What to Buy Canon 7D, 60D or 50D

[Dirty Jaime]

I'm shopping for a replacement for my Canon 10D and I'm looking mainly at the 7D but noticed I can get a lot of camera for much less if I go with the 50D or 60D, but what I don't understand is why is the 50D more expensive than the 60D. I shoot a lot of architecture, landscapes outdoors but am now photographing families in and outdoors so ISO quality is very important. I've been borrowing my friend's 5D Mark I and could buy for $600 but would like to get something with the latest Canon optics.

Thoughts?

[Tom]

There are no optics that affect image quality in a camera body. Get the 5D. Much better body for architecture, landscapes and portraits.

[Dirty Jaime]

sounds like marketing works well then, I thought the dual digic IV processors in the 7D provided better images. that must be why my old digital rebel took such great shots. thanks!

[SCone]

Picked up a used 1D (only 24,176 clicks) last week. Yeah I know it's only 4.1 megapixel, but it's built like a tank. And 1/16,000 shutter speed.... WOW! But to answer your question, go with the 7D. I like the feel of the camera, the high ISO, fps speed & even though I haven't used it yet except playing around... the full HD video.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by SCone

Picked up a used 1D (only 24,176 clicks) last week. Yeah I know it's only 4.1 megapixel, but it's built like a tank. And 1/16,000 shutter speed.... WOW! But to answer your question, go with the 7D. I like the feel of the camera, the high ISO, fps speed & even though I haven't used it yet except playing around... the full HD video.

The 1D will also sync at 1/500th second.

[MeanShot]

I'm currently in the same dilema as you. I have a Rebel XT and I'm thinking of upgrading. If I'm not going to be shooting stills I'm going to be recording video, so I'm leaning towards the 60D and its articulating LCD (Its not bad that I can save a couple hundred bucks for a lens or a flash) but I really like the way the 7D auto focus works, and you can't beat the Dual Digic processors. Maybe I'll get a try both bodies at the store and decide which one feels best.

Since you are doing portraits and architecture you can't go wrong with the full frame 5D, that way you can get those true wide angles in your landscapes that perhaps the crop sensor couldn't provide.

[Dirty Jaime]

I see that the 60D uses SD memory vs. compact flash, which pretty much makes up my mind, its going to be either the 5D or 7D.

[princer7]

Both are great cameras. But for wide shooting, I would agree about going with a full-frame camera body like the 5D. If you don't think you will be using a tilt-shift lens or fisheye, the 7D is still a great camera. I use a 10-22mm (16-35mm eq) for landscapes on it with great results.

I have a broken point and shoot body that can be used for the Canon Loyalty Program if you need one. Not sure what they have in stock but do know the 7D has been around $1100 and a 50D about $550 through them right now. Not sure about the 5D though.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by thomas campbell

there are no optics that affect image quality in a camera body. Get the 5d. Much better body for architecture, landscapes and portraits.

+1

[texkam]

I see that the 60D uses SD memory vs. compact flash, which pretty much makes up my mind, its going to be either the 5D or 7D.

Am I missing something? What's wrong with SD? Just curious.

[adamsheehy]

Originally Posted by texkam

Am I missing something? What's wrong with SD? Just curious.

Typically, the SD cards were slower for read/write speeds than the CF. With the cards out today, the average person probably wouldn't see much of a performance difference.

I could see where a performance difference would arise b/t a 60D with a SD and a 7D with a CF, but I don't know why someone would choose a 5D over a 60D b/c of CF, since the 5D has a much slower frame per second rate anyway - doesn't make sense to me, but maybe I'm missing something.

[crbeveri]

Originally Posted by Dirty Jaime

I'm shopping for a replacement for my Canon 10D and I'm looking mainly at the 7D but noticed I can get a lot of camera for much less if I go with the 50D or 60D, but what I don't understand is why is the 50D more expensive than the 60D. I shoot a lot of architecture, landscapes outdoors but am now photographing families in and outdoors so ISO quality is very important. I've been borrowing my friend's 5D Mark I and could buy for $600 but would like to get something with the latest Canon optics.

Thoughts?

Originally Posted by adamsheehy

Typically, the SD cards were slower for read/write speeds than the CF. With the cards out today, the average person probably wouldn't see much of a performance difference.

I could see where a performance difference would arise b/t a 60D with a SD and a 7D with a CF, but I don't know why someone would choose a 5D over a 60D b/c of CF, since the 5D has a much slower frame per second rate anyway - doesn't make sense to me, but maybe I'm missing something.

For what the OP posted that he shoots FPS is not a big deal. I own a 50D 5D and 1D3 and for when I do anything along the lines of what the OP does I always go for my 5D. FF is the best imo for landscape and architecture being that you use wide angle glass for these. The 5D is also an awesome body for portraits due to the natural looking grain and also the color balance.

To OP: I would say get a 5D unless you also wanna do wildlife or sports then get a 7D and just get a 10-22mm lens. But for landscape and architecture I think you will like the 5D a lot more.

[adamsheehy]

Originally Posted by crbeveri

For what the OP posted that he shoots FPS is not a big deal. I own a 50D 5D and 1D3 and for when I do anything along the lines of what the OP does I always go for my 5D. FF is the best imo for landscape and architecture being that you use wide angle glass for these. The 5D is also an awesome body for portraits due to the natural looking grain and also the color balance.

To OP: I would say get a 5D unless you also wanna do wildlife or sports then get a 7D and just get a 10-22mm lens. But for landscape and architecture I think you will like the 5D a lot more.

Right, which is why I didn't understand why someone would go with a 5D over a 60D based upon it having a CF card.

[CtrlAltDel]

For what it is worth, in less then a years time I have upgraded from a Rebel XT to a T2i and now a 7D. The 7D is in a league of its own. "One" of my many reasons to get it was its ability to "micro" adjust the focus of each of my lenses. I did my first one last night and am still flabergasted at the results.

I would definitely recommend the 7D!

[texkam]

its ability to "micro" adjust the focus of each of my lenses.

What specifically is this?

Very good info in this thread.