So, my Canon XSi that served me faithfully for a few years has gone missing. I have absolutely no idea what happened to it because last time I saw it, it was sitting on my couch. Maybe our maintenance guy took it.
Whatever the case, I need a new camera. I'd like to upgrade from the XSi and I was wondering what people thought of the 50D vs. the 60D. At this point, I am leaning towards the 50D but there is no really specific reason why that's the case.
I'm also considering the 7D, but I have heard that you have to have absolutely top of the line lenses to make it look sharp because the pixels are so closely packed on the sensor, and I will only be able to get maybe one L lens.
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Which Canon DSLR should I get?
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brett's pick
I had to make this choice a couple of months ago. Here's a quick tech comparison between the 50D and the 60D (I'm not going to touch the 7D because you're right - you need amazing lenses for that camera).
The 60D is smaller than the 50D but its ergonomics are not substantially changed - it'll still feel like a big improvement over a Rebel series camera, though the loss of the metal body means the same won't be true for 50D owners. One welcome addition is signaled by the little receiver window on the handgrip - the 60D is compatible with Canon's IR remote controls.
(this is all in terms of the 60D, for example, it has a higher resolution sensor).
Higher resolution sensor (17.9MP vs. 15.1MP)
Accepts SD, rather than CF memory cards
No flash sync socket
Wireless Speedlight control
Support for optional infra-red remote release
Articulated 3:2 high resolution LCD screen
Plastic body shell (8% weight saving)
Standard ISO range extends to 6400, rather than 3200
User-definable Auto ISO upper limit
HD video recording 1080 p30/25/24 or 720p60/50 plus cropped 640 x 480 movie mode
New features: in-camera raw conversion, ambience settings, creative filters, more JPEG options
No joystick, no multi-flash support, simplified top plate & info panel, only one Custom mode, no AF micro-adjust
Slightly reduced customization options
Redesigned control layout with slightly fewer buttons
Lower burst rate
For me, video was HUGE. I wanted to be able to shoot 1080p video - something the 50D cannot do. I also liked that the 60D was lighter and used SD cards - CF cards are just too old in my opinion. Also, the articulating screen is AMAZING for when you are physically unable to get behind the camera, you can tilt the screen however you need to.
At any rate, after a lot of research I decided to go with the 60D mainly for those features I just listed. I looked at the 7D, but it was out of my price range (as was the 5D Mark II obviously) so I decided to go with what felt like the next best thing. The only thing people say you miss out on the 60D from the 50D is the magnesium alloy construction which makes the 50D feel more solid. I actually opted for the 60D because it was made out of plastic - I'll take as much weight saving as I can get.
Good luck!
The 60D is smaller than the 50D but its ergonomics are not substantially changed - it'll still feel like a big improvement over a Rebel series camera, though the loss of the metal body means the same won't be true for 50D owners. One welcome addition is signaled by the little receiver window on the handgrip - the 60D is compatible with Canon's IR remote controls.
(this is all in terms of the 60D, for example, it has a higher resolution sensor).
Higher resolution sensor (17.9MP vs. 15.1MP)
Accepts SD, rather than CF memory cards
No flash sync socket
Wireless Speedlight control
Support for optional infra-red remote release
Articulated 3:2 high resolution LCD screen
Plastic body shell (8% weight saving)
Standard ISO range extends to 6400, rather than 3200
User-definable Auto ISO upper limit
HD video recording 1080 p30/25/24 or 720p60/50 plus cropped 640 x 480 movie mode
New features: in-camera raw conversion, ambience settings, creative filters, more JPEG options
No joystick, no multi-flash support, simplified top plate & info panel, only one Custom mode, no AF micro-adjust
Slightly reduced customization options
Redesigned control layout with slightly fewer buttons
Lower burst rate
For me, video was HUGE. I wanted to be able to shoot 1080p video - something the 50D cannot do. I also liked that the 60D was lighter and used SD cards - CF cards are just too old in my opinion. Also, the articulating screen is AMAZING for when you are physically unable to get behind the camera, you can tilt the screen however you need to.
At any rate, after a lot of research I decided to go with the 60D mainly for those features I just listed. I looked at the 7D, but it was out of my price range (as was the 5D Mark II obviously) so I decided to go with what felt like the next best thing. The only thing people say you miss out on the 60D from the 50D is the magnesium alloy construction which makes the 50D feel more solid. I actually opted for the 60D because it was made out of plastic - I'll take as much weight saving as I can get.
Good luck!
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brett's pick
With all due respect to NotHotWater, whoever told you that the 7D needs absolutely top-of-the-line lenses in order to look sharp, is wrong.
First of all, the 60D and the 7D have a nearly identical sensor. They are the same size, and the same pixel density (both 18MP). The difference beween the 50D and 7D sensors is also rather minor: 15MP vs 18MP, a difference, in terms of pixel density, of only 8.3%. You will always be down-sampling your images anyway, either for use on the web, or for printing. Unless you are planning to print posters or murals, you wouldn't even be able to tell the difference because a 15MP APS-C sensor is already exceeding the resolution of every output method you are likely to use.
Furthermore, L-series does not necessarily equate to sharper pictures. For example, the EF 50 1.4 takes sharp-as-a-tack pictures on the 7D, sharper, even, than the much more expensive EF 50 1.2L (aperture-for-aperture, that is. All lenses, when wide-open, lose sharpness).
In a standard zoom, the EF-S 17-55 2.8 IS has optics as good as any L-series lens, as good or better, than the EF 24-70 2.8L on the same body. It only lacks the weather-sealing of an L-series lens.
I speak from experience. I've been shooting a 7D for about 2 years, and I have either owned or used all the above lenses at various times.
First of all, the 60D and the 7D have a nearly identical sensor. They are the same size, and the same pixel density (both 18MP). The difference beween the 50D and 7D sensors is also rather minor: 15MP vs 18MP, a difference, in terms of pixel density, of only 8.3%. You will always be down-sampling your images anyway, either for use on the web, or for printing. Unless you are planning to print posters or murals, you wouldn't even be able to tell the difference because a 15MP APS-C sensor is already exceeding the resolution of every output method you are likely to use.
Furthermore, L-series does not necessarily equate to sharper pictures. For example, the EF 50 1.4 takes sharp-as-a-tack pictures on the 7D, sharper, even, than the much more expensive EF 50 1.2L (aperture-for-aperture, that is. All lenses, when wide-open, lose sharpness).
In a standard zoom, the EF-S 17-55 2.8 IS has optics as good as any L-series lens, as good or better, than the EF 24-70 2.8L on the same body. It only lacks the weather-sealing of an L-series lens.
I speak from experience. I've been shooting a 7D for about 2 years, and I have either owned or used all the above lenses at various times.
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the 60D's vari-angle LCD was the selling point for me. it helps me in wicked awkward angles.
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I think the 60 over 50D is a no brainier. I have a 40D partially because the 50D was a slight step back in image quality (or so the internet tells me) The flip out screen is pretty handy also as well as video if you need/want that. More megapixels doesn't equal better image, it's just larger. As I said above I'm using a 40D with "only" 10.1 MP and I don't have any problems with quality or printing. I've output to 18"x24" (maybe bigger) canvas with no trouble.
7D vs. 60D is a bit tougher. All the tech specs have been pointed out here though. Again there's that handy flip out screen. The flash memory is different. SD for the 60 and CF for 7D (I prefer CF because they are easier to handle and not get lost)
You can remote trigger any Canon camera even if it doesn't have a IR sensor, buy buying cheap "flash triggers" off ebay, so that doesn't really matter.
I also don't agree the 7D needs top end glass to look good, though lousy glass will look lousy on any camera, so do research on what you're getting.
I think the 7D also has better weather sealing than the 60D if you use it outdoors much (hiking, landscape, wildlife photos, etc.)
7D vs. 60D is a bit tougher. All the tech specs have been pointed out here though. Again there's that handy flip out screen. The flash memory is different. SD for the 60 and CF for 7D (I prefer CF because they are easier to handle and not get lost)
You can remote trigger any Canon camera even if it doesn't have a IR sensor, buy buying cheap "flash triggers" off ebay, so that doesn't really matter.
I also don't agree the 7D needs top end glass to look good, though lousy glass will look lousy on any camera, so do research on what you're getting.
I think the 7D also has better weather sealing than the 60D if you use it outdoors much (hiking, landscape, wildlife photos, etc.)
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