So for the past few days I’ve been doing quite a bit of research on a new digital SLR body. Since I already own Canon lenses — most of which have no resale value — the smartest thing for me to do was focus primarily on Canon camera bodies (just to put it out there: if I could get good money on the lenses I own now, I’d probably make a major switch to Nikon).
Anyway, my current digital SLR is way out of date and I decided recently that it’s about time I get some new gear in my hands. Camera technology and picture quality has changed dramatically over the last 5 years since I last purchased an SLR which means that the gap between high-end professional SLRs and pro-sumer SLRs are becoming narrower.
For example, below is a comparison chart between the Canon EOS 7D and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II (green boxes indicate superior specs).
Click image above to enlarge
While the 5D Mark II is the higher-end camera, it seems like the 7D is the camera that actually gets all the goodies I’d actually make use of. Sure, the 5D’s full-frame sensor is a huge deal, but at this point, I feel like I’m willing to compromise in exchange for a generally more sophisticated feature-set in the Canon 7D. Specifically, here are the things I’m sold on in terms of the Canon 7D being a “better” choice: 8fps shooting, dual Digic 4 processors, better auto-focus system, built-in Speedlite transmitter, on-camera flash, and 100% viewfinder coverage just to name a few — all of these features are missing from the higher-end 5D Mark II for some reason (but I have no doubts that they’ll make an appearance on the 5D Mark III).
Click image above to enlarge
I guess the question for me is whether or not I’m willing to pay an extra $1000 for a full-frame camera with less features. At that price, I’m leaning towards a no.
Carrying on from what i’ve said on Twitter, as the price over here is so close we have an easier market on the cameras. When we sell them, which is what i do for a job, we aim the 7D towards sports and widlife photography, mainly because of the cropped sensor and the 8fps @ 18mp. But given that the 7d does have a few ‘1-ups’ over the 5D people are more inclined to purchase it.
Though i use neither a digital/film SLR and rarely use my compact digital camera. :D
What lenses do you have by the way?
I’m at exactly the same point as you and also don’t know exactly what to do. i have maybe a week to decide on that. more inclined to get the 7d and try to make the best out of it. :)
I don’t have experience with Canon , I have a couple Nikons, but after comparing the two here at dpreview I would say one more point for the 7D because of the exposure compensation.