7D or 650D ??????

I started with 600D at the end of last year and have just picked up a used 7D.

The 600D was my first DSLR - arrived the day before I went for a weekend away - first time I turned it on I looked and realised I didn't have a clue! Had read plenty of theory but not got any practical experience. So for that weekend I stuck it on "P" and just snapped away.

Since then I have spent huge amounts of time a) shooting using manual settings in lots of different situations and b) ridiculously huge amounts of time on here and other websites, and also subscribed to a couple of photography mags. So I have learnt a lot in quite a short time before deciding to get the 7D - and to be honest I only got it when I did as I saw a great deal for used one otherwise I would just have waited.

Have only had one chance to take 7D out since it arrived, and although through it still being so new to me I probably missed some shots I would have got with the 600D, I did not feel overwhelmed - and came home with enough keepers (perfectly sharp!) to be happy.

None of which answers your question - at the end of the day you probably have a pretty good idea what your heart wants, whatever anybody else's advice is. I am sure you will have a great time whatever you decide - but remember this is meant to be fun, it is very easy to get obsessive with gear (and I hold my hands up that I have been through that) and forget that the whole process is meant to be enjoyable!

NBEast wrote in post #14711951
I've had a 7D since it came out.

One regret is that I find video next to useless due to poor AF. I have a handicam that focuses immediately on my subject and I expected the same.

I haven't tried a 650D but I was under the impression that video is much closer to handicam simplicity and AF capability.

Generally all of the DSLRs are terrible at video AF. They're just not optimized for contrast focusing, they're set up primarily to use their phase focus points. The T4i should be better for that since it's a hybrid contrast/phase sensor, though we have yet to see some real world testing for that.

Although for people seriously considering shooting video, the lack of decent AF isn't a dealbreaker. Pro video isn't shot using AF, it's all manual. The skill to focus manually is so critical in the industry that most pro video cameras lack any sort of autofocus altogether.

Probably most people aren't thinking of shooting video professionally if they're doing mostly still work, but then again the 7D and 5D are pro-level cameras, so you could argue it isn't unreasonable to expect people to learn to develop the professional skill.

60d would be a great choice or the T4i.

amfoto1 wrote in post #14706671
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.

Out of curiosity, what do you mean when you say "least-forgiving" crop camera?

I generally tell people to lean towards a more appropriate beginner camera...because bodies are transient, and reduce in price all the time. Learning on a totally capable Rebel series is great - you can stick with that for YEARS before feeling the need to move up. And when you feel ready, all those higher models are cheaper, or there are newer fancier ones.

That said, it's all relative. I know someone who is a total beginner, and they believed they should just get the right gear to start with and got a 5D mkIII. *shrug*

I started with superzoom microfourthirds, then on to bigger sensors in HS20, then on to compact DSLR (Samsung NX) and then on to Canon 600 and a few months back i took the leap to 60D (was looking at 7D but it have no tilt-screen).
It's healthy to go the distance instead of right away just pick the most advanced and most expensive on the market.. just my opinion.

I know people who barely knows anything about the camera except how to switch to AUTO.. but they still use 40D, 50D (canon), D80 and D90 (nikon that is).. why? I guess it's just for bragging when someone ask them what camera you have.

Learn the ropes.. start out easy, advance until you know everything there is to know. I've read alot of photobooks, tried tutorials, looked on youtube, in a photoclub and so on.. now i know that handling a 5DM3 or a D1-X is no problem for me.. but it took sometime getting there, and i decided to stay with the 60D even though it's not a pro-model.. but hey, my photos turn out very good anyway. It's you who is the photographer.. not the camera.

ceremus wrote in post #14712160
... then again the 7D and 5D are pro-level cameras, so you could argue it isn't unreasonable to expect people to learn to develop the professional skill.

So; to the OP. T4i adds video, unless you want to get all pro-level manual on your AF, but without a pro's big focusing screen.