Canon 7D Mkll v Canon 80D

[Merlin5]

Hello all. The gear in my sig is all I currently have as I only started my photography hobby in July. I think the 5D Mkll is great and will hold on to it. But I'm now looking for something with much better autofocus for tracking fast moving subjects, ie, birds in flight, cars, bikes, planes, etc.

The 7D Mkll has 10 fps and 65 focal points and that has been in my mind to buy. And then someone I know suggested another option, the 80D.

The 80D has 7fps and 45 focal points. But it has Wi-Fi, a pull out touch screen, and I believe it does video autofocus and the 7D Mkll doesn't.

So I'm torn and can buy either camera for under £700.
But most importantly, is 45 focal points and 7fps good enough to get great photos of moving targets? Which should I go for?

Thanks!

 

[andrewc]

Whilst you don't need a high frame rate for moving subjects, unless you spray and pray and then end up with 10 almost identical shots, but the extra focal points may be useful depending on how they're spaced. I'm happy with my 7D2 as a second fiddle to a 1DX2.

 

[Merlin5]

Whilst you don't need a high frame rate for moving subjects, unless you spray and pray and then end up with 10 almost identical shots, but the extra focal points may be useful depending on how they're spaced. I'm happy with my 7D2 as a second fiddle to a 1DX2.

Thanks for the reply. Maybe the extra fps might just get me a great wing position during flight or a slightly better head position that 7fps might miss? Are there photos you've taken with your 7D2 where you've captured something really good that you feel you might not have got with less fps?

To be honest, I'd prefer to buy the 80D for it's extra features, but only if the consensus is that it's more than good enough for tracking birds.

 

[andrewc]

For the motorsport I cover, unless its an unravelling crash sequence, I'll normally shoot a sequence of three shots, but not on the full burst speed, there is a slower option.

 

[Nostromo]

I can't speak for the 7dii as I've not used one, but I do have the 80d and is a fairly decent camera. The flip out screen is handy and being touch screen is a really useful. For me the down side to the 80d is there's no joystick to move the focus points, it just makes it a bit more fiddly. I didn't think I'd miss it from my previous camera, but I do.

 

[fujilover]

I see them as aging cameras now and would try to get the extra cash to go for the 90D.

 

[wave01]

7d2 all the way it is a camera with vey good weather proofing. So great for out side work. My view go try them both.

 

[drsilver]

I see them as aging cameras now and would try to get the extra cash to go for the 90D.

I don't follow this kind of stuff too closely, but from what I understand, the 7D mkii is the last 7D Canon will be making. The 90D is the upgrade in both the 7D and XXD lines.

I've never used a 7D ii, but I've had a couple of 80Ds. I can't imagine not having a tilt screen. I use it as a waist-level/low-angle finder as much as anything.

The only thing I shoot these days that comes close to action is birds. Here's a quick 3-second burst with an 80D and a 400mm 5.6.



I been doing birds for a couple of months now and my hit rate on BIF isn't great, but I blame that on the operator more than the tool. Even with 'only' 45 AF points, I manage to get one once in a while. (Dog is a bonus.)

 

[Merlin5]

Thanks for the replies, chaps. I honestly can't decide yet out of the 7D mk2, 80D and 90D, They're clearly all capable cameras.

Ken, those 80D shots you posted do look excellent.

Unfortunately, I've now learnt about a camera which has set the cat amongst the pigeons and I've been thinking hard about. The R6. The animal AF is unbelievably good and once seen can't be unseen! But £2499, geez. I don't even need any of its video features, just the animal, face and eye AF and the IBIS. From what I can tell, even the Sony cameras tracking isn't as good.

The way the focus locks and stays with animals, or any subject, is just fantastic. Perhaps it could be seen as cheating though?

The downside to me is I couldn't extend the reach of my 300mm lens to 480mm as the R6 isn't crop sensor. But still, I'm in love with it's tracking ability and I'd probably never want for another camera. It's really tempting me. I wonder how long I'd have to wait before a used one appeared on mpb or the like for below £2000.

If I bought one, does anyone know roughly what I'd need to spend to buy an EF to RF adapter and a lens tele converter to extend my Tamron 70-300mm?

I'd have to also find out if the animal, face and eye AF is compatible with my lenses.

 

[drsilver]

Unfortunately, I've now learnt about a camera which has set the cat amongst the pigeons and I've been thinking hard about. The R6.

Boy, that's an aspirational change of direction. You won't get any arguments from me about the qualities of the R6. You'll be on the leading edge. Probably forever. You'll be buying a MK I.

 

[Merlin5]

Boy, that's an aspirational change of direction. You won't get any arguments from me about the qualities of the R6. You'll be on the leading edge. Probably forever. You'll be buying a MK I.

Lol, I know. I started off considering a used 7D mk1 for £250, and now I'm considering a camera x10 my original budget!

But I'm also thinking I won't get the benefit of extending my 300mm tamron lens focal length for wildlife like I could with the 90D. Unless I bought something like a 600mm lens for the R6.

 

[spannersatcx]

You can set image crop 1.6 in image quality menu, EF-S lenses automatically set 1.6 crop on the R6. I have a 7DMKii and did a free hire of the 90D, wasn't that impressed with the 90D not enough AF modes and settings to play with, didn't change. Waiting for delivery of an R6 now to replace 7Dmkii and EOS R.

 

[Merlin5]

You can set image crop 1.6 in image quality menu, EF-S lenses automatically set 1.6 crop on the R6. I have a 7DMKii and did a free hire of the 90D, wasn't that impressed with the 90D not enough AF modes and settings to play with, didn't change. Waiting for delivery of an R6 now to replace 7Dmkii and EOS R.

I've been told that crop mode isn't the same as on a proper crop sensor camera and wouldn't give the same benefit. Maybe it's different on the R6?
I've kind of gotten cold feet on the R6 though since it's so expensive. But from your experience of the 7D 2 v 90D, I'm now considering the 7D 2 again.

 

[sirch]

If you are thinking about an EOS R, I suggest you also look at the Sony A7iii, I have a 7Dii and a 6D and my A7iii is better than either in whatever circumstances, even with adapted Canon lenses.

 

[Brentor]

Have you actually tried a R6 or a 7Dii or 90D? If not consider hiring. I’m not sure if Canon are still doing their trail periods.

 

[Merlin5]

No, I've not tried any of those. Hiring is a good idea. I hadn't considered the Sony cameras though, but then I didn't know you can adapt canon lenses. You've got my attention. The A7 iii in excellent condition on mpb is about a grand cheaper than an R6. How good is the animal AF compared to the R6, does it lock on and stay locked? And how much would it cost to buy an EF to Sony adapter for my EF lenses?

edit: Have just googled and apparently a Sigma MC-11 is a good adapter for EF lenses? About £164 on mpb.

 

[sirch]

No, I've not tried any of those. Hiring is a good idea. I hadn't considered the Sony cameras though, but then I didn't know you can adapt canon lenses. You've got my attention. The A7 iii in excellent condition on mpb is about a grand cheaper than an R6. How good is the animal AF compared to the R6, does it lock on and stay locked? And how much would it cost to buy an EF to Sony adapter for my EF lenses?

edit: Have just googled and apparently a Sigma MC-11 is a good adapter for EF lenses? About £164 on mpb.

There is quite a range of adaptors at a range of prices, you do need to be a bit careful because on some adapted lenses (and may be adaptors) you don't get all the Sony focus modes. That said the only time I've got anywhere near a descent insect in flight shot was with an adapted Sigma lens on the Sony A7iii. I use the Metabones adaptor but it's not cheap. I can't comment on how it compares to the R6 but I'm sure Google will know

 

[Merlin5]

There is quite a range of adaptors at a range of prices, you do need to be a bit careful because on some adapted lenses (and may be adaptors) you don't get all the Sony focus modes. That said the only time I've got anywhere near a descent insect in flight shot was with an adapted Sigma lens on the Sony A7iii. I use the Metabones adaptor but it's not cheap. I can't comment on how it compares to the R6 but I'm sure Google will know

Thanks for the info, sirch. Hmm, but if some focus modes don't work with adapted lenses, I'd be mighty disappointed if my Tamron 70-300, or my Canon 50mm f1.8 or a Sigma 150-600mm I'm also considering buying, didn't activate the eye or animal AF. As you suggest though, I'll research on google.