Sell my t4i and buy a 7d?

Looking to see what other's thoughts are. Was thinking about getting a 7d But not sure if it's worth it.

The best way to answer your question is to consider...

What is it about the T4i that is limiting you?

You might be better off investing in lenses/lighting to help you improve your images more so than buying a different body.

Hi All, I'm presently shooting with a Canon 50D, and considering a upgrade to the 7D, or 7D II when it is available later this year. I'm looking at the focus speed, movie mode, better focusing with more points.
I shoot wildlife, street shots, a few portraits, and landscapes. I feel the 7D, will be a great asset to my photography. Hopefully, the 7D II will have wi fi and even better focus, and low light ability as good as the 6D, on a crop sensor camera. Other advantages are already available over the 50D, since the 50D is still a workhorse, but the 7D is new technology.

I'm currently shooting with canon 50mm 1.4 and looking to purchase a 580ex II And the canon 17-55mm. The camera hasnt really limited me I had someone interested in my camera for about what I paid for and I figured if the 7d would be a better camera in low light situations and good for portraits, weddings and such.

Musician224 wrote in post #15719365
I'm currently shooting with canon 50mm 1.4 and looking to purchase a 580ex II And the canon 17-55mm. The camera hasnt really limited me I had someone interested in my camera for about what I paid for and I figured if the 7d would be a better camera in low light situations and good for portraits, weddings and such.

You won't feel much difference in image quality. In fact, it should be exactly the same.

If you really want an improvement in IQ and noise performance, go for second hand 5D (mark I or II) - they are getting pretty cheap, especially 5Dc.

What do you shoot?

It's not just the camera, it's a system so lenses count also, the money is best spent on a lens.....when I updated it was from a Rebel to the 7D and between that I got some lenses I know I would be using regularly. Now that I have finished my "need" of lenses my update body is a 5D3 which in turn will probably spur a "need" for some new lenses till the next body update.

Anthon wrote in post #15719408
You won't feel much difference in image quality. In fact, it should be exactly the same.

If you really want an improvement in IQ and noise performance, go for second hand 5D (mark I or II) - they are getting pretty cheap, especially 5Dc.

Which would mean he would also have to replace his 17-55 f/2.8

Wait little longer.
T4i has a lot of new tech to offer.
You may actually get the new 7D II or 8D by that time to upgrade truly and right.

Musician224 wrote in post #15719365
I'm currently shooting with canon 50mm 1.4 and looking to purchase a 580ex II And the canon 17-55mm. The camera hasnt really limited me I had someone interested in my camera for about what I paid for and I figured if the 7d would be a better camera in low light situations and good for portraits, weddings and such.

Nope... You won't see any differences in those respects or for that type of shooting.

T4i has almost exactly the same 18MP sensor (actually it's a couple years newer design), virtually identical image quality and low light (high ISO) performance.

7D has a much fancier AF system, but it's real forté is sports/action shooting. Sure, it's fine for portraits & weddings, too... But not really any better than the T4i's AF system, which is the best one that Canon has put in any Rebel series camera to date. T4i's AF system is pretty equivalent to the 60D/50D/40D AF system. It's a step up from T3i, T2i and older Rebels.

I'm not knocking the 7D. In fact I use a pair of them myself. The 7D's viewfinder is bigger and brighter. It's also a heavier and larger camera, with a shutter rated for 150,000 clicks. I don't recall ever seeing a T4i shutter rating from Canon, but most of the Rebel series seem to be around 100,000 click. The 7D also has more seals against dust and moisture and a slightly less shutter lag (59ms vs 75ms for the T4i).

7D is a more durable camera and offers 1/8000 shutter speed (compared to 1/4000) and 1/250 flash sync (compared to 1/250).

The control layout of the 7D is different from the Rebel series. It makes it a little faster handling... nice for fast shooting sports/action situations, but not necessarily any significant advantage for portraits/weddings.

I don't use my DSLRs for video, but understand the T4i has better video capabilities. The articulated LCD might be handy for video, too. It's the first DSLR with a touch screen, too.

If you are going to be shooting weddings and portraits for pay, you had better put your money into add'l lenses and lighting. You also shouldn't take on a paid wedding gigs without a backup camera, for that matter.

Mk1Racer wrote in post #15720100
Which would mean he would also have to replace his 17-55 f/2.8

He doesn't actually have it yet. He was looking to purchase it.

For this reason, I think EF-S is a waste of money. If you are prepared to pay this much for a lens, than you are serious about photography. FF will always be better than crop, and FF is getting really affordable lately - so you will go FF sooner or later.

We will be seeing less cropped cameras and more FFs in the future.

Yeah. Get it. I'd do it if it wasn't that big a money difference. But I'm poor and like gear (oh, and picture taking too). That 7D feels great. If you're going to always be wondering and the 7D makes you want to take pictures, whereas you feel like the t4i is so-so, get the 7D. Get it!

And yes, I know all about it's the photographer and not the gear.

amfoto1 wrote in post #15720279
Nope... You won't see any differences in those respects or for that type of shooting.

T4i has almost exactly the same 18MP sensor (actually it's a couple years newer design), virtually identical image quality and low light (high ISO) performance.

7D has a much fancier AF system, but it's real forté is sports/action shooting. Sure, it's fine for portraits & weddings, too... But not really any better than the T4i's AF system, which is the best one that Canon has put in any Rebel series camera to date. T4i's AF system is pretty equivalent to the 60D/50D/40D AF system. It's a step up from T3i, T2i and older Rebels.

I'm not knocking the 7D. In fact I use a pair of them myself. The 7D's viewfinder is bigger and brighter. It's also a heavier and larger camera, with a shutter rated for 150,000 clicks. I don't recall ever seeing a T4i shutter rating from Canon, but most of the Rebel series seem to be around 100,000 click. The 7D also has more seals against dust and moisture and a slightly less shutter lag (59ms vs 75ms for the T4i).

7D is a more durable camera and offers 1/8000 shutter speed (compared to 1/4000) and 1/250 flash sync (compared to 1/250).

The control layout of the 7D is different from the Rebel series. It makes it a little faster handling... nice for fast shooting sports/action situations, but not necessarily any significant advantage for portraits/weddings.

I don't use my DSLRs for video, but understand the T4i has better video capabilities. The articulated LCD might be handy for video, too. It's the first DSLR with a touch screen, too.

If you are going to be shooting weddings and portraits for pay, you had better put your money into add'l lenses and lighting. You also shouldn't take on a paid wedding gigs without a backup camera, for that matter.

^ nail on head

Musician224 wrote in post #15719087
Looking to see what other's thoughts are. Was thinking about getting a 7d But not sure if it's worth it.

You are going to get a bigger camera , it feels right in your hands, also the buttons configuration in the back are a LOT BETTER than shooting with a entry level dslr.
I got nothing bad to say about the 4ti, but seriously, get the 7D or event better, wait for the new 7dII, or go with the 6D, you see, you have a lot of options, and you will be proud to own a great piece of gear, its like having a Gibson or a Fender, you know you got the right tool!

sega62 wrote in post #15722090
You are going to get a bigger camera , it feels right in your hands, also the buttons configuration in the back are a LOT BETTER than shooting with a entry level dslr.
I got nothing bad to say about the 4ti, but seriously, get the 7D or event better, wait for the new 7dII, or go with the 6D, you see, you have a lot of options, and you will be proud to own a great piece of gear, its like having a Gibson or a Fender, you know you got the right tool!

I have gibson's and Fender's. I mostly play my modded mutts...just sayiin'