Only reasons for me to purchase 7D MKII over 70D

Am only planning in the long run to keep Canon for sports and birding due to the 400mm f5.6 and 100-400 IS II that no other manufacturer has. Will move slowly to Sony mirrorless for everything else for the added image quality. So, am presently weighing alternatives for the next 2-3 years but sure could use the advantages of the Canon 7D MKII now.

Reasons to purchase 7D MKII even though I already have 70D:

1. Center point af at f8 to allow for 1.4X TC use with 100-400 IS II-so far in my testing have found the 100-400 IS II to resolve very well with the 1.4X TC.

2. Faster af and better quicker lockon-not sure this would be the case-anyone have experience with this. The 70D is no slouch at this but maybe 7D MKII noticeably better?

Reasons not to purchase a 7D MKII even though I already have a 70D:

1. Cost;

2. Same RAW image quality;

3. No articulating touchscreen LCD (still don't get why Canon did this one).

Don't expect to sell my 70D since it is the only Camera (Canon/Nikon/Sony) that has an articulating touchscreen LCD (well-Nikon has the D5500 but liveview speed no match for Canon-from what little I have found in reviews). So-is the $1700 worth it for the Canon 7D MKII? Obviously I am the one that needs to make this decision but others that have gone through this may have insights.

4thnebula said:

Am only planning in the long run to keep Canon for sports and birding due to the 400mm f5.6 and 100-400 IS II that no other manufacturer has. Will move slowly to Sony mirrorless for everything else for the added image quality. So, am presently weighing alternatives for the next 2-3 years but sure could use the advantages of the Canon 7D MKII now.

Reasons to purchase 7D MKII even though I already have 70D:

1. Center point af at f8 to allow for 1.4X TC use with 100-400 IS II-so far in my testing have found the 100-400 IS II to resolve very well with the 1.4X TC.

2. Faster af and better quicker lockon-not sure this would be the case-anyone have experience with this. The 70D is no slouch at this but maybe 7D MKII noticeably better?

Reasons not to purchase a 7D MKII even though I already have a 70D:

1. Cost;

2. Same RAW image quality;

3. No articulating touchscreen LCD (still don't get why Canon did this one).

Don't expect to sell my 70D since it is the only Camera (Canon/Nikon/Sony) that has an articulating touchscreen LCD (well-Nikon has the D5500 but liveview speed no match for Canon-from what little I have found in reviews). So-is the $1700 worth it for the Canon 7D MKII? Obviously I am the one that needs to make this decision but others that have gone through this may have insights.

Click to expand...

I guess it depends on what kind of shooter you are...I have the 70D and still found other reasons to get the 7DM2 that you don't list. In fact, I'm not sure that your #2 is even real. But the AF is better (65 vs 19 cross-type squares), wider coverage of the frame, easier to move the focus square around, easier to switch between AI servo and one-shot, easier to change focus modes, better high ISO the files, 10 fps vs 7 (it makes a difference in getting the "moment"), quieter shutter, 3 custom modes, etc. All these are features that are meaningful to me in the type of shooting I do, so I think if your #1 is your only reason to get the 7DM2, then it is not the camera for you. Just my opinion.

4thnebula said:

Am only planning in the long run to keep Canon for sports and birding due to the 400mm f5.6 and 100-400 IS II that no other manufacturer has. Will move slowly to Sony mirrorless for everything else for the added image quality. So, am presently weighing alternatives for the next 2-3 years but sure could use the advantages of the Canon 7D MKII now.

Reasons to purchase 7D MKII even though I already have 70D:

1. Center point af at f8 to allow for 1.4X TC use with 100-400 IS II-so far in my testing have found the 100-400 IS II to resolve very well with the 1.4X TC.

2. Faster af and better quicker lockon-not sure this would be the case-anyone have experience with this. The 70D is no slouch at this but maybe 7D MKII noticeably better?

Reasons not to purchase a 7D MKII even though I already have a 70D:

1. Cost;

2. Same RAW image quality;

3. No articulating touchscreen LCD (still don't get why Canon did this one).

Don't expect to sell my 70D since it is the only Camera (Canon/Nikon/Sony) that has an articulating touchscreen LCD (well-Nikon has the D5500 but liveview speed no match for Canon-from what little I have found in reviews). So-is the $1700 worth it for the Canon 7D MKII? Obviously I am the one that needs to make this decision but others that have gone through this may have insights.

Click to expand...

I kept my 70D after buying the 7Dll. You didn't mention Wi-Fi on the 70D... I like it.

the 10FPS and large buffer on the 7Dll is amazing for birding, sports and planes. Wif Fi is the only feature I miss on the 7D2. I also like the three C modes as opposed to the one on the 70D. Also,auto focus at F8 is nice. I also like the flexibility of the different "Case" modes for AI servo and moving objects.

4thnebula said:

Will move slowly to Sony mirrorless for everything else for the added image quality.

Click to expand...

You lost me here.

If you want to ETTR properly, the 7D II makes that easy with EC on Auto-ISO in M.

I'm constantly impressed by the thoughtful features and customisable ergonomics of the 7D II, like pressing the flash button twice brings up the Flash Control page, and the One-Shot <-> AI Servo switch (I have it on the * button). I don't know how much of that sort of thing you get on the 70D.

WilbaW said:

If you want to ETTR properly, the 7D II makes that easy with EC on Auto-ISO in M.

I'm constantly impressed by the thoughtful features and customisable ergonomics of the 7D II, like pressing the flash button twice brings up the Flash Control page, and the One-Shot <-> AI Servo switch (I have it on the * button). I don't know how much of that sort of thing you get on the 70D.

Click to expand...

None of that sort of thing.

Thank you for your points. The responses I am getting are what I am looking for to help make sure I make the right decision for me.

4thnebula said:

Am only planning in the long run to keep Canon for sports and birding due to the 400mm f5.6 and 100-400 IS II that no other manufacturer has. Will move slowly to Sony mirrorless for everything else for the added image quality. So, am presently weighing alternatives for the next 2-3 years but sure could use the advantages of the Canon 7D MKII now.

Reasons to purchase 7D MKII even though I already have 70D:

1. Center point af at f8 to allow for 1.4X TC use with 100-400 IS II-so far in my testing have found the 100-400 IS II to resolve very well with the 1.4X TC.

2. Faster af and better quicker lockon-not sure this would be the case-anyone have experience with this. The 70D is no slouch at this but maybe 7D MKII noticeably better?

Reasons not to purchase a 7D MKII even though I already have a 70D:

1. Cost;

2. Same RAW image quality;

3. No articulating touchscreen LCD (still don't get why Canon did this one).

Don't expect to sell my 70D since it is the only Camera (Canon/Nikon/Sony) that has an articulating touchscreen LCD (well-Nikon has the D5500 but liveview speed no match for Canon-from what little I have found in reviews). So-is the $1700 worth it for the Canon 7D MKII? Obviously I am the one that needs to make this decision but others that have gone through this may have insights.

Click to expand...

I'll be upgrading my 7D to the II in the coming months. I have been using the 70D, and I'm keeping it rather than the 7D for a few reasons:

1. Articulating screen - I find this very useful for tripod-mounted shots, especially with the touchscreen so I can specify the focus point more precisely.

2. Wifi - I do find the wifi to be occassionally useful in transferring a shot here & there to my smartphone.

3. IQ - the IQ is better than the original 7D, though I'm not sure it's the same as the 7D II - I think the latter may be a touch better than the 70D.


Mark

4thnebula said:

Am only planning in the long run to keep Canon for sports and birding due to the 400mm f5.6 and 100-400 IS II that no other manufacturer has. Will move slowly to Sony mirrorless for everything else for the added image quality. So, am presently weighing alternatives for the next 2-3 years but sure could use the advantages of the Canon 7D MKII now.

Reasons to purchase 7D MKII even though I already have 70D:

1. Center point af at f8 to allow for 1.4X TC use with 100-400 IS II-so far in my testing have found the 100-400 IS II to resolve very well with the 1.4X TC.

2. Faster af and better quicker lockon-not sure this would be the case-anyone have experience with this. The 70D is no slouch at this but maybe 7D MKII noticeably better?

Reasons not to purchase a 7D MKII even though I already have a 70D:

1. Cost;

2. Same RAW image quality;

3. No articulating touchscreen LCD (still don't get why Canon did this one).

Don't expect to sell my 70D since it is the only Camera (Canon/Nikon/Sony) that has an articulating touchscreen LCD (well-Nikon has the D5500 but liveview speed no match for Canon-from what little I have found in reviews). So-is the $1700 worth it for the Canon 7D MKII? Obviously I am the one that needs to make this decision but others that have gone through this may have insights.

Click to expand...

I have both cameras and would have a few other items from my experience.

• additional AF points make shooting so much easier and faster
• couples with a real joystick. The fiddly multi controller for the 70D I never got used to and find getting a real joystick back is a bigger deal than I thought.
• I liked the articulated screen, but find it of limited usefulness. I find I use the viewfinder for most photography and that using screen is often quite limited by ambient light. So I haven't really missed this much (especially because of point 1 and 2 above)
• RAW image quality is definitely better, especially at higher ISO. I just printed some pictures of my grandkids lasat night at 3200 and 6400 and at 8x10 don't think you can tell. I could not do that with the 70D. It may be the noise is more manageable not sure, but the end results have been surprising and has opened up new possibilities.
• I really like the extra weather sealing and have been in light rain and snow since getting camera and didn't worry much about it.
• Love the 3 custom buttons, I found 1 just was not enough on the 70D. Again this only matter if you are shooting where speed matters and where shooting conditions are changing quickly (like events for example)
• The AF system is unbelievable. The keeper rate is way higher, even in very poor light. And they are all cross point. I use them all and find them very helpful. yes I could focus and recompose but this is difficult and error prone as things move, especially with lenses open very wide and narrow DOF. It is that good.
• I like the 70D fine, but now rarely use it, mostly for video. The 7D MKII is just too much fun to shoot by comparison.
• Great big bright viewfinder

For the first time last week I tried the 1.4X (II) with my 7D MkII and the 100-400mm (II). I used a tripod and was amazed at the sharpness. Yes, both the center focus and 5 center focus points work well.







John

--
Enjoying God and His Creation.

WilbaW said:

If you want to ETTR properly, the 7D II makes that easy with EC on Auto-ISO in M.

I'm constantly impressed by the thoughtful features and customisable ergonomics of the 7D II, like pressing the flash button twice brings up the Flash Control page, and the One-Shot <-> AI Servo switch (I have it on the * button). I don't know how much of that sort of thing you get on the 70D.

Click to expand...

EC in Manual Mode was difficult to get. This used to be hotly debated on this forum. I was very happy when Canon finally caved into the wishes of its users, ignoring the Luddiites with their resistance to change. Now if only Canon would have put a flippy screen on it, I would use it over the Sony but I guess Canon will lose yet another sale for my next camera since their 50MP also doesn't have one.

riknash said:

riknash said:

If you want to ETTR properly, the 7D II makes that easy with EC on Auto-ISO in M.

I'm constantly impressed by the thoughtful features and customisable ergonomics of the 7D II, like pressing the flash button twice brings up the Flash Control page, and the One-Shot <-> AI Servo switch (I have it on the * button). I don't know how much of that sort of thing you get on the 70D.

Click to expand...

EC in Manual Mode was difficult to get. This used to be hotly debated on this forum. I was very happy when Canon finally caved into the wishes of its users, ignoring the Luddiites with their resistance to change.

Click to expand...

You know, sometimes I get the feeling that it's Canon who are the Luddites. I mean, still building digital cameras as if they were film cameras... 15 years after the kickoff... come on! (I'm referring to how the user interface embodies an assumption that ISO is the most stable factor in image brightness, as it was for film).

riknash said:

Now if only Canon would have put a flippy screen on it, I would use it over the Sony but I guess Canon will lose yet another sale for my next camera since their 50MP also doesn't have one.

Click to expand...

For sure, I'd have a flippy touchscreen version if I could, but I'll take what I can get to get the killer features I want.

WilbaW said:

riknash said:

WilbaW said:

If you want to ETTR properly, the 7D II makes that easy with EC on Auto-ISO in M.

I'm constantly impressed by the thoughtful features and customisable ergonomics of the 7D II, like pressing the flash button twice brings up the Flash Control page, and the One-Shot <-> AI Servo switch (I have it on the * button). I don't know how much of that sort of thing you get on the 70D.

Click to expand...

EC in Manual Mode was difficult to get. This used to be hotly debated on this forum. I was very happy when Canon finally caved into the wishes of its users, ignoring the Luddiites with their resistance to change.

Click to expand...

You know, sometimes I get the feeling that it's Canon who are the Luddites. I mean, still building digital cameras as if they were film cameras... 15 years after the kickoff... come on! (I'm referring to how the user interface embodies an assumption that ISO is the most stable factor in image brightness, as it was for film).

Click to expand...

How do you figure that? It has its own button on the top of the camera. And surely Auto ISO demotes it from its mistaken position in a digital camera’s "exposure triangle"?

walkaround said:

WilbaW said:

riknash said:

walkaround said:

If you want to ETTR properly, the 7D II makes that easy with EC on Auto-ISO in M.

I'm constantly impressed by the thoughtful features and customisable ergonomics of the 7D II, like pressing the flash button twice brings up the Flash Control page, and the One-Shot <-> AI Servo switch (I have it on the * button). I don't know how much of that sort of thing you get on the 70D.

Click to expand...

EC in Manual Mode was difficult to get. This used to be hotly debated on this forum. I was very happy when Canon finally caved into the wishes of its users, ignoring the Luddiites with their resistance to change.

Click to expand...

You know, sometimes I get the feeling that it's Canon who are the Luddites. I mean, still building digital cameras as if they were film cameras... 15 years after the kickoff... come on! (I'm referring to how the user interface embodies an assumption that ISO is the most stable factor in image brightness, as it was for film).

Click to expand...

How do you figure that? It has its own button on the top of the camera.

Click to expand...

You can spin shutter and aperture values through their range with one touch of an always available dial, but you have to press a button to switch the camera into ISO-setting mode before you can change the ISO value. If Canon thought you should be able to change ISO as easily and as often as the other two they would make it as easy to do.

walkaround said:

And surely Auto ISO demotes it from its mistaken position in a digital camera’s "exposure triangle"?

Click to expand...

I don't know what you mean.

WilbaW said:

walkaround said:

WilbaW said:

riknash said:

WilbaW said:

If you want to ETTR properly, the 7D II makes that easy with EC on Auto-ISO in M.

I'm constantly impressed by the thoughtful features and customisable ergonomics of the 7D II, like pressing the flash button twice brings up the Flash Control page, and the One-Shot <-> AI Servo switch (I have it on the * button). I don't know how much of that sort of thing you get on the 70D.

Click to expand...

EC in Manual Mode was difficult to get. This used to be hotly debated on this forum. I was very happy when Canon finally caved into the wishes of its users, ignoring the Luddiites with their resistance to change.

Click to expand...

You know, sometimes I get the feeling that it's Canon who are the Luddites. I mean, still building digital cameras as if they were film cameras... 15 years after the kickoff... come on! (I'm referring to how the user interface embodies an assumption that ISO is the most stable factor in image brightness, as it was for film).

Click to expand...

How do you figure that? It has its own button on the top of the camera.

Click to expand...

You can spin shutter and aperture values through their range with one touch of an always available dial, but you have to press a button to switch the camera into ISO-setting mode before you can change the ISO value. If Canon thought you should be able to change ISO as easily and as often as the other two they would make it as easy to do.

Click to expand...

It is easy to do. The button is under the index finger, and the dial is directly adjacent. You're making it sound much more difficult than it really is.

I bought the 70D in June 2014. Then the 7D Mark II in October 2014.

I've hardly used the 70D at all since I got the 7D Mark II.

IT SEEMS TO ME my Sigma 18-35 F1.8 DC HSM "Art" works better with the 70D than the 7D Mark II, but other than that I just prefer the 7D Mark II.

Auto-focus @ f/8 with the new 100-400 IS II & 1.4x III is pretty cool too.

--

Mark B. said:

WilbaW said:

walkaround said:

WilbaW said:

riknash said:

Member said:

If you want to ETTR properly, the 7D II makes that easy with EC on Auto-ISO in M.

I'm constantly impressed by the thoughtful features and customisable ergonomics of the 7D II, like pressing the flash button twice brings up the Flash Control page, and the One-Shot <-> AI Servo switch (I have it on the * button). I don't know how much of that sort of thing you get on the 70D.

Click to expand...

EC in Manual Mode was difficult to get. This used to be hotly debated on this forum. I was very happy when Canon finally caved into the wishes of its users, ignoring the Luddiites with their resistance to change.

Click to expand...

You know, sometimes I get the feeling that it's Canon who are the Luddites. I mean, still building digital cameras as if they were film cameras... 15 years after the kickoff... come on! (I'm referring to how the user interface embodies an assumption that ISO is the most stable factor in image brightness, as it was for film).

Click to expand...

How do you figure that? It has its own button on the top of the camera.

Click to expand...

You can spin shutter and aperture values through their range with one touch of an always available dial, but you have to press a button to switch the camera into ISO-setting mode before you can change the ISO value. If Canon thought you should be able to change ISO as easily and as often as the other two they would make it as easy to do.

Click to expand...

It is easy to do. The button is under the index finger, and the dial is directly adjacent. You're making it sound much more difficult than it really is.

Click to expand...

You don't understand how a sequence of two touches is cognitively more complex and takes longer than one touch?

WilbaW said:

Mark B. said:

WilbaW said:

walkaround said:

WilbaW said:

riknash said:

WilbaW said:

If you want to ETTR properly, the 7D II makes that easy with EC on Auto-ISO in M.

I'm constantly impressed by the thoughtful features and customisable ergonomics of the 7D II, like pressing the flash button twice brings up the Flash Control page, and the One-Shot <-> AI Servo switch (I have it on the * button). I don't know how much of that sort of thing you get on the 70D.

Click to expand...

EC in Manual Mode was difficult to get. This used to be hotly debated on this forum. I was very happy when Canon finally caved into the wishes of its users, ignoring the Luddiites with their resistance to change.

Click to expand...

You know, sometimes I get the feeling that it's Canon who are the Luddites. I mean, still building digital cameras as if they were film cameras... 15 years after the kickoff... come on! (I'm referring to how the user interface embodies an assumption that ISO is the most stable factor in image brightness, as it was for film).

Click to expand...

How do you figure that? It has its own button on the top of the camera.

Click to expand...

You can spin shutter and aperture values through their range with one touch of an always available dial, but you have to press a button to switch the camera into ISO-setting mode before you can change the ISO value. If Canon thought you should be able to change ISO as easily and as often as the other two they would make it as easy to do.

Click to expand...

It is easy to do. The button is under the index finger, and the dial is directly adjacent. You're making it sound much more difficult than it really is.

Click to expand...

You don't understand how a sequence of two touches is cognitively more complex and takes longer than one touch?

Click to expand...

We're talking about less than a second's worth of a difference. You're splitting hairs. Sorry, I really do not find it difficult at all.

WilbaW said:

If you want to ETTR properly, the 7D II makes that easy with EC on Auto-ISO in M.

Click to expand...

killer feature ...I have mine set to +2/3

WilbaW said:

I'm constantly impressed by the thoughtful features and customisable ergonomics of the 7D II, like pressing the flash button twice brings up the Flash Control page, and the One-Shot <-> AI Servo switch (I have it on the * button). I don't know how much of that sort of thing you get on the 70D.

Click to expand...

WilbaW said:

Mark B. said:

WilbaW said:

walkaround said:

WilbaW said:

riknash said:

WilbaW said:

If you want to ETTR properly, the 7D II makes that easy with EC on Auto-ISO in M.

I'm constantly impressed by the thoughtful features and customisable ergonomics of the 7D II, like pressing the flash button twice brings up the Flash Control page, and the One-Shot <-> AI Servo switch (I have it on the * button). I don't know how much of that sort of thing you get on the 70D.

Click to expand...

EC in Manual Mode was difficult to get. This used to be hotly debated on this forum. I was very happy when Canon finally caved into the wishes of its users, ignoring the Luddiites with their resistance to change.

Click to expand...

You know, sometimes I get the feeling that it's Canon who are the Luddites. I mean, still building digital cameras as if they were film cameras... 15 years after the kickoff... come on! (I'm referring to how the user interface embodies an assumption that ISO is the most stable factor in image brightness, as it was for film).

Click to expand...

How do you figure that? It has its own button on the top of the camera.

Click to expand...

You can spin shutter and aperture values through their range with one touch of an always available dial, but you have to press a button to switch the camera into ISO-setting mode before you can change the ISO value. If Canon thought you should be able to change ISO as easily and as often as the other two they would make it as easy to do.

Click to expand...

It is easy to do. The button is under the index finger, and the dial is directly adjacent. You're making it sound much more difficult than it really is.

Click to expand...

You don't understand how a sequence of two touches is cognitively more complex and takes longer than one touch?

Click to expand...

I have my 5D3 and 7D2 programed so I just need to hold down the SET button with my thumb while turning the wheel with my index finger. ISO change is realy very easy this way

Peter