Between the 60d and 7d

I'm looking to upgrade from my XS(1000d). I shoot in many low light conditions, do a lot of portraiture work, and would like video capabilities.

I'm wondering what specs of each camera would best suit my needs. I've compared them side by side, and I'm wondering if the multitude of auto-focus points is worth the extra money, since I normally use the center focus point and recompose anyways.

Let me know your thoughts! Thank you!

Not sure about video, but the still photo advantages are

- more FPS
- more sophisticated AF
- better build/weatherproofing

if none of those matter to you then the 60D should be fine.

.Davis. wrote in post #11847940
I normally use the center focus point and recompose anyways.

Then I don't think you're the group that the 7D is aimed at (action shooters who need 8FPS and a baby-1D AF tracking system).

Out of curiosity, is there a reason that you're not looking at the T2i or T3i? If you're happy with your XS's body size and battery life, they may be good options.

.Davis. wrote in post #11847940
I normally use the center focus point and recompose anyways.

Sounds as if you have already answered your own question.

manfesto wrote in post #11847957
Then I don't think you're the group that the 7D is aimed at (action shooters who need 8FPS and a baby-1D AF tracking system).

As much as something like a micro-focus adjust would be great, I don't really pixel peep, nor have I, or do I plan to buy any third party lenses anytime soon.

How does the AF-system of something like the t3i compare with the 60d or 7d? and what are the main differences between the 60d and T3i?

manfesto wrote in post #11847957
Out of curiosity, is there a reason that you're not looking at the T2i or T3i? If you're happy with your XS's body size and battery life, they may be good options.

I haven't looked into the T3i just because it's so new. Can anyone link me to a good comparison between the T3i and 60d?

I just don't want to sell myself short, I want to get the best camera I can afford that will last and not become out-dated quickly. Thanks for the quick responses guys, this is really helpful.


The size of the 60d/7d appeals to me, as well as the top-screen, I think that would also be really helpful to me.

I think they are all (T2i/T3i/60D/7D) pretty close in AF if you only use the center point.

There are lots of reviews showing they are close in IQ.

You can look at dpreview.com for a preview of the T3i and a review of the 60D. To me it looks like they have the same AF system though. From what you have said you shoot it doesn't look like there is much need for you to go to the 7D. I really like mine but I shoot a lot of sports which is the main reason I bought it.

magwai wrote in post #11848031
I think they are all (T2i/T3i/60D/7D) pretty close in AF if you only use the center point.

There are lots of reviews showing they are close in IQ.

I know this may sound like a dumb question, as I know "it's not the gear, it's the photographer", BUT is the 60d just ok at everything it does? Does the 7d take good video, but it's AWESOME at still photos? I know that the ISO capabilities of both cameras can be stretched to 12,800, but is that something that the 7d can handle better because of it's light sensor?

It seems that the 60d is geared MORE towards someone interested in video, whereas the 7d has the video capability, but is geared more towards a still photographer

.Davis. wrote in post #11848073
I know this may sound like a dumb question, as I know "it's not the gear, it's the photographer", BUT is the 60d just ok at everything it does? Does the 7d take good video, but it's AWESOME at still photos? I know that the ISO capabilities of both cameras can be stretched to 12,800, but is that something that the 7d can handle better because of it's light sensor?

It seems that the 60d is geared MORE towards someone interested in video, whereas the 7d has the video capability, but is geared more towards a still photographer

If I was worried about video capabilities, I'd get a video specific camera.
I don't own, nor have I used a 60D, but I'd be surprised if the 7D wasn't a better DSLR in comparison.

What type of photographs do you typically take? Are you into birding for example? If so 7D's faster FPS is better. But, if not it may not be worth spending the extra $, depending on what you shoot and your shooting habits. Personally, I love my T1i, but I'm thinking of upgrading to the 7D for a few reasons. Since I'm growing as a photographer (technique, understanding, etc) it seems to be the next logical step for me personally.

robertnzana wrote in post #11848104
What type of photographs do you typically take? Are you into birding for example? If so 7D's faster FPS is better. But, if not it may not be worth spending the extra $, depending on what you shoot and your shooting habits.

As stated before, low-light, portraiture, some landscape, and SOME automotive.

.Davis. wrote in post #11848073
I know this may sound like a dumb question, as I know "it's not the gear, it's the photographer", BUT is the 60d just ok at everything it does? Does the 7d take good video, but it's AWESOME at still photos? I know that the ISO capabilities of both cameras can be stretched to 12,800, but is that something that the 7d can handle better because of it's light sensor?

It seems that the 60d is geared MORE towards someone interested in video, whereas the 7d has the video capability, but is geared more towards a still photographer

The video recording specs (resolution and fps) are the same for the 60D and 7D. The 60D adds audio gain control which the 7D does not have. The 60D also has the flip-out screen which may or may not be a plus depending on your point of view. Because the sensors in the 60D and 7D are very, very similar there is a negligible difference in still photo image quality. There are a lot of things the 7D has over the 60D but for what you are intending to use the camera for I honestly don't believe you will see a difference between them.

If you use only the center point, the T2i/T3i's center point is cross type with glass f/2.8 and faster, the 60D's center point is dual cross type (it's crossed with both a "T" and an "X", making it sensitive to horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines) with glass f/2.8 and faster. The 60D's center point will be more sensitive and catch focus better in low light.

That said, if you're not having issues with your XS catching focus in low light, T2i/T3i may be fine.

I wouldn't worry about that, the T2i, T3i, 60D, and 7D all share the same sensor, and they'll all equally be outclassed by the next generation of cameras . More importantly, they'll continue taking great pictures well past when the new models come out.

The only differences between the T2i and T3i is that the T3i has a swivel screen and wireless flash control. If neither of those would help what you shoot, look at the T2i first.

The differences between the T2i/T3i and 60D are as follows:

- bigger body
- some weather sealing
- second control dial on the back
- top LCD panel
- faster burst FPS, deeper buffer
- longer battery life
- bigger pentaprism viewfinder
- better 9-point AF system (all nine points are cross type, center is dual cross type)

If that sounds like it's worth the extra few hundred dollars over the Rebels, the 60D may be the way to go.

The differences between the 60D and 7D are:

- even bigger metal body
- even more weather sealing
- joystick instead of directional pad
- 8FPS burst mode
- 19-point AF system
- AF microadjust

For those that need these things, it is totally worth the extra money for the 7D over the 60D. I don't think that you sound like you need those things, though.

.Davis. wrote in post #11848073
I know this may sound like a dumb question, as I know "it's not the gear, it's the photographer", BUT is the 60d just ok at everything it does? Does the 7d take good video, but it's AWESOME at still photos? I know that the ISO capabilities of both cameras can be stretched to 12,800, but is that something that the 7d can handle better because of it's light sensor?

It seems that the 60d is geared MORE towards someone interested in video, whereas the 7d has the video capability, but is geared more towards a still photographer

I've had my 60D for about 4 months and have taken 2,000 still photos and about 5 minutes of video. The 60D does an outstanding job with still photos, and most reviews indicate that it is as good as the 7D except for frames per second (5.3 for 60D vs. 8 for 7D). The 60D has cross-type sensors at all 9 AF points, while the T2i and T3i only have a cross-type sensor at the central point and non-cross types at the remaining 8 points.

So to answer your question, the 60D does an outstanding job producing spectacular 12"x18" prints from ISO 100 through 1600. I've also produced very good results (albeit with a little noise) at 3200 and 6400. ISO 12800 is usable in a pinch, but it's a significant increase from 6400 in noise.

Two final points: the 60D wireless flash system works flawlessly, even at up to about 20-25 feet outdoors as long as the sensor is facing the pop-up flash. Indoors there are generally enough reflections to permit shooting around corners in moderate sized rooms. I assume that the 7D is equally good, and probably also the T3i. Second, the 60D is extremely well made and fits my hands much better than the smaller T2i. The 60D has been criticized for being made out of plastic compared to the 7D, but remember: football helmets are plastic and survive enormous impacts!
Hugh

.Davis. wrote in post #11848073
I know this may sound like a dumb question, as I know "it's not the gear, it's the photographer", BUT is the 60d just ok at everything it does? Does the 7d take good video, but it's AWESOME at still photos? I know that the ISO capabilities of both cameras can be stretched to 12,800, but is that something that the 7d can handle better because of it's light sensor?

It seems that the 60d is geared MORE towards someone interested in video, whereas the 7d has the video capability, but is geared more towards a still photographer

Between the T2i, 60D, and 7D - same sensor, same image processor, same image quality (both movie and still), same high-ISO performance. The 7D can just shoot more of them more quickly (8FPS vs 5.3FPS or 3.7FPS) since it has two Digic IVs and the 60D and T2i only have one.

And actually, in some ways, the 7D is more geared toward video shooting than the 60D. The 60D must be put into video mode on the mode dial (which is all the way on the other side of the dial from "M" and "Av", annoyingly), the 7D has a switch for it right next to the record button so it's easier to switch between video and stills.

Unless you're shooting in situations where a really good tracking AF system or 8FPS will get you shots that are otherwise impossible (like shooting sports, or birds in flight), the 7D isn't going to get you shots the 60D or T2i couldn't.