Boring 7D vs 5D MkII thread

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Set_Nights

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I wouldn't be surprised if this thread has been done to death but unfortunately I can't spot any in the recent history and the search facility says that "5D" and "7D" are too short to include in the search terms!

So my question is what is the real different between these two cameras? So far the summary that I seem to have in my head suggests that:

7D Benefits:
  • Bigger range of lenses as you can use EF and EF-S
  • More focus points
  • Crop sensor means you get greater magnification
  • Good for wildlife and sports photography?!!!

5D Benefits:
  • Bigger sensor means better wide angles
  • Bigger sensor means much better light sensitivity/low light shooting
  • Sharper?!!!
  • Good for studio/portrait/wedding photography and landscapes?!!!

Does any of that sound about right (especially the bits with ?!!! ;)) or am I talking out of my bum?

If I have got it about right then how much better is the 5D at low light shooting? Does the 7D hold its own in this department or is there a significant difference between the two?
 
Bottom line is 7D has better AF and fast fps. High pixel density gives more 'reach' if you have lenses good enough to realise it.

5D2 has better IQ, sharper with better noise/high ISO.

All the other stuff is marginal really.
 
You don't get any magnification, just a smaller field of view, or more reach as it is often referred to.
 
Ploddles said:
You don't get any magnification, just a smaller field of view, or more reach as it is often referred to.
Click to expand...

The extra reach is derived from higher pixel density, ie a 7D has 18mp and a 5D2 cropped down to 1.6x format has 8.2mp. But you need a sharp lens and good technique to see the 7D's upside.

On the other hand, the 5D2's better image quality is as easy as falling off a log.
 
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Set_Nights said:
I wouldn't be surprised if this thread has been done to death but unfortunately I can't spot any in the recent history and the search facility says that "5D" and "7D" are too short to include in the search terms!

So my question is what is the real different between these two cameras? So far the summary that I seem to have in my head suggests that:

7D Benefits:
  • Bigger range of lenses as you can use EF and EF-S
    Yes, but they 'behave' differently
  • More focus points
    And they are all better
  • Crop sensor means you get greater magnification
    Much higher pixel density, but also increased noise. 5D with 1.4x might give similar results
  • Good for wildlife and sports photography?!!!
    Yes, unless you have that very very long lens to go on 1D/5D

5D Benefits:
  • Bigger sensor means better wide angles
    In short, no. There are plenty of DX format wideangles, and some are optically better that the more affordable (L grade) FF equivalents
  • Bigger sensor means much better light sensitivity/low light shooting
    Larger pixels instead, but you arrive to the same answer
  • Sharper?!!!
    Less noise, and probably weaker AA filter, maybe some lenses aren't sharp enough for 7D sensor
  • Good for studio/portrait/wedding photography and landscapes?!!!
    As long as you don't need fast AF tracking or weather sealing

Does any of that sound about right (especially the bits with ?!!! ;)) or am I talking out of my bum?

If I have got it about right then how much better is the 5D at low light shooting? Does the 7D hold its own in this department or is there a significant difference between the two?
Click to expand...

Another 2 to consider: 1ds mkII or 1D mkIII. Both sit somewhere in between.
 
Ploddles said:
You don't get any magnification, just a smaller field of view, or more reach as it is often referred to.
Click to expand...

That is what I meant, sorry, maybe just didn't word it well! I meant you get more distance than the equivalent focal length on a full frame.

Harumph, it is a difficult decision!
 
What is your photographic interest? What do you enjoy or spend most of your time shooting?
 
daugirdas said:
Another 2 to consider: 1ds mkII or 1D mkIII. Both sit somewhere in between.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback :)! I had never really considered a 1d as I always thought they would be out of my price range and I thought they were considered as the range about 1d and I don't really need it to be "that" good :p. I will be upgrading from a 450D so I am likely to notice a big difference whichever I choose but I want to make the right choice. I feel let down with the way the 450D copes with low light settings but the 7D may well be enough.
 
bass_junkie83 said:
What is your photographic interest? What do you enjoy or spend most of your time shooting?
Click to expand...

Wildlife/pet photography and action shots that go with the territory. A lot of these would be outdoors in natural light. At the moment I get let down in lower light settings (like winter afternoon lighting or in woodland/sheltered areas) as I can't get the shutter speed up fast enough to catch the action without them being seriously under-exposed. I can't make up my mind what would benefit me more here... the greater low light settings of the 5D or the better autofocus and faster fps of the 7D. I'd like to start photographing dog shows too which tend to be indoors and with poor lighting where I can't use flash. The low light 5D would help here but then again the greater reach of the 7D would be good and I will be taking these sort of shots less often/enthusiastically than the outdoor action shots.

I don't really do studio or portraits but I like to take the occasional landscape. I don't feel that the cropped sensor has really held me back here though and if I want to go down that route in the future I would be more inclined to just get a wider angle lens first (18mm on the crop is my widest at the moment).
 
I think they can complement each other well and I see many people with both.

That's my plan. Have the 7D at the moment but plan to add a 5D2 at some point. Hoping the launch of the 5D3 will push used prices down a bit :)
 
If you want one camera to do everything from landscapes to portraits to long lens wildlife - 7D is probably the better all-rounder.

5D2 gives better image quality and will do most things very well, but is compromised on long lens and sport stuff, even if you can afford those massive lenses it needs. 300/400mm zoom on 7D becomes 500/600mm primes at many times the price.

They make a great combo though.
 
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I went from the 7D to the 5DII because I enjoy portrait shooting. That said, the amount of times since I have gotten it and have missed features of the 7D such as the auto-focus which isn't powered by steam and happy thoughts, and the higher burst rate, I know its only a matter of time till I get one as a second body again. The 7D is fantastic, as is the 5D mark II.

The 5D produces some spectacular images, but it requires a bit more of a fight to coax those images out of it than the 7D.
 
I went from a 450d to a 7D, sure I would have liked to have gone the 5D route but cash was a factor and I'm not sure the extra would have gotten me much more, especially as i like to be doing all sorts of picture taking. I found the 7D difficult at first but as I get to grips with it the images are getting so much better. I'm also enjoying the lenses for it as well and they are much cheaper and as good as the alternatives for a full frame, 10-22 and 17-55, the 70-200 is a stunner what ever camera you stick it on. Yes i hanker after a full size sensor as well as a whole raft of lenses, but, do i really need them or just want them?
 
I find it interesting to read all these threads about the 7D and the 5D2. I've got both and to be honest it's horses for courses. The 7D does best what the 5D2 can (but not as well) and the 5D2 does best what the 7D can (but not as well). Between the 2 I've got a great pair of cameras that will do just about anything. Most of the difference is in what you particularly want to shoot most of. If I'm out wandering around the countryside taking wildlife I take the 5D2, if I'm out watching sport, racing (anything fast) I take the 7D. They really shouldn't be compared too much because they're different tools for different jobs. If you shoot a mixture get a 1D Mk?.
 
Modchild speaks sense. I have both and love the fact I can cover a wide variety with both cameras. I mainly use the 5dmkII because I'm a portrait shooter. But out sounds like the 7d would suit your style better
 
Set_Nights said:
Wildlife/pet photography and action shots that go with the territory. A lot of these would be outdoors in natural light. At the moment I get let down in lower light settings (like winter afternoon lighting or in woodland/sheltered areas) as I can't get the shutter speed up fast enough to catch the action without them being seriously under-exposed. I can't make up my mind what would benefit me more here... the greater low light settings of the 5D or the better autofocus and faster fps of the 7D. I'd like to start photographing dog shows too which tend to be indoors and with poor lighting where I can't use flash. The low light 5D would help here but then again the greater reach of the 7D would be good and I will be taking these sort of shots less often/enthusiastically than the outdoor action shots.
Click to expand...


I'd go* 7D + something like a 135 f2 or 85 1.8 for the dog shows, plus a tripod you can carry with you for low light stuff :) The 5D2 isnt great at focussing in lower light.



(*actually I went for a 1ds2, but sounds like you'd rather have a 5 or 7 ;))
 
i had this same dilema at Christmas, when i was in a position to upgrade, did i get a 7D or go for a second hand 5D2 in the end i went for the 7D, as like you a lot of my photography is of my nutty springers running around like loonies, have to say i haven't been dissapointed
 
A question to the chaps with the 7d's as I am right in the middle of this 7d vs 5dmk2 dilemma

Cash isnt really an issue as Jessops will interest free credit either camera, but I only want to make the investment once and dont want to wish 4 weeks after taking the plunge, I'd gone the other way.

So... my question, the 7d offers far more AF points than the 5d and the ability to cluster them. How does this clustering manifest itself ? Can I have say 5 points in a group in the centre of the frame ?

The reason I ask I shoot a lot in low light, no flash, using 50mm & 35mm prime lenses, so often with very short depths of field, F1,8 F2 , with my 450d I have the AF locked to the central point on the lens, but even when you are aiming at the bridge of someones nose if they move slightly forward or slightly back and it can result in the shot being out of focus and part of me thinks if I was picking on a number of AF points across a persons face it may give a better result and less wasted shots.


So I guess my next question is how do they behave in low light ? is the AF fast and accurate ?
 
For me, I don't think I'd use Zone AF (for portraits) which gives you a cluster. This cluster can be postion centrally, left, right, top or bottom btw.

I would use AI servo so the focus shifts with the movement of the subject. I would choose spot AF point and aim at the eye.

Once this focus option has been selected, the Spot AF point can be positioned with the joystick, so you don't have to recompose.

I think it's pretty good in low light, but certainly the choice of lens has a part to play here too.

Try this link:http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/app/pdfs/quickguides/CDLC_EOS7D_AF_Modes_QuickGuide.pdf
 
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I had this debate as well..! Upgrading from a Canon 40D. I couldn't make my mind up and spent days looking at the options, prices etc. Then by pure chance got a Canon at a one off price which I couldn't say no to. Bought it with a 28mm prime. So with that and the 50mm 1.4 I am loving it, its an amazing camera and If you did go for this one, I'm sure you certainly wouldn't regret it.
 
Lbm said:
For me, I don't think I'd use Zone AF (for portraits) which gives you a cluster. This cluster can be postion centrally, left, right, top or bottom btw.

I would use AI servo so the focus shifts with the movement of the subject. I would choose spot AF point and aim at the eye.

Once this focus option has been selected, the Spot AF point can be positioned with the joystick, so you don't have to recompose.

I think it's pretty good in low light, but certainly the choice of lens has a part to play here too.

Try this link:http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/app/pdfs/quickguides/CDLC_EOS7D_AF_Modes_QuickGuide.pdf
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback, I've tried AI Servo on my 450d a couple of times with no success :(

Lenses..... I use the EF35mm F2 and the EF50mm MkII F1.8 but am planning to upgrade to the 35mm F1.4L red band lens
 
Any chance that the new 5d2 will just be a 7d done in a FF sensor? That would be the perfect camera.if Nikon can doing it via d700 then why can't Canon?
 
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