550d or 7D

FreeloaderJoe

FreeloaderJoe

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So now the 550d has the same movie modes, has been reviewed consistantly as having a higher IQ than the 7D and is smaller and lighter....do i dump the 7D for the more consumer level 550d?

...i expect my vein nature and 'looking like a pro' will probably make me end up getting another 7D (I think it's actually what makes people buy a lot of camera gear), but have been very unimpressed with it's ISO performance in all honesty - the build quality is nice, but it's not the be all and end all in a camera. With the money I save I can easily buy some pocket wizards (I am impressed with the flash commander on the 7D) and maybe a high end lens or two!?! Save some money to put towards a new macbook!?

Same goes for the 580 MK2 flashgun that was stolen at the same time...whats the point in replacing it? Might as well get an older 550 flashgun to use with the pocket wizards?!?!
 
I have the same predicament, I currently have a 350D & after saving up for a while I was looking to get a 7D, but now they've released the 550D, what do i do!!?

What attracts me to the 7D, is the fps.
 
Faster AF is always nice...but i'm no sports photographer and no motorsports enthusiast.

So i suppose I have anwsered my own questions. 550d it is.
 
\o/ 550D is the way to go.. mine isnt even open yet and I already love it.

It may be tricky to find anywhere the stocks it, I got mine from warehouseexpress, seems most places have sold out and are awaiting stock from Canon.
 
Why not the 40D or 50D? Or do you really need the video functionality?
 
Off the top of my head...........

better build quailty,
jog dial to set values which I think is a good feature that often gets forgotten about because it isn't a technical specification as such.....
faster shooting FPS rate,
better Viewfinder.......
 
Well for me coming from the 350D which has the best image quality?
 
Some say the 40D has better image quality because the 50D can't handle the higher pixel count and actually makes images look worse........not sure how true that is, I'm not sure about 550D but that has an even higher pixel count.....although I believe it is a different sensor so maybe it handles it a lot better.

Overall though, an upgrade to an xxD type body will offer more features like I have mentioned above and even the 10.1MP of the 40D will be good enough in terms of image quality. I don't think there will be that much difference between them......the more obvious improvement in image quality will be moving to a full frame sensor. The quality of your lenses will make a bigger difference in the image quality.

Many people have reported poor low ISO performance on the 7D.......so if you shoot at low ISO a lot, this is also worth considering.
 
for me the 550d is a non-starter purely due to the lag of jog wheel on the back, if canon would just put that on the xxxd range then I'd be all over them like a fat kid on cake.
 
lauy said:
Some say the 40D has better image quality because the 50D can't handle the higher pixel count and actually makes images look worse........not sure how true that is, I'm not sure about 550D but that has an even higher pixel count.....although I believe it is a different sensor so maybe it handles it a lot better.
.
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It's a different beast to the 40D and not as easy to tame.
If you don't nail the exposure and the ISO is too high then there is a good chance the photo will be noisy.
Once I stopped using auto ISO on the 50D I notice a big difference whereas I could get away with using it on the 40D a lot easier.
Get it right and the IQ is certainly an improvement.
I though it was the 50D when I first upgraded from a 40D.
 
Having started on a 450d and now on a 40d there is no way in the world I would go back to a XXXD. The feel and build of it is streaks ahead, I have quite big hands and found the XXXD fiddly and acutally caused my hand to get sore if I was using it for a day shooting (such a woman I know). The weight of the XXD bodys are also a better balance for the more exspensive lenses.

I have no need for my DSLR to shot any video nevermind HD, I have a video camera that I barely use. Just take it on holidays.

If I were you I would go for a XXD or 7D, no contest.
 
What lenses do you have?
There have been quite a few reports saying that the 7D will punish most consumer lenses.
 
hashcake said:
What lenses do you have?
There have been quite a few reports saying that the 7D will punish most consumer lenses.
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I've got Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 & now Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5, now if it's a case that the 7D won't bring out the best of these lenses then i'll avoid.
 
swag72 said:
Have you considered a 5DII? I know this is expensive, but not hugely more than the 7D. I would get that in a heart beat over the 7D.
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I also agree.....the 7D seems pricey for what you get. I was seriously considering the 7D until I've read many bad reports from users regarding low ISO performance and image quality. If you are considering spending over £1000 for a body, wait and save bit more for the 5DII as it will probably last a long while. If I got the 7D.....I could see myself wanting the 5DII after not too long, especially if the results were disappointing.

If you have a 350D now though, a 40D or 50D is the obvious next upgrade step and is definitely worthwhile until you can afford the 5DII.
 
Donki said:
Having started on a 450d and now on a 40d there is no way in the world I would go back to a XXXD. The feel and build of it is streaks ahead, I have quite big hands and found the XXXD fiddly and acutally caused my hand to get sore if I was using it for a day shooting (such a woman I know). The weight of the XXD bodys are also a better balance for the more exspensive lenses.

I have no need for my DSLR to shot any video nevermind HD, I have a video camera that I barely use. Just take it on holidays.

If I were you I would go for a XXD or 7D, no contest.
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I agree. Apart from the rear control wheel advantage, I just found the entry level Canons and Nikons too small for me, and I have average size hands. I actually put off buying a DSLR until I could get something I felt comfortable with, and could afford, and finally bought a 30D for a sweetheart price after it was discontinued. No regrets at all. Now I just have to try it with the 70-200 F4.0 that is sitting in my other home in Scotland (I'm in South Africa right now) from Kerso. My wife will bring it in about 10 days!
 
daveharlow said:
I've got Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 & now Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5, now if it's a case that the 7D won't bring out the best of these lenses then i'll avoid.
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It's not a case of 'bringing out the best' but you will probably find the IQ isn't much different between the 40D, 50D and 7D with those lenses, if anything the 7D might pick up on the flaws with those.
If I were you and wanted a new body I would compromise and get either a 550D/50D and invest in lenses.
The Sigma 10-20mm is a great lens and I would keep that lens even with a 7D but would certainly consider upgrading the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5.

For some reason there is a stigma that some people think that the body will improve the IQ of their photos before moving up the consumer lenses.
There are some cracking consumer lenses but I don't see the point in spending over 1K on a body only to hook up a £300 consumer lens.
Most reviews on consumer lenses will point out things like CA, barrel distortion, lack of sharpness on the edge etc and yes, while some of these issues can also be found on some pro lenses, on the whole they are not quite as prominent.
Some people argue against using EF lenses on a cropped sensor body but if you look at the photos take by some of our experienced members, you will see that they've taken awesome shots on a 1.6 cropped body using an L lens.
Not only that, there are plenty of members using L lenses on xxxD and XXD bodies.
 
lauy said:
I also agree.....the 7D seems pricey for what you get. I was seriously considering the 7D until I've read many bad reports from users regarding low ISO performance and image quality.
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Personally I now take reviews with a pinch salt and look for the opinions of people here.
If I had the spare cash I wouldn't hesitate at upgrading to a 7D.
 
daveharlow said:
Well for me coming from the 350D which has the best image quality?
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IQ isn't just about the body, lenses play a major factor as well.
 
lauy said:
If you have a 350D now though, a 40D or 50D is the obvious next upgrade step and is definitely worthwhile until you can afford the 5DII.
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I couldn't agree more and if you are seriously considering one day upgrading to a 5D then you'd be wise to start investing in L lenses now.
Get the best of them from a 40D/50D and and also keep them for a 5D.
 
Cannot comment on the 550d, but I went from a 400d to a 7d and was so impressed. The auto focus/metering etc was miles better straight out the box, and as I've got to grips with it I love it even more!

Not had any noticable ISO issues thankfully and 800 ISO plus is night and day better compared to my 400d. Has meant I can use my f/4 zooms in light conditions I would have never even considered before.

Also as mentioned before the toggle wheel was real benefit, cant believe I got by without one before :love:

By the sounds of it you wont go far wrong with either!
 
I've had my 550D a week now, I love it! Compared to my 50D its a lot lighter and feels less solid. The 550D feels like a consumer camera, whereas the 50D feels like a pro camera IMO. Focusing seems the same to me, the lack of rear wheel on the 550D isn't a big deal for me, the user interface is typical Canon, I had it sussed within about 5 minutes. High and low ISO shooting is better than my 50D. From my limited use of the 550D I think its an excellent camera and I honestly think that Canon have been very generous with the feature list for the price.

If you want to have a fiddle with video then the 550D is just awesome, its one of the main reasons I bought it and its well worth the money IMO. Canon will have to come up with something amazing for me to replace the 550D, which from now on is going to be my travel camera and video camera along with my other Canon camcorder.
 
I have a 40D, 24-70L and the Sigma 10-20. I've also been thinking about upgrading, but the image quality from the 40D is just great esp when seen side by side with the newer cameras like the 50D. The newer cameras are really pushing the limits of the sensors and if not used with care and the best lenses then you start to get errors creeping into the shots. For me, I think I might just step over the current new range of canon bodys and await the next lot and let the new iso and video get over its teething problems. I also don't understand what Canon is doing with its body range! 5D is great, 7D comes out and it has been thought out a little more, 550D comes out and it has nearly all the features of teh 7D......

Simon
 
hashcake said:
I couldn't agree more and if you are seriously considering one day upgrading to a 5D then you'd be wise to start investing in L lenses now.
Get the best of them from a 40D/50D and and also keep them for a 5D.
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Sigh. You don't need to buy L lenses to get great quality pictures. I don't know if anyone else offers weather sealing though.
 
trencheel303 said:
Sigh. You don't need to buy L lenses to get great quality pictures. I don't know if anyone else offers weather sealing though.
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I didn't say you do need to.
The Canon 55-250 IS is a cracking lens for the price, I really enjoyed owning one and I've got photos I am really pleased with.
I've also got photos take with a Canon 17-85 IS as well that I am very pleased with.
Apart from weather sealing, when it comes to things like CA, fringing, barrel distortion, lack of sharpness towards the edge there is a big difference.
I'm not saying all L lenses are perfect, there are some I wouldn't touch but overall you can't really compare them to consumer lenses.

Also as I said, if he does intend on eventually going full frame, wouldn't it be pointless throwing money at non L lenses?
 
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