Camera choices.. 50D, 60D or 7D

markglos

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Just got the bug again and think I'll be upgrading from the 20D I've had lying around. Before I sold up I had the 50D and was very happy with it so before I bought another I thought I'd see others opinions on whether it's worth spending a little more for the 60D or 7D, never used a 60D and was under the impression it was more of a step towards the xxxD series but have used the 7D and a very nice camera but unsure the improvements on focusing will have too much impact on portraits which 90% of my photography was although the built in speedlight controller could be handy.

Any opinions feel free to chime in.
 
No one got any opinions on this?

Been looking a bit more and price wise it seems 50D - £200, 60D - £300, 7D - £400 and even the new 70D which I've just been reading about for £500.

I'd originally been expecting to spend £350-400 as that was the going rate for a 50D back when I sold up but just can't decide which to go for as don't want to buy now and then buy again in 6 month's.
 
Have only had the 60d out of them, but it is a great camera. Only sold it as I decided to move to full frame.

I think any of the cameras will be fine, but the 7d will have an advantage if you are taking action shots due to focusing system. Remember to save funds for lenses as well. You'll notice more improvement through having better quality glass than which body you have
 
I've kept my 50d which I use for back up (and 2nd body usually with a 50 or 85mm attached) at weddings and the shots from it always impress, it's a great camera. And it's solid as a rock.
 
I would look for a nice low click count 50D (loved mine) & some nice glass just in case you have another change of heart.
Would be a real shame if you had spent a fortune on a body & decided that you didn't want to continue taking pictures.
OR
How about going full frame & find a nice second hand 5D mk2
 
I would look for a nice low click count 50D (loved mine) & some nice glass just in case you have another change of heart.
Would be a real shame if you had spent a fortune on a body & decided that you didn't want to continue taking pictures.
OR
How about going full frame & find a nice second hand 5D mk2

Your second comment contradicts the first, especially after considering price of lens for full frame. A 5d mark I would be nearer to the cost of the bodies the OP has listed
 
It all comes down to how determined Mark is in taking up photography again.
If he is in two minds & not sure then go with the very capable 50D BUT he has only talked about crop sensor cameras. The best purchase I ever made was a 5D2 so thought I would add that Into the mix for Mark to think about.
 
The canon range: xxxxD entry level, xxxD entry level/beginner, xxD and xD intermediate, so the 50D/60D/7D are intermediate level cameras. As for what to choose, depends on your budget for camera and lens(es)? Used 50/60/7Ds can be bought for less than £400 depending on which model. They are all capable cameras, but just as important if not more so, the lens you attach to them.

It depends on your budget and also depends whether you still have any kit left from your 20D, ie lens(es)
 
Your second comment contradicts the first, especially after considering price of lens for full frame. A 5d mark I would be nearer to the cost of the bodies the OP has listed
Full frame lenses aren't necessarily expensive. You can pick up a trio of good primes (35mm, 50mm and 85mm) for not much at all. And they look even better in FF than they do on crop IMO (based purely on my love of shallow DOF).
 
The canon range: xxxxD entry level, xxxD entry level/beginner, xxD and xD intermediate, so the 50D/60D/7D are intermediate level cameras. As for what to choose, depends on your budget for camera and lens(es)? Used 50/60/7Ds can be bought for less than £400 depending on which model. They are all capable cameras, but just as important if not more so, the lens you attach to them.

It depends on your budget and also depends whether you still have any kit left from your 20D, ie lens(es)
If xd are intermediate where are Canon's 'pro' bodies in this mix? ;)
 
Full frame lenses aren't necessarily expensive. You can pick up a trio of good primes (35mm, 50mm and 85mm) for not much at all. And they look even better in FF than they do on crop IMO (based purely on my love of shallow DOF).

A 5D will cost you about the same as the cameras your interested in. 5D MKII prices are coming down as well. Full frame would be more suited to portrait photography, but you can't used EFS lenses on a full frame camera, so it depends what lenses you already have.
 
If xd are intermediate where are Canon's 'pro' bodies in this mix? ;)

I know it gets muddled at the top. 1D series pro (1D MKIV, 1DS MKIII, 1DX) and 5D MKIII 6D and 7D MKII probably classed as semi pro :);)
 
I've always used xxD series rather than the xxxD series because of the handling, tried an old 350D when I very first started and just felt too small.

Hadn't really considered the 5D's, while a full frame would be nice I wasn't sure the focusing would be up to the kids running round?

While a 50D would probably suffice it would be nice to have option of recording videos and the movable screen of the 60D and 70D would be handy for low shots as my youngest is still crawling.

Basically I don't want to waste money but at the same time I'd rather spend it and only buy once.

Lens wise was thinking of going back to a 50mm, 85mm and a 70-200 as the were always my preferred lens.
 
I've always used xxD series rather than the xxxD series because of the handling, tried an old 350D when I very first started and just felt too small.

Hadn't really considered the 5D's, while a full frame would be nice I wasn't sure the focusing would be up to the kids running round?

While a 50D would probably suffice it would be nice to have option of recording videos and the movable screen of the 60D and 70D would be handy for low shots as my youngest is still crawling.

Basically I don't want to waste money but at the same time I'd rather spend it and only buy once.

Lens wise was thinking of going back to a 50mm, 85mm and a 70-200 as the were always my preferred lens.
You can shoot very good HD video on the 50d with the magic lantern firmware update (the 50d was always designed for shooting video but Canon disabled it as it threatened cameras higher up their chain!). However, you don't get audio!
 
I noticed a visible step up in image quality upgrading from the 50D.

Images were a lot sharper compared to the buttery smooth 40D/50D (which I still love) Noise levels improved too at higher ISO's.

However, saying that, I haven't noticed a big increase in image quality from the 60D upwards, in todays Canon's cropped factor cameras

The image quality of the latest xxD's are also similar.

All that's missing are the bells and whistles.

Still takes a good photo though.
 
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I may be selling my 50D if I decide to upgrade. If I do I'll let you know, very low shutter count etc.
 
I'd say get yourself the 50D and spend the rest on a nice lens. You didn't say what lenses you already have but I'm sure there are some you would be interested in getting.
 
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