Canon 60d versus 7d? - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

03/28/2012 07:43:18 PM · #1

So, I am starting to seriously look at upgrading my camera. I have owned the Xti for 5 years now, it has well over 80000 shutter actuations, and quite frankly I believe my camera is currently limiting me more than my photography skills at this point. It has taught me many things, but I feel the need to upgrade. Especially for shooting sports, the 3 frames per second grates me, and the high amount of noise with ISO 800 and 1600 is frustrating as well.

Because I love shooting sports (and thus enjoy both more frames per second and cropped sensors) and also enjoy filming things occasionally, I am looking at either the 7d or the 60d for my next camera. But I am very conflicted on which to get, because I feel they both have their pros and cons.

7D
Pros: More frames per second, more durable, higher image quality (?)
Cons: More Expensive. Heavy! (holding for long periods makes my hands cramp up) Old (?)

60d
Pros: Cheaper, not as heavy, newer
Cons: Less frames per second, lower image quality (?)

The thing is, I dont know if my pro/con list is really accurate or not.

So my questions to you are the following:
1. Is the image quality of the 60 really worse than the 7d?
2. How does the oldness of the 7d versus the newness of the 60d affect the camera's capabilities?
3. Does the 7d really offer more that accounts for the price difference?
4. Given my pro/con list, which camera would you choose?

Message edited by author 2012-03-28 19:44:49.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/28/2012 07:57:08 PM · #2

Originally posted by KristinaG:

So my questions to you are the following:
1. Is the image quality of the 60 really worse than the 7d? No, they are identical, they have the same image sensor.
2. How does the oldness of the 7d versus the newness of the 60d affect the camera's capabilities? the 7D is due to be replaced, possible this year, but it is still far and away a more capable camera.
3. Does the 7d really offer more that accounts for the price difference? Yes, so long as you are going to utilize what it offers. I have a 60D and for my shooting i probably wouldn't benefit a whole lot from what it offers.
4. Given my pro/con list, which camera would you choose? It depends on what is important to you, do you need all those AF points, do you need the faster AF, micro adjust, durable body, FPS? or would you be ok with the 60D (which isnt a slouch by the way) its lighter frame, swivel screen, flash triggering, etc.

you are solely basing your decision on features and price, not image quality which helps you alot. you just need to figure out if those features are worth the price increase.

now the 60D and new glass will offer an IQ benefit over the 7D only for the same price :)

Message edited by author 2012-03-28 20:00:19.

scalvert

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/28/2012 08:25:29 PM · #3

Originally posted by mike_311:

Is the image quality of the 60 really worse than the 7d? No, they are identical, they have the same image sensor.

Not quite. It's the same size and resolution, but not the same sensor.The 60D captures slightly more color depth while the 7D has slightly more dynamic range. The 7D is much faster (both frame rate and shutter lag), weather sealed, and features a far more advanced autofocus system. The 60D has the flip-out (and slightly higher resolution) LCD, weighs a little less, and doesn't eat wallets. Either would be a huge jump from a Rebel XTi. Another minor consideration is that the 7D uses the same memory cards you already own, while the 60D uses SDHC cards.

Message edited by author 2012-03-28 20:37:34.

JulietNN

Canon EOS R7

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

03/28/2012 08:38:26 PM · #4

Get anything other than the 7D if you shoot in a lot of low light

scalvert

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/28/2012 08:43:00 PM · #5

Originally posted by JulietNN:

Get anything other than the 7D if you shoot in a lot of low light

?!?!?! I use mine in low light all the time. In my experience it beats the 20D, 40D, 50D, and in most cases even the original 5D in both noise and AF performance.

DCNUTTER

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/28/2012 10:29:30 PM · #6

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by JulietNN:
Get anything other than the 7D if you shoot in a lot of low light

?!?!?! I use mine in low light all the time. In my experience it beats the 20D, 40D, 50D, and in most cases even the original 5D in both noise and AF performance.

Same here. My 7D is great in low light.

DCNUTTER

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/28/2012 10:36:02 PM · #7

The focus system and frame rate is FAR superior on the 7D compared to the 60D. The 7D has more focus modes with 19 cross points as opposed to 9 on the 60D.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

03/28/2012 10:45:52 PM · #8

Originally posted by mike_311:

now the 60D and new glass will offer an IQ benefit over the 7D only for the same price :)

Hmm, that is very true.
Maybe now I will decide between a 60d + 100m Macro USM or a 7d. That is a lens I have been coveting, and the price would be roughly the same.

Its definitely going to be a hard decision especially since I probably wouldn't be able to upgrade for many years after. So, whatever I decide on is what I am going to be stuck with for a while.
EIther way, I am planning on using the Canon Loyalty Program to get whichever camera I decide on, so at the very least I will be spending a lot less than by getting a brand new camera.

RamblinR

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

03/29/2012 05:04:45 AM · #9

I have both the 60d and the 7d.

I love the 7d for the extra frames and focus points.
Love the 60 for the flip out screen and lighter if I want to travel

I used to have a 400d as a backup camera but decided to sell it and upgrade to the 60d.
The 60d is a really nice size. Much nicer than the Rebel range.
The flip out screen is really nice also and I understand that all the focus points are more sensitive than the 400d.

I really don't think you can go wrong with either.
If you don't need the extra frame rate (it's amazing how much you can miss when shooting action so the more frame rates the better)
Or the extra focus points (I don't tend to use the centre and recompose. I'd prefer a focus point in the right spot and this is available on the 7d)

You will be happy with either.

Maria

03/29/2012 10:26:41 AM · #10

Originally posted by RamblinR:

Thanks! You are just who I was hoping to hear from...someone who owns both!
One question for you, do you notice a significant difference in noise when shooting with the 7d or 60d? I am sure everything is going to feel like a huge improvement from my xti, but I do find myself shooting in low light a lot (especially for basketball) and the noise tends to bug me the most probably of all of my camera's shortcomings.

03/29/2012 10:29:19 AM · #11

Oh, and by the way, I would very likely still keep my Xti as a backup body to mount another lens to.
Its kind of funny, before January I never ever felt like I needed that, but shooting for my school's newspaper has thoroughly spoiled me =p

scalvert

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/29/2012 10:48:19 AM · #12

I own the 7D and a 50D. Not exactly the same comparison, but in that case the 7D wins on noise levels (plus its other advantages).

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

03/29/2012 11:22:04 AM · #13

the reason i upgraded to the 60D was becuase the ISO is so much better and goes so much higher than my old XS did. once maxing out at 1600 i have no problem going to 3200 or even 6400 as required.

mrchhas

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

03/29/2012 11:47:52 AM · #14

I would love to get the 7D (and I still might) though I recently started looked at the 60D as well... I found this:

550D v. 60D v. 7D

and read another article that basically said if you're more into photography get the 60D, and if you're more into video get the 7D. personally if I were you i'd get the 7D just for the framerate. Of course there is also to note that there is word on the street of a possible 7D mark ii within the next few months. rumors obviously.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

03/29/2012 12:26:13 PM · #15

that was a terrible review.

mrchhas

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

03/29/2012 12:30:11 PM · #16

Originally posted by mike_311:

that was a terrible review.

Yes. Yes it was.

Devinder

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/29/2012 07:52:45 PM · #17

i am also told that the dual chips in the 7d handle noise a bit better than 60d. Not sure how much of that is true, but its been a consensus at a couple sites i've visited over the months. As a 60D owner, i can tell ya its a pretty great camera for most things not low light. Given that a tripod and manual focus can take care of this issue (or flash for that matter). For fast action low light- you will find either camera lacking. Ofcourse the 7d is also more robust and faster and also a lot better at taking fast moving objects.

The 60d uses the same sensor, has a flipout screen, and all the regular DSLR features anyone would want. Personally, I love the dang thing. See if you can get your paws on a 7d for the cheap amid the ruckus sales made to make room+money for the 5d mk3. If you want new, i think a 60d will do fine.

As for noise (again), above the 400 iso level, you will notice it at a 100% size. And beyond the 1000 iso mark, you will notice it on crops. IF you must have relatively clean picture at 1600 iso, i would go with a 5dmk2, but this would sacrifice autofocus ability thats available today. I hear there' s a relatively cheap (compared to 5dmk2) Nikon model out there that will handle noise better than either 7d or 60d.

PM me if you want to see some samples from the 60d at different ISO.

bschallenberg

11/22/2012 04:11:19 PM · #18

I have a 60D and had the same questions. I am happy with the image quality. If you are concerned with your budget, don't forget that you need good glass on your body. I went with a 60D and the new EFS 15-85 zoom. I also picked up a 70-300 (not the kit 75-300). As an enthusiast I feel really well armed with my set up. I bought the 60D/EFS 15-85 as a bundle from Vistek in Canada for about $1,540 which is a great deal if you can get it. The 70-300 is usually around $700 but a lot of places are selling them now for $399. I went with this lens for the smaller size and longer reach that the L series 70-200. I travel quite a bit and have a great backpack (Lowepro fastpack 200) that holds everything for easy access. The side access is really handy for slinging the pack forward on your belly, giving you quick access and return of your camera without having to take the pack off. there is a nice storage space on top to put a sweater, munchies or other stuff when you are out traveling. I really love my set up and would recommend it for anyone really asking about where to spend the extra money on a 7d. Please don't spend the extra money and only put a kit lens on it. You will have missed the point.

FromDaRock