60D vs 7D Which Is Better & Why?

Can anyone tell me which one of these cameras is better for sports / action Photography. I noticed the 7D cost more, but what are we paying the extra bucks for?

This question coming from someone shooting 1Ds2 and 50D?

(hm....)

The 7D is a more advanced camera than the 60D. For sports and action work it has a higher frame rate 8 Frames per second compared to just over 5 for the 60D. The 7D also has a significantly improved focusing system over that in the 60D. The 60D is plenty capable of sports work, but the 7D is better.

The main difference I can think of is that with the 7D, you get 2.7 more frames per second in its burst shooting mode (8 compared to 5.3). Also, the 7D has 10 more autofocus points than the 60D (19 instead of 9). I was looking at the specifications for the cameras here and here, so you would have to read through them yourself to check all of the minute details and see which camera would work better for you.

Edit: Darn. Gonz beat me by a minute!

Sagerauru wrote in post #11422628
The main difference I can think of is that with the 7D, you get 2.7 more frames per second in its burst shooting mode (8 compared to 5.3). Also, the 7D has 10 more autofocus points than the 60D (19 instead of 9). I was looking at the specifications for the cameras here and here, so you would have to read through them yourself to check all of the minute details and see which camera would work better for you.

Edit: Darn. Gonz beat me by a minute!

Yes, but yours was more detailed.

One of the better Canon equipment reviewers, a writer who has tested every Canon DSLR going back to the 10D, has actually used all of the 18MP Canon DSLR's ()T2i, 60D and 7D), tested them and found there's little difference in the images they produce.

"...there is not enough difference in image quality between the three 18mp DSLRs for image quality (including high ISO noise) to be a differentiating factor."

It looks as if you can save money by making your purchase decisions based on price, since there's not much real difference between the cameras to decide if one or another is "better." Most likely, your skill and experience as a photographer will be more important factor, and those factors can't be purchased.

If you base your decision on only one criteria, which has "better" being Image quality, then yes, this would be true.

However, I think we can all agree that there is a lot more to it than that.
IQ is so good across the board these days, that we could just all buy the cheapest Rebel.

timings and features enter it, weather sealing on the 7D, better AF, Micro adjustment, all add up to some pretty compelling features for many shooters.

Meanwhile the 60D has better features for Video shooters.

If IQ was the only criteria, then no one would have bought a single 1D MkII after the 5D was released. The fact is that for two and half years many thousands of photographers chose the 1D MkII over the 5D because of the other features it bundles that meet their needs, despite being more expensive, and having slightly lower image quality.

DC Fan wrote in post #11422965
One of the better Canon equipment reviewers, a writer who has tested every Canon DSLR going back to the 10D, has actually used all of the 18MP Canon DSLR's ()T2i, 60D and 7D), tested them and found there's little difference in the images they produce.

"...there is not enough difference in image quality between the three 18mp DSLRs for image quality (including high ISO noise) to be a differentiating factor."

It looks as if you can save money by making your purchase decisions based on price, since there's not much real difference between the cameras to decide if one or another is "better." Most likely, your skill and experience as a photographer will be more important factor, and those factors can't be purchased.

DC Fan wrote in post #11422965
One of the better Canon equipment reviewers, a writer who has tested every Canon DSLR going back to the 10D, has actually used all of the 18MP Canon DSLR's ()T2i, 60D and 7D), tested them and found there's little difference in the images they produce.

"...there is not enough difference in image quality between the three 18mp DSLRs for image quality (including high ISO noise) to be a differentiating factor."

It looks as if you can save money by making your purchase decisions based on price, since there's not much real difference between the cameras to decide if one or another is "better." Most likely, your skill and experience as a photographer will be more important factor, and those factors can't be purchased.

Whilst there may not be any discernible difference in IQ, the 7D does have an AF system more suited to sports, and a higher frame rate. It is these differences that would have to be considered when making a choice - IQ of the 60D may be just as good, but that's not much help if the shot is out of focus due to inadequate AF performance.

p.s. I'm not a 7D user.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #11423089
If you base your decision on only one criteria, which has "better" being Image quality, then yes, this would be true.

However, I think we can all agree that there is a lot more to it than that.
IQ is so good across the board these days, that we could just all buy the cheapest Rebel.

timings and features enter it, weather sealing on the 7D, better AF, Micro adjustment, all add up to some pretty compelling features for many shooters.

Meanwhile the 60D has better features for Video shooters.

If IQ was the only criteria, then no one would have bought a single 1D MkII after the 5D was released. The fact is that for two and half years many thousands of photographers chose the 1D MkII over the 5D because of the other features it bundles that meet their needs, despite being more expensive, and having slightly lower image quality.

+1 ^

Don't forget about the improved ergonomics, more manual controls, and just better quality buttons on the 7d.

The 7D stomps the 60D in terms of sports photography due to it's advance AF system.

You are paying more the AF system

19 cross type
Different af point grouping options
Orientation Linked af points
8FPS
A lot of different tracking options and customizations

When I go shooting sports with my 7D, the AF system is like a death grip, locks on and doesn't let go. 8FPS is nice as well.

The 60D has better video since it has a audio connector... ya.

better VF too.

The 7d is just more betterer for all the reasons above but if you're going to just strap it to a tripod and take landscapes, don't get either, get a rebel.

Answers my question as to a replacement for my 40D. 7D refurb from Canon for $1350 seems like the way to go (over a $1000 for the 60D).

Just adding another observation. I was trying to decide on purchasing a 60D or a 7D as a second sports body. A salesman at Penn Camera brought both bodies out for comparison and the 7D is physically a much larger camera. I shoot with a Mark III and the 7D's controls fit more naturally in my hand than the 60D. Last night, I brought my Mark III in and compared the placement of the controls, CF functions and overall "grip" feel, and I must say that the 60D feels like a small camera to me. The controls are not as intuitive and I think switching between the 2 during an event would be confusing. I would consider purchasing the extra grip if you are planning on hand holding your zooms, as it makes the 7D easier to hold for extended periods.

Joe P

Obviously the 7D is better, and makes a better backup for the more advanced user. It's pretty obvious Canon didn't want the 60D to come too close to the 7D.

I'll be getting one though, as I'm a first-time DSLR buyer who wants to skip the Rebel class. I've heard people saying it's a super rebel, which I think is just fine, it has it's place. I would be fine with a Rebel image quality and feature wise, but I like the feel of the 60D better so I'm going to push my budget a bit above Rebel level and splurge for the 60D. The 7D is just way out of my price range, since the 60D is already pushing my budget a bit.