I know, I know...Canon 60D vs. 7D (HELP)

[dedduck]

I am new here and really enjoy reading the threads on this forum! Very nice, helpful people here. I have read about every thread that has to do with the 60d vs 7d and I am still not sure what I want! Now here is the million dollar question, which one is best for me. I have really outgrown my Rebel XS and have decided to put off an upgrade for so long now, but now I am ready. I sold some video equipment that I had laying around and have told myself it is time to upgrade the SLR. I shoot mostly outdoors since I am a big hunter, hiker, and fisherman. I also enjoy shooting equestrian events. I shoot a lot of ducks in flight (both with my shotguns and SLR) and the equestrian events are inside a dark indoor arena or outside, it is really 50-50. I feel like the 7D higher FPS will benefit me for what time of photos I am taking, but the flip out screen and price are really pulling me toward the 60D even though the FPS are less.

I really do not know what to do. The money also plays a part like always. Do I spend what I want to spend and buy the 60D+lens, with warranty, telephoto lens and have exactly what I need to get started OR do I push the envelope a bit and buy the 7D with the standard 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens and warranty. I am in need of the warranty 100% since I and rough with my equipment and demand excellence. Also, being in the outdoors and around 2000lb animals I need some reassurance that my gear will make it for years and years. I also want the camera that will last a LONG time and I wont be looking to upgrade to a new one in the next 3-5 years or maybe more. I just dont want to outgrow it again!

Can anyone help? Either by picking my brain with more questions to help me narrow it down or just throw out a suggestion?

Much appreciated!

Bob - NJ


Enjoy checking out some of my work - http://boblongmedia.smugmug.com/

 

[DiskoJoe]

7d

 

[Robin Usagani]

Which ever has a nice L lens on it .
I rather have a 60D with 24-105L on it than 7D with 28-135. If you can put nice lens on 7D then great!

 

[Derrel]

Go for the Benelli...go for the G. Loomis...buy the 7D and be truly satisfied. The 60D is a Mossberg pump.

 

[DiskoJoe]

Also warrenties only cover product defects and not accidents that occur while hunting or fishing. Also the 28-135 lens is junk. Just buy the body and the lenses you want.

 

[Big Mike]

I shoot a lot of ducks in flight (both with my shotguns and SLR) and the equestrian events are inside a dark indoor arena or outside, it is really 50-50. I feel like the 7D higher FPS will benefit me for what time of photos I am taking, but the flip out screen and price are really pulling me toward the 60D even though the FPS are less.

The frame rate on the 60D is over 5 fps.....that's fast enough for most applications.

A bigger issue, especially for the type of shooting you mentioned, is how well/fast the AF system works. The 7D has the most advanced AF system that you will find in a Canon camera for less than $4000. That should be your deciding factor IMO.

 

[dedduck]

Wow many thanks for the replies! I think there are very good points and this is helping me out a bunch. I really am thinking the extra $$ and the 7D are worth it. The issue is I dont know if I can swing the extra $$ now or in the near future for a lens upgrade (body and lens separates).

As for the warranty i was talking about, it would be an additional warranty that covers the drops, water damage ect. ect.

 

[MLeeK]

I got to the outdoors part and stopped: 7D. The 60D is not weather sealed.
Read the fine print on that warranty REALLY WELL. They usually do not cover accidents-only defects. You'd probably be better off putting it on your homeowners insurance.

 

[Overread19 7]

Careful with going under your homeowners insurance - its a quagmire of legal jargon and if you're not careful you'll end up paying for cover that you won't want to use if you have a need of it (because it will count as a claim and you don't need many on your household insurance before your rates go up and then you end up on a blacklist - paying highcost even if the companies will touch you).

A separate cover might cost you a bit more, but would at least be usable, there are also some groups you can join which can offer you a discount for select covers based on it being the group discount.

 

[MLeeK]

Or just become a member of PPA who now gives you 15K worth of gear coverage!

 

[Big Mike]

I got to the outdoors part and stopped: 7D. The 60D is not weather sealed.

Both the 7D and the 60D are listed as "Weather sealed. Water and dust resistant" Side by Side Comparison: Digital Photography Review

As I see it, there are three (general) levels of weather sealing. There are the low end models that don't have any extra sealing. There are the mid-level bodies (60D, 7D, 5DmkII) that do have weather sealing to be 'resistant'. There there are the pro bodies, 1D/1Ds/1Dx, which are designed to work perfectly in a downpour.

 

[KmH]

I was reading on another forum that the 7D cannot second curtain sync flash, or do HSS, if ETTL is not used.

 

[Big Mike]

I don't know about 2nd curtain sync...but I don't think that any Canon can do HSS if ETTL isn't used.

Canon Nikon do AutoFP in manual flash mode? :scratch:

 

[PixelRabbit]

Might not be a consideration for you but I just toiled over the same decision and what made it for me was a combination of price and the fact that the 60D has auto settings for the other people around the house who MAY eventually be allowed to touch my camera whereas the 7D does not.

 

[TheBiles]

The 7D is on a whole different level from the 60D. Honestly, the 60D felt like an oversized Rebel with its plastic construction. The 7D is definitely a cut above, and the AF, viewfinder, and solid construction will show you that. I'd recommend going to a camera store and playing with both of them. Honestly, I'd get a 50D over the 60D if money was your concern.


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