HELP!! 70D vs 7D, which to buy!

This thread is entertaining to me, because when it all comes down to it it's all just gear lust. "Which is better, argue argue argue argue......"

What are your needs is the real question? If you know them, then you already have your question answered. But by asking "which camera is better?" you are actually asking "which camera will fit my needs better?" and only you know this. If portraits were your game, you had good glass, and you know PP, you could get just as good shots with a 5dc as a 5d3, and just as good shots with a 10d as a 70d. All that is happening in this thread is "I have a 7d so it's better, no I have a 70d so it's better". They're both great cameras made by a great company, and they're both obviously better than Nikon. So enjoy your 70Ds and 7Ds of the world. I'd rather be out taking photos than bickering in here. Cheers!

pentax1 wrote in post #16335993
TeamSpeeds Basketball shot was taken with the 7D at ISO 6400

i didnt know that. it looks proper clean for indoor shot. is it at least safe to assume it went through TeamSpeed's thorough PP? and it probably was not cropped that much.

ungraphic wrote in post #16334427
Can anyone tell me if the 70D's ACCURACY for focusing with a single centre point is as reliable as a 7D's? I currently shoot with a 50D and its absolutely dreadful. I don't use any modes for photography, all of my shooting is always done with the centre point, I then hold the shutter release and frame the photo before taking the photo.

That said, between the 70D and the 7D, which one has an edge, and would I notice any difference coming from a 50D?

I'm leaning towards the 70D, I've found myself shooting a lot of video for work for certain events and I've been forced to use manual focus with the 5D Mark III when rented and I only recently found out the 70D has autofocus!

Any advice? Thanks!

So... anyone?

AF accuracy using the single centre point of the camera? 7D vs 70D in that aspect alone??

ungraphic wrote in post #16336131
So... anyone?

AF accuracy using the single centre point of the camera? 7D vs 70D in that aspect alone??

I don't have a 70D but I came from a 50D to 7D. One of the AF modes that I truly enjoy with the 7D is selected AF point with AF assist. Absolute joy to use and it locks on faster in low light faster than my 50D ever could. However, in good light, there is no discernable difference between the 50D and 7D center point.

-MasterChief- wrote in post #16336153
I don't have a 70D but I came from a 50D to 7D. One of the AF modes that I truly enjoy with the 7D is selected AF point with AF assist. Absolute joy to use and it locks on faster in low light faster than my 50D ever could. However, in good light, there is no discernable difference between the 50D and 7D center point.

Hmmm... the 50D often, OFTEN has slightly blurry shots. Eventhough I'm useing L lenses, I rarely get TACK sharp results unless I'm fairly close to my subject. I just rented a 5D MkIII and results compared to my 50D are significantly better.

If the 70D can perform like the 7D in terms of AF accuracy, I'm basically sold. Neither choice is going to cost me anything as my insurance covering the cost between one or the other (another camera was lost in a fire). I may actually opt to get the 70D and buy that, it should retain its value much better than the 7D considering its video auto focus (finally and long overdue). I gotta get this off my shoulders; whoever thought to ONLY have manual focus in video recording is an idiot and should be sent back to the stone age.This is the main reason why I've NOT wanted to upgrade from my 50D until now and eventhough I could go for a 5D MKIII, the lack of video autofocus puts me off. That said, if a 7D MKII or 5D MKIV were to come out with video autofocus with that lock to object via touch screen, there wouldn't even be a debate. I'd like to wait until the 7D gets updated, but the insurance company basically needs all claims to be made shortly (other items were lost as part of a business).

hairy_moth wrote in post #16335943
Reading this comments, I was surprised, when I looked at your gear list, that you are not already shooting a 7D. Because of the joystick, this technique is a bit easier/quicker when using the 7D. Normally, when shooting, my thumb is sitting right on the joystick so that I can quickly choose my point and shoot.

(I'm not saying that you can't do this with the XXD bodies, just that, in this case, the nod goes to the 7D for ease of operation).

the 40D actually has the joystick as well...they got rid of it with the 60D, but they had it before...

but to be totally honest, i actually just use the top wheel to scroll thru...it's the way i've been doing it, and after 5 years can do it fairly quickly...which is why i'm not totally upset that the joystick is gone on the 70D

it will be interesting to have to re-learn a whole new camera...

whothafunk wrote in post #16336106
i didnt know that. it looks proper clean for indoor shot. is it at least safe to assume it went through TeamSpeed's thorough PP? and it probably was not cropped that much.

Full size reference for discussion purposes, just to show how a better JPG engine (or post processing skills from the raw) can compare. If you have any ISO 6400 soccer shots with a 1/6th crop, definitely post them for comparison.

ungraphic wrote in post #16336194
Hmmm... the 50D often, OFTEN has slightly blurry shots. Eventhough I'm useing L lenses, I rarely get TACK sharp results unless I'm fairly close to my subject. I just rented a 5D MkIII and results compared to my 50D are significantly better.

If the 70D can perform like the 7D in terms of AF accuracy, I'm basically sold. Neither choice is going to cost me anything as my insurance covering the cost between one or the other (another camera was lost in a fire). I may actually opt to get the 70D and buy that, it should retain its value much better than the 7D considering its video auto focus (finally and long overdue). I gotta get this off my shoulders; whoever thought to ONLY have manual focus in video recording is an idiot and should be sent back to the stone age.This is the main reason why I've NOT wanted to upgrade from my 50D until now and eventhough I could go for a 5D MKIII, the lack of video autofocus puts me off. That said, if a 7D MKII or 5D MKIV were to come out with video autofocus with that lock to object via touch screen, there wouldn't even be a debate. I'd like to wait until the 7D gets updated, but the insurance company basically needs all claims to be made shortly (other items were lost as part of a business).

All indications are that the 70d AF is at least as accurate, and you get MFA as well, so you can adjust it if needed. You get the much improved video as well and that alone might be worth the upgrade that you seem to need.

cnoevl21 wrote in post #16319279
If it were me and I was gna spend the $1300 on a 7d, I would just spend a little more and pick up the 6d. You don't realize how much better a full frame camera is until you're using your crop sensor and realize how inadequate it can be in certain situations.

well thats a dumb statement, I own a full frame but reach for it less than the 7D because unless you are rolling in cash and can afford huge long focal length lenses if you you photographing wildlife at distance, the full frame is next to useless. I love both formats but realise each one has its good points

Again, I know we have some folks that have both, I would love to see both OOC side by side at ISO 6400, then raw converted to JPG through DPP and post processed identically for both side by side. If somebody wants to supply 2 raw files, I can do that for them.

The 7D OOC at high ISOs are nothing to write home about definitely, and you really need to shoot raw to get the most out of the files.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #16337186
All indications are that the 70d AF is at least as accurate, and you get MFA as well, so you can adjust it if needed. You get the much improved video as well and that alone might be worth the upgrade that you seem to need.

I got the 70D. Went for it for the video auto focus and just as importantly, the fact that should I chose to keep it, it will retain its value better than the 7D.

I absolute hate it's size though. Feels like it was made for women with small hands. 10D to 50D we're fantastic sizes, the same can be said for the 7D, 6D, and 5D series. Its like Canon is dumbing down the xxD series to the rebel line. I hope this trend doesn't continue.

I'm thinking of just using the camera for a couple quick projects in the meantime and returning it, I'm not really keen on keeping it, I bought it because I had to for insurance claim. I'm thinking of opting to buy a used 7D and hanging on to it and using the leftover cash reserved for a 7D MkII (hopefully it will actually come out, but I have a feelign that won't be until next year).

Took me a couple weeks to get used to the 60D (60D same shape as 70D) from the 30D, but once I did, going back to the 30D felt weird. The size isn't really that much different, it is mostly grip shape and what you get used to. Same story with the controls.

ungraphic wrote in post #16338536
I got the 70D. Went for it for the video auto focus and just as importantly, the fact that should I chose to keep it, it will retain its value better than the 7D.

I absolute hate it's size though. Feels like it was made for women with small hands. 10D to 50D we're fantastic sizes, the same can be said for the 7D, 6D, and 5D series. Its like Canon is dumbing down the xxD series to the rebel line. I hope this trend doesn't continue.

I'm thinking of just using the camera for a couple quick projects in the meantime and returning it, I'm not really keen on keeping it, I bought it because I had to for insurance claim. I'm thinking of opting to buy a used 7D and hanging on to it and using the leftover cash reserved for a 7D MkII (hopefully it will actually come out, but I have a feelign that won't be until next year).

You will probably change your mind, give it about a month or so to see how you feel. If you are adamant that you don't like it, return it now and get what you will indeed use long-term, don't just use it for personal needs, and then return it.

tkbslc wrote in post #16338544
Took me a couple weeks to get used to the 60D (60D same shape as 70D) from the 30D, but once I did, going back to the 30D felt weird. The size isn't really that much different, it is mostly grip shape and what you get used to. Same story with the controls.

I think the 40D and 50D gradually increased in size from the 30D, and the 60D actually ended getting back to roughly the same size as the 30D. I remember this due to all the crazy comments about how Canon dumbed down the xxD line and how the 60D was a super-rebel, when in reality it was very, very close to the 30D size.

for what it's worth...the claimed improved focus in Live View mode sounded good to my ears. I hate handing my camera to someone else to take a picture I will be in, turning Live View on and have them struggle to get focus...sick of hearing my wife complain about that.