Camera choice dilemma - 7D or 5D MkII

Hunders

Hunders

Hunders

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I'm in a spot of bother.

I am looking for a new camera and am torn between the 7D and 5D MkII and don't know what would be the better buy...

The 7D appeals because of the better AF, shoot speed and wireless flash but the 5D appeals because the sensor is better for not only picture quality but better performance at higher ISOs.

I know that the 7D is £300-400 cheaper than the 5D but is it that much better to warrant spending the extra on?

I'm really torn and would appreciate some opinions :confused::confused:
 
Derek W said:
what do you predominantly shoot?
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Everything really. Mainly interesting shots when out and about.

That's why I'm finding it so hard to choose you see. I don't have any particular subject interest which makes things difficult.

Raymond Lin said:
The 7D has newer tech, better everything but the sensor.
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But would you say that the better sensor outweighs all of the things the 7D brings to the table for a general photographer?
 
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Hunders said:
But would you say that the better sensor outweighs all of the things the 7D brings to the table for a general photographer?
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Define "general", and it also depends how skilled you are with the camera. How good you are to compensate to the slower AF for the 5D. How clever you are with flashes to counteract the 2 stop difference in ISO performance of the 7D.

It depends on a lot of things, but most of all depends what you shoot mostly.

If you shoot wild life then 7D all day. As you don't need the ISO performance and the better AF would be great for shooting birds in flight for example.
 
Wild life is certainly not something that I would do often. I tend to photograph things that I find that are of interest when having a wander, such as on Dartmoor, near the seaside, in an urban setting and with some portrait shots thrown into the mix. I'm certainly not a 'skilled' photographer and have a lot to learn.
 
I would love to have both, but since someone has invented a thing calles "budget" I am stuck with the 7D for now, which is great for sports photography and has an impressive low light ability as well (just got some ISO 4000 prints from a wedding). Expecting the 5D being even better in these topics (and considering the more natural look of wide angle shots), I would certainly go for the 5 if I wouldn't need the speed and AF accuracy.
 
I'd say the 7D. If you want reach then crop for the moors & seaside, birds etc. If you're setting up for predetermined shots, portraits etc, then the 5DmkII. That's the problem you'll face really. With the 7D you'd have the extra reach with the zoom lens, over the full frame.

What are you using now? If it's an older camera like say a 500D or something, then the 7D would be similar to what you're used to now. If you've not tried full frame cameras then you'll possibly be better off seeing if you could try (maybe rent) a 5DmkII to see what it's like before buying. You never know, you might not get on with it, and prefer the features of the 7D over it.

Personally as I've already got a 30D & 60D, the 5DmkII would be where I put my money as I really want one, but will wait for the mkIII. I love the looks of dof with full frame on 1.2-1.4 lenses, and that alone has sold me on getting one.
 
Owning the 7D as well as some good lenses (24-70/2.8 L and 70-200/2.8 L now, 300/2.8 EX for more than two years) and having used the 7D with a variety of cheaper lenses as well, I think it is safe to say the 7D doesn't give you extra range with most lenses. Usually, these won't be capable of delivering even the resolution 21 mpix on a full frame chip are asking for. So cropping a full frame image or using a crop sensor will result in roughly the same performance.

My 24-70 performs exceptionally well, but even the 300mm prime couldn't deliver the full resolution at f/2.8 - and this was a great lens after all, I just sold it to pay for my relocation to London.
 
Either way - waiting for the successor is always a bad idea, there will always be a new model in the pipeline. And even if not, canonrumors will make one up, just for you.

Buy what you want/need, when you want/need it. Everything else is voodoo.
 
Ejizz said:
Don't Canon usually wait a few months before releasing their entry level FF after the 1D also?
If so, it could be quite along wait for the 5Diii...
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Traditionally, which would probably make a May to July time release.

Seems like Nikon will do the reverse so that might force Canon to push forwards their release schedule.
 
I love my 5DII, my mate has the 7D when pushing the ISO it is apparent which camera took what! However the better the sensor the better the glass needs to be.

it does mean that you will have to budget lenses into your decision.
 
D.P. said:
Traditionally, which would probably make a May to July time release.
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If your going on tradition I wouldn't expect it anytime soon, the 5D was around for years before eventually being replaced and canon could easily do the same with the MKii as there is no pressing reason to replace it and it is still selling well.

Back on topic OP in your shoes I'd go with a 5d Mkii you usage seems fairly similar to mine and you'd probably see more benefit from the quality sensor than you would the high speed AF and FPS on the 7D
 
a1ex2001 said:
If your going on tradition I wouldn't expect it anytime soon, the 5D was around for years before eventually being replaced and canon could easily do the same with the MKii as there is no pressing reason to replace it and it is still selling well.

Back on topic OP in your shoes I'd go with a 5d Mkii you usage seems fairly similar to mine and you'd probably see more benefit from the quality sensor than you would the high speed AF and FPS on the 7D
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The 5DMK II is very much behind the curve though and needs a lot of updating relative to alternative cameras, unless used in a studio.
 
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