5D Mark II or 7D?

[tlake55]

Help!?!?! I am looking to upgrad to a DSLR...I think I have it narrowed down to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II or the 7D...but which one is the question?? Here is some information about me: I currently have a Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, I am an ametuer, I LOVE taking pictures I take a lot of pictures indoors/low light; however, I also take many "motion" photos (ie: kids playing, candids, racecars). The 5D2 is great for the indoors/low light, and the 7D is great for the "motion" photos? Barring the cost difference, does anybody have any insight which might work best for me?...or another suggestion?

[BCampbell]

A friend of mine recently upgraded from an XSi to the 7D.

He returned the 7D within about three days to get a 5DMkII.

I think, for your purposes, the 5DMkII will be more than "fast" enough to get your action shots.

Make sure you budget for appropriate compuing horsepower and storage for those files, especially if you're doing video. Figure out how much RAM you think you need and double it.

[inkista]

Have you worked lenses into your budget? Lenses can easily cost as much (or more) than the body of a camera. While a 7D and 5DMkII are fantastic cameras, they are both relatively pricey, and adding lenses into the mix may be more expensive than you're anticipating. Unlike an SX10IS, a dSLR like the 7D or 5DMkII won't be doing supertelephoto or macro with the kit lens it comes with. They also won't be doing particularly great in lower light or for faster action. Kit lenses are made to be good-enough cheap. And they're terrific for landscapes and vacation snapshots. But for the more specialized subject matter you're discussing, you'll have to also buy lenses.

It may make more sense to go for a 40D/50D or even a T2i instead for your first dSLR, so that by the time you're really ready to upgrade to a mid-tier camera, you'll a) have the glass to use it, and b) get the best/latest/greatest. Remember, dSLRs don't last as long as film cameras. You're talking high-end electronics here, like computers. You're probably going to be swapping out in 5 years. And electronics depreciate much more quickly than glass.

I'm just saying that you don't need a 5DMkII or a 7D just to better the low-light/action performance of the SX10IS. P&S cameras utterly suck at both of those things, compared to any dSLR. You need a 5DMkII for low light or a 7D for fast action in comparison with what other, older and lower-tiered Canon dSLRs can pull off.

The following low-light (during a convention room slide show, with most of the lights out--it was darker than the photo), and fast action photos were both taken with a 8MP Canon XT (350D):





The two lenses used for those shots each cost about $1,000. They still cost about $1000 each. The XT, when new, went for $800. Now, you can find 'em for about $250-$350.

Still sure you want to blow $2500 on a 5DMkII body with no lenses?

[bearly]

i think that unless you really NEED full frame and (not or) are planning on going pro, i think the 7D would be more than enough to cover your needs.... it is an amazing camera and will handle absolutely everything you can imagine doing with it, especially if it'll be your first DSLR.

i agree with inkista... save some money and get the 7D or even something cheaper. you'll get fantastic photos from all of them and you can invest much more money in lenses which is where you'll see the biggest difference

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by BCampbell

A friend of mine recently upgraded from an XSi to the 7D.

He returned the 7D within about three days to get a 5DMkII.

I think, for your purposes, the 5DMkII will be more than "fast" enough to get your action shots.

Make sure you budget for appropriate compuing horsepower and storage for those files, especially if you're doing video. Figure out how much RAM you think you need and double it.

Why did your friend return the 7D? You make it sound like it's a piece of crap camera which is not true at all. In fact, for sports/action photos, it's one of the better bodies out there--better than the 5D even.

However, if you need full-frame, that's a different story.

[Jerel]

I just purchased a new 7D off Ebay for $1,455.00; camera body only. I have a Canon Rebel XTi but I wanted a camera that I would be able to control my 580EXII flash units and the 7D has that and much more. The 8 fps will do great for shooting motorcycle and drag racing. I also understand that good gLass will really improve my IQ . So now I’m putting money away to purchase some good gLass.

[tlake55]

Thank you all for your input, it has definitely given me new insite I WAS leaning toward the Mark II but I am rethinking that. I don't really NEED full frame, and the cost of good glass would be a factor...the camera would be a gift but I would have to buy future lenses. Thanks again.

[tlake55]

GREAT pics!!!