Enthusiast wrote in post #14700667
Hello Everyone,
I am a very very beginner enthusiast.
I have never owned a DSLR in my life. Since few months I have been obsessed with the idea to get one.
Have done some research and am confused weather to go for 7D or T4i.
I intend to try General photography(everything really).Wild life, landscapes, night shoots...
Budget is not an issue.
I kind of like the 7D but am worried would I be alright without those ready sceanic mode dials which are availabe on T4i.
Please advise based on your expert opinion.
Thanking you in advance.
Based upon the above...
Do not buy the most advanced, pro-oriented, least forgiving crop camera Canon has offered to date: 7D. That would be a mistake.
Could you learn to use it? I don't know... probably. But you might be miserable and frustrated for a while... You should plan on studying some books and online tutorials, perhaps taking a few classes locally... and it depends upon your commitment and willingness to work at getting great images out of the camera. Chances are, you'll be spending a lot of time trying to figure things out and will have paid a lot extra for features you really don't need... especially just starting out.
IMO, you'd be better to buy a 60D if you want a larger model or T4i/T3i if you want smaller and lighter camera. Both of those have more support for a beginner... they also have all the same exposure modes as 7D.
T2i, T3i, T4i, 60D and 7D all use practically the same sensor... so have nearly identical image quality potential. The three Rebel models have a series of more automated modes that will get you to a finished image faster and more easily. 60D has some too. 7D has none. 7D assumes you will take full control of everything from setting up the camera through post-processing the image with Photoshop or similar.
T4i has simlar AF system to 60D (and 50D, 40D). The other two Rebel models have a slightly simpler AF system (similar to 20D, 30D, 5D/5DII). 7D has a much more complex AF system, that works great when it's set up correctly for any given situation... or can be a disaster if set up wrong.
T4i is the first model to be fully compatible with the new STM lenses (though the 40mm "pancake" and new 18-135 are usable on the earlier models)
T4i is the first crop sensro model to use the new Digic V processor. That might effect image quality to some degree, but probably most noticeably speeds up and helps AF. This processor and it's improved AF system are basically what make it the T4i/650D an upgrade over the T3i/600D.
The T4i, T3i and 60D have the articulated LCD screen on the back.
The 60D (and 7D, 5DIII/II, 50D) uses a true pentaprism, while the Rebels all use a "penta-mirror" that makes their viewfiinders slightly less bright, but is lighter and less expensive.
60D uses LP-E6 batteries (same as 7D, 5DII/III). Those give about twice as many shots per charge as the smaller LP-E8 batteries used in the Rebel series cameras.
7D is now nearly a three year old model. Canon is releasing a major firmware upgrade for it soon, so I suspect they are at least a year or more away from releasing a 7D Mark II.
60D is about a 2 year old model. In the past the xxD models got replaced/updated about every 18 months to a year... so I wouldn't be surprised to see a 70D announced any day.
T4i has just been announced within the past month or two. Canon is in the habit of introducing new Rebel/xxxD models yearly.
None of this has anything to do with the various cameras' capabilities... Just that the replacement cycles are what they are, and that effects depreciation and resale value.
If budget is any kind of consideration at all, put your money into lenses first, then into the camera second. Lenses will make a much, much bigger difference to your images than the camera they are used upon... particularly among these 18MP cameras all with virtually the same image quality potential. Lens quality also effect autofocus speed and precision: USM lenses are faster and more accurate, as a rule... and larger aperture lenses provide more light to the camera's AF system, for it to work with.
