6D v 7D

[SevernBore]

I have been using a 7D for the past three years and have enjoyed its ease of handling. However, I have always been concerned about the level of noise in my pics. Having read various tests of the 6D and seen test shots it is clear that it offers hugely better noise control and picture quality and I am sorely tempted to swap my 7D. On the other hand I think I would miss the availability of all the function buttos that make the 7D so great to use.

Now to the point. Can anyone out there who has actually made the change from 7D to 6D comment on the pros and cons and - bottom line - had any regrets over making the change?

I would really like to hear from those who have made the change.

 

[rjbell]

From what i can see the 7d is a better camera in every way but the sensor. Keep saving and go for a 5d3.

 

[ecoleman]

6D is full frame for a start, so pros and cons would depend largely on what you shoot and what lenses you have.

 

[pete.rush]

It has as similar autofocus system to the 5D MKII I believe, but might be slightly better. Pro full frame, very good ISO capabilities, but lacking in autofocus performance for action photography

 

[Spiritflier]

From what i can see the 7d is a better camera in every way but the sensor. Keep saving and go for a 5d3.

Not so... The 7D has a few features that would have been beneficial if they'd been added to the 6D but since decent image quality is supposed to be the goal of all photographers, I'd go for the full-frame camera for everything except for fast-action stuff.

Having said that, I have a friend who uses the 6D and hasn't found anything at all to complain about regardless of what he's been shooting! The AF performance isn't the best but it's still more than capable as long as the photographer has some skill.

 

[rjbell]

Not so... The 7D has a few features that would have been beneficial if they'd been added to the 6D but since decent image quality is supposed to be the goal of all photographers, I'd go for the full-frame camera for everything except for fast-action stuff.

Having said that, I have a friend who uses the 6D and hasn't found anything at all to complain about regardless of what he's been shooting! The AF performance isn't the best but it's still more than capable as long as the photographer has some skill.

Yes so...
focus points 19 v 11
cross focus points 19 v 1, fps 8 v 4.5
Viewfinder 100% v 97%
top shutter speed 1/8000 v 1/4000
10% less shutter lag
fully weather sealed v Splash & Dust resistant

Like I said better in just about every way but the sensor, i just couldn't be bothered to list everything. The 6d could end up frustrating them if they are used to the performance of the 7d.

 

[Spiritflier]

Yep, I can read a spec sheet too!

You forgot to add the WiFi control and the GPS too! As a Nikon owner, you may not appreciate the subtleties between the two bodies but as I said before, image quality should be more important than anything else and the 6D wins hands down!

 

[SixToes]

Not so... The 7D has a few features that would have been beneficial if they'd been added to the 6D but since decent image quality is supposed to be the goal of all photographers, I'd go for the full-frame camera for everything except for fast-action stuff.

Having said that, I have a friend who uses the 6D and hasn't found anything at all to complain about regardless of what he's been shooting! The AF performance isn't the best but it's still more than capable as long as the photographer has some skill.

That's my experience too, AF seems to work much better in real life than the specs might suggest. I've very happy with it so far. To be fair I had a 60D before so never had (or particularly wanted) super high frame rates or advanced AI Servo.

Have a look in the 6D owners thread, I expect there are some ex-7D owners in there.

 

[SevernBore]

Thanks for your comments.
The 5DIII would be a no-brainer, but cannot justify the outlay. Will probably continue to waver between keeping my 7D and deciding to get a 6D until the next version comes out. As you can tell, I am a very decisive person..............!

 

[rjbell]

Yep, I can read a spec sheet too!

You forgot to add the WiFi control and the GPS too! As a Nikon owner, you may not appreciate the subtleties between the two bodies but as I said before, image quality should be more important than anything else and the 6D wins hands down!

Yes u can read a spec sheet yet you still not so to my comment. Maybe if you had read it before commenting. I didnt forget to add gps I was listing what is better on the 7d than the 6d which is amost everything like my original post.

 

[Spiritflier]

Yes u can read a spec sheet yet you still not so to my comment...

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean here. :shrug:

I've owned 3 7D's and had a fair bit of time with the 6D so I think I have a reasonable understanding of both cameras. Both have their merits but in terms of all round useability, I believe that the 6D is the better choice. That choice is based on a desire to be more impressed with the end result than the bells and whistles on the camera!

 

[rjbell]

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean here. :shrug:

I've owned 3 7D's and had a fair bit of time with the 6D so I think I have a reasonable understanding of both cameras. Both have their merits but in terms of all round useability, I believe that the 6D is the better choice. That choice is based on a desire to be more impressed with the end result than the bells and whistles on the camera!

Yes it takes better pictures I never said it doesn't. Like the spec sheet confirms the 7d is better in almost every area, so why is my comment not true or not so? Because you do not like bells and whistles it makes my comment less true? I dont like bells and whistles as you put it either, but as the op went for a 7d not a 550d which has the same iq but half the price maybe they do hence me pointing it out.

 

[Jackwow]

Yes it takes better pictures......

So doesn't that make it a better camera?

 

[rjbell]

So doesn't that make it a better camera?

Better picture maybe i should have said sensor which is what we are really talking about here. I would go for the 6d over the 7d too because features are not important to me, which is why i chose a d5100 over a d7000. This doesn't make my comment that the 7d is better than the 6d at almost everything any less true. I'm just defending my comment from Si's 'not so' one. A d5100 sensor performs better than a d300 or 7d does that make I a better camera?

The fact the op bought a 7d over a lower spec and cheaper canon model with the same sensor suggests the features he paid extra for are important to him. This is why i suggested keep saving for a 5d3.

 

[valb]

I have both the 7D and the 6D so feel I can comment here. Both are very good cameras and I am very pleased with the performance I get from them both. However they are different cameras. I am not going to quote specs at you simply comment about real life differences.

The 7D is fantastic for any shots where you wish to track movement and stay in focus - dogs running, birds flying, motor sports etc. It also has the advantage of "magnifying" the lens by a factor of 1.6 bringing shots closer to you. The built in flash is useful only as a fill in flash and some post shot processing will be required to the color balance.

The 6D is great for portraits, city shots and landscapes. It has the advantage over the 7D in that high ISO settings show less noise so it is also better in low light situations.
I also prefer the IQ of the 6D (just). The 6D has the added advantages of wi-fi and GPS which may or may not be of use to you. The camera can be controlled remotely from a computer or smartphone. This would be useful with studio work.

The 7D has significantly more compatible lenses being able to use both EF-S and EF lenses.

Picture quality of both is very very good and unless you are into pixel peeping you will see little difference in the sharpness.

Which is the better depends entirely on what you are going to use it for. If you mainly shoot action photos or wildlife where lens reach is important go for the 7D. If you are into portrait, city shots and landscapes go for the 6D. If weight is important as you will be lugging the camera around for hours then the 6D is quite a bit lighter to carry. For this reason I often find the 7D is in my hands and the 6D in my wife's when we are out together.

One final word about the 5D mkiii. Yes it is a fantastic camera but I feel that for some people their support for this is they must have the best regardless of whether it is what they really need. I don't believe that the 5D is worth all the extra money over the 6D or the 7D for that matter unless you are a) a professional photographer and b) able to understand and effectively use all the controls and options it gives you.

There are many professional photographers who support the 6D over the 5D mkiii particularly for field work as it is much lighter to carry around all day.

 

[shufflemoomin]

Like the spec sheet confirms the 7d is better in almost every area, so why is my comment not true or not so?

The 6D vastly outperforms the 7D in terms of high-iso noise and low light focusing. Those are exactly the reasons why I'm currently planning to dump my 7D and move to the 6D. The 7D is just not able to perform well enough for my requirements.

 

[rjbell]

The 6D vastly outperforms the 7D in terms of high-iso noise and low light focusing. Those are exactly the reasons why I'm currently planning to dump my 7D and move to the 6D. The 7D is just not able to perform well enough for my requirements.

Yes i know did you not read the thread?

 

[shufflemoomin]

Yes i know did you not read the thread?

Yes, I did. I also read you say "From what i can see the 7d is a better camera in every way but the sensor." AF is not the sensor, is it?

 

[rjbell]

Yes, I did. I also read you say "From what i can see the 7d is a better camera in every way but the sensor." AF is not the sensor, is it?

Low light af is one small part of the af system though. You look at it as a whole the 7d has a better system, as well as just about everything else. I should have just added 2 more words "better in just about every way other than the sensor" and saved myself the grief. Thats pretty much what everyone is disagreeing about that i said every way not in almost every way.

 

[Spiritflier]

What are you basing your assumptions on Robert? Have you owned either camera or is your advice based on supposition?

The way I see it, the only advantage the 7D has over the 6D is the autofocus system... Nothing else is an advantage or 'better', it's just different.

 

[rjbell]

What are you basing your assumptions on Robert? Have you owned either camera or is your advice based on supposition?

The way I see it, the only advantage the 7D has over the 6D is the autofocus system... Nothing else is an advantage or 'better', it's just different.

There is no assumptions, the higher spec is a fact. What have i assumed about that? The smiley at the end of 'better just different' comment i'm hoping is because it was just a joke.

The op mentions he's worried about losing function buttons and i agree and suggested he keeps saving.

 

[Spiritflier]

The smiley at the end wasn't because I was joking, it was there because I'm trying to keep my replies to you even-handed. :bang:

You still haven't answered my question though. Have you owned or extensively used either camera? If you haven't, then your opinions are based on your ability to use Google and have nothing to do with experience (which is what Andrew asked for in the first place).

Since Andrew's already stated that he can't justify the outlay of a 5DMKIII, banging on about saving up is pointless and irrelevant! At the end of the day, learning to use new buttons and menus is relatively straightforward. He also said in his original post that he doesn't like the noise and image quality at high ISOs from the 7D so therefore on that basis alone, the 6D is the better proposition!

 

[rjbell]

The smiley at the end wasn't because I was joking, it was there because I'm trying to keep my replies to you even-handed. :bang:

You still haven't answered my question though. Have you owned or extensively used either camera? If you haven't, then your opinions are based on your ability to use Google and have nothing to do with experience (which is what Andrew asked for in the first place).

Since Andrew's already stated that he can't justify the outlay of a 5DMKIII, banging on about saving up is pointless and irrelevant! At the end of the day, learning to use new buttons and menus is relatively straightforward. He also said in his original post that he doesn't like the noise and image quality at high ISOs from the 7D so therefore on that basis alone, the 6D is the better proposition!

What does owning either have to do with the facts, that the 7d is better spec'ed?

As for banging on about the 5d3 it was mentioned once in my first message before he had even mentioned it wasn't a option, and never mentioned again. I know iso is a priority and the 6d is a better proposition for him, i never said it wasn't. I was just suggesting before knowing that the 5d3 was out of the question that it would be a better option, due to the high spec of the 7d he's use too.

 

[Im Bald Ok]

Why don't you stop bickering?

I owned a 7D and upgraded to a 6D a month or 2 ago. I will list the things I miss from my old 7D:

- The onboard flash was obviously useless at anything but fill flash. It was however excellent as a wireless trigger for off camera flash. If you want this option you'll need to buy a cord or wireless triggers for the 6d.
- The AF system is better for catching moving subjects.
- The weather sealing is superior.
- The amount of focus points.
- It feels like it's built better.
- Extra reach.

The things I like about the 6D:

- IQ is superb.
- Noise performance is superb.
- The focusing is much better than on paper, it's not as good, but it's far better to live with than how people portray it. The centre point is brilliant.
- It's simple. Less is more in this case.
- The quick buttons on the top for ISO/drive etc are single use, not 2 sharing one button.
- It's lighter.
- It's full frame. 50mm is actually 50mm.
- GPS and Wifi are useful, but can be lived without.

On paper it does look fairly even. However...and this is the main point, the 6D takes a superior image compared to a 7D. That at the end of the day is what makes it a better camera to me and well worth upgrading.

 

[Spiritflier]

...On paper it does look fairly even. However...and this is the main point, the 6D takes a superior image compared to a 7D. That at the end of the day is what makes it a better camera to me and well worth upgrading.

Now THAT is what I've been trying to explain all along!

 

[rjbell]

Now THAT is what I've been trying to explain all along!

You haven't been trying to explain anything. You've just arguing that the 6d is a better camera when i never even said it wasn't, that's the must annoying thing about it. Its been a complete waste of everyone's time, and been just as frustrating for me as for you.

 

[Spiritflier]

From what i can see the 7d is a better camera in every way but the sensor. Keep saving and go for a 5d3.

...You've just arguing that the 6d is a better camera when i never even said it wasn't...

I rest my case... I'll let you have the last word since you're obviously the expert! :bonk:

A wise man once said that it's better to keep your mouth closed and have people think you're a fool than to open it and remove all doubt!

I've got work to do!
See ya!

 

[rjbell]

I rest my case... I'll let you have the last word since you're obviously the expert! :bonk:

A wise man once said that it's better to keep your mouth closed and have people think you're a fool than to open it and remove all doubt!

I've got work to do!
See ya!

Are we really going to start this again?

You're reading more into my comments than is actually there. My quote does not say the 7d is better, neither does it say the op shouldn't buy a 6d. Its says everything is better apart from the sensor. In other words you put the same sensor in both cameras the 7d would be a better camera. What is 'not so' or foolish about that?

With comments like "Nothing else is an advantage or 'better', it's just different" and i'm the fool?

I really do not want to carry this pointless argument on for another day. You said the 6d is a better proposition than the 7d and i completely agree, I've never disputed it for a second. I objected to your 'not so' comment, and you object to the "everything but the sensor is better" comment and think the extra features are not better just different. We are not going to agree on this, so we'll not go down the insulting route, an just leave it there shall we?

 

[Jackwow]

I have the 7D and now the 6D as well. Love the 7D, however from now on it will have the 70-300L attached permanently for when I visit zoos / wildlife parks. The 6D will now be used for all other photography.

 

[SevernBore]

Oh dear, I did not think my original post would cause quite such a kerfuffle! Nevertheless, many thanks to all who subscribed. As things stand I am sticking with my 7D for a bit longer and will see how the 6D performs slightly longer term, or possible see what the 6D mkii (?) has to offer.....

 

[Eddzz!!]

Oh dear, I did not think my original post would cause quite such a kerfuffle! Nevertheless, many thanks to all who subscribed. As things stand I am sticking with my 7D for a bit longer and will see how the 6D performs slightly longer term, or possible see what the 6D mkii (?) has to offer.....

Unfortunately there are a few bumholes on this forum :thumbsdown:

I think the 6D would be a great choice, albeit a bit expensive at the moment. Personally I would hold off for the 5D MK III to come down in price a bit. Plus that gives you time to save your pennies. With the 5D MK III you'll get the best of both worlds i.e. the 7Ds brilliant AF system and the 6Ds IQ

 

[Submarinergold]

:bang:Very smart move if I might say.
As a 7D owner, I'd partially agree with Robert that the 7D is a better camera in every way except the sensor assuming that includes the integrated AF and Metering systems.

If the all posters are right then bluntly you are saying the real issue is FF is top dog. Sadly I don't like the build quality of the 6D, it very much a Sony consumer standard product similar to the A77 i.e. only partial mag alloy panels.

So the smart thing to do is to wait and see if Canon do the smart thing I.e. bring out the 7D as a full frame and a similar build quality. Circa 24 MPS with a less aggressive AA filter and 50 to 61 AF points 19 or more being full cross at a decent price like £1500 to £1600. And a Sony like SLT sensor to deliver constant AF in video and live view hopefully with a 4" LCD and a big EVF.

And show us a real future with a 36 MPS 100+AF points, 3D with a build quality like the 1Dx and a Sony like SLT sensor to deliver constant AF in video and live view hopefully with a 4" LCD and a big EVF.

And if they don't best save our money to go to Sony or Nikon so we can have the best IQ

 

[SixToes]

So the smart thing to do is to wait and see if Canon do the smart thing I.e. bring out the 7D as a full frame and a similar build quality. Circa 24 MPS with a less aggressive AA filter and 50 to 61 AF points 19 or more being full cross at a decent price like £1500 to £1600. And a Sony like SLT sensor to deliver constant AF in video and live view hopefully with a 4" LCD and a big EVF.

So you're essentially hoping the 7d II is better than the 5d III but a lot cheaper? Doesn't seem very likely to me.

 

[Im Bald Ok]

So the smart thing to do is to wait and see if Canon do the smart thing I.e. bring out the 7D as a full frame and a similar build quality. Circa 24 MPS with a less aggressive AA filter and 50 to 61 AF points 19 or more being full cross at a decent price like £1500 to £1600. And a Sony like SLT sensor to deliver constant AF in video and live view hopefully with a 4" LCD and a big EVF.

That is some wishful thinking there! When the 7D was first released wasn't it something like £1699? Yet you expect all that as an upgrade and expect to be charged less? :bonk::bonk: Aren't you just describing a 5dmkiii anyway?

Maybe you forget what the 7D is good at. Sports, wildlife, anything moving. So you want to take the reach and affordability away and go to full frame? :bonk:

 

[menthel]

Not sure why people want the 7d to be ff. I certainly don't! A decent megapixel aps-c sensor with good high ISP performance would be perfect in my eyes! Keeps it as a good wildlife and sports camera with that bit of extra reach from the crop factor.

I love my 7d for what it is and have no need for its successor to be full frame!

 

[Spiritflier]

...A decent megapixel aps-c sensor with good high ISP performance would be perfect in my eyes! Keeps it as a good wildlife and sports camera with that bit of extra reach from the crop factor...

Especially if they improve the ISO performance which is dire in comparison to its full-frame cousins!

I was reading the potential specifications of the 7D's replacement on Canon Rumours and if it's accurate, we'll actually have a decent successor to the 1DMKIV.