6D or 5D2?

Vertigo

Vertigo

Vertigo

Soldato
Joined
28 Dec 2003
Posts
16,497
Yeah I know this one has been done before.

Basically I need a second full frame body. I can't justify a second 5D3 so have been looking at the 6D but I'm also having occasional thoughts about the 5D2.

Advantages of each, from what I can tell, and some of these are subjective for me:

6D:
  • Slightly better AF (2 more points, -3EV centre)
  • Better high-ISO performance
  • Silent mode
  • GPS/Wifi
  • Better video

5D2:
  • Rear joystick & dual-function top buttons
  • 1/8000th shutter
  • Better construction/sealing
  • Cheaper
Now I don't care about GPS, Wifi or video so those are irrelevant.

On the face of it the 6D looks the better bet but I'm concerned about the control layout. I use the rear joystick and top-mounted buttons a lot on the 5D3 so the fact these these are missing/different on the 6D may annoy the hell out of me when switching between the two. This is a big point in favour of the 5D2 in my eyes.

If I accept the loss of silent mode then it boils down to the AF and ISO performance. Just how different/better is the 6D in these areas?

Would be very interested to hear any opinions but especially from anyone who has owned both.
 
Thanks for the input. Regards the shutter, the 6D is rated at 100,000 I believe whereas the 5D3 and 5D2 are 150,000. Build-wise, I was under the impression that the 6D used more plastics/composites in place of magnesium compared to the 5D2 but could well be wrong.

Yeah I know about the -3EV centre point which can basically focus in the dark :) The high-ISO noise is also very slightly better than even the 5D3.
 
The shutter life isn't an issue either way, just mentioning it really. It's not going to get huge use - the 5D3 will still be the primary go-to body, I just need a second one for when I shoot with two at once (weddings) and a backup.

a1ex2001 - yeah the control layout is the one big thing in the 5D2's favour. The issue is that I don't want to sacrifice IQ because of it. I appreciate the 6D and 5D3 are only incremental steps but, if there's a noticable difference between them and the 5D2, I don't want to find myself in a situation where I'm always trying to use the 5D3 and treating the 5D2 as a "second-class citizen", only using it as a backup or when I don't have time to switch lenses, if that makes sense.

EDIT: Out of interest, is there a custom function to allow the D-pad to change the focus point without having to first press the top-right button? I move the AF point around a lot on the 5D3, although I appreciate this won't be the case quite as much with a 6D or 5D2 simply due to the lower point count.
 
Funny you mention that as sometimes the missus comes out with me and borrows my second body. This used to be my 7D but, since I sold that, I only have my old 40D. Whatever FF body I get, she'll end up using on such outings.
 
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