50D vs 7D Camera Body

I'm in the market for a new camera and was thinking about the 50D, but now I see the 7D and want to know which camera body is best for me. I shoot primarily sports / action photography, so I'm interesting in hearing from others.

Referenced in the tacked 7D FAQ thread:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=760469
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=759409
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=779504

Well the 7D's 19pt AF system is superior to the 50D's for speed and accuracy if it is for sports and action. However the 50D is no slouch either. Also the bonus with the 7D is the HD video, but if you were not going to use the video at all. I would save some money and go with the 50D, if money isn't a huge factor might as well go for the 7D with no regrets.

7D is better for sport.compare with two of them:
Sensor:
7D – APS-C (5184 x 3456) (18 MP)
50D – APS-C (4752 x 3168) (15 MP)

Processor:
7d – Dual DIGIC 4
50D – DIGIC 4

ISO:
7D – Auto, 100 – 6400, 12800(H)
50D – Auto, 100 – 1600, 3200(H), 6400(H), 12800(H)

Metering:
7D – 63 Area Eval, Center Weighted, Partial, Spot
50D – 35 Area Eval, Center Weighted, Partial, Spot

Auto Focus:
7D – 19 Point (new technology)
50D – 9 Point

Exposure Compensation:
7D – -5 to +5 EV in 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV steps (really???)
50D – -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV steps

Continuous Shooting:
7D – 8 fps
50D – 6.3 fps

Raw Formats:
7D – RAW, sRAW, mRAW
50D – RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2

Viewfinder:
7D – Pentaprism, 100% Coverage, 1.00x Mag
50D – Pentaprism, 95% Coverage, 0.95x Mag

Battery:
7D – LP-E6 ($66 USD)
50D – BP-511A ($46 USD)

Weight:
7D – 860g
50D – 822g
The flame wars have already started on the new EOS 7D as they do anytime Canon releases a new DSLR camera. The comparison between the 50D and the 7D is very easy to judge in most respects with the 7D offering some very compelling new features such as the increased resolution, the dual DIGIC 4 processors, the very high 8 fps continuous frame rate, the 100% viewfinder, the new metering system and the brand new auto focus system.
In the words of David duChemin, “Gear is Good, Vision is Better”. It’s not the camera that makes the photograph, it’s the person behind the camera. Don’t get all caught up in the hype over a new camera. A new camera will NOT make you a better photographer. Only YOU can do that. And it’s not done by reading the rants and raves on every new piece of gear that comes out each week. So shut down that MacBook, grab your camera and get out there and make some magic happen!

I thought everyone used to say there is no difference between the 40D and the 50D, if so you can save your money and even get a 40D. haha, just kidding. Get whatever you can afford. I would get the 7D if I were you and had the money, or you could get a used 50D and save yourself some money if you are on a budget where you are less likely to loose as much from devaluation of the camera. These things prices skyrocket downwards in price anytime a new model comes out, which seems almost like every 6 months now.

professorman wrote in post #9199549
I thought everyone used to say there is no difference between the 40D and the 50D, if so you can save your money and even get a 40D. haha, just kidding. Get whatever you can afford. I would get the 7D if I were you and had the money, or you could get a used 50D and save yourself some money if you are on a budget where you are less likely to loose as much from devaluation of the camera. These things prices skyrocket downwards in price anytime a new model comes out, which seems almost like every 6 months now.

right on....the 50d is a fantastic camera. Money aside, the 7d is a bit better, especially the AF and maybe +1 stop in low light situations. You can't go wrong with a 50d, but if money is not a consideration then the 7d is a slightly better option. If you care about video then the 7d is easily worth the extra coin.


good luck and happy shooting

For sport use, the 7D is far superior to the 50D - and yes, I own both cameras. While the 50D is no slouch, the 7D is just better where it counts. The AF performance of my 7D at least matches that of my 1D mk II, something that the 50D just can't do. Add in the extra AF points for in camera composition, the extra resolution and all the other features and the 7D is the camera to go for if you have the finances to do so IMHO. If not, then the 50D is a good camera, but it is not as good as the 7D.

As an outsider looking in, the 7D looks like the "next generation" 50D to me. It is certainly better at controlling noise from what I've read, while its AF has caught Nikon up (note, only caught up - not yet overtaken) in an area that Canon were struggling in.

Whether the advances are worth the money is up to you. The prices of the 50D have dropped since the introduction of the 7D, which might make it an attractive option.

They are not even in the same class, and that shows just when you pick them up and look through the viewfinder...

7d is hands down the "better" camera, but truth be told, if by getting the 7d means you cant afford better glass, by all means get the 50D and invest in good glass.

In the order of importance to taking good pictures, you come first, followed by glass then the body.