Ireally hate the mirrorless bodies, where's the fun in that?
Wifi etc is a nice feature but how often will you use it? I love it when a new body is released because the previous model gets cheaper etc, 5dmk2 especially! Absolute cracking wedding body and still has countless features that you can use!
 
not really , its an xxxD so you'll have distinctly worse ergonomics, worse build quality, and stupid arrow buttons on the back instead of the two scroll wheel system. Its not an inherently bad camera in itself , but its not a patch on any of the xxD range - I'd rather have my old 40D than a 650

Ergonomics? Well the 650 and 700d are smaller so yeah, if you want a more snug fit in your hand then you've got a point there... I've had a grip on my 650d for a long time now and whilst it might not be as nice in your hand as a larger camera, the smaller size and lower weight also have their own perks.

The 650d and 700d have the new touchscreens like the 70d and it's very good. You can get around the settings with ease once you've learn your way around. If of course you're not willing to adapt to anything different then I guess you'll get frustrated.

Build quality? Well mine hasn't fallen apart so far if that's what you're referring to. No, it doesn't have a magnesium body but then again, cameras are about taking pictures aren't they? Not what material the body is made of :P
 
Well let's put it simpler, I own both the 1DX and 60D and can't fault them and use them for weddings, if we can make money using a 60D then surely it's worth the money :)
Rebel bodies are too small and Ireally hate the mirrorless bodies, where's the fun in that?

Which bodies are you referring to as mirrorless?
 
Hi I use a canon 550D and I too prefer to use a larger body like a 60D 7D and 70D. I personally would go for the 7D or the 70D as you'll have better AF 8fps with the 7D and 100% viewfinder. 70D 7fps wifi and both these have af micro adjustment which help calibrate the lenses if need be. Although the 60D is a good camera it doesn't have as many features as the other 2. As far as the 15-55 f2.8 it doesn't exist. Maybe a 17-55 2.8
 
60D costs a shedload less than either of the other two (both of which are well out of the OPs budget)
 
60D costs a shedload less than either of the other two (both of which are well out of the OPs budget)

The OP doesn't mention what his budget is?! And the 7D is £759 with 18-55 or 699 body only and yes the 60D is a lot cheaper at £505 or something on digitalrev but if he is considering getting the 70D than the 7D and 60D are well unber his budget.
 
He says he can only afford a 70D if he buys a standard kit lens

If he buys a 60D he could afford better glass

So both the more expensive cameras are inherently out of his budget unless he only buys a bog standard kit lens (body only won't help him if he hasn't already got any lenses)
 
He says he can only afford a 70D if he buys a standard kit lens

If he buys a 60D he could afford better glass

So both the more expensive cameras are inherently out of his budget unless he only buys a bog standard kit lens (body only won't help him if he hasn't already got any lenses)

I do see your point there and the 60D it's £460 body only so he could get some decent glass but what I'm saying is if he can afford £1200 for a 70D with kit lens, he can get the 7D and still have £500 to spend on glass. Although when I look at the price difference between the 60D and the 7D he could be left with £750 to spend on glass "thinking"
 
He can buy it with the kit and buy a 2nd hand nifty fifty. That would be great to be getting on with
 
He can buy it with the kit and buy a 2nd hand nifty fifty. That would be great to be getting on with

Lol just bought the 50mm 1.8 myself got it yesterday and tbh it's only £75 new from Amazon. And I love it! :-)
 
Wow, so Fridays are a popular night for getting feedback😉

My budget is £1300 for camera, lens, bag and some filters. I have managed to allocate some money from our savings next year to get more lenses and a tripod (basically I am putting away £50/ month)

As I said, I don't like the xxxD range as they feel too small. I prefer the xxD over the 7D as I want the swivel screen. (I want to try shooting from different perspectives)

( and yes typo, I meant 17-55 F2.8 and not 15-55)

Seeing the 7D thread, I might just wait for Xmas when the 70D price comes down and it has been reviewed more. Does anyone know when the 60D stock will disappear?
 
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