Next Step from T2i: 60D or 7D

Hi All,

I figured I would get some insight from all you knowledgable folks out there. I have reached a point where I think I am pretty set with glass. The one thing on my wish list is a fast normal prime, but I think the majority of what I need has been answered by my 17-55. This has gotten me to start thinking about a body upgrade.

This is (hopefully) more thinking a bit into the future, as I do not see myself upgrading any time soon. My only real limitation that I have found thus far with the T2i is some frustrating experiences with the AF. I also would like to upgrade from a rebel body in terms of build quality and size / grip of the camera. I do a lot of family / pet shooting, as well some shots while on walks and vacation etc, nothing too fancy and definitely not professional.

I was wondering what the next logical step for me would be. I was initially thinking of upgrading to the 60D since it is within what i see being my price range down the line, but I was wondering if I would really see much benefit from that. Its the same sensor, same number of focus points, and I don't really do enough video to see the benefits that the 60D would have there. The 7D seems like a more logical step for me as it has the upgrade to 19 focus points and seems to be a more durable body.

Any insight? My general thought now is that I can sit tight until the 7D2 comes out and then maybe snag a used 7D in the flood of them that should probably come when people go to upgrade. I was also wondering if there was any distinct advantage or disadvantage of moving from SD cards to CF cards. This is another added expense that would go into the 7D, as I would have to buy new cards.

Thanks for the insight! You are all always so helpful.

Best,

Rick

I think the 7D is the real upgrade. Cant beat its autofocus.

I agree with HenryLee. But would have to buy new cards and if you want extra batteries, new batteries.
CF cards have faster read/write speeds, which is useful if you're doing burst, and don't want to wait longer to transfer files to your computer. Though SD cards are cheaper.

if this is for the future, I would wait for a few months and worry then. There are now persistent rumors that a new 7D mark II will be announced in the first quarter of 2012. If those rumors are true, I would expect that (1) the 7D mark II will initially be expensive, and (2) the price of remaining 7Ds, and perhaps even 60Ds, will drop.

paddler4 wrote in post #15366867
if this is for the future, I would wait for a few months and worry then. There are now persistent rumors that a new 7D mark II will be announced in the first quarter of 2012. If those rumors are true, I would expect that (1) the 7D mark II will initially be expensive, and (2) the price of remaining 7Ds, and perhaps even 60Ds, will drop.

Yep, I talked about that in my post. I figure when the 7D mark 2 is released is when I will most likely make my move, but I was still looking for insight on the 60D vs the 7D.

If you aren't going to stretch the ability of the 7D's AF system then maybe the 60D is the one for you. I had a 60D until recently when I swapped it for a 7D and IMO the files from the 60D come out with less noise and a slightly better IQ. This may be down to the 7D's AA Filter but it does take more PP to get the images from the 2 cameras looking the same.

I shoot a lot of aviation and wildlife and have recently started shooting BIF and the 60D wasn't quite up to it with the 9 point AF system, albeit very good. My 7D doesn't get too much use compared to my 5D3 but I do like it for the reach when birding.

From your description:

It seems to me that the T2i should be sufficient for your current needs. What kind of AF issues do you have with the T2i? The AF would be better with the 60D and better still with the T4i.

Unless your throwing the thing around, I wouldn't worry too much about build quality. I used a 60d last night and was very impressed. Either camera would be an upgrade in a number of areas.

firefighter4u wrote in post #15367496
Unless your throwing the thing around, I wouldn't worry too much about build quality. I used a 60d last night and was very impressed. Either camera would be an upgrade in a number of areas.

Right. I am not too concerned about the difference in build between the 60D and the 7D, although I am curious how different the addition of the joystick on the 7D will make the navigation. They would both be a big upgrade over the T2i though.

IMO, right now, it is not worth upgrading. The sensor is the same as your 550D, so you gain zero improvement in IQ. The 550D is a very capable camera, it will be perfectly fine for a while longer. I'd wait until the next generation of crop cameras come out.

Yogi Bear wrote in post #15367155
From your description:

It seems to me that the T2i should be sufficient for your current needs. What kind of AF issues do you have with the T2i? The AF would be better with the 60D and better still with the T4i.

For the most part, you are probably right. The AF issues I have had have been relatively minor, though I have had a few occurences where my AF would be simply unable to latch onto a focus on a certain scene / capture. It would keep bouncing between infinity and 0 until I pointed the camera at something else. Then there is the overall speed and accuracy of the AF. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe my current AF limitation is my T2i, not my lens (with the 17-55). Everything I have heard seems to indicate that the 17-55 is a pretty fast focusing lens. I end up shooting a lot of moving subjects or while I am on the move or in a situation where the additional AF speed would be nice.

AF is only one part of why I want to upgrade though. As I said before, the T2i just feels very small and dainty in my hands. That's more of what I meant when I said I wanted to upgrade the "build quality". I am not really worried about weather sealing because weather sealed lenses are outside of my budget. I would just like to upgrade to a more solid-feeling camera than a rebel type body. I haven't looked into the T4i. Is there a case to be made for that over the 60D or 7D? I am kind of put off by the touch screen idea of the T4i. Seems kind of gimmicky to me.


Thanks again for the input!!!

Sirrith wrote in post #15367759
IMO, right now, it is not worth upgrading. The sensor is the same as your 550D, so you gain zero improvement in IQ. The 550D is a very capable camera, it will be perfectly fine for a while longer. I'd wait until the next generation of crop cameras come out.

I definitely don't think IQ is my limitation at this point. The photographer is definitely the weakest link in my current setup :-p. I am still learning, but that doesn't mean that I can't want new toys. And like I said, I don't anticipate making this switch any time soon. I just wanted to start thinking about it now in case there are crazy price drops surrounding the 7d mII release.

The other added benefit of either the 60D or 7D obviously would be for me to grow into the camera as I become more experienced in photography. I am well aware that the T2i is plenty enough camera for me in a purely IQ / functionality sense.

Yogi Bear wrote in post #15367155
From your description:

It seems to me that the T2i should be sufficient for your current needs. What kind of AF issues do you have with the T2i? The AF would be better with the 60D and better still with the T4i.

singer.rick wrote in post #15367760
For the most part, you are probably right. The AF issues I have had have been relatively minor, though I have had a few occurences where my AF would be simply unable to latch onto a focus on a certain scene / capture. It would keep bouncing between infinity and 0 until I pointed the camera at something else. Then there is the overall speed and accuracy of the AF. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe my current AF limitation is my T2i, not my lens (with the 17-55). Everything I have heard seems to indicate that the 17-55 is a pretty fast focusing lens.

I agree with your assessment that the camera is the weak link in your AF problems. I also have the 17-55 and I find it to be a very fast focusing lens.

singer.rick wrote in post #15367760
I end up shooting a lot of moving subjects or while I am on the move or in a situation where the additional AF speed would be nice.

This puts the upgrade question in a whole new light! The 7D would be a good upgrade for shooting "a lot of moving subjects".

singer.rick wrote in post #15367760
AF is only one part of why I want to upgrade though. As I said before, the T2i just feels very small and dainty in my hands. That's more of what I meant when I said I wanted to upgrade the "build quality". I am not really worried about weather sealing because weather sealed lenses are outside of my budget. I would just like to upgrade to a more solid-feeling camera than a rebel type body. I haven't looked into the T4i. Is there a case to be made for that over the 60D or 7D? I am kind of put off by the touch screen idea of the T4i. Seems kind of gimmicky to me.

The T4i has some very new AF technology which improves AF performance significantly over previous Rebels, but it is still a Rebel as far as ergonomics go, and if the Rebel size/weight/controls are not to your liking, it doesn't matter how good the AF is. You should go to a store and try out a 7D.

You're quite welcome!

Yogi

I just sold my T3i and got a 7d. The AF for sports was killing me. I intend to keep the 7D for along time and eventually getting a FF. I think each camera has its purpose. The build quality of the 7D assures me it will go the distance.

Yogi Bear wrote in post #15367855
You should go to a store and try out a 7D.

I've got one better! A friend/coworker with a 7D! He is going to try to bring it in some time for me to play with. (By the way, I am also subtly trying to subvert him and keep pointing out 7d Mk II updates to him in hopes that he will spring for one and sell me his 7D!! haha.

Also out of curiousity, what is the ergonomic comparison of the 7D to the 5D Mark II? We have a 5D2 at work (which is obviously not even on my radar as far as purchasing) but I was curious if I could use it as an ergonomic comparison for the 7D.