Thinking of upgrading from T4i -> T7i, 77D or 80D?

I started out many years ago with a T2i and upgraded to a T4i since it was a big enough jump in features. I think it's time to upgrade again.

I see that there are many advances in the T7i but one thing it lacks is back button focus which I've come to like. I was wondering what other little differences there are between the T7i, 77D and the 80D. A comparison of these models at B&H show little difference between them.

Any thoughts and recommendations would be appreciated. Please take a look at my gallery to see the types of subjects I shoot. I shoot raw and process in Lightroom and Photoshop so I'm not looking for a beginner's simplicity like I was when I purchased the T2i.

Thanks.

The advantages of the 80D include a bigger and brighter viewfinder, faster burst, back button focus, AF micro adjustments, much better battery life, and weather sealing.  IQ is similar on alll these cameras, but the 80D wins out on its better feature set.  That's why I upgraded from a very nice T6S, and I am very pleased with the 80D.

Stuartist wrote:

I started out many years ago with a T2i and upgraded to a T4i since it was a big enough jump in features.

Absolutely loved my T4i. Heck of a capable camera.

I think it's time to upgrade again.

I can only imagine what the latest Rebel can do!

I see that there are many advances in the T7i but one thing it lacks is back button focus which I've come to like.

Hmmm. Not sure where you heard that, but all recent Rebels to date have been able to re-assign the back ( * ) button to perform AF, just like the T4i can. I know what you mean though; I couldn't live without BBAF! It's programmable in the Custom Functions Section (p. 396)...

T7i Manual

I was wondering what other little differences there are between the T7i, 77D and the 80D. A comparison of these models at B&H show little difference between them.

Threee outstanding cameras indeed. The review of the 77D has a nice chart outlining most of the differences in features...

DPReview 77D review

Any thoughts and recommendations would be appreciated.

As much as I loved my T4i, I had to move up to the 70D for the larger RAW buffer (I shoot a lot of BIFs and Sports). That, and the Dual Pixel AF (for Live View and Video). Now even the T7i has the Dual Pixel sensor, and its FPS is improved as well. It'd be a hard choice indeed!

But shooting primarily scenics, you may not need any of the more advanced features of the 80D. If the action-shooting capabilities of the T4i are sufficient right now, then you may be better served with the smaller size of the T7i or 77D (their main difference is in the controls and the top LCD display).

Myself, I've vastly downsized (to the M5) for 95% of my shooting, and now when I pick up my 70D (for action shooting) it feels like a BRICK. This may or may not be a factor for you, but having a smaller lighter camera for most types of photo ops is very nice. Heck, you might even check out the SL2!

Well, holler back with any questions. Good luck in your quest.

R2

Stuartist wrote:

I see that there are many advances in the T7i but one thing it lacks is back button focus which I've come to like.

Are you sure about that?  I would be extremely surprised.  You can get the manual on line.

ThrillaMozilla wrote:

Stuartist wrote:

I see that there are many advances in the T7i but one thing it lacks is back button focus which I've come to like.

Are you sure about that? I would be extremely surprised. You can get the manual on line.

77D has the AF ON button on the back, the T7i does not.

ThrillaMozilla wrote:

Stuartist wrote:

I see that there are many advances in the T7i but one thing it lacks is back button focus which I've come to like.

Are you sure about that? I would be extremely surprised. You can get the manual on line.

OK, I just found a number of online reviews that state that you can't do BBAF with the T7i. It's unfortunate that they are wrong (and are misleading people). It's also unfortunate that so many reviewers nowadays just parrot much of what other sites say, instead of doing their own background work.

StanNH is correct in stating that the T7i does not have a dedicated AF-ON button, but all of the recent Rebels can re-assign the ( * ) button to perform BBAF. In fact I do that on my M5 as well. It works a treat!

R2

R2D2 wrote:

ThrillaMozilla wrote:

Stuartist wrote:

I see that there are many advances in the T7i but one thing it lacks is back button focus which I've come to like.

Are you sure about that? I would be extremely surprised. You can get the manual on line.

OK, I just found a number of online reviews that state that you can't do BBAF with the T7i. It's unfortunate that they are wrong (and are misleading people). It's also unfortunate that so many reviewers nowadays just parrot much of what other sites say, instead of doing their own background work.

StanNH is correct in stating that the T7i does not have a dedicated AF-ON button, but all of the recent Rebels can re-assign the ( * ) button to perform BBAF. In fact I do that on my M5 as well. It works a treat!

R2

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm surprised that so many sites had the same misinformation. That's why I come here for the facts. So, it seems that the basic difference between the T7i and the 77D is the same as the T6i and T6s. That makes better sense.

Stan in NH wrote:

ThrillaMozilla wrote:

Stuartist wrote:

I see that there are many advances in the T7i but one thing it lacks is back button focus which I've come to like.

Are you sure about that? I would be extremely surprised. You can get the manual on line.

77D has the AF ON button on the back, the T7i does not.

Ah, for gosh sakes, they should RTFM and only review stuff they know about.  Manual here:  https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/camera-user-manual .  Page 396.  C.Fn-12.  Now I see that R2D2 beat me to it.