I have an entry level DSLR, want more

[wiiiim]

Hey!

I could use some advice on upgrading to better camera equipment!
I currently have an older entry-level Canon 1000D/Rebel. I have used this camera A LOT. I've taken it halfway around the world on a bicycle, by now the rubber grip is completely worn out and the text from the buttons has almost dissapeared. I'm really quite passionate about it, I want to get more serious, but I'm not entirely sure what my next move should be.

I want a better body, with much higher sensor resolution and better ISO capabilities. I already have some lenses, mainly the Canon 28mm, Canon 50mm, Tamron 17-50 2.8. But would it be worth spending a lot of money on a high-end body with these perhaps somewhat mid-range lenses?

Should I consider switching away from Canon, before this big investment? I'm not too keen on loosing money on my current lenses though.

What I'm mostly looking for:
- at least 20MP, good quality at ISO 3200? how large can my prints be with these specs? the current 10MP I have don't give me much options, I want to print (smallish) posters
- faster and accurate autofocus, next time a pickup passes me in the Sahara with 4 camels in the back I want that stuff in focus ;-)
- rugged body, I use it heavily in the outdoors, sometimes with low temperatures
- I mostly take pictures outdoors, landscapes, crowded markets, travel stuff, some portraits, but not that often indoors. I think I'm fine with an APS-C sensor (and its cheaper lenses)?
- I think I prefer not to have one of those flippy screens, it looks less solid?
- Good battery life. Similar to the 1000D would be great.
- I'm fairly neutral about Wifi, GPS and video, not that important.

I haven't really set a budget yet, but in theory I can spend more than 1000$ if its worth it. I'm having doubts mainly because the 1000D felt outdated so fast, I wouldn't want this to happen again at such a cost.
I've mainly been looking at the Canon 7D, maybe even a used model, and the new 7D mark II (over budget, but looks sweet). I dont really know what Nikon or Sony have to offer.

Thoughts?

 

[Raj_55555]

10 MP is good enough to make 13" X 19" print according to this article by Thom hogan. I don't think mega pixel is going to be a problem for you, I use a 6MP DSLR, and am planning to make a 16" X 20" print by upsizing the photograph (also it'll be viewed from further away). Megapixel is not what you should be concerned about.

I hardly have any knowledge on canon systems, so I wouldn't demerit any. Any of the DSLRs released in the past year will more than good enough for you. But if I was planning to start fresh, I would get the D7100. Also all your criteria are satisfied by the D7100 which has one of the best autofocus system in the market right now, is solidly built, I've seen very usable results at 12800 ISO and is 24 MP.
I'm sure canon systems will give you very good results as well if you want to stick to it.

 

[bif]

I used to have a 7D and liked it quite well, some had a bit of a problem with overheating if used out in hot weather or for extended sessions in video mode. Mine didn't but I often shut it down while getting ready for the next "take".

The addition of the fully articulated LCD on the T3i and 60D solved that problem by separating the LCD from the sensor.

The 7D mkII should share the 7D's rugged build and you would have the prism viewfinder instead of the pentamirror design. I also had the 60D and of all the rebels, 7D, and 60D I preferred the 60D for it's in between "heft" and handling characteristics. I rarely used the "flip out" position of the LCD but in use folded it so it was folded into the back of the camera but LCD out.

When stored I folded it LCD in so it was protected. I ultimately sold off all Canon bodies and lenses to convert to Micro Four Thirds and currently use Panasonic GH3's and a GH4. Lenses are much more compact, weigh a lot less, and are just as sharp as Canon.

Your 28mm and 50mm Canon lenses are very good, at least the ones I had were. I don't know how good your Tamron is, I have no recent experience with 3rd party glass.

If you wanted to stay with Canon I would look into a used 60D, 7D, or new 70D or 7D MkII. Your current lenses would do just as well with those as they did with your current camera.

I wouldn't put too much weight on sensor MP count. I have a 16x20 display print (made by mpix.com) from an image shot with the Canon 300D (the original digital rebel) with 6.3MP sensor that matches the sharpness and look I used to get on 6x7cm Vericolor Pro color negs shot with Mamiya RB-67 gear.

If high ISO performance is important, I routinely shoot at 3200 and 6400 with my GH3's (the EVF on that model is tough for some to get used to though). The EVF and LCD on the GH4 is much improved and coupling that camera with "fast glass" looks good to me in tests.

Nikon also does some very good high ISO, Canon has kind of "lagged behind" in that area.

Hope this info is helpful.

 

[Derrel]

Hey! I want a better body, with much higher sensor resolution and better ISO capabilities.
- at least 20MP, good quality at ISO 3200?
- faster and accurate autofocus
- Good battery life. Similar to the 1000D would be great.
Thoughts?

Thoughts? You have champagne dreams and a beer budget! 20 megapixels, good quality at 3,200 ISO, good focus, rugged, tough, well-sealed/weather-resistant, good battery life, under $1,000, and preferrably APS-C and using the Canon lenses you already have...huh... I dunno...depends on what you mean by "good" at ISO 3,200, and how close to 20 megapixels you actually want to be. Canon has the 70D at almost 20 MP (2 million of them are for on-chip focus detection, not really imaging), and the new 7D-II at 20.2 MP, but that's way over the budget by 70%. Again, what do you mean by "good" at ISO 3,200? The 60D is NOT good enough for landscapes above say ISO 640, or 800, tops, but for social photography, you could probably live with the 60D or 70D at ISO 3,200 with good exposure technique [ meaning NOT under-exposing!!!] and some good, careful post-processing with noise reduction software and careful raw file handling.

I think you need to consider what you really value more: fast-firing and well-sealed; small and light; low price; high ISO performance. You want a few things that really would be better with a full-frame sensor camera, but which are hard to find in a FF camera that is inexpensive. You want great focusing on action subjects, but less than $1,000 AND with good ISO 3,200. Again...you want a lot, and the lower-priced cameras make some compromises.

 

[goodguy]

Derrel pretty much said it all.
If you want to stick with Canon and is limiting yourself to 1000$ then I would go with the 70D.
Slightly better in higher ISO then the Rebel and 7D cameras, overall not a bad camera.
The fact the 7D is a good sports camera will not mean it will produce better image quality pictures then the t2i, t3i, t4i, t5i or 60D because they all share the same sensor.

In your price range Nikon has more to offer like the D7100 but thats the body only for your price range so I think the 70D is your only logical option but I doubt it will satisfy all your demands.

Good luck.

 

[wiiiim]

Thanks guys, thats good advice, appreciated.
I guess I'm expecting a bit much for my budget. I'm currently leaning towards a used Canon 7D which I can get for 600 euros, or saving up some more to get a 7D mark II in the future. The 70D feels abit gimmicky for its price, more geared towards video.
I figure I'll stick to Canon since my current lenses have gone halfway around the world on my travels, while optically fine they show signs of hard usage, I don't want to loose money on them.

 

[goodguy]

Thanks guys, thats good advice, appreciated.
I guess I'm expecting a bit much for my budget. I'm currently leaning towards a used Canon 7D which I can get for 600 euros, or saving up some more to get a 7D mark II in the future. The 70D feels abit gimmicky for its price, more geared towards video.
I figure I'll stick to Canon since my current lenses have gone halfway around the world on my travels, while optically fine they show signs of hard usage, I don't want to loose money on them.

Good luck but mind you the sensor on the 7D is pretty old, its low light performance is not stellar.