New Camera Blues- 7D vs 6D vs ???

I am looking to upgrade in the next few months. Currently, am using a 30D-my first and only DSLR to date. I know, I know, it is long in the tooth! I am a fairly advanced photographer.I shoot a lot, mostly outdoors.

Things I like about the 7D--weather proofing, 100% viewfinder, ability to wirelessly trigger external flash. What can I expect in terms of improved image quality over my 30D? How about low light performance? I have always been quite disappointed with night shots with the 30D--star trails, etc--but am pretty impressed at what can be done with LR4 noise reduction.

Actually, I had pretty much settled on the 7d being my next camera--THEN Canon had to muddy the waters with the 6D! A more affordable full frame! Also significantly lighter/smaller than the 5D line-- a plus for my small hands and neck issues. But I lose the 100% viewfinder and weatherproofing. Not sure about ability to trigger external flash. Also concerns about durability in general and shutter life specifically.

Or should I just break the bank and go for the 5D II or III, and get used to the heavier weight?

I do want to stay with Canon, so please no suggestions to switch to Nikon. Otherwise, am open to all feedback.

what do you shoot?

what is your glass?

how much do you plan to spend?

I recently purchased the 7D as an upgrade to my 50D and keeping my 50D as a second body.  I considered the 5DII but it was $300 more and believe it or not, I didn't like the idea of not having the on-camera flash that I used occasionally on my 50D (I have a 430 EX).  So far I am very happy with the quick focus, ISO 1600  with little noise and solid feel.  I haven't used the flash trigger feature yet but looking forward to it.  I can't wait to have the time to put it to the test.

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The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. MLK

Maybe the Canon 60D would be a good choice.

To me, beyond the ruggedness of the 7D, the big differences are the better focusing with the 7D since it has more focus points available over a lager portion of the image, and the built in wi-fi of the 6D for wireless tethered studio shooting. The difference in resolution is there with more pixels but is only important if you like to hang 30"x40" prints on the wall then look at them from 6".

If you have any EF lenses then they won't work with the 6D so that is another reason to go with the 7D.

Any thing that can be done with a full frame camera can be done with the 7D except that the depth of field is narrower with a full frame camera at any given lens opening.  That is only important if you like to shoot extremely narrow depth of field images.

The bottom line is that you should pick the camera that feels best in your hand and that will do the things that you want to do.

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Living and loving it in Bangkok, Thailand. Canon 7D - See the gear list for the rest.

Of the 7D, 60D 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, only one of the following has two Digic 4 processors in the camera, the 7D . Since you are conflicted whether to go full frame, have smaller hands, already feel it in your neck; seams a pretty sure bet you should go with the 7D. You will see the and feel the difference and since you hold onto and make good use of your equipment it can't hurt that you are buying a tank of a camera.

Really? If someone offered a straight swap, your old dated 30D for a brand new 60D, you would turn them down? Are you saying that in your opinion the 30D is a better camera than the 60D?

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Adrian Jones
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tdr1/

Don't overlook the rumors on Canon Watch of a 7D Mk2 being announced in the first quarter of 2013.

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CN

I sold my 30d and bought 60d.  It is a substantial upgrade. 8 mpxl is not enough

In agreement with sailer blue, The mega pixel race will never end ,although it is slowing down,

Video, more bells and whistles, I still use my 10 mega pixel 40D,untill it stops producing great results, I will not upgrade, I camera club I belong to are still using 20D Canons with outstanding

results, If you are still looking to upgrade like sailer blue said, unless you blow them up, you will not see that much of a difference-- but I am sure you will read those on this forum that will claim the difference is Huge,

The 60D is a very capable and versatile camera, I tested it several times. Your comment on calling it a super rebel I understand. But the 60D and 650D (T4i) are high quality cameras. Canon made a decision to put the 60D in the amateur (rebel if you wish) range, but the amateur dslr's are knocking on the prosumer cam's door in some respect.

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Cheers Mike

Re sentence with typo>If you have any EF lenses then they won't work with the 6D so that is another reason to go with the 7D.<

EF lenses work fine with the 7D and the new 6D.

It is EF-S lenses that do not work on the 6D.

I use the joystick a lot to change focus point because I took pictures of young child. I need to do it quick. Where is the joystick on the 60D?

Also, the build quality of 60D is nowhere near the 30D.  After 6 years of use, my 30D is still in perfect condition.  I saw 2 demo 60D in the store with rubber grip peeling off.

30D was built as a decent camera back then.  60D is just a cheap thing the Canon want to make money on.

Times have changed, the 30D isn't the camera it once was, but that doens't mean it can't take nice pictures. The 60D is marketed differently as the 30D was in the day and is superior to the 30D in all respects except for built quality and maybe something I overlook right now. The 60D is very good value for money together with the 650D maybe even best value.

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Cheers Mike

I do appreciate all of the responses. The 60D has never been in the running, for basically all the reasons others have stated. Outside of the fact that it does have that cool articulating screen--I've had 2 advanced compacts with those and they are great-- it really has nothing I want.

One thing that no one has really addressed is the noise issue with the 7D. For those of you who have this camera, I would really like your opinion on whether the noise issue is significantly improved over the 30D.

I do have one EF-S lense, but that would not keep me from going with the 6D if I decide it is worthwhile for other reasons.

My quandary is basically improved image quality of a full frame vs the superior build of the 7D. I do sometimes like very shallow depth of field, but with a macro lense and extension tubes, I can get what I want with a crop frame.

Right now I'm leaning toward the 7D. We'll see what happens with reviews and comments on this site when the 6D is released. Meantime, I'm still saving for a new camera and hoping the 30D will keep shooting at least until I get the new one!

I've owned 30d and solid it

i own 5dc, 40d and 60d.

30d is weak on cropping for large size.

also 30d is about 1 stop worse in high iso than 60d/7d

in my I opinion, 7d is for wildlife and sports.  60d is just as good for everything else.

6d with expensive fast primes to see the difference will - well it will be expensive

I had (my son now has it) the 20D, and now have the 7D. The sensor on the 20D is the same as on the 30D, so I can tell you my impression of how the noise compares between the 30D and 7D. The 7D has significantly lower noise at high ISO than the 20D/30D. I am quite comfortable shooting at ISO 6400 with my 7D. You will see a big improvement over the 30D.

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Alastair
http://anorcross.smugmug.com
Equipment in profile
http://homepage.mac.com/anorcross/Riceowl.jpg

Here a shot I took tonight to give you an idea, I am no expert on 7D since I just got it so there probably is a lot of room for improvement. Jpeg out the camera factory defaults.

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Cheers Mike