EOS 7D or T4i for my purposes

Thanks for all the replies guys!

Video will be very important to me. Currently, I take more pictures than video (100% to 0%, not having a video camera). However, in the future, with the kid and all, I'd imagine that I will be taking a lot of video. The screen on the T4i is definitely what is holding me up on getting the 7d. I have seen some videos on the T4i's video focus tracking and it didn't seem to track very well. As long as I have autofocus in video, I should be fine.

The 8fps and rugged construction is what attracts me to the 7d. The weight and size is, of course, a downside considering I will be lugging this thing around disney world and the likes. I probably will never have serious pro lenses which would make the balance a non issue. The CF card is honestly a drawback for me, I know it's faster, but I love the ability to plug an SD straight into most any laptop.


I gather the quality of the images between the two is going to be negligible? I shoot everything in RAW and do a bit of editing in photoshop (if required).

cokewithvanilla wrote in post #14802273
Thanks for all the replies guys!

Video will be very important to me. Currently, I take more pictures than video (100% to 0%, not having a video camera). However, in the future, with the kid and all, I'd imagine that I will be taking a lot of video. The screen on the T4i is definitely what is holding me up on getting the 7d. I have seen some videos on the T4i's video focus tracking and it didn't seem to track very well. As long as I have autofocus in video, I should be fine.

The 8fps and rugged construction is what attracts me to the 7d. The weight and size is, of course, a downside considering I will be lugging this thing around disney world and the likes. I probably will never have serious pro lenses which would make the balance a non issue. The CF card is honestly a drawback for me, I know it's faster, but I love the ability to plug an SD straight into most any laptop.

I gather the quality of the images between the two is going to be negligible? I shoot everything in RAW and do a bit of editing in photoshop (if required).

I was in this position about a month ago and went ahead and ordered the T4i. I handled the 60D and a T3i quite a bit (the T4i wasn't readily available then and is just barely smaller and lighter than the T3i I'm told).

I'm still waiting for my camera to show up (it's due any day now). I looked at the 5D3, 2 and the 7D as well. After all was said and done, I bought the lightest body compromise I found for the exact reasons I bolded above in your post. I plan to purchase a full frame body later on that I won't use in the same way that I plan to use the little camera for those very same size/weight reasons. There's no doubt that the controls on the non-Rebel bodies are more comfortable for anyone familiar with normal SLRs though, really handling them is the key to being sure you'll be ok with them. However, if you like modern smartphones, you may really like the T4i touchscreen.

Good luck with your purchase, I am coming from Nikons (among others) as well but eh hem, considerably older models.

EDIT: And might I add, you have excellent taste in soda!

diableri wrote in post #14802349
EDIT: And might I add, you have excellent taste in soda!

Thanks!

It is going to be a tough decision. I am usually the type of person who likes to only buy one of something. I really don't want to have to buy something later down the road. See, my wife is the type that is currently spending $1000 on portraits for the kid each year... I am trying to convince her that the pictures we take will be good enough to hang on the walls...

Here's a quick sample of the T4i video. This was taking with the 18-135 STM lens. Caught my nephew biffing it on his bike lol I think the autofocus for video does a great job.

http://youtu.be/phqOJg​R1pDA?hd=1

cokewithvanilla wrote in post #14802716
Thanks!

It is going to be a tough decision. I am usually the type of person who likes to only buy one of something. I really don't want to have to buy something later down the road. See, my wife is the type that is currently spending $1000 on portraits for the kid each year... I am trying to convince her that the pictures we take will be good enough to hang on the walls...

Since you are trying to convince the wife into getting it- the t4i is less painful on the budget. Taking portraits- it's not tough- but it is about details, lighting, knowing how to, etc- not necessarily in having the latest or greatest camera or most expensive lenses. I showed a few guys at work how to with their kit lenses- and, well, they were appreciative.. Up to that point- some thought that portraits meant thousand dollar lenses- it helps- yep- but not necessarily a requirement. Yes, having a good lens CAN help in certain aspects- but for most- the kit lenses suffice. Understand that the separation that you often see in portraits is not just aperture- it's also a well chosen focal length. Longer focal lengths tend to be more flattering. It also helps with separation and DOF. This will come into play when you decide which lens to get. But you can do it with most kit lenses- with the longer ranges being usually better for effect. And if you are planning on only one lens for a while- then it usually pays to get more zoom in the kit lens- or if you want a walk about type lens- one lens solution for normal daily use. The t4i typically ships with either a 18-55 IS or 18-135 STM lens. IMO, it's worth getting the 18-135 STM- even as pricey as it seems.
Currently, about the only ways to get the 18-135 STM- is as a kit with the t4i, or directly thru Canon.

wayne.robbins wrote in post #14803689
Since you are trying to convince the wife into getting it- the t4i is less painful on the budget.

This won't be an issue. I'd probably buy a used 7d if i got one.... but I will definitely get the STM as you suggested if I get the T4i

the hydrid af in the t4i video mode is better but still not that usable

edit - nevermind.

http://youtu.be/82IVYW​7c8l8?hd=1

Just want to echo that taking formal studio portraits is about a lot more than having an slr. of course, the slr allows you to do many more images, playing sports, hand out around the house, every day life images which I think are far more valuable than formal portraits. However, If I wanted to do formal portraits for large prints on a budget, I would buy a used g10 for 200, and spend fro some money on a set of lights and modifiers (soft boxes) for another 500 or so, and of course you have to know how to use the lights.

I think it's pretty simple: if you want to focus more on stills, get the 7d. If you want to focus more on video, get the t4i. The t4i is a bit better on the video side, and the 7d is a bit better at taking stills.