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Should I buy the Canon 80D or 7D Mark II?

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Aristotle_03

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Hello!

I’m looking to upgrade my Canon EOS 1300D/Rebel T6. I currently own 3 lenses: Canon 50mm 1.8 STM, Sigma 35mm 1.4 ART and a Sigma 90mm 2.8 macro. I use the Sigma 35mm most often. I mostly shoot pets (indoor), children (indoor/outdoor) and candid portraits.

I’m not a professional at all, but I want to learn more about photography since I really enjoy it as a hobby. I am thinking about applying to an art academy which teaches photography amongst other art forms.

I’ve been leaning towards the Canon 80D since it seems to be the best alround camera at my price point, but a photographer I know told me to go for the 7D Mark II instead, because he said it would be a better investment. From what I gathered from reading and watching reviews and comparisons, the 7D MKii has a better and faster autofocussing system. But I wonder if this is necessary if you’re not a sports or BIF photographer?

However, I would LOVE to be able to shoot action photos of pets playing and jumping mid-air! (I mostly shoot indoor pets so the lack of light is a factor too.) I really like natural and candid captures that are in focus. With that purpose in mind, which of the two would you recommend? The touch to focus on the 80D seems really neat too.

I really hope I’m not asking a stupid question... Again, I’m still learning and I hope the professionals amongst you won’t judge me.
 
The 7D Mk II's slightly better as a sports camera, thanks to autofocus

The 80D is noticeably better as a portrait camera, general family camera, and video camera, thanks to the tilty twisty screen.

BAK
 
I had to decide between the 70D and the 7DII, went with the 70D, and today the 80D would be my choice; the 7DII sounds like a great camera, the 80D just does everything very well.

For instance you may think the LCD that moves out isn't that important... Until you're trying an impossible shot and it saves the day.
 
Aristotle_03 said:
Hello!

I’m looking to upgrade my Canon EOS 1300D/Rebel T6. I currently own 3 lenses: Canon 50mm 1.8 STM, Sigma 35mm 1.4 ART and a Sigma 90mm 2.8 macro. I use the Sigma 35mm most often. I mostly shoot pets (indoor), children (indoor/outdoor) and candid portraits.

I’m not a professional at all, but I want to learn more about photography since I really enjoy it as a hobby. I am thinking about applying to an art academy which teaches photography amongst other art forms.

I’ve been leaning towards the Canon 80D since it seems to be the best alround camera at my price point, but a photographer I know told me to go for the 7D Mark II instead, because he said it would be a better investment. From what I gathered from reading and watching reviews and comparisons, the 7D MKii has a better and faster autofocussing system. But I wonder if this is necessary if you’re not a sports or BIF photographer?

However, I would LOVE to be able to shoot action photos of pets playing and jumping mid-air! (I mostly shoot indoor pets so the lack of light is a factor too.) I really like natural and candid captures that are in focus. With that purpose in mind, which of the two would you recommend? The touch to focus on the 80D seems really neat too.

I really hope I’m not asking a stupid question... Again, I’m still learning and I hope the professionals amongst you won’t judge me.
Click to expand...
We have both in my house. I prefer the 7D2 for it's AF/frame speed and build quality

My daughter prefers the 80D for the articulated touch screen and feature set it offers. The 80D has more features for learners etc where the 7D2 is more geared as a pro back up body. The 7D2 also has a menu system and button layout nearly identical to workhorse 5D4.

I think some might say the 80D has a slightly better sensor but it's close enough IMHO to not be a deciding factor.

Heard unsubstantiated rumors they will be combined in a new model.

I occasionally miss the touch screen of the 7D2 but not enough to switch.
 
I made that same choice when I upgraded from a 60D. I bought the 80D. It's noise level in the low ISO range is better. Since I am a generalist, and shoot almost everything, in all kinds of light, including birds in flight, I went for the 80D. I would make the same choice again. If I primarily shot birds in flight, or jet aircraft, I'd choose the 7D for its slightly quicker focus and slightly higher burst rate. But the 80D beats it everywhere else, imo. Besides, it is less expensive.

But you won't go wrong with either.

--
Jim
"It's all about the light"
 
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I highly recommend the 80d. IMO, it's a better all around camera. If you were shooting mostly sports and wildlife action, the 7DII would be better with the higher frame rate and more sophisticated (and complicated) AF system. See the link for a series of a pelican taking off. The 80d does pretty well with action.

Pelican taking off
 
I have an 80D and think it's the Swiss Army Knife of DSLR's. It does everything you would want it to do, and it does it well. There are other cameras that may be stronger in some areas, but few have the overall practicality and user friendliness of the 80D.

i use mine for BIF, a variety of wildlife shots, sports, and landscape and portrait photography. I have yet to find a shooting situation that has been compromised by any shortcomings of this camera. It is affordable and I highly recommend it.
 
First off, thank you for all your kind replies! I forgot to add that I can get both cameras for around the same price, so that isn’t a point of concern.

Some additional thoughts:

- The LCD flip screen does seem useful for pet photography as I am often on the ground or shooting from odd angles.

- I’m glad to hear that some of you do use the 80D for action photography and haven’t experienced any shortcomings so far. How well does the 80D’s autofocussing system do on subjects that move unpredictably?

- I’ve watched several videos on all the customizable settings the 7D mk2 has, not only when it comes to the expensive focusing options. I wonder if I’m at the level of knowledge to make good use of all of that now. However, it seems like a camera that you won’t easily outgrow but grow “into”. But the 80D sounds like a good starting point. So I wonder which camera will be most beneficial to my learning curve? This is something I have only taken into consideration after reading the replies to my post.

Thanks again! I know this is a really common topic/consideration but I really appreciate having advice that’s custom to my particular situation.
 
" I currently own 3 lenses: Canon 50mm 1.8 STM, Sigma 35mm 1.4 ART and a Sigma 90mm 2.8 macro. I use the Sigma 35mm most often. I mostly shoot pets (indoor), children (indoor/outdoor) and candid portraits."

Are these all "EF-equivalent [full-frame]" lenses?

If so, have you considered the EOS RP ?
 
JPAlbert said:
" I currently own 3 lenses: Canon 50mm 1.8 STM, Sigma 35mm 1.4 ART and a Sigma 90mm 2.8 macro. I use the Sigma 35mm most often. I mostly shoot pets (indoor), children (indoor/outdoor) and candid portraits."

Are these all "EF-equivalent [full-frame]" lenses?

If so, have you considered the EOS RP ?
Click to expand...
I never even considered mirrorless. I checked and my lenses should be compatible. The focusing system sounds very attractive, although I wonder about the actual shooting experience? I like shooting in manual (and always do) and manually focusing from time to time. That said, I’ve never tried mirrorless so I don’t have a clue how similar the user experience is. DSLR’s just always seemed more attractive to me.

Since it’s retailing at almost the double of the 80D/7D mk2 - there’s a student discount going on on those - I was wondering if it was worth saving more money and waiting.

I just checked out some video reviews and the DPreview one stated something that threw me off. It said it didn’t do well in low ISO and that pushing the shadows isn’t too great. I am an avid post processor. Using Lightroom and Photoshop is one of my favorite parts of the process, and I tend to shoot RAW in ISO 100-200 to be able to have a good editing range. (Sorry is this is something that is frowned upon when it comes to good photography.)

Anyway, the review said that if you’re big on editing the EOS RP isn’t for you. However, they compared it to other brands’ mirrorless cameras.

Does that still mean the RP would do a poorer job than the 80D or 7D mk2?
 
I bought the 80D for photographing aircraft in flight. The AF is good for capturing those aerobatic planes zig-zaging high in the sky.

I bought the 80D over the 7DIII because it was $400 less expensive and has 4mp more to allow me a little more cropping of subjects at a distance. Also the 80D is said to have a bit better DR.
 
I have the sl1 and recently bought the 80d. The 80 d reacts far faster than the sl1. You get slightly better results. For a city trip I use the sl1 more. Because the 80d is heavier and more expensive. I think you could also buy the sl 2 and have similar results and maybe better because of a better processor.
 
80D
 
I would get the 80D, I am getting one myself. I will be upgrading from a T2I which is even older than your DSLR. 80D is a newer all around camera compared to the 7DII.

I also have an EOS M1/3/5 and am getting totally out of the mirrorless thing. The M5 while a nice camera is not as fast as my T2I. It still doesn't work well in low light unlike my T2I. I can't imagine what the 80D will do in low light.

I don't think you will be sorry.
 
Thank you all so much! I’ve decided to order the 80D! It’s arriving tomorrow and I literally can’t sleep. I still feel a little conflicted. I guess it’s always hard to make these kind of big purchase (well to me)/long term choices with full conviction. Will share my experiences here.
 
Aristotle_03 said:
Thank you all so much! I’ve decided to order the 80D! It’s arriving tomorrow and I literally can’t sleep. I still feel a little conflicted. I guess it’s always hard to make these kind of big purchase (well to me)/long term choices with full conviction. Will share my experiences here.
Click to expand...
Good choice. After you read the manual, share some photos with us. You will be one happy camper.
 
Aristotle_03 said:
Thank you all so much! I’ve decided to order the 80D! It’s arriving tomorrow and I literally can’t sleep. I still feel a little conflicted. I guess it’s always hard to make these kind of big purchase (well to me)/long term choices with full conviction. Will share my experiences here.
Click to expand...
I am sure will love it as much as I love my 7D2. Both are fantastic cameras. Almost impossible to make a bad choice

BTW I made the jump from a 500D (T1i)
 
I received the 80D today! So far I’m really impressed! The autofocussing system is a huge leap from where I was with the 1300D. I also think the colors are much much better, and the dynamic range was great when editing. Looking forward to trying the camera in daylight tomorrow.
 
Aristotle_03 said:
I received the 80D today! So far I’m really impressed! The autofocussing system is a huge leap from where I was with the 1300D. I also think the colors are much much better, and the dynamic range was great when editing. Looking forward to trying the camera in daylight tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Please report how the centre AF is in one shot, single servo in dim light if you get the chance.

Street shooter considering upgrade from my lovely old SL1
 
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