Second body - 50D or 60D?

I'm wanting to purchase a second body - for backup, and to be able to have two lenses mounted at the same time.

I'm quite happy with my 50D, and am really leaning toward getting another - but also wondering about the 60D. My short list of pros/cons of the 60D:

Pros:
Flip screen - could be handy for macro work
Video - I don't know if I would use this much or not

Cons:
SD Cards - Just not crazy about the form factor.

Would like to hear from others regarding pros/cons of the 60D, especially from those who have both bodies or who have moved to the 60D from the 50D.

I had the same decision to make when it came to my next DSLR. I went for the 50D over the 60D for these reasons.

50D Pros:
Faster burst
Larger + more comfortable
CF cards (more reliable in my experience than flimsy SD, plus I already have 8GBs worth)
Magnesium body (rather than Alluminium)

60D Cons:
Video mode (Dont want to pay for what Im not going to use)
Bendy Screen (Can be useful BUT flimsy and my Grampa has a Lumix G1, a piece of sand got between the LCD and the body and made a mess of the LCD :S)
Lock on Mode Dial (I have never nudged a mode dial by accident)

Of course the 60D does have advantages such as higher resolution and likely better noise control.

They key I believe for a second is ease of use. Do you really want to have to learn all those new controls? The 50D > 60D seems to be canons biggest revision when it comes to control lay out. I've had a play and it was just too weird for me,too different from the 300D and 350D I had previously.
Also, you will already know how you like your 50D set up from experience, its a case of re learning that too. And you can use the compact flash cards you already have.

I reckon you should go for another 50D, its an ace camera and unless you intend to use the video mode, the 60D just isn't necessary.

60D used a different battery and M-card than your 50D and would be a lot different control and feel wise .

If you are used to the 50D and like it I would think a 2nd would be your best choice .

nitehawk55 wrote in post #11430040
60D used a different battery and M-card than your 50D and would be a lot different control and feel wise .

If you are used to the 50D and like it I would think a 2nd would be your best choice .

I agree.

Jason C

If you're just looking for a backup, and not an upgrade, another 50D (or even a 40D) would probably bee a good choice. If you're looking to upgrade, I'd go 7D over 60D.

Mk1Racer wrote in post #11432788
If you're just looking for a backup, and not an upgrade, another 50D (or even a 40D) would probably bee a good choice. If you're looking to upgrade, I'd go 7D over 60D.

this

A 7D will blow away the 50D, that would be the way to go......

Thanks for all the comments. I'll stick with the original plan and look for a 2nd 50D body.

Another 50D, used 40D or use your 50D as a backup to a 7D. I've got the 40D, 7D and 5DII. Having the exposure controls in the same locations makes it easier to move from one body to the other.

Why not a 30D or 40D...since it's just a backup camera

Buy some glass with the extra cash.

10megapixel wrote in post #11432977
Why not a 30D or 40D...since it's just a backup camera

I shoot with both the 30D and 40D and prefer the 40D; however not enough to get rid of the 30D...

I would either get a 40D or 50D. Using the same memory and batteries really makes sense. While using different memory cards and batteries is not an insurmountable logistics problem; it can be a pain. It is also nice to use identical controls when shooting with two cameras...

On the other hand, the 7D provides enough advantages to outweigh the different battery and control problems. At least it takes the same memory cards. I also prefer CF cards to the SD models...

I would never even consider the 60D because, IMO it is a Rebel with bells and whistles and I have no use for video or that crazy articulating screen...