I thought I would provide an update on my experience with my first DSLR. I have eyeballed them since the T3i's came out and finally go around to getting one when the T5i came out. The touch screen and the STM won me over, atleast in reviews.
I have really tested out the T5i and loved it, but it felt small to me in my hands AND the view finder felt small.
After giving it some use over the past couple of weeks, I finally got my hands on a 70D. I was considering the 60D, especially for the price but the 70D is what I want as it has all the bells and whistles of the T5i and more. I really want the articulating screen and touch screen over the 60D.
The 70D in my hands feels great. I also like the heft and its really not that much more heavier but it has enough heft that I want. NOTE: Body vs Body the 70D is slightly heavier than a T5i. I would never even factor that in after actually holding them both in my hands.
So, while it was hard, as I really want a DSLR in my hands now, I have sent the T5i back.
NOTE: The T5i is a winner and I will recommend that camera to anyone asking me. There is nothing wrong with it. The 70D is more for me as I feel, at my current stage of photography, that I would out grow the T5i too quickly whereas I feel I have room to grow into the 70D and will spend my time learning all the features.
NOW...I wait for a better price on the 70D. I see that the T5i body on amazon came down a little more, so hoping this is a trend similar for 70D. Price AND I really want to know if the 70D focusing issue is resolved or fixable before I pull the trigger on that.
So here I am, coming from a G12, first considering a 40D, getting a T5i and now decided on the 70D. Please dont try and convince me to go FF LOL!