Time to upgrade?????

[coseleymike]

I currently use a Canon EOS400D and have a few CF cards (28GB) in total. Now is the time for me to upgrade to either a 7D ( I can keep my CF cards) or to 60D ( but i have to but SDHC cards)

i have a budget of £1100.00 juts for a body, I already have a decent selection of lenses.

Any suggestions would be most helpful as at the moment i get mixed messages from both cameras, I tend not to use movie mode, and am not sure how useful the flip-out screen would be.

[ALwin]

I've heard that both the 60D and 7D are good cameras, if you want to keep using your CF cards take the 7D + it has good weather sealing. Both 60D and 7D are APS-C bodies so you shouldn't need to buy new lenses if you already have good glass.

Though of course there are times I wish I had a flip out screen when I want to take photos from odd angles that I can't reach. It's all up to what you want to do. Go compare their specs and see what's more useful to you.

Features you might want to consider are:
1) Low light performance
2) Continuous fps speed
3) AF points
etc.

[coseleymike]

cheers for the reply, think it will be the EOS60D, I like doing macro work so the vari screen may come in useful for that , plus i then don't have to get right angle viewfinder.

[ALwin]

cheers for the reply, think it will be the EOS60D, I like doing macro work so the vari screen may come in useful for that , plus i then don't have to get right angle viewfinder.

Glad to have helped, the couple hundred saved can go for buying some SD cards and perhaps new lenses
The 60D as a slightly higher resolution lcd screen so that will help in focusing for macro. I have an angle viewfinder for my Nikons but I realize I hardly ever use it, even for macro work.

[JamieWillmott]

I have a 7D, the build quality is worth a mention. The 60D has a plastic outer body, whilst the 7D is mostly metal.

Try them both in your hand and see which you like the feel of.

[ALwin]

I have a 7D, the build quality is worth a mention. The 60D has a plastic outer body, whilst the 7D is mostly metal.

Try them both in your hand and see which you like the feel of.

I agree, there is a build quality to the 7D that may or may not be worth the extra couple hundred cash depending on different point of views. Plus if you're worried about weight the 7D weighs an extra 100grams than the 60D.

All depends on how you use it also, are you going to be roughing it? Taking the camera in harsh weather such as heavy snow fall or rain? Deep woods? Very humid or dusty places? Or are you a consumer who does occasional photography?

You said you were into macros, so would it be correct to assume that a lot of the time you would be using the camera indoors? Or are you going to be going around with a 100mm or 200mm macro lens or long telephoto to take macro/close-up of wildlife?

There are times when I'm hiking that I wish my camera + lenses were a lot lighter. There are times when I wish I spend money on buying a tougher camera (especially when my bag got hit by a bus I was trying to avoid after falling off my bicycle).

[coseleymike]

I thought I had it sorted but after reading all the comments and review on other site, even more confused. Need to go and have a look at them both and then decide.

[ALwin]

They're both comparable cameras, one is newer while the other is a bit more tougher built and has some extra stuff like more focus points and faster fps. But photo quality wise, they are the same sensor size, probably have similar low-light performance, both does HD video at 24/25/30 fps for 1080p and 50/60 fps for 720p.

I don't think you'd regret buying either one. Just look at your needs. It's not like you're comparing an APS-C to a Full Frame camera. Looking at the price on Amazon UK there is a difference of about 250 GBP.

You said you do macro photography, so is most of your work done indoors in some sort of studio or make-shift studio set-up? Or are you going out in the woods, mountains, etc with a tripod with a bigger risk of your camera being damaged by the elements?

Action, sports, motion: go for 7D due to more focus points and faster fps
Landscape: either but preferably 7D due to better weather sealing and tougher build
Lowlight: either should be fine
Indoor photography: 60D to save money
Portraits: either does fine, the only cameras better are full frame and larger sensors
Consumer usage: 60D, save money with the economy the way it is today (SD cards are cheap), or keep using your old camera to save even more money
Video: either should be fine, ask Philip Bloom for advice or look at his blog: http://philipbloom.net/2010/12/07/whichdslr/
Vacation photographer: buy a cheap camera or second hand or use your old one, just in case you end up losing your camera, it gets damaged or stolen etc while you're on your trip.

Are you into extreme sports: do you want a lightweight camera to reduce the total weight of the gear you are carrying or do you want a tough camera that can survive your extreme delights?

Work for National Geographic? Or other NGOs? Travel to places like Africa, Asia, etc to take photos for documentary or other professional purposes: Why are you bothering with these 2 cameras, go look at the Nikon D3 series or Canon 1D series. And remember to get your gear insured.

[coseleymike]

bit the bullet and brought a EOS60D. Now to try it out.

[ALwin]

bit the bullet and brought a EOS60D. Now to try it out.

Cool, hope you will offer some if your thoughts on it soon.

[Rosie]

Great camera - let us know how you get on. Looking forward to some test shots soon!

[coseleymike]

Got the camera, still getting to grips with it, the flip out screen is a real boon for doing low level shots when you just can't get your eye and body down to the ground.

It feels solid to handle compared to my 400D, the view finder is nice and bright and the screen is too. I like the idea when using live view that, if select, you can also have a live histogram.

Not used the video yet, may try this out later.

First impression are a really great camera.

[somneim]

I always been fan of CF cards. They seems to be much more reliable than those SD. And definitely you should go with 7D. 5d MKII and 7D from canon are my dream, the other things are for NIkon. I wish I had your budget. 60D is more suitable for videos.

[ALwin]

I always been fan of CF cards. They seems to be much more reliable than those SD. And definitely you should go with 7D. 5d MKII and 7D from canon are my dream, the other things are for NIkon. I wish I had your budget. 60D is more suitable for videos.

Did you even read his final post? He already bought the 60D.

For videos, 7D is more suitable than the 60D. It's also a tougher camera with a metallic body instead of plastics. However neither are suitable for making home videos.