600D to 7D? 70D? 6D? 5D3? or keep?

I'm throwing this out there for comment because I seem to change my mind daily.

I've had a 600D for over 2 years. It is my first DSLR. I shoot people, my kids and their events, macro, a bit of landscape, a bit of street, general travel. Lenses I have and use:
* 15-85mm
* Sigma 30mm f1.4 (the older one)
* 100 IS macro
* 70-200 f2.8 IS II
* some MF lenses, including 50mm Super Tak and 500mm reflex

I've come up with a list of things that I would prefer in a camera, or that I would look for in a new body. Roughly, more important to less important:

1. AF speed. I've bought a 70-200 2.8 IS II (on the 'glass upgrade first' principle), and I find that the camera doesn't seem to be able to drive it fast enough in AI Servo to keep up with motion. I'm talking 6 year olds' sports day here, not motor sports, so I don't think I'm being unreasonable in looking for better performance.

2. Higher ISO performance. I rarely shoot at over ISO 800. I do if I need to, but the noise increases dramatically. Image quality is related. I'm generally happy with the IQ that I get from the 600D at lower ISOs, but I may not know what I'm missing.

3. Ergonomics. I have relatively large hands, and find that my thumb gets in the way when using the buttons on the back of the camera while my eye is to the viewfinder. e.g. I quite like BBF, but find it awkward, so only do it occasionally.

4. AF performance/features. I fairly quickly worked out that the outer focus points on the 600D are relatively unreliable, so I'm essentially a centre point shooter. I'm used to it, but probably (definitely) don't know what I'm missing.

5. Viewfinder. I find manual focus through the viewfinder hit and miss. I would like a bigger, brighter viewfinder (even if I don't move to a focussing screen).

My problem? Do I upgrade now and, if so, to which body? It seems that each day I come up with a different solution, which I then talk myself out of by the end of the day. The main options are 7D, 70D, 6D or 5D3. In an absolute sense, price is not a concern - except that I would prefer to spend less, rather than more, for a camera that suits my needs (i.e. is it worth it to spend up on the 5D3?). Obviously, if I go full frame, I will need a new walk around lens - probably a 24-105.

Any of the listed bodies should meet my needs regarding ergonomics, AF speed and a brighter viewfinder (well, I think they should). Then it gets a little trickier.

I initially thought that a 7D would be fine, because they are relatively cheap right now. AF is obviously a vast improvement over teh 600D, but IQ would be very similar, and while anecdotally the ISO performance is better (practical ceiling of 1200, rather than 800, I have heard), it is only marginal. Essentially, this would be spending about $1,000 to be more comfortable and get a higher keeper rate for moving targets.

If I was going to get a 7D, why not spend a couple of hundred more for a 70D, with essentially the same AF performance as the 7D and updated tech - wi fi could be useful. I'm not into video, so the IQ improvements from the new sensor don't look compelling to me.

If I was going to get a 70D, why not cross the border into the promised land of full frame (tempting ... "go on, you know you're going to end up with FF anyway" ...), when a 6D is only a few hundred more (plus the 24-105, of course)? Much better ISO performance, anecdotally better IQ (don't want to get into a FF/crop debate), wi fi (GPS doesn't interest me), but less specs than the 70D. AF much the same as my 600D (on paper, anyway), and other features no great improvement. No on board flash, so I'd need another flash to use as master, or wireless triggers.

Or do I just say hang it and get a 5D3? Over 3 grand, plus a new lens and a new flash/triggers? Everything that I want in a camera . . . but would I really use that whizz bang AF system, do I need 1/8000 SS, I have and use 1/200 sync speed now, so who needs 1/250 . . . is all that stuff worth the extra $1,500?

Why don't I just keep my 600D and see what is released next year - a 7DII would be good? Or just get a 7D now to tide me over. Aargh! Back to where I started.

If you've read this far, I'd be interested in your views.

Some relevant comments on my personality. I'm not a serial upgrader of technology. If a product is doing what I need it to do, I keep it and use it, regardless of available upgrades. That being said, I can sometimes suffer buyer's remorse if I don't buy the 'better' product at first - one of the reasons that I bought the 70-200 f2.8 and not the f4 (that and indoor dance recitals).

EDIT: I realise that this is a decision that only I can make. It just helps to talk it out, you know . . .

All I can say is that I upgraded to the 6D from the 600D and have really enjoyed everything about the camera.

I have read a lot of the negative reviews and comments re the focus points etc, but it is doing everything and more that I expected my level of photography to do. I also had upgraded some lenses first, but managed to get the 24-105L as a kit and a massive discount through a friend who worked for Canon.

I'm very happy with the size and find it a lot more comfortable to use than the 600D which now feels very small in my hands compared to the 6D.

I have also used the 6D to shoot my kids school events and have found it to be awesome. I'm not a pro shooter by any means but I am producing images that I am more than happy with.

as you say, its a decision that only you can make I would imagine that $$$ comes into it somewhere. Can you rent a body or get a little time with a body through a friend to try any of the choices out and see how you feel about them?

Let's just say that I've been thru it all and back

I started with a 60D, 50 1.8 and 18-200. Within 6 months I was looking into upgrading as I find the noise performance poor. Anything below ISO800 is barely acceptable (ISO800 being the boardline).

I did consider and try cutting corners by going 7D, but the fact is the IQ and noise performance is EXACTLY the same as the 60D (applies to your 600D too as they all share the same sensor). Therefore when I found a great deal for a used 5D2, I jumped on it.

5D2 was great in terms of dof, IQ and ISO performance. However I quickly realised the downside of that camera - useless outer points. So when 5D3 was released I upgraded to it and couldn't be happier (note - 5D3 wasn't announced when I got my 5D2).

To address some of your question - AF speed is mainly on the lens. So i doubt you'll see a huge boost in terms of that. I too used to be a center point only shooter, these days the center point is by far the least used on my 5D3.

6D has equal (if not worse) AF system as your 600D. 7D/700D won't give you the IQ and ISO performance.

7D2 will have an APS-C sensor, meaning IQ and ISO performance will never ever match the ff counterparts.

You have some nice glass, and you owe them a capable body to unleash their full potentials

The only total package is 5D3.

Don't try cutting corners. Remember - you get what you pay for

I was in exact position 1 month ago

in the end i ended up with 70D because of advanced AF was much more important to me than low light capability (>6400ISO).

having 70D It is really huge leap from 600D and it opens completely new world of precious moments frozen in time

6D has ulitmate low light capabilites, but i was really dissapointed with AF (considering center point is more sensitive in low light, i wouldn´t upgrade from 5d mark II at all.)

i added 70D quick ISO 6400 sample.

5dmk3 and be done with it.

Buy it used/refurb if you can to save some money. Don't understand what you mean by needing new flash/triggers if you go with 5dmk3.

gaabnz wrote in post #16447492
I have also used the 6D to shoot my kids school events and have found it to be awesome. I'm not a pro shooter by any means but I am producing images that I am more than happy with.

6D might be the "total package' especially at $1,215 refurbished but if price is "not a concern" then go for the 5D3

Good question! im kinda debating between 5d2 vs 6d, but i will keep checking out the threads to see what people say.

if you have a ton of money, i'd go with the 5d3 just because i could.... BUUUUUT i have no desire to do any real pro photography. Just shooting kids, traveling, family/ friends.

I really like full frame and I dont really have any expectations after moving from a 450D to a 5dII. I have sold it since then and am in the middle of picking it or the 6d.

If you really want to be smart about it, why dont you rent 1 or 2 of the cameras and take a fun trip somewhere to test them out.

I think 6D would be a good choice at a good price point for you, if budget is a consideration then you can pick a used one of those up now at a very decent price.

Ultimately you've got to weigh up if you need the extra functionality that the 5D Mk3 offers; if you want a high-quality general purpose DSLR the 6D is a great camera, it shares the same processor as the 5D3, and it's also a little smaller, has GPS + Wifi etc.

7d is a great camera for sports. Steep learning curve but worth it. I haven't seen anything that would make me rather have a 70d. That said, I have a bit of a full-frame jones right now.

I have a similar dilema - from 450d (have produced some good shots with it) and upgraded glass first (24-105L and 70-200L 2.8) and have decided to reject the 6D option (middle of the options); and so its between the 70D or 5D3 or wait and see if Canon do produce a 7D2 (but how long can one wait?).

I shoot low light a lot as well as events and some model work as well as the general stuff.

I am still deciding

TheBee wrote in post #16448867
I have a similar dilema - from 450d (have produced some good shots with it) and upgraded glass first (24-105L and 70-200L 2.8) and have decided to reject the 6D option (middle of the options); and so its between the 70D or 5D3 or wait and see if Canon do produce a 7D2 (but how long can one wait?).

I shoot low light a lot as well as events and some model work as well as the general stuff.

I am still deciding

May I ask why you rejected the 6D? Based on what you shoot, it would have been a great option. (That's pretty much what I use my 6D for) By the way I do have the 70D and 7D too, so pm me in case you have a question comparing these 3.

jjaenagle wrote in post #16448608
If you really want to be smart about it, why dont you rent 1 or 2 of the cameras and take a fun trip somewhere to test them out.

This * 1000000!

My first camera was the 550D and I was happy with all of its capabilities except one, high speed shots. Still, I couldn't justify spending over $1,000 USD for any camera body and I agonized for months over the decision. Ultimately, I decided to rent a 7D which I then took with me on safari in South Africa for two weeks. Needless to say, the camera blew me away and I upgraded as soon as I could.

I'd suggest you rent both the 7D and the 5D3 and get as much hands on time as possible. Then, step down to the 70D and the 6D, and see if you can live with the sacrifices that each camera has when compared to the upper models. That should give you all of the practical information you need to make an informed decision that you won't regret.

One more thing - It is rumored that the 7D2 will be officially announced by Canon in the spring. Keep that in mind if you decide that you really like the 7D.

The essential first step in deciding on an upgrade path is to analyze in just what ways one's current camera is limiting one's photography. The OP did a really good job of that. And based on his analysis, the Canon 6D seems to me like the obvious (and excellent) choice unless he just wants to spend a lot more money on features he may not want or need.

My opinion, one can't find flaws of a given camera by renting it for a week or two. Renting is not cheap either. Buying used and selling can be better option.

bobbyz wrote in post #16448951
My opinion, one can't find flaws of a given camera by renting it for a week or two. Renting is not cheap either. Buying used and selling can be better option.

This might be true but, in this context, finding flaws in a rented camera isn't the point. The purpose of renting the camera is to determine if the rented camera satisfies the OPs needs without having to invest so much money up front.

I've used this method to justify whether I would get my money's worth out of several expensive pieces of equipment. I must have rented the EF-S 17-55 eight to 10 times before I actually bought one for myself. It helped alleviate any buyers remorse I may have experienced otherwise. It also had the unanticipated effect of getting buy in from the wife. Once she saw how often I was renting the lens and actually producing shots that I was happy with, she encouraged me to buy my own.