60D or 50D??? Please help!!!

[hecnik]

Hi everyone...

I'm looking to get a new Canon pro-sumer DSLR model, and have been researching extensively over the past 1 2 months. Finally, I've zeroed them down to 2, EOS 50D and 60D.

Few reviews later, I leaned a bit towards 60D, due to the latest processor, articulated and more advanced display screen, firmer grip, better ISO, etc etc as against a laid back jpeg processing, VGA screen in the 50D. Also, the price gap between the 2 models convinced me to go for the 60D in spite of a little inferior buttons system and non-Mag Alloy body.

However, after checking the prices online, both the models are going around for more or less a similar price tag. Now I feel like I'm back to square 1!!! http://digital-photography-school.co...s/confused.gif

I would love to get some advice from fellow photographers, to point me towards the right one.

My basic requirements are: Low light performance, Higher fps for sports (60D has a 5.3 but a good buffer for a good 10 secs atleast, dont know bout the 50D), and get the most out of L - lenses.

Video is not a must (got a Sony HDR to take care of that).

Please guide me...

Thank you in advance!!! Cheers!!

[RichardTaylor]

Both good cameras (I own a 40D & 5D).
The buffer is approximately the same in the 50D (16 RAW pics).
You can't really go wrong with either one.

Personally (if not buying a 7D) I would get the 60D mainly because of the higher ISO capability and the flip out screen.

I am suprissed the prices are similar as the 50D (bodies) were being cleared out just before the 60D hit for approx $850 Australian dollars (genuine Canon imports) and the 60D bodies are $1359 Australian dollars. It can difficult to get a new 50D body here now

[hecnik]

hey Richard,

Thanks for ur reply mate... Im talkin bout the prices on ebay and amazon, yeah... its the same story down here in Melbourne too....

So in spite of 50D being a semi pro model, it wouldn't be worth it to pick against 60D??

[RichardTaylor]

I wouldn't, unless you can get one for a low price.

What sort of sport did you want to shoot?

[hecnik]

tennis and swimming usually, also a lot of family shots, closeups mostly, under low light conditions. Also, im planning to try my hand at landscapes as well, as soon as i save enough to get the lenses.

but then, with 60D it feels like all ill get is the flip out screen and a tad bit better ISO performance, against a better body, buttons, and a different class of DSLR altogether...

Sorry for being an arse.. but all tht research I've done is starting to make me a bit skeptical now... whichever i try to pick

[Sloseph]

Just thought id give you my opinion, I don't own either but Im doing the exact same thing and wanting one of the 2

Personally Im leaning more towards the 50D mainly because the only thing I want out of the 60D is the higher ISO but Im thinking that I probably wouldn't use the highest ISO due to the grain factor

Im not bothered about the flip out screen, it’s a cool feature but id never use it, at no point have I ever sat and though ah I wish this screen flipped out

Given the price difference I think Im going for the 50D

Duno if this will help you at all but I thought another opinion wouldn't hurt

[dlambert]

It's certainly not a clear-cut decision. The 60D gives up the magnesium frame of the 50D, but as you mentioned, it's got an expanded ISO range, which should make a real difference when you're shooting swimming (if you're indoors, at any rate). While the continuous shooting speed is higher on the 50D, I don't think you're going to see all of that performance unless you've got sufficient lighting to keep your shutter speed fairly quick.

[hecnik]

thanks for ur views guys....

so apart from the ISO difference, is the IQ and camera features of 50D in any way superior to those of 60D?? i read tht the in camera default jpeg processing is much more lively for 60D, though the raw performance is typically the same... so a superior body is all we get from 50D apart from 6.3 fps against 5.3??

n wat r the prices u r lookin at Sloseph??? i mean, how low is the 50D compared to 60D??

[RichardTaylor]

Just a thought.

Try them both out in a shop and see how the feel in your hand.
I never shoot jpgs so that isn't an issue for me.
So long as I could still change the ISO and dial in some exposure compensation, without moving my eye away from the viewfinder I would be happy.

One thing with the 60D is that the shutter life is rated at 100,000 instead of 150,000 for the 50D. If you shoot a lot of sport that may be an issue.
I shoot approx 2000 pics per day at an intensive motor race meeting.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by hecnik

so apart from the ISO difference, is the IQ and camera features of 50D in any way superior to those of 60D??

IQ is probably not. Features, well...

Pros
Mag-Alloy body (larger/heavier)
Autofocus microadjust
Joy stick on the back
More quick-controls on top (WB is the one I care about that got removed)
PC port for flash syncing

Cons vs. 60D
No master in the pop-up flash
No digital level
No video
No flip-out screen

And, if you're moving up from a dRebel, the 50D:
Requires you rebuy your remotes/cable releases (uses N3 connector, not minijack and has no IR remote sensor)
Requires you rebuy your memory cards (uses CF, not SD).
the 60D doesn't.

i read tht the in camera default jpeg processing is much more lively for 60D, though the raw performance is typically the same...

I'm not sure this is really the case. The 60D is more similar to the 550D/600D and 7D in terms of sensor performance. I think there's a slight improvement over the 50D, but it's likely not a deal killer, unless you like shooting test charts and pixel-peeping instead of making pictures.

Also, remember that the 60D started out life costing $200 less than the 50D did when it was brand new. There's going to be a little bit of flip-flopping going on, particularly since a lot of the XXD folks think of the 60D as a downgrade in the line, and many are choosing the hardier 50D over the 60D. It depends on which features matter to you.

BTW, Canon factory refurbs in the USA on the 50D body are going for about $700.