Canon 60D or 70D: I own a Canon 60D and am very happy with it, but just wondering if it's worth buying the new 70D? I know it's a bit smaller than the 60 and only real difference is...

flavocin

I own a Canon 60D and am very happy with it, but just wondering if it's worth buying the new 70D?
I know it's a bit smaller than the 60 and only real difference is auto focus while in video mode and also the touch screen, but is it worth buying or should I just stay with the 60D?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Flavocin, only you know if you should pony up for a 70.
There a huge amount of improvements.
The 60 has a digic 4 processor, the 70 a 5+. That's pretty big, and a far superior focus system.
I suggest you go to the The_Digital_Picture and read the reviews for both, then you will have a very clear and focused picture of each camera. Good luck. ;-)
SS

amehta Loc: Boston

flavocin wrote:

I own a Canon 60D and am very happy with it, but just wondering if it's worth buying the new 70D?
I know it's a bit smaller than the 60 and only real difference is auto focus while in video mode and also the touch screen, but is it worth buying or should I just stay with the 60D?

If you shoot a lot of video, the 70D's new AF system is a significant upgrade. For shooting stills using the viewfinder, the difference is not as important.

ricardolegraham

I have a 60D and I love it; while I've never used the 70D, I wasn't overwhelmed by the touchscreen interface on the T5i (I think or T6i?). The 60D has enough external controls for me that I wouldn't need it. The upgraded processor is sexy, but I don't shoot a lot of high-speed bursts in RAW, so the 60D is once again good enough for me, personally. Video AF? I shoot cinematic video on occasion, where I have the luxury of blocking things beforehand and practicing wonderfully smooth buttery hand focus pulls. But if I were to shoot a wedding or other event where I needed spontaneous video AF, that would really come in handy. If Canon makes an 80D with more nice improvements, I might go for that.

Basically just look for what you have, what you want, and how much of both of those are in the 70D. Do you shoot a lot of RAW? Do you need the video AF? Are you a touchscreen or a button photographer? Do you need these things enough to justify the extra $$? We can't answer those questions for you, but hopefully that's a good place to start.

Good luck choosing!

mechengvic Loc: SoCalo

flavocin wrote:

I own a Canon 60D and am very happy with it, but just wondering if it's worth buying the new 70D?
I know it's a bit smaller than the 60 and only real difference is auto focus while in video mode and also the touch screen, but is it worth buying or should I just stay with the 60D?

If you're gonna roll, you should roll large. There's not enough difference between the 60 and the 70... Now, the 6 or 7 D... that's a difference!

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

I have the 60d and carefully weighed the pro's and cons of both, and found no compelling reasons to upgrade. Still very happy with my 60d

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

The 70D has a significantly upgraded and faster autofocus and image processor than the 60D. Between these two, and only these two, absolutely choose the 70D.

amehta Loc: Boston

lukan wrote:

The 70D has a significantly upgraded and faster autofocus and image processor than the 60D. Between these two, and only these two, absolutely choose the 70D.

If you have neither, definitely pick the 70D. If someone already has the 60D, whether or not they should update would seem to depend on whether they are missing shots which they might get with a better camera.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

flavocin wrote:

I own a Canon 60D and am very happy with it, but just wondering if it's worth buying the new 70D?
I know it's a bit smaller than the 60 and only real difference is auto focus while in video mode and also the touch screen, but is it worth buying or should I just stay with the 60D?

AS amehta said so wisely before me: If you're missing shots due to the slower autofocus, or if your clandestine or street photography is impeded without the touch screen, then get the 70D. In the grand scheme of things, the difference to you won't really be that remarkable. However, this perfect logic does fly in the face of G.A.S.*

*G.A.S. = Gear Acquisition Syndrome :D

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Here is another take. The 60D has some resale value now. The longer you wait, the less it will be worth. And then when the 80D comes out, the 60D will take a big hit. You will either give it away, use it as a second body and stick it on a shelf.

Like the other reasons, this is largely subjective.

philz Loc: Rockaway Township NJ

I have a 60D which I bought instead of a 7D that has the same 18 mp sensor and processor due to smaller size to carry (just right for my hands), adequate burst speed, movable LCD screen for Live View, and of course a lot lower price. It upgraded a 10 mp 40D, which I still have as a backup. I did not upgrade to the 50D as my take is that a one level upgrade usually is not worth it while a two level upgrade is. And the 60D was very much an upgrade over the 40D, and even the 50D.

I have no idea what the 80D will be like if there even is one. But as I do not shoot video with this camera and could care less about a touchscreen as I know my controls, the 70D upgrade is not worth it for me. And seemingly not for you either.

canarywood1 Loc: Sarasota,Florida

Everything I've read on upgrading from 60 to 70 is if you shoot video, if not stay with what you have as it's a wash between the two.

Michael O' Loc: Midwest right now

amehta wrote:

If you shoot a lot of video, the 70D's new AF system is a significant upgrade. For shooting stills using the viewfinder, the difference is not as important.

Exactly. Similar to the situation with the Mark II versus the Mark III. Go with the later model if you expect to shoot a lot of video. If not, don't waste your money.

ricardolegraham

Michael O' wrote:

Exactly. Similar to the situation with the Mark II versus the Mark III. Go with the later model if you expect to shoot a lot of video. If not, don't waste your money.

Even that depends on the video - I do cinema (ok, that makes my stuff sound way better than it is; what I mean to say is that I shoot staged, planned productions). If you're doing live events or something like that, the video AF will be important; if you can set stuff up beforehand like I have the luxury of doing, you can go all manual.

To the OP though: Go to a store, get your hands on one, and see if you notice a difference. If you fall in love with the touchscreen (or whatever else), go for it. If not, it may not be worth the money.

ricardolegraham

Michael O' wrote:

Exactly. Similar to the situation with the Mark II versus the Mark III. Go with the later model if you expect to shoot a lot of video. If not, don't waste your money.

Even that depends on the video - I do cinema (ok, that makes my stuff sound way better than it is; what I mean to say is that I shoot staged, planned productions). If you're doing live events or something like that, the video AF will be important; if you can set stuff up beforehand like I have the luxury of doing, you can go all manual.

To the OP though: Go to a store, get your hands on one, and see if you notice a difference. If you fall in love with the touchscreen (or whatever else), go for it. If not, it may not be worth the money.