Canon 7D

[Mosca]

Regarding the 17-55 (which I own) and the discussion over quality, before I bought it my reading of the analysis and reports was that it was the optical equal of the L lenses, but that the build/quality control was not as good. Some people had issues with dust getting inside the lens, and some people had trouble with the image stabilization going awry prematurely; out of the warranty period, but still too soon.

This is the lens that lives on my 7D. Although I haven't had any of the issues, I would agree with the reports; it doesn't feel cheap or fragile, but it isn't as substantial as any L I've ever handled, either. That being said, without considering the color of the stripe around the glass, I believe that it represents a fair value at its price. It is an optically superior lens, with some compromises made to market it at the price.

 

[disneyboy2003]

Which one's better: Barbie or the Canon 7D?

http://videosift.com/video/Barbie-vs-Canon

 

[NateNLogansDad]

I think the better choice is obvious. I mean c'mon! The other one is a Canon for Pete's sake!

 

[Luv2Scrap]

Which one's better: Barbie or the Canon 7D?

http://videosift.com/video/Barbie-vs-Canon

Hot Shoes! That was too funny!

Seriously... not bad video, for what it is. Is it evil that I want to give one to my neices just because I know it'll tick my SIL off if they record her with it?

 

[NateNLogansDad]

It's only evil if she knows it was you that gave it to them. It's genius if you can do it incognito!

 

[Docarino]

That is really funny!

 

[Altair]

What's really funny is a $50 doll can take videos almost as good as a $1700 camera. Gotta love marketing.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

What's really funny is a $50 doll can take videos almost as good as a $1700 camera. Gotta love marketing.

But the $1700 camera gives you the option to purchase another $3000 lens if you want. The Barbie only lets you purchase a Ken.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

But the $1700 camera gives you the option to purchase another $3000 lens if you want. The Barbie only lets you purchase a Ken.

Obviously coming from a guy...!

Can't forget about all the hot shoes Barbie can buy!!

 

[TheGoofster]

Let's look at some other comparisons:

User compatibility:
Cannon - mostly professionals or those with at least some photo knowledge
Barbie - even little girls can use it
Advantage - Barbie

Shooting candid / incognito shots:
Cannon - pretty large, everyone sees what you are doing
Barbie - who would suspect a little girl's doll?
Advantage - Barbie

Storage:
Cannon - anything less than a nice camera bag is crazy
Barbie - floor, toy box, backpack, etc...
Advantage - Barbie

Security:
Cannon - attracts the eye of anybody looking to steal a camera
Barbie - Only other little girls might be tempted to snatch it.
Advantage - Barbie

I'm telling you what, the more I think about it, the more I'm beginning to think that Barbie might be the way to go.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Let's look at some other comparisons:

User compatibility:
Cannon - mostly professionals or those with at least some photo knowledge
Barbie - even little girls can use it
Advantage - Barbie

Shooting candid / incognito shots:
Cannon - pretty large, everyone sees what you are doing
Barbie - who would suspect a little girl's doll?
Advantage - Barbie

Storage:
Cannon - anything less than a nice camera bag is crazy
Barbie - floor, toy box, backpack, etc...
Advantage - Barbie

Security:
Cannon - attracts the eye of anybody looking to steal a camera
Barbie - Only other little girls might be tempted to snatch it.
Advantage - Barbie

I'm telling you what, the more I think about it, the more I'm beginning to think that Barbie might be the way to go.

I can see it now...."This week I'm working on........pumps and heels"

 

[TheGoofster]

I can see it now...."This week I'm working on........pumps and heels"

Are you kidding? It would take me a whole lot longer than a week to get used to something like that.

 

[saturndb]

Ok, I got a nice bonus and I have decided to use some of it to ugrade my camea gear. I have a 40d that I am going to sell and get either the Canon 7D or 5D Mark II. Both are good cameras, but I am not sure whcih one to get. I like the 7d having some newer technology and lower price. Now the 5d Mark II has the full frame and higher iso settings. I know either camera can bring out the quality of my L lenses that I have.

I like to shot nature, do some HDR and photgraph my son.

Which would you get?

 

[photo_chick]

If it were me? 7D.

 

[Anewman]

I prefer the 7d.

Is there a reason you did not list the upcoming 60d as an option?

 

[disneyboy2003]

Ok, I got a nice bonus and I have decided to use some of it to ugrade my camea gear. I have a 40d that I am going to sell and get either the Canon 7D or 5D Mark II. Both are good cameras, but I am not sure whcih one to get. I like the 7d having some newer technology and lower price. Now the 5d Mark II has the full frame and higher iso settings. I know either camera can bring out the quality of my L lenses that I have.

I like to shot nature, do some HDR and photgraph my son.

Which would you get?

Congratulations on your bonus!

I just got the Canon 7D a couple months ago, and I really really like it. I like the 8 fps, the new autofocus system, and a bunch of other stuff.

Reasons to go for the 5D mark II:
If you're shooting nature / landscapes, you might not need the 8 fps and you'd probably appreciate the full-frame view from your wide angle lenses, rather than wide angle x 1.6 crop factor.

For pixel-peepers, I hear that images from the 5Dm2 look better than from crop-frame cameras.

Plus, the full-frame of the 5Dm2 gives you less noise at higher ISOs.

Are you taking portraits of your son? The full frame also gives a shallower depth-of-field.


Reasons to go for the 7D:
I don't recall how old your son is. But if your son is into fast-action sports, then maybe the 7D would be better, with the faster 8 fps, the new autofocus system, and the 1.6x crop factor.

I also wasn't sure what kind of nature shots you were referring to. The crop factor comes in handy for long-distance wildlife nature shots and birds-in-flight (BIF). BIF photos can also benefit from the 8 fps and the 7D autofocus system.


When I started this post, I thought I had a definitive answer for you. Now that I'm at the end of this post, I'm not sure that I even know what the right answer is for you.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

We have both. They are very, very good cameras. The 7D is better at just about everything except image quality. The 5D Mark II is significantly better there. Both my wife and I grab the 5D for that reason almost every time.

Disneyboy2003 has it summed up pretty well. Aside from sensor size, the biggest difference is the speed and handling of the 7D. It has a much better AF system. It shoots much faster. It has a built in flash that, while practically useless as a flash, can be used to control other flash units. There are lots of other tiny improvements to things like the menu system. It also shoots 60p video (at 720) whereas the 5D can only shoot 24p or 30p. That's important if you want to do any slow-mo.

Despite all of the advantages of the 7D, we both still grab the 5D. The AF works fine for everything except sports. I already have an external flash controller when I need one. I don't have any EF-S lenses, so that isn't an issue. Even though the 7D handles better, the 5D is good enough. The big difference is in the images. I get more DOF control, less noise, higher resolution (in both pixel count and general resolving power). While not nearly as big of a difference as between p&s sensors and APS-C sensors, the doubling in sensor size you get with full frame is very, very nice. It is like having a full extra stop on all of your lenses for both light gathering and DOF control.

If I could only buy one, I'd get the 5D Mark II unless it couldn't meet my needs. That would be if I was shooting a lot of sports or birds or often found myself in situations where I needed a very high frame rate. For landscape shooting it would be a no-brainer to go with the 5DM2

If you have any specific comparison questions, I'll be glad to help answer them.

One other thing to consider is waiting for the 5DM2 replacement that is always rumored. I think it'll be a long wait. The original 5D was on the market for about 3 years before the Mark II. The Mark II has been out for a bit over a year and a half. If they keep to the same cycle, it'll be another year and a half. Also, the 5DM2 is like a cheapo version of the 1Ds Mark III. I would expect something similar with the 1Ds Mark IV. That camera doesn't exist yet. Canon will probably release it and leave it alone in the market for a while before releasing the 5DM3.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Personally, I'd pick up a used 1d Mark III (with the blue dot.) Used they go for $2000 all the time.

I just downgraded from the T2i to a second 50d body. I'm also picking up the WFT-3A for wireless control of the 50d. My next body will likely be the 1d Mark III. But if I were to choose, I'd go 5d2 to have a body with better ISO performance.

Both the 7d and 5d2 allow you to Micro Adjust your AF system. Have you thought of purchasing a Lens Align? I got one last week and am trying to find time to do all my lenses.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The 1DM3 is an interesting option. It's a beast of a very different color. It's an in between sensor size, so you get some, but not all, of the benefits of each sensor type. The downside is that you don't have good wide options. You can't use an EF-s lens on it and your full frame wide lenses are cropped by 1.3x.

It's also a big, heavy camera. I've got a 1D Mark II and it is definitely in a different size class than the 5D and 7D. I don't mind it, but many people find it too big.

You also lose auto modes. That may not be a problem for you, but your spouse may not be happy not having an auto mode to fall back on.

The interface is very different. It's extremely confusing at first, but it is much faster once you get used to it. It is also less prone to bump changes. Again, though, it sucks for someone that doesn't use that camera a lot, so spouse acceptance factor will be diminished.

The 1D Mark III is also older technology. Despite being a pro body, the image quality is still a significant step down from the 5D.

The biggest setback is the lack of video. The 5DM2 and 7D are among the best DSLRs for shooting video. The 1DM3 doesn't do video at all.

I'd only consider the 1DM3 if I really needed the durability and flexibility of a serious pro body.

 

[Shutterbug]

I am in the same spot as the OP. I was waiting to see what the 60D would be and am frankly I hate what they did with it..plastic body, no thumb wheel...

So its like either the 7D or save up some more and then go with a full frame.
I am leaning towards the 7D which I see has come down a lil more.

One of my photographer friends who is a Nikon use got the chance to use a 7D at a wedding. He really liked it.