Two cameras, which should I keep

So, my wife has been wanting a new camera for a while.(I use it too) She currently has a 30d.

I was planning to pick up a 7d through the CLP but they had been out of stock for ever so I finally gave up a couple of nights ago and bought a 60d. Of course, today they added 7d stock to the CLP. I decided to grab one and just return my 60d since I have not opened it yet.

However, now I have been thinking about it more and am not sure I should do that. I have done some research and want to make sure I am not making a mistake and could use some help validating my assumptions here.

7d pros:
Significantly better viewfinder
Better autofocus system
More fps
Better build
Controls nearly identical to my 5d2
Uses CF cards like my 5d2

60d pros:
Better flip out display
Uses SD cards that my wife can just put in her laptop
lighter weight
more warranty(because the 60d is new)

Is there anything I am missing here? I know the 60d is newer, are the video functions better on it?

Comparing a new 60d to a CLP 7d the price to me is negligibly different. Especially since I have to buy sd cards for the 60d where I already have CF cards she can use.

So, excluding price is there anything else I am missing. I really feel like I should be keeping the 7d but I also have this nagging feeling I am making a mistake.

Am I missing anything?

If the price is close, the 7d seems like a no brainer to me. I would take it any day over the 60d. Not knocking the 60d, but the 7d is just soo much more camera! And don't forget the 100% viewfinder coverage on the 7d.

+1, for 7D. I didn't like the feel and handle of 60D. Personally, I like the 7D overall performance over the 60d.

I tried both camera for a week and decided to keep the 7D (as 2nd camera to my 5D2).

Besides the pros you mentioned, I'd like to add a couple of my favorite on the 7D
- AF point linked to orientation
- Memorized AF point and one click to use it, and it also links to orientation
- Spot AF
- Dedicated button for movie mode/live view (to get to movie mode in 60D, you'll to spin the dial all the way to the other side)

The only other cons I think is relevant is that 7D is heavier/bigger, your wife may not like it.

I paid $450 more for 7D, at similar price, it's a no brainer

Also, if you're going to get the 7D through CLP, do it now. I bet it'll be out of stock again tomorrow.

If you already have cf cards keep the 7d. Also, the 60d does not have a pc sync port for external flash.

Using wireless flash control from the on camera flash isn't very flexible, and radio triggers aren't always cheap.

Not sure if that is an issue for you now, but it may be in the future.

The "better" screen isn't necessarily that much better, though the lighter weight is important if it matters to you.

The AF on the 7d is probably the main reason why I chose the 7d, it's pretty great. The view finder is sexy too..

I have never shot with a 60D but, can tell you that the 7D is an awsome body. The focus system on the 7D is extensive and has a steep learning curve. It will take some time to learn the camera. The results will be well worth it though!

I've toyed with a 60D for a little bit. 7D has better build, I like CF, focusing system is great. It's a nice camera, I'd take the 7D over 60D

+1 for 7D (not from experience but just comparing what I know about the two cameras), unless, as someone has said, the 7D is too big/heavy for your wife's comfort.

check out this link, the guy is kind of a goof but i find his opinion to be helpful!!!

digital rev, click here

good luck

Depends upon what you shoot... 7D is an excellent camera and has a lot of nice features, but is sort of designed sports/action shooters in mind. Of course you can use it to shoot almost anything you like, but f you don't need/use features you're spending an extra $700 for, it's sort of a waste.

If the 5DII is meeting your shooting needs well, then the 60D might be the better choice.

If your wife will be using the camera a lot, the 7D is considerably heavier and a bit bulkier feeling. She might not like it... She might prefer the shape and weight of the 60D better. It's actually better built and more solid feeling than some people give it credit for.

SD memory is cheaper than CF... You can buy about a Terrabyte worth for the $700 difference between 60D and 7D price. Personally I don't like SD because it's so small and I can just see myself forgeting a card in my jeans pocket, putting it through the laundry!

60D shares batteries with your 5DII. Controls are different, but not all that different.

If you use Micro Focus Adjust on your 5DII, 60D doesn't have it... 7D does.

60D has that neat articulated LCD (which I hope they put on the 5D MkIII). It also has that locking mode dial... Which you can have it added to 7D and 5DII at a cost of $120 per camera last time I checked. (Have to send the camera to Canon for the service, so add some shipping costs, too unless you live close to one of their dervice centers.)

I don't shoot video with any of my DSLRs, so really can't address that question. I would think the articulated LCD would be handy for video, though.

Edit: Gotta love the video comparison at the above link... The narrator is pretty goofy... and he really doesn't like the buttons on the 60D... I didn't find them all that different on the one I tried out.

GregoryF wrote in post #12600060
If the price is close, the 7d seems like a no brainer to me. I would take it any day over the 60d. Not knocking the 60d, but the 7d is just soo much more camera! And don't forget the 100% viewfinder coverage on the 7d.

+1

Thanks everyone. I am leaning towards the 7d as well. It will be here Monday.

I think I might take my wife to best buy and let her look them both this weekend and see if she cares.

For me, I would much rather have the 7d because the main thing I find lacking in my 5d2 is strong auto-focus performance.

meeko031 wrote in post #12608156
check out this link, the guy is kind of a goof but i find his opinion to be helpful!!!

digital rev, click here

good luck

Yep, he's goofy OK but I also like this video. Confirms a few things I suspected.

I'd keep the 7D. More camera for not much more money.

One thing I do like about the 60d is the auto iso adjustable limit. I wish the 5d2 and the 7d had this.