Upgrade from Canon 1000D

[Steve_o]

Just out of interest, what would be a suitable upgrade from a Canon 1000D?

I mean in terms of the next model up and not going from a £300 model to a £7000 model?

Bearing in mind, we're keeping with Canon and not venturing into Nikon, Samsung, Panasonic country.

 

[N01Chris]

I have a 500d and am planning an upgrade to a 60d, If you have plenty of lenses (or just one good one) then you should just get the 60d without a lens however the 600d is £500 (£220 less than the 60d) this would give you enough maybe to get the 50mm 1.4 which is £285 a great lens for everyday shooting! assuming you have £785.

 

[deadalus3000]

steve..my advice is to finlise your budget first, Then if your craving more from your camera go feel the bodies of the 600D/650D and 60D, maby if your planning on getting more lens and really investing in the hobby, try out a 7D.
My advice is not to rush out and buy, take your time.

 

[N01Chris]

Actually, I agree with him instead, I kinda rushed into it there.

 

[Mandoo]

Don't just rush out an buy for the sake it of, use the gear you've got to the fullest extent possible to work out why you need to upgrade. Once you've pushed your gear to its limits you'll know what you need to look for in a new model and can get the one that suits your needs the best.
Also try and upgrade to the best you can afford even if it means a bit of saving up, don't just go for the next one up as you'll soon feel you need to go to the next one up from that, then it becomes a hobby of buying and selling cameras rather than actually taking photos.

 

[Eddzz!!]

Just my two cents: I've owned the 60D since Christmas after upgrading from the 450D. The 60D is a great camera and it really provides a great learning curve for those wanting to learn more about photography. However, it was due to this that only six months after purchasing my 60D I find myself trading in my flippy screen DSLR for something even more substantial. No I didn't go FF, I bought a 7D. I may get flamed for that as the cameras share many notable features. For me, however, it is a step up. I wanted the more robust build, the 8fps shooting, the MF adjustment and the overall superior ergonomics of the 7D.

So I guess what I'm essentially saying is: don't get caught out. If I'd known then (when I bought my 60D) what I know now, I'd have probably forked out for the 7D. Make sure you're certain what you're looking for when upgrading and just how far you want to pursue photography in the future.

 

[will69]

My upgrade path so far has been

350d + kit lens
More lenses inc sigma 10-20, canon 70-200 f4 L
40d
Lenses and stuff
7d

I would not hesitate to recommend the 60d, great camera. The 7d is great to if you need the better sports capabilities.

 

[Steve_o]

steve..my advice is to finlise your budget first, Then if your craving more from your camera go feel the bodies of the 600D/650D and 60D, maby if your planning on getting more lens and really investing in the hobby, try out a 7D.
My advice is not to rush out and buy, take your time.

Thanks people.

I don't intend upgrading soon. I don't have the funds. I just didn't understand how Canon's model numbers work.

For example, is the 550D better than the 50D or vice versa?

 

[lizzy23]

Thanks people.

I don't intend upgrading soon. I don't have the funds. I just didn't understand how Canon's model numbers work.

For example, is the 550D better than the 50D or vice versa?

i think and don't qoute me that canon series go 1000d base model, xxxd next up, xxd next up from that, then 7, 5 and one series in that order

 

[Dave *]

Thanks people.

I don't intend upgrading soon. I don't have the funds. I just didn't understand how Canon's model numbers work.

For example, is the 550D better than the 50D or vice versa?

In features, yes the 550D is better than the 50D, but the 50D is built to a higher specification (which does have the unfortunate side effect of making it bigger and heavier).

It does become a little confused at the 550D level because a number of bodies use the same (or very similar) sensor. The 550D, 600D, 60D, 7D and now the new 650D.

From a build quality view the 7D is top of the pile, but IQ wise all are similar, from a technology point of view the new 650D would come out top.

It really is a matter of go and try the cameras somewhere, if you are used to the 1000D and like the size and weight then the 650D is currently the best upgrade you could do, if you want a bigger, heavier camera with a slightly better build, then there is the 60D, or another step up to the 7D.

Of course, you could also upgrade a further step up to full frame, and then the 5Dmk2 and 5Dmk3 could be considered, and another step up above them is the 1Dx (of course by this point you are up to a very large body weighing almost 1.5 kg and costing over £5000).

 

[andrewc]

When you're talking about the current generation, its fair to assume this:

xxxxD --> xxxD --> xxD --> xD --> 1D

Its when you compare current to older models that it becomes harder to differentiate as there is overlap between models and functionality in the higher end cameras filters down to the lower models.

When upgrading a body you need to work out what is the limiting factor of the current model and then you can target the models that have the functions you want.

 

[Dave *]

When you're talking about the current generation, its fair to assume this:

xxxxD --> xxxD --> xxD --> xD --> 1D

.

The only problem with that is the fact Canon don't update across the range at the same time, for example, the 40D was still the xxD model when the 500D was launched, and by the time Canon caught up and launched the 50D the 550D was announced. Even now, the 650D has launched before the 60D's successor arrives putting it out of sync again.

 

[Steve_o]

The only problem with that is the fact Canon don't update across the range at the same time, for example, the 40D was still the xxD model when the 500D was launched, and by the time Canon caught up and launched the 50D the 550D was announced. Even now, the 650D has launched before the 60D's successor arrives putting it out of sync again.

That sounds very confusing.

But it's good to know nonetheless. By the time I am wanting to upgrade anyway, I'm sure a 0.5D will have been released.

 

[grotty]

The only problem with that is the fact Canon don't update across the range at the same time, for example, the 40D was still the xxD model when the 500D was launched, and by the time Canon caught up and launched the 50D the 550D was announced. Even now, the 650D has launched before the 60D's successor arrives putting it out of sync again.

That's because generally speaking the further up the ladder the model, the longer the gap between new model releases. The xxxD range is updated pretty much annually, xxD every two-ish and xD every three to four. I guess that's because they sell more entry level bodies so make more incremental, 'headline grabbing' releases.

 

[modchild]

I started out with a 550D and kit lens but due to an interest in aviation photography I soon invested in a decent zoom. Then after a windfall I upped to a 7D and a couple of L lenses and added a 5D2 soon after. While the 5D2 is excellent for almost everything I found it a bit limiting in the AF system, which is where the 7D came into its own. However, I was never truely happy with the 7D (one photo would come out perfect and the next at the same settings would be under or over exposed or OOF).

When the 5D3 was released I weighed up my options and ended up selling both and buying the 5D3, which I'm enormously happy with and have the best of both worlds. The only thing I missed was the second body, so I added a 60D as backup and I'm very happy with the lot.

The basis to this ramble is, if you feel like you want to upgrade and can afford to do so, don't wait around for ages thinking about it as you don't have to justify it to anyone but yourself (and I'm not having a go at anyone at all). Go with what you feel happiest with, but go to a shop and handle them first to ensure they're going to be comfortable in your hands. The 600D, 650D or the 60D would be a very good upgrade to a 1000D, I prefer the ergonomics of the xxD bodies personally. The 7D would be a great upgrade, but if you like the AF system of the 1000D and fancy a FF upgrade then the 5D2 would be a fantastic upgrade.