60D Upgrade: 6D or 80D

"I've increasingly found the 9 AF points of the 60D limiting when it comes to framing my subject."

The 6D focus points covers a smaller part of the viewfinder than your 60D, so if you can work around that limitation on the 6D, then why can't you work around the same limitation on the 60D? What I'm trying to say is, if that's the main reason to switch away from your 60D, then the 6D will not be better in that respect. The IQ of the 6D, of course, will be much better.

The IQ of the 6D is outstanding, but if Bill Claff's measurements are correct, the dynamic range of the 80D at ISO100 will be better than the 80D at ISO 100. If you shoot mostly at ISO100, then the 80D might work well for you. However, if you shoot at anything ISO200 or higher, then the 6D is simply better with regard to noise, dynamic range and IQ.

The 80D focus system is really nice with great coverage in the viewfinder. The swivel screen can be very handy if you need to focus the camera from low or high, plus the touch screen makes it even easier to use.

My opinion would be to wait a little while to make sure there are no major issues with the 80D reported, then go with the 80D.

-Kelly

vlad2304 wrote:

Dave wrote:

What lenses do you have?

Sigma 17-50 OS HSM and Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM (C).

Being as they are both DC lenses, you'll need to upgrade to FF lenses.  Both of these will vignette on the 6D.

Mark

Thanks for asking about this, as I am wrestling with the same choice, though coming from a 50D.  Main subjects are travel, macro, nature (though not really much fauna), theater, and a bit of sports (soccer).  I've gradually gravitated toward primes and have a 35L, 50 1.8, 85 1.8, Sigma 150 macro, and 70-200L 4 IS.  Have sometimes rented a 15mm fisheye for travel, and I may buy a wider lens (such as Rokinon 14mm or 16-35L 4 IS) in the near future.

I have liked the cameras in the X0D series but have also noticed their limitations, especially in low light shooting like theater when there is very high contrast between the lights on performers' faces and the darker or unlit shadows around them.  Seems like the ability to push shadows in the 80D would be good for this, though the 6D is known as a low light champ.

vlad2304 wrote:

Being as they are both DC lenses, you'll need to upgrade to FF lenses. Both of these will vignette on the 6D.

Mark

Mark,

I first bought Canon 80D and then lenses.

Why did you respond to Dave's question, which was aimed at the OP?  I didn't look at the username, I thought you were the OP.  The question was for the OP who was asking about upgrading to the 80D or 6D.

chris1001 wrote:

Try and rent or borrow a 6D (fantastic IQ, I sold my 7DII almost straight away after "seeing the light"), once you've experience FF it's hard to go back to crop -

That may have been true 8 years ago, but not today. Unless your way of appreciating photos is at 100% or larger view on a large computer monitor.

unless you need the 1.6x for any other reason.

chris1001 wrote:

I guess we all have our standards, and various degrees of OCD, I'm particularly fussy and am yet to find a crop sensor Canon that produces better IQ than my 6D.

Yes but in the end you need to ask is the difference really worth the extra expense, size, weight so that pictures look a little better when viewed closer than standard viewing distance. Show aps-c and 35mm pocs to the average person and they won't see a difference.

All my monitors are 27".

Devliin wrote:

Sorry if this post is a bit wordy but I wanted to provide as much info as possible.

So I think I've finally reached a technological road block on my 60D that is causing me to consider upgrading. I exclusively shoot portraits and over the last 3 years I've increasingly found the 9 AF points of the 60D limiting when it comes to framing my subject. For that reason I've been considering upgrading to the 6D for the two extra AF points and obviously the image quality improvement that FF brings.

The release of the 80D has thrown a screwball into my plans.The 45 AF points & Digic 6 chip make it very attractive. The only things that matter to me are photo image quality ( I make a lot of normal size prints) & usability, don't care about any of the video features. Which is a better upgrade option, a used 6D or new 80D?

I'm in a very similar position, currently shooting with a 60d but considering the 6d and 80d. The 80d offers lots of small advantages but I keep considering the 6d for the excellent IQ. Some people say it's not noticeable, but personally I can see the difference. For strictly portraits you would probably be better with the 6d but only if you can invest in good glass (which gets very expensive) and are aware that the perspective will be different from what your use to. That's one (there are several) thing holding me back from going to a 6d atm, to replace my 85 1.8 on FF id be looking at a a 135 f2 or 70-200 2.8 for portraits but that's almost the cost of the new body.

What lenses do you currently own/plan on buying if you get the 6d?

Currently I shoot with the Canon 50mm 1.4 & Sigma 17-50mm 2.8 for portraits. I'm aware that I'll have to upgrade the glass if I go with the 6D. For the most part I don't have gear envy or "upgrade fever", i'm looking just looking for the best IQ and usability

I'm considering waiting until Adorama has the 80D available for rent to test it out side by side.

RedFox88 wrote:

chris1001 wrote:

Try and rent or borrow a 6D (fantastic IQ, I sold my 7DII almost straight away after "seeing the light"), once you've experience FF it's hard to go back to crop -

That may have been true 8 years ago, but not today. Unless your way of appreciating photos is at 100% or larger view on a large computer monitor.

unless you need the 1.6x for any other reason.

I concur.

Full frame has a different quality that I can't really explain, but recently getting the 7DII I am really impressed how good the images are. For normal use ( internet and prints) I'm hard pressed to see really obvious differences.

I like both.