Help choosing 7d, 550d or 50d?

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dillon81

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Hello,

My camera is starting to show its age and I am looking to upgrade. I currently use a Canon EOS 350d and have three lenses including the two kit lenses (18-55mm and 55-200mm – not IS) and a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM.

My preferred choices are Canon EOS 7d, Canon EOS 550d or Canon EOS 50d.
My main use is landscapes and motorsport. For this reason the faster 7d may be better as it can take more frames per second. But on my current camera I still use the auto modes such as Sport, Landscape etc when I am in a hurry or doing test shots. The 7d doesn’t have these auto modes and that puts me off a lot.

Both the 50d and 550d have the Sport mode which is one I currently use the most when not shooting in full manual mode.

I don’t think I will use the Video Recording mode on either the 550d or 7d. And the 50d can shoot almost double the number of frames per second as the 550d. Simple you would think get the 50d?

Well the 50d is 15.1mp but the 550d is 18mp – first big difference I think. My other main concern is that I believe the 50d will soon be replaced with the 60d whereas the 550d is still fairly new.

I intend on purchasing some new lenses too - Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II whilst keeping my existing lenses. The 17-85mm should be noticeably better than the current 18-55mm I have and therefore should be a good replacement. I could if people believe its better get the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS?

Long term I want the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM but this will be bought after the new body and other lenses. For the time being I will continue to make use of my Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM.

What are people’s thoughts; I have confused myself with too many options?

Thanks

Dillon81
 
I went from a 5D mkI to a 7D, very pleased with it, fast focus, flash ect, triffic,
Jim
 
dillon81 said:
My other main concern is that I believe the 50d will soon be replaced with the 60d whereas the 550d is still fairly new.
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Having as a newbie brought my 50D near on a year ago after the same sort of dilemma you seem to be in I would seriously reccomend the 50D, it is a superb if not very complicated bit of kit and as I can vouch for has a steep learning curve although I assume you are somewhat more seasoned than myself.
When I was looking the 350D was still around in was starting to be discounted in readiness for the arrival of the 450D and now the 550D is the latest model so in many ways whatever you buy will be out of date before it's long out of the box!
 
I would get the 7D for motorsport, not only the fast shooting rate but also the autofocus in AI Servo mode. Together with the 70-200/2.8L it is indeed a great combo.

While the 7D doesn't have auto modes like "Sport", it does have the C1 and C2 slots where you can record your favorite settings so you can "preprogram" the base settings and activate them in a hurry. However it doesn't offer such an "envelope" model as the auto modes where the camera does everything but within a set of limits. So yes you'd have to learn how to shoot in Av or Tv modes. But I'd recommend you do that anyway :)

All that said, the 550D is widely regarded as an excellent camera and the price is right. For technical features, I'd pick it over the 50D but for my big hands the 50D (and 7D) are a much better fit. I'd also severely miss the rear control wheel for exposure compensation adjustment. Don't look at the megapixel differences, doesn't really matter beyond eating up harddisk space..

As to lenses, I don't see much reason for you to keep the kit lenses (except that they're worth very little on the second hand market), the 70-300 and a standard zoom would have you covered. Highly recommend the 17-55/2.8 IS but it's an expensive lens.

The 70-300 while having a good reach is pretty bad at anything past 220mm or so (at least mine was), so I got a 70-200/4L IS + 1.4x extender instead and it's a way better lens + I can crop for extra length usually. In shooting motorsports, the f/5.6 of the 70-300 will be hard to work with unless the light is very good.. even f/4 would be a lot better (half the exposure time). Just 2 weeks ago I upgraded to the 70-200/2.8 and while a great great lens the incremental improvement is much less than it was from the "consumer zoom" to the f/4 L-zoom.

The 7D will be a whole new world for you, but well worth the jump I'd say. Myself.. 7D with 17-55/2.8 and 70-200/2.8L IS II in the bag.. it's awe-inspiring kit. I got there through 400D & 40D and a big collection of "cheap" glass.. now wish I'd taken the plunge much earlier.

Bit of a ramble, I have a huge hangover from a bachelor party, hope it helps :)
 
vaizki said:
While the 7D doesn't have auto modes like "Sport",
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Said modes are a complete waste of time!

I don't think any of the Xd series have them, as they are aimed at folk who should know better than use creative auto modes...
 
The lenses you have mentioned are generally fairly average quality apart from the 70-200 f2.8 IS, the mk2 in particular appears to be excellent. Consider selling the ones you have and getting at least the 70-200f4L, the non IS version is similar in price to the 70-300IS but has faster focussing and a constant aperture. The new 15-85 zoom introduced with the 7D is also good but consider one of the Canon/Sigma/Tamron 17-55 f2.8 zooms. If you need to buy the 50D to afford them then that is a good trade off, but the 7D focussing would be a big advantage.
 
I recently got the 550d, superb camera i do recomend it very sharp pics. Great control, i just love it. :)
 
I'd suggest either sticking with the kit you've got and buying lenses or going for a second hand 40D/new 550D and buying lenses!

You really can't beat the top quality glass - you won't get the most out of a camera like the 50D or 7D with the lenses you have already.

Invest in something like the 24-105 (or 24-70 if you can afford it) and a 70-200, either 2.8 or f/4 and then when you can afford it upgrade the body.

I did it this way round - had a 400D with a 24-105 and 70-200 2.8, then went for a 50D and now a 24-70 and 1DII.

DB
 
'Sport' mode is just a comforter blanket you really don't need, and it's bar to you progressing with your photography - the sooner you stop using it the better.

The 50D is a superb camera and retains your 'Sport' mode.

The 7D, is in a different league again for build quality, AF system, and just about every department. Don't choose it over the 50D, just for the extra pixels though unless you're really wanting to squeeze every last bit of reach out of your lenses. While the 3 million extra pixels is dsignificant, it's nothing like the 50% increase in pixel density from the 40D to the 50D.

You wont go far wrong with either camera tbh, but if you can stretch to the 7D, it's definitely worth it, although, it doesn't come with that comforter blanket. ;)
 
My Wife has just brought the 550D, I use Nikon but i have been amazed with the pics this little thing produces and the video is fantastic.
Certainly get down to a shop and try them all out as they all feel very different, i use the 7D at work and have to say i am not a great fan of it.
 
GRECIAN said:
My Wife has just brought the 550D, I use Nikon but i have been amazed with the pics this little thing produces and the video is fantastic.
Certainly get down to a shop and try them all out as they all feel very different, i use the 7D at work and have to say i am not a great fan of it.
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So, in use, which do you prefer, the Nikon or the Canon?
 
When I started I had a 350d too and ended up with a 40d inside of 12 months and have been working on getting decent glass since then.
I would always recommend upgrading lenses over the kit stuff, the improvement in IQ will blow you away and inspire you to improve your skills although be warned - it's a slippery slope and leaves you ogling some very expensive stuff!!

If you decide that a new body is the way to go it may be worth considering a used body which would leave money for the glass you want. Otherwise the rumour is that the 50d is on the way out so you may get a good deal there, 7d's are meant to be good but I've not used one so can't comment, likewise the 550d - I guess the age old advice of going and using one before you buy it applies here.
There may well be an announcement about bodies in July though, which would put to rest what's going through the rumour mill at the mo.
 
I've had the 50D and now have a 7D

The 7D is superior in every way.

(amongst 1.6 crop cameras).

For lenses in order of importance:

17-55 2.8
50 1.4
70-200mm 2.8 IS MkII


You don't need anything else, not really.
 
I must admit I went throught the same process as you and looked at exactly the same cameras. I soon dismissed the 50D as it did not really bring much to the party and I think if I was going to go that route then a second hand 40D would have been a better camera, from the various reviews I have read. The 550D is a great little camera with the emphasis on little, I much preffered the size and balance of the 7D, especially having the wheel and joystick to quickly change settings etc. Money was not really an object and I just wanted a body that I would be happy with for the next couple of years and the 7D fitted this criteria and the type of photography I do, so far it has met and exceeded my expectations, so a big thumbs up from me for the 7D.:thumbs:
 
You really can't compare the 550D to the 7D...

As said previously, you really don't need Sport mode. You could just put it in shutter priority and use a suitably fast shutter speed for whatever sport you're shooting. I haven't really explored the custom functions, but on my 7D the control dial has C1, C2 and C3. Perhaps you can customise those for sports shooting?

I upgraded from a 450D to the 7D, and the AF is much, much nicer on the 7D. I had some trouble tracking moving subjects on the 450D, but that is no problem at all on the 7D. The 7D is much nicer to handle - the 450D is much smaller, and your right hand's fifth finger is left with no room on the grip. It's no problem with the 7D. I assume the same problem occurs with the 550D.

If you're finding that your 350D is limiting your photography, I'd upgrade to the 50D at least - but the 7D is far better for focussing, I hear. As you said, people are anticipating a 60D announcement, so I'd wait until that happens, as the 50D prices will drop then.
 
50d and spend the rest on glass in my vote for your needs. I have a 550d - first dslr - stopped using the modes like sport etc within a week
 
"I'm thinking of going from the 5D to the 7D... " :suspect::shake:
 
I went from a 1D mkIII to a 7D and haven't regretted it at all.
 
I just upgraded from a 450D to a 7D, still learning and playing with the camera as I have only had it a few days.

The control system is quite different on the xxD compared to the xxxD camera's, with the rear wheel control scheme and joystick combining with the wheel to easily adjust the camera.

I found it really easy to pick up and really easy to use easy mastering the basics in one session, but realizing there is a lot more for me to learn.

For the sports mode I would look at the creative auto mode which allows you to simply set the "rules" that you want to operate in.

Creative Auto mode is explained here:-CA Mode

There are some great short video's on various functions Here

Good luck with your choice, they are all fine camera's
 
If money is an object, try the 40D.
 
woof woof said:
"I'm thinking of going from the 5D to the 7D... " :suspect::shake:
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I know what your saying, the 5D creates fantastic images... but there are a few times where the auto focus has really let me down.

Also, I want to dip my toe into the HD filming stuff.

I belive the 7D has taken some design points from the 1N, and that wasnt to shabby :-)
 
Get the best you can afford!
 
I just went through the same decision, and ended up with a 50D and semi-decent lenses.

The 7D obviously has its advantages, but it's nearly double the price of a 50D and my lens budget would be crippled.

Once I decided video isn't important to me, and I compared a 50D and 550D in identical conditions in a shop (ISO performance is pretty much indentical up to 3200), there was only one winner. The 550D is a bit too small and slow, and the 7D too expensive.

I also wondered about a possible 60D, but if/when it does come out, it'll be priced a lot higher than the 50D is now at least for a year.
 
I was choosing my first DSLR among 550D, 50D and Nikon D90...7D is tooo expensive compared with any of them.

Finally I chose 50D due to its better built body, speed and control system (top LCD, double wheel control).

For its price, 50D is veeery good. 550D is also a good camera and its high iso performance is great (to be honest, better than 50D I think) considering the 18MP for a cropped sensor. But it is just too small and the body is made of plastic.

7D is great, if you can afford it plus a good lens, go for it.
 
I'm going through the process of choosing a new camera at the moment. I currently have a 400d which I find gives me good images but I am finding it difficult to use in low light situations where I need a high shutter speed (sports).

It seems to me that the main argument for the 50d is "build quality" and "feel" otherwise the 550d seems to beat the 50d in IQ and low light situations.

I mainly use center focus only and take single shot photos (so frames per second not of interest). I tend to use manually set exposure settings.

I was leaning to-wards a 50d but it seems to me that the 550d has less noise in low light and low light performance is the main reason why I want to upgrade.

I already have good quality glass (70-200mm F2.8L) so that is not a problem.
 
Niv2, I recommend the 40D

The 50D has worse noise than the 40D

The XXXD series cameras have less features and poorer build quality than the XXD versions.

This was true until the 60D of which the jury is still out on.

Throughout many a forum I participate in no camera has as much open fondness directed at it as the 40D, there must be a reason why. I found it was excellent in low light and this was inpart due to the sensible level of mp it had. Then Canon went mp loony and started cramming them in there.
 
The 7D deserves better than kit lenses from lower cameras. I've been using my wifes 55-250IS on my 7D whilst my 100-300 is being serviced, and it can't quite cope, especially with full burst mode.

The 50D has better noise control than the 40D, considering the increase in megapixels, and you can safely use the higher ones which the 40D wimps out at.
 
Photographic_l said:
550d feels to cheap and small for me
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There we go again......I don't really care how the camera "feels" I am more concerned about the end result (the photos). I am happy with how my 400d feels at the moment.

I have read about 40d v 50d and it does appear to be very subjective.
 
" to quote jel from above The XXXD series cameras have less features and poorer build quality than the XXD versions"

i think that poorer build quality is the wrong choice of words tbh
ive had a 500d and a 550d and nothing has broke or fell of of them yet you see plenty of 40d's and 50d,s with shutter problems yet countless xxxd''s still working perfectly after several years
also you may find the 550d has more features not less but just aimed at a different type of photographer
 
I went from a 400D to a 7D and it is amazing the difference!!!

The 400D still works (I bought it only a couple of weeks after it was released) after a hard life and still feels solid. I just felt I reached wall of what it could do and what I wanted.

The 7D has an amazing AF system! the back wheel, joystick and top wheel operation makes changing settings quick and easy without having to move the camera away from your face and chance missing a shot.

Before getting the 7D I had on loan a 50D and it was great. Would recommend one but if you can stretch the budget get the 7D! as the 50D is a jump up from the 400D the 7D is just a bigger jump from the 50D, or at least it felt that to me :)
 
After hearing what has been said and weighing up my options, I have gone for a 50d for now. I have learnt a lot from the 400d and hope that I can progress now with the 50d, especially in respect of indoor horse jumping where the ISO performance should help me (I was finding the 400d limiting in this respect)

thanks for all your comments.
 
niv2 said:
After hearing what has been said and weighing up my options, I have gone for a 50d for now. I have learnt a lot from the 400d and hope that I can progress now with the 50d, especially in respect of indoor horse jumping where the ISO performance should help me (I was finding the 400d limiting in this respect)

thanks for all your comments.
Click to expand...

I got a 50D for sale
 
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