Canon M5 vs. Canon 7D mk ii

Aside from focal length variation, I'm curious who may have used the Canon M5 and the 7D mk ii for general purpose photography of people. Not so much niche like sports action, but more middle-ground. I have an M5 for a 3rd body and was wondering how a 7D mk ii would compare as a 3rd body / backup for portraits, weddings, etc...

Thanks in advance for thoughts, feedback, etc..

I have a 5d4, 7d2 and a M5. The 5d4 is fairly new, but even so I use the 7d2 more. I tend to shoot sports and wildlife. The M5 is the last one I grab to use. If I'm traveling light on the motorcycle I use it. The M5 is nice as a extra body, but when you factor in the lens adapter, it takes up about the same space as the full sized camera. If I stick with EF-M lenses then I only take the M5. Otherwise I'm packing too much stuff.

In other words, if my main bodies were Canon full sized ones, I'd go with a 7d2 over a M5 almost every time just because it meshes in better. I like our M5, don't get me wrong, but to me it is almost like a different brand since the lenses are different or you use an adapter. I just like it as a solo camera.

Hope that helps. Pure opinion though.

I needed to make a similar decision and went with the 80D in the end.

My logic went like this:
7DII - Very specialised, paying a lot of money for extreme features (FPS, Focus, physical strength of camera) that it sounds like you don't need.

M5 - Great camera for people photography, less so for extremes like sports/birds in flight.

80D - Hits the sweet spot in the middle - cheaper than 7DII, more capable for sports/birding than M5

mdvaden wrote in post #18824327
Aside from focal length variation, I'm curious who may have used the Canon M5 and the 7D mk ii for general purpose photography of people. Not so much niche like sports action, but more middle-ground. I have an M5 for a 3rd body and was wondering how a 7D mk ii would compare as a 3rd body / backup for portraits, weddings, etc...

Thanks in advance for thoughts, feedback, etc..

What focal length variation?

The 7D2 is a bit better at high ISO IMO. The 7D2 is more robust and weather proofed. The 7D2 AF is EXCELLENT. The 7D2 has dual slots for those that would like that (CF/SD). The 7D2 does 10fps.

These are the only main differentiators.

I have the M50, 7D2 and 5D4. I rarely use the 7D2 these days, I use the 5D4 for everything including sports. I have just a few NBA games left, and then I think the 7D2 is going on the chopping block. Love the camera, I am just not using it.

If you have an M5 as a 3rd body and only shooting a limited set of things, then I don't think the 7D2 is really a good move. I doubt 10fps and a 1D-like AF system is really going to make a dent in what you shoot over the M5. Just wait for their next APS C mirrorless release to sew where it falls compared to the M series and R series.

I do think the 80D is definitely the sweet spot in performance for the Canon aps-c crop world. If it had dual cards it'd be a sure fire winner!!! However you mentioned Weddings so IMO your responsibility is to the client and dual cards is very important. So scratch the 80D even if it's the secondary camera.

So this is March 2019. For the price if you found an almost mint new 5dmk3 this would be a possible solution. Dual cards, great AF, good high iso performance for 7yrs old Canon FF sensor performance. I'd like the benefits of a FF sensor for portraits with a 70-200 f/2.8 or fast prime. Not saying aps-c cannot do it but you'll just get that little extra shallow dof when shooting zooms as you run/gun. On print it'd be hard to tell aps-c vs FF but I know I'd prefer FF for some applications.

The 7dmk2 would be nice but even now this camera body is showing it's age in sensor performance but great for bells and whistles features for a "Canon". The mk2 is such a fast little computer!! but the modern tech of many other systems just caught up. For example the little Fuji Xt30 is a budget camera for Fuji shooters but "almost" identical in performance to their flagship X-t3. Canon is just lagging at the moment for a very modern crop sensor body. But as you know you can see why as a tonne of $$ have been put into R&D with the spectacular spread of RF glass!!!!

We all have such a strong preference to gear. I feel I can shoot almost anything and everything with my 5dmk4 for events. I do not have that confidence with mirrorless bodies just yet. All mirrored bodies just turn on instantly in a split second while my Fuji or Sony A73 takes time. If I turn of sleep that is fine but my Canon can go to sleep during an event and touch the shutter button an it's on!!!!!! I just have zero tolerance when I see something and the hardware misses the shot due to slow wake up. Tapping on the shutter button to keep the camera "ready" is just not my thing. Apparently the EOS R can wake up almost instantly.

Little preferences will lead you the way in selecting your 3rd body replacement. What is your budget?

AlanU wrote in post #18825911
I do think the 80D is definitely the sweet spot in performance for the Canon aps-c crop world. If it had dual cards it'd be a sure fire winner!!! However you mentioned Weddings so IMO your responsibility is to the client and dual cards is very important. So scratch the 80D even if it's the secondary camera.

I already sold the 5D mk iii and got the EOS R. And I have a 5DS with two cards. So that's why my OP was inquiring along the lines of a "third body" ... an extra in the bag.

The 7D2 is actually a bit better at high ISO than the 80D, but the 80D has more DR under ISO 800. The 7D2 sensor is still pretty much in the mix of things at this time in the Canon APS-C space.

The M series is the only Canon APS-C that has a 3rd party tool out there that gains some of that FF look back again though, and for some may make the M series the one to look at these days depending on what they shoot.

mdvaden wrote in post #18826142
I already sold the 5D mk iii and got the EOS R. And I have a 5DS with two cards. So that's why my OP was inquiring along the lines of a "third body" ... an extra in the bag.

Again, if you don't need a great AF system that can pinpoint a bird in the branches or action, then the M5 is fine. AF needs would be what would direct you out of the M series. Instead, maybe consider the Rokinon 12mm f2 for your M5, it is a fun little lens for wide angle shooting and is quite good regarding IQ. With the f2, you can do some very wide creative low DOF shots, and then quickly do "infinity" focus for full wide angle shots of a forest.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #18826915
Again, if you don't need a great AF system that can pinpoint a bird in the branches or action, then the M5 is fine. AF needs would be what would direct you out of the M series. Instead, maybe consider the Rokinon 12mm f2 for your M5, it is a fun little lens for wide angle shooting and is quite good regarding IQ. With the f2, you can do some very wide creative low DOF shots, and then quickly do "infinity" focus for full wide angle shots of a forest.

I'm still peeking at the Rokinon 12mm ef-m lens. lol ... maybe I should have bought one last Nov. / Dec. because I recall the new price dropping beneath $200 one week. Now rose to nearly $299

There's a used copy listed from Amazon Warehouse for like $195 in "good" condition that I'm curious about. They have a "very good" one two which notes a blemish on the front and back. Whereas the "good" one notes a blemish on the front.

Their descriptions state on the "camera" "body" which seems like an odd way to express it. But that's how all the Amazon warehouse lenses are for almost every camera lens used. They all say "camera"

I already have the 16-35mm to use on my two full frames. but if i had that wide an angle on the M5, I wouldn't need to swap lenses on the bigger bodies, and could just grab the M5 for a few fun shots.

The 7D mk ii still intrigued me for action, it's dual cards, etc.. But it's also apparent the design is older.