70D Long in the Tooth

sorry for yet another one of these threads.

I am looking for a Rebel XT replacement. I am most interested in wildlife photography and landscapes (couldn't be more opposite...). I currently have a 70-200 f/4 L, a 50 f/1.8 prime, and the old Rebel's kit lens (18-55).

Lately, I have been wanting to frame some of my photos, but have been disappointed by IQ and ultimately very disappointed by what can be done with 8 megapixels. Some research today suggests to me that perhaps I should be buying a 70D (my budget MAX is $1,000), but I am concerned that it is getting a little old. Similarly, I noticed that the new Rebel-equivalent cameras are less expensive and offer more megapixels.

Is the older 70D sensor going to be any better than one of these new Rebels? What about the AF points? I suppose for wildlife I will appreciate the far greater number of focus points. And the 70D's lower MP count? For blowing up landscapes that may be an issue. (It's at least 1-inch in each dimension at 300dpi).

Anyhow, I am agonizing, and a $1k camera body purchase is no small investment for me.

Finally, the last concern, perhaps I should wait a little, and get a Nikon D7200. I would be losing out on the lenses that I already have but, if we're being honest, there's only one really good lens in there, and it's pretty much the cheapest L lens available.

70D is a brilliant camera and a joy to use. We have 7D's, 70D's, t3i's t4i's and some Nikons. Everyone wants to use the 70D. Nice balance of size and features.Touch screen is great. Autofocus is awesome.

70D is a very good camera with very good IQ and a very nice user interface. There is no way you would be going wrong getting one. The only way to get noticeably better IQ is to get a full frame camera.

So - the question isn't whether the 70D is or was a good camera. The question is whether, given my intended uses, I should wait for a 70D replacement or go with a T6s

If you can get the chance to handle them both I'd do that. The 70D is bigger and more solid. Image quality should be the same.

I don't like the plasticky feel of the Rebels. And their viewfinders aren't as good.

But I keep telling people that cameras don't take pictures, people do, and most people don't understand what that means.

Here's my answer: If the only button you will use is the shutter release, then you should buy an SL-1 or other Rebel series camera. And I'm not at all saying that they're bad or inferior. It's just that a higher level camera lets you take better photos by giving you more control. If you aren't into that sort of thing, you're just wasting money and carrying more weight with you.

I'd take the sl1 over the t6i for sure. It's a nice little piece of kit! If I was going to get the rebel I'd just pony up a bit more cash and get the 70D. The Rebel is just too in between for me to buy. Thinking of getting some SLi's and sticking the cheapo 50mm on them for my classroom. Would make a nice learner kit for students.

cprevost said:

I'd take the sl1 over the t6i for sure. It's a nice little piece of kit! If I was going to get the rebel I'd just pony up a bit more cash and get the 70D. The Rebel is just too in between for me to buy. Thinking of getting some SLi's and sticking the cheapo 50mm on them for my classroom. Would make a nice learner kit for students.

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I suggest the 28mm or 40mm STM pancake lens instead. Only $50 more. The STM lenses provide better autofocus on newer Canon bodies, including the SL-1. And, in my opinion, 28mm is a much better focal length than 50, especially on a crop sensor body.

hoyasaxa said:

So - the question isn't whether the 70D is or was a good camera. The question is whether, given my intended uses, I should wait for a 70D replacement or go with a T6s

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Nobody here can really say when there will be a 70D replacement; it was 3 years between the 60D and 70D so it could be as far away as another 14 months. Operationally the T6s is going to be a tad slower than the 70D, and the ergonomics will not be the same. The 70D offers more controls. You should really handle both. The 70D is still a very good camera today. Only you can determine whether it or the T6s is better for you.

Mark

hoyasaxa said:

sorry for yet another one of these threads.

Is the older 70D sensor going to be any better than one of these new Rebels? What about the AF points? I suppose for wildlife I will appreciate the far greater number of focus points. And the 70D's lower MP count? For blowing up landscapes that may be an issue. (It's at least 1-inch in each dimension at 300dpi).

Click to expand...

We won't know until we get the T6s reviews, but in good Canon fashion I don't think anyone expects a sensor revolution.

hoyasaxa said:

Finally, the last concern, perhaps I should wait a little, and get a Nikon D7200. I would be losing out on the lenses that I already have but, if we're being honest, there's only one really good lens in there, and it's pretty much the cheapest L lens available.

Click to expand...

I think you should try the Nikon, but good luck finding a lens of the 70-200 f4's quality at its price.

And if you think the 70D is long in the tooth, ask Nikon users what they think of the non existent D400 that's supposed to compete with it and the 7DII! There's an entire forum on dpr with people feeling left behind.