7D vs T2i - First Impressions

I just purchased a refurbished 7D, having owned a T2i since last Christmas. My rationale for upgrading was mostly for the brighter viewfinder, microadjustment, and generally better ergonomics (rear wheel, one-button RAW, etc.) that the 7D offered. I didn't have any expectations of better IQ.

I've only played with the 7D for a few hours, but a couple of things struck me straight-away that I hadn't anticipated. First, I was surprised that the 7D doesn't have the nifty feature where the LCD blacks out when you bring the camera to your eye. Secondly, the LCD screen graphics aren't quite as crisp or "stylish" as they are on the T2i, which I'm sure must be due to the slightly lower resolution of the 7D screen. Also, I always had my T2i LCD set to the "black text on light gray background" style, but I was surprised to find that the 7D doesn't provide different LCD styles.

None of these items are more than cosmetic, and the positives of the 7D more than make up for these minor quibbles. Just thought I'd offer them as talking points for T2i owners who might be considering a 7D. And for you T2i owners out there, rest assured that you've got a heckuva worthy camera.

Very good points Snafoo. Appreciate you taking the time to work these items out. IMHO, Canon makes a lot of models that are very close to each other, and it is difficult to find differences that matter (might matter to one person but not another). So threads like these help people make informed decisions about what they buy.

David

Thanks for the comment, David. This definitely isn't a "regrets" thread - I have no regrets whatsoever, and I don't think it'll take long at all to acclimate to the new gear. There are so many things that I DO love about the 7D!

Snafoo wrote in post #12643971
I just purchased a refurbished 7D, having owned a T2i since last Christmas. My rationale for upgrading was mostly for the brighter viewfinder, microadjustment, and generally better ergonomics (rear wheel, one-button RAW, etc.) that the 7D offered. I didn't have any expectations of better IQ.

I've only played with the 7D for a few hours, but a couple of things struck me straight-away that I hadn't anticipated. First, I was surprised that the 7D doesn't have the nifty feature where the LCD blacks out when you bring the camera to your eye. Secondly, the LCD screen graphics aren't quite as crisp or "stylish" as they are on the T2i, which I'm sure must be due to the slightly lower resolution of the 7D screen. Also, I always had my T2i LCD set to the "black text on light gray background" style, but I was surprised to find that the 7D doesn't provide different LCD styles.

None of these items are more than cosmetic, and the positives of the 7D more than make up for these minor quibbles. Just thought I'd offer them as talking points for T2i owners who might be considering a 7D. And for you T2i owners out there, rest assured that you've got a heckuva worthy camera.

On xD cameras top LCD screen has all you need.

To review picture you don't need LCD styles.

I have main LCD turned off constantly at my Rebel and 5D.
I'm using LCD on Rebel only to change focus mode and exposure meterring mode.
Everything else done through viewfinder.

i just got my 5d2 in the mail today as well and will compare to my t2i soon. i can def. agree with you on the feel though, feels MUCH nicer than the t2i and my pinky finally has room to rest itself on the body!

congrats on your purchase!

kf095 wrote in post #12644332
On xD cameras top LCD screen has all you need...

Frankly, I don't care much for the top screen. My eyesight isn't what it used to be - by a long shot - and the top screen is too scrunched for me to read at a glance the way I can with the rear screen. But as they say, "Chacun a son gout!"

nikesupremedunk wrote in post #12644377
...congrats on your purchase!

Likewise!
I almost talked myself into going with a 5DII but my lens purchases to date have all been EF-S and I wasn't in the mood to swap my entire kit out.

You'll love the larger viewfinder on the 5DII. Compared to crop frame, it's like you can practically step into the frame.

IQ isn't bad, either.

Snafoo wrote in post #12644211
Thanks for the comment, David. This definitely isn't a "regrets" thread - I have no regrets whatsoever, and I don't think it'll take long at all to acclimate to the new gear. There are so many things that I DO love about the 7D!

I didn't take it as a regret thread.

As to the 5D Mark 2, I've shot 35mm for years, and now that I'm using 21.875mm on the T2i, I haven't noticed any difference. The reason is if I want the same framings as 35mm, on my T2i, all I have to do is divide 1.6. Example being if I want a 35mm framing equivallent, then I'm going to use 22mm (approximately) to reach similar results. Absolutely no disadvantage using 21.875mm if you have lenses in the right ranges. Zoom lenses are perfect for this adaptation.

Cheers,

David

With a shoulder LCD, you may find that you can turn off the rear LCD. The shoulder display shows everything you need to know, and once you get used to using it, there is virtually no reason to be looking at the rear LCD. You can navigate and manipulate the camera setting much faster with the shoulder LCD. I only have mine set to review the histogram for 2 seconds after a shot is taken.

Jethro790 wrote in post #12645056
With a shoulder LCD, you may find that you can turn off the rear LCD. The shoulder display shows everything you need to know, and once you get used to using it, there is virtually no reason to be looking at the rear LCD. You can navigate and manipulate the camera setting much faster with the shoulder LCD. I only have mine set to review the histogram for 2 seconds after a shot is taken.

Something new to buy!

Jethro790 wrote in post #12645056
With a shoulder LCD, you may find that you can turn off the rear LCD. The shoulder display shows everything you need to know, and once you get used to using it, there is virtually no reason to be looking at the rear LCD. You can navigate and manipulate the camera setting much faster with the shoulder LCD. I only have mine set to review the histogram for 2 seconds after a shot is taken.

x2. I never use the LCD screen, just the settings screen on top of the camera. I have a 60D and one thing I like is that I can swivel the LCD screen to face inside of the camera, protecting it.

Snafoo wrote in post #12643971
First, I was surprised that the 7D doesn't have the nifty feature where the LCD blacks out when you bring the camera to your eye.

It goes black as soon as you touch the shutter button or any other button that causes AF to kick in.

Snafoo wrote in post #12645540
Something new to buy!

Jethro was talking about the top lcd.

Thanks for the comparison review. Can't wait to get your impressions again after a few months with the 7!

krb wrote in post #12645570
It goes black as soon as you touch the shutter button or any other button that causes AF to kick in.

Thanks for the tip. I've since started to hit the Info button to turn off the LCD when needed. I'm learning!