7D vs. Mark III and 50D... which closer?

I'm primary looking here for people that have real experience with the 7D, preferably in youth and high school sports. I use to have a bigger sports photography business and had four 1 series bodies, but I've scaled back and just have a 1D Mark III and 50D at this point... and I don't have any other hired staff so I only need 2 bodies. The separation between the Mark III and 50D is a bit much for me and I'd like to have two bodies that are closer in function. I also like to have a family friendly DSLR available as well, which the 50D currently serves as.

The Mark III / 50D combo hasn't been terrible. The 50D holds its on and I love the flexibility of the two different crop factors. I shoot a lot with primes, and this allows me to find tune my ranges. The 200 1.8 works a little better on the 50D for defensive shots from the baseline than it does on the Mark III, and the Mark III's wider crop factor works better on the offensive end. The 50D, while not as good as the Mark III on high ISO, also isn't too bad.

So my question is... is the 7D closer to the 50D or closer to the Mark III in terms of how it is to shoot with? I would use a grip in all cases by the way. I'm looking at things like high ISO noise, burst speed (never go more than 3 or 4 shots, and usually 1 or 2), AF speed, weather proofing, and overall handling similarity.

I have owned many 1 series bodies and many x0D series bodies, so I know what my options are there. Just trying to improve my kit without too much coin.

I would venture to say the 7D is much closer to the MarkIII.

That said, I haven't owned a MarkIII but have owned a 1DIIn. I haven't owned a 50D but have owned a 40D.

One thing for sure, with the grip, my 7D is very reminiscent of the performance of my 1DIIn when I had that camera.

I've owned all three, and in terms of features, the 7D is more similar to the 1d MK III. Control-wise, the 7d is similar to the 50D. If you can afford it, get the 7d, it is much better than my 50D.

Another 50D to 7D shooter here. Haven't owned a 1D (yet!) so I'll just comment on the improvement over the 50D. Way better ISO control and great indoors for HS basketball; the 8 fps should get the peak action shot in any sport; focus and tracking moving subjects is really good; overall IQ appears better with the 7D over the 50D to my eyes.

If I ever feel a need to get a 2nd sports shooting body it would be a 1D and not another 50D.

dave

Thanks for the feedback guys... this is the kind of thing I was looking for. I guess the only other option for similar money would be to keep the 50D and buy a used IIN, but I think I'll be happier with the 7D.

westernminnguy wrote in post #10069346
I would venture to say the 7D is much closer to the MarkIII....

I Concur!
The gap that the 7D bridges between the pro bodies and the xxD bodies is definitely leaning towards the ! series!