Canon 7D vs 5D Markii
Hey all,
I am thinking about picking up a second camera body, and I am looking for your opinion on whether I should get a 7D or 5D Markii. Obviously there is a big price difference between the two, so I am wondering whether the extra price is worth it.
I mainly take wildlife and motorcycle racing photography. So I like the cropped sensor of the 7D (which I currently own) so that I get the extra zoom for the far away shots.
I am just wondering other than the obvious difference of the 5D being full frame, whether I will see any difference in the image quality. To me it seems like they both have the same processor, but I am not really good with all the technical details.
So I would appreciate the feedback of anyone that has tried both out.
Thanks
I am thinking about picking up a second camera body, and I am looking for your opinion on whether I should get a 7D or 5D Markii. Obviously there is a big price difference between the two, so I am wondering whether the extra price is worth it.
I mainly take wildlife and motorcycle racing photography. So I like the cropped sensor of the 7D (which I currently own) so that I get the extra zoom for the far away shots.
I am just wondering other than the obvious difference of the 5D being full frame, whether I will see any difference in the image quality. To me it seems like they both have the same processor, but I am not really good with all the technical details.
So I would appreciate the feedback of anyone that has tried both out.
Thanks
0
Comments
If you're not sure which body right now, stick with the 7D. Or try to rent a 5d2 and decide for yourself.
The extra zoom is a myth, you DO NOT GET ANY MORE ZOOM. Instead you just lose FOV vs full frame.
In IQ, there is an obvious difference IMO. The whole "it features processor X or dual X" is just marketing, I wouldn't pay any attention to that.
It doesn't multiply you FL, unless there is some magical tele-converter that attaches itself.
100mm is 100mm /end of story
I would seriously try renting the 5D2 before even considering it for the work you do.
For wildlife and sports, the 7D wins hands-down. You get the focal length multiplier, and a faster and more advanced AF system. Plus the burst rate of the 7D is something like 3 times faster. I do own both bodies and use the 5DMKII for portraits and landscape because it produces cleaner images, especially in low light conditions. The shallower DOF is useful for portraits as well, as Richy said. I've always been happy with the super-wide performance of the EF-S 10-22 on the crop-body Canons, so that's not a factor for me.
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Getting more focal length but having same Dof, would be a contradiction to physics. 100mm is a 100mm on 4/3s, aps-c, aps-H, or full frame. The ONLY thing that changes is your FOV. Not your focal length, that remains absolute.
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*FACEPALM
Close one eye, what do you see? Now, do the same with but take a toilet paper tube and look through it with one eye. Did everything suddenly get bigger (magnified) ?
I digress.
The word effective is irrelevant, when the physics are absolute. When framing subject the same on a Canons APS-C, and full frame, you'll zoom back out roughly 60% with Canons APS-C. The camera isn't doing any magical tele-converter tricks with Canons APS-C or the lens.
lets say the text on your screen, 2' away. Both with and with out the tube.
Canons APS-C vs full frame everything else being equal. You will get less FOV (less scene captured hence less scene printed) with an APS-C. This shouldn't be confused or be interpreted to be higher magnification.
Now, if I did want to have the same framing, FoV, I would need to take several steps back or use a wider angle lens. Despite this can change the perspective considerably.
Instead of saying effective focal length, try to say effective field of view.
I don't know where this started honestly, but it needs to stop. I guess sales people needed to dumb things down for football (soccer) moms.
Yes, I think it should be called football NOT soccer. And what we call football, handball or something else.
So, here, for every 100pixels across a subject on a 5dm2 frame, there's 148 on a 7D frame... or more than double the pixels (219%) by area.
pp
Flickr
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I used the term soccer moms, I couldn't thing of something better.
Photo printing is after the fact, if everything is equal, that argument would be like me saying that I can just switch my camera to "DX mode" for more magnification. Or crop latter? It isn't the same.
Canon isn't always right, they use what they think will make things sell easier with out bluntly lying. They are a business after all.
I didn't say they where wrong, I said they'll use what works if makes a sale.
But your perspective still changes. I can set an APS-C with the 35mm 1.8 lens and a full frame with a 50mm 1.8. Both cameras and subject at the same distance, the 35mm is going to distort more and have more back round.
Photos taken on a tripod, slight vertical movement due to differ camera hight, horizontal remains the same.
Nikon D5100 with 35mm 1.8
Nikon D5100 with 50mm 1.8
Nikon D700 with 50mm 1.8 cropped to APC-C size.
Nikon D700 with 50mm 1.8
Notice the Nikon D5100 with 35mm 1.8 has a wider back round than the Nikon D700 with 50mm 1.8? This is the change in perspective.
Notice the Nikon D700 with 50mm 1.8 and Nikon D5100 with 50mm 1.8 have the same DOF but different FOV?
If you already have a 7D, get the 5DII. If you didn't have either, get the 7D. You are going to shoot more than the 2 interests you list and the value of the full frame for landscapes and portraits will serve you well. The 5DII will be an outstanding image producer in its own right. Besides, you'll probably only have one primary lens for your shoot anyway. It will go on the 7D for your two interests and something complimentary that will take advantage of the full frame will go on the 5DII. IMHO
+1
The 5D2 is a great addition to your current 7D. They use same batteries/charger and this doubles your lenses (not getting into this fight but a 17-40L will be standard zoom on your 7D while it is very wide angle on the 5D2). I love the combo !
Nick.
my equipment: Canon 5D2, 7D, full list here
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If you have the budget to consider a 5D2 then you should be able to sell your EF-S lenses and get a few Ls with minumum loss (if you decide to go for the 5D2)
actually there are a few more EF-S type lens worth owning - the Tamron 17-50 2.8 and Sigma 17-50 2.8 to name two !:D
OK, yes... but they work on FF, albeit with vignetting It might be enough to get some people to go for the 7D, but for me if I had a 5D2 I'd get some better glass for it
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
OHHH MY GOODNESS YES. One reason being diffraction starts at F/6.3 on the 7D cause of the pixel density. The MKII can go to F10 without any diffraction. As a macro freak with both cameras I will attest that it is quite noticeable with micro detail when you want to shoot at F10 and beyond! While it wont be noticed in web sized previews, it makes a difference when you want to print big - the MKII allows you to press your face on the glass while remaining razor sharp on poster sized prints ... not that I have a habit of pressing my face on glass... I get close though
The MKII gives better sharpness, higher resolution, and less noise, which multiplies the contribution to overall IQ in macro - especially if you find yourself without a flash or sunlight or want to use smaller apertures.