Considering upgraded to the 70d from the T3i

Hey guys, been doing plenty of research on the 70d to factor in my consideration of upgrading from my T3i. My biggest considerations when upgrading are:

Low light High ISO performance

AF accuracy and speed

Shutter Speed

Overall Image quality

For the most part a lot of the pros for the 70d comes in relation to the new AF system for video and live view. Which is nice, but I don't do a lot of filming. So barring the nicer features like wifi and a touch screen, I'm concerned with image performance in regards to pushing ISO with minimal noise. So far when I shoot at iso 800 on the T3i, I see a fair amount of noise when zoomed in. I understand the limitations of an APS-C sensor and before saying get a full frame all I am asking is is there a noticeable improvement of the sensor in the 70d compared to the T3i.

Let me know, thanks!

With regards to overall image quality and Low light High ISO performance, it really depends on what kind of photography you as the differences are there but quite subtle. The newer sensor and processor in the 70D gives you a little better performance in this regard, but again if you're shooting in low light at the wider focal lengths (based on your gear list) you'd be better off buying faster glass and/or a flash.

The two areas where the 70D definitely takes the lead is AF accuracy/speed (19 AF points! 6-7 fps) and shutter speed (1/8000 second max fastest). If you need both of those, then it is most definitely a worthwhile upgrade.

Tangolima600 wrote in post #16439187
Hey guys, been doing plenty of research on the 70d to factor in my consideration of upgrading from my T3i. My biggest considerations when upgrading are:

Low light High ISO performance

AF accuracy and speed

Shutter Speed

Overall Image quality

For the most part a lot of the pros for the 70d comes in relation to the new AF system for video and live view. Which is nice, but I don't do a lot of filming. So barring the nicer features like wifi and a touch screen, I'm concerned with image performance in regards to pushing ISO with minimal noise. So far when I shoot at iso 800 on the T3i, I see a fair amount of noise when zoomed in. I understand the limitations of an APS-C sensor and before saying get a full frame all I am asking is is there a noticeable improvement of the sensor in the 70d compared to the T3i.

Let me know, thanks!

General answer: NO.

Some specifics:
Low light High ISO performance
You would be hard pressed to notice any difference at all. You'll get more out of RAW+ETTR, if you're not already doing that.

AF accuracy and speed
This one may matter. 19 cross points and customizable vs. 1 cross point (9 total). If you are a center point shooter, you won't see much difference. If you want to used outer points, but find them lacking, you'll see a lot of improvement. The T4i & T5i will get you all cross points. That may or may not suit your needs. I know my 60D (9 cross) is much more useable than my T1i (same as T3i) was.

Shutter Speed
(WRT MAX shutter speed)
Unless you are shooting outdoors, wide-open with your 50 1.4, you'll never get to 1/4000 anyway. No improvement.

(WRT burst rate)
If you shoot things that move, 7 fps is a lot more the 3.x. Lots of improvement for burst and/or AI-Servo.

Overall Image quality
You would be hard pressed to notice any difference at all. You'll get more out of RAW+ETTR, if you're not already doing that.

The general IQ of Canon cameras hasn't moved much in years. At normal ISO settings, say 1600 or below, it would be difficult, if not impossible to tell a shot taken with a T1i from the same shot taken with a 70D. Nearly the same goes for the 5D vs 6D/5D3.

Don't buy a new camera based on the need for better IQ. You will be disappointed. Of course, special situations apply. Really high ISO is one. How much do you shoot at 12,800 and above? Or need to? Faster glass can help that. Replacing your 18-55 with a 17-55 2.8 will get you exactly two-stops better ISO performance. That is a bit more than you'd get by going to a 6D, and about 1.8 (I made that up.) stops more than you'll get out of a 70D, using the 18-55.

The AF-system of the 70D looks like a very good reason to upgrade. The other things you listed don't matter. Much.

I hardly shot any video with my 60D. With the 70D I do it all the time. Manual focus for those of us who don't have a lot of experience with it is no fun during video...but the 70D changes that.

I would say the in camera jpeg results are about a stop better. When you pixel peep by zooming in of course you are going to see more noise.

The 70D has other advantages. Touchscreen, wifi, larger battery, the viewfinder AF system, interactive viewfinder, level, better controls, better viewfinder...and there are more.

From my experience, I picked up the 70D when it came out for a backup to my 7D. I sold the 7D a month later. I think its a case of the whole being greater then the sum of the parts, the 70D really is a very nice camera.

As someone who had to learn about ETTR and processing, if you think ISO 800 is pretty much the limit on your T3i, the 70d will NOT help you. There are a lot of people on POTN who shoot 6400 on that sensor and get good stuff. I've gotten to the point where I can shoot 3200 without worry now.

Basically all reviews on the internet support that ISO performance is barely modest at best, so personally ISO wouldn't be a consideration on my list.

Tangolima600 wrote in post #16439187
Hey guys, been doing plenty of research on the 70d to factor in my consideration of upgrading from my T3i. My biggest considerations when upgrading are:

Low light High ISO performance

AF accuracy and speed

Shutter Speed

Overall Image quality

For the most part a lot of the pros for the 70d comes in relation to the new AF system for video and live view. Which is nice, but I don't do a lot of filming. So barring the nicer features like wifi and a touch screen, I'm concerned with image performance in regards to pushing ISO with minimal noise. So far when I shoot at iso 800 on the T3i, I see a fair amount of noise when zoomed in. I understand the limitations of an APS-C sensor and before saying get a full frame all I am asking is is there a noticeable improvement of the sensor in the 70d compared to the T3i.

Let me know, thanks!

My 60D has the same sensor like your T3i.

This is ISO12800. The lighting was so low that there was no opportunity for ETTR. There is some noise, but aI can live with it, to retain the sharpness at the hair. The 70-200 had a hard time focusing...

Learn what you can do with what you have first...

Thanks for the helpful info. I might get the 70d still as my primary and the T3i as a addition body for a different lens. I like to film fast moving RC Helicopters so the new AF feature might inspire me to film more. I think I can be happy with the quality at highter ISO values with a little help from LR5 so my expectations are in place. Thanks again!