steelhorzz

I'm looking at purchasing a New Canon camera. My currrent one is a 40D, which has served me well, but has limitations. (And is getting pretty worn).
My only "conditions" in purchasing are I want to be able to use my EFS lenses, (I have both EF and EFS), and I need a camera with automatic "modes", so my wife can use it as well. (We travel a lot in our RV, and she is "designated camera person" when I'm driving.
I've narrowed it down to either the 80D, or the 7D Mark ll, (I'm leaning toward the 7D).
I know all the technical differences, (mp, ISO, focus points, etc.).
And reading a lot of reviews I hear people having focusing problems with the 7D Mark ll.
Any input would be appreciated!
Thank you all in advance.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Your wife sounds like a keeper. Take her to a camera store (if you don't have one nearby, enjoy the trip) and let her hold both with the longest lens you use. If you can live with the way it feels, let her make the decision. Good luck.

JeffinMass Loc: MA

I think if you switch to all EF lenses you will be much happier. They are more durable and have much nicer glass. Their weight, though heavier, should not be much of an issue for anyone with small hands. Male or female.

will47 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

Try the 7D Mark ll. You'll love it.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I have the 7DII and it is great. But for you and your wife I think the 80D would be a better choice. Newer sensor, more megapixels, better low light performance etc. A bit smaller and lighter while still being a heck of an upgrade from your 40D. You can get it from Canon's store as a refurb with the new 18-135 lens for $300 less than a 7DII body alone.
Also look at the T7i, and 77D.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

What type of shooting do you and your wife do? Landscapes, portraits, children, sports, BIF ? Do you shoot in bad weather? Is weight an issue? Do you shoot video? Tell us more about your wants/needs/requirements, and it will be easier to advise.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

While the 7D II is a really nice camera, your wife will by much happier with the 80D. If she is the designated shooter while you are driving, the main feature the 7D II has over the 80D, it's 10 fps, will more than likely not be used. Others than its exotic AF system, it really has nothing on the 80D and the 80D's AF system ain't to shabby either.

I have both cameras and the one the wife prefers to use is my 80D. Its easier to operate, produces better images, uses newer technology and costs less. Believe me, the 80D is the better choice for you and your wife.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

It is a toss up. if shooting video the 80d is propertied to be great. Don't let anyone sell the EFs glass short especially the EFs 15-85 and 10-22. I have both and a bag of L for my 6D.

J. R.

Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

My vote is also for the 80D. I recently upgraded from the T3i and the 80D is great. It will use all your lenses and not feel that strange even with all the new features. And the touch screen is worth the price all by it self.
Ken

steelhorzz

Thanks for the additional questions. First off, my shooting is across the board..... but mostly... while we travel landscapes, (i.e. Covered bridges, Yosemite Falls, Red rocks of Sedona, Gettysburg, Pyramids of Giza). But I also do museums and cathedrals indoors, (no flash), And outdoors at night when on river cruises like the entering the city of Budapest.
Portraits...... not so much.
I did get asked to do the grandkids birthday party's and family get togethers, but as I didn't have time for "interaction", I've now been asked not to bring my camera any more. (but they did love the photos). -LOL and of pics course my dog. (He's a Pug). 🐶
I've had a separate canon video camera 🎥 I carried, so happy to be able to take videos with either of these cameras.
Weight is really not an issue as I do most of the carrying and shooting.
My current lenses are efs 10-22mm, efs 18-135mm, (my walk around lens), efs 55-250mm, (not sure why I have that rarely use it), and of course.... my 70-200mm L f.2.8, (love that lens!!)
I'm also looking at getting another Lens. Either the 24-70mm L F4, or the 24-105mm L F4. I've ruled the 24-70mm f2.8 out just due to budgetary constraints. And most of my outdoor shooting has ample light. And the Mark ll with an ISO of 51200 is far better than my current 40d of 3200 "expanded".
My wife shoots as we "roll by", so I was thinking the Mark ll would be good with a singular auto mode setting, and 10 fps. She's bound to get something. (As they say even a blind squirrel gets a nut every now and then.) Most of her shots are "location specific". I mean signs like "Welcome to Missouri", view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, (as we cross over, or the Terminal tower in Cleveland, as we drive by.....
We are going to Idaho this year for the total eclipse of the sun, (there will be another post for asking about setting to shoot an eclipse), and afterward on to Yellowstone. Hope this provides more detail for your recommendations. And thanks everyone for their input thus far!!

steelhorzz

Totally agree on efs glass. I too have the 10-22mm love it when I'm up close and want to get everything in the shot. Good for standing at the base of a cathedral, or statue.

The video option os definitely a plus,

By comparing the specs I kinda thought the 7D Mark ll was a 80D with more horsepower.
More fps, higher ISO, more focus points, dual processor.
More is better???🤔

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

80D is a couple of years newer tech. 24 vs 20 megapixels, bit better in low light etc.
I use the 1.4x extender on my 100-400 which makes it f/8, my 7DII then becomes a single point AF lens, the 80D would still have 27 points on the AF.
Your 70-200 f/2.8 would work well with the 1.4x and get you into the 448mm angle of view on either body, but on the 80D you could use a 2X and still have those 27 AF points at 640mm AOV. Well into birder or long telephoto territory. The Canon 1.4x and 2.0x extenders (mark III versions) are each about $450. Kenko has a new teleconverter for Canons that is supposed to be as good and only $340. I have the older Kenko Pro 300 in 1.4 & 2.0 and they do very well, I often use them with a Tamron 180 f/3.5 macro on my 7DII, on my 6D I can only get AF with the 1.4x. I also have a Canon 1.4X III just for my 100-400 and the 7DII.

Depends on your preference which is better under which circumstances.
Sorta like a 500hp muscle car vs a 200hp sports car. Depends on if the race is on I-10 through the desert or the Blue Ridge Parkway.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

You won't get the 24-70 f/2.8 because of Financials but you're willing to pay around, what, $700 for an additional 3 fps. Sure, the 7D II has a higher max ISO, but realistically, are you ever going to shoot above 16,000, because anything past that will be as grainy as a sandbox.
Don't get me wrong, the 7D II is a great camera, but it's not a general purpose camera, and you do mainly general purpose shooting. If you did a lot of birds in flight or high speed sports, them the 7D II would probably be a good fit, but from what you said, you don't. And believe me when I tell you, the 10 fps will net you no more keepers than the 80D's 7 fps. Another plus the 80D has over the 7D II, far better dynamic range. If you're shooting in museums sans flash, you want the best dynamic range available.

Personally, it matters not to me what you buy, it's your money, buy what you want. But, you asked for opinions and as I shoot with both cameras, along with a few other even better cameras, I'm offering an unbiased opinion based solely on performance. For your brand of photography, the 80D will outshine the 7D II.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Just different cameras for different markets and users. The 80D has a little more MP (24 vs 20), built-in wifi, ~1 stop better DR below ISO 300 (identical above that) an articulated touch screen and designed for the high-end crop consumer market. The 7D2 is more solidly built (indicated by the magnesium frame and the 200,000 predicted shutter life) and better weather proofing, faster fps (7-10) with a bigger buffer, dual card slots and a more sophisticated AF system with more cross points, higher available ISO and is designed/marketed for the prosumer user. Personally, I'd choose the 7D2 for any sort of action shooting and it's more solid build, but those are my priorities and YMMV.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

The 80D would be a major upgrade to your 40D, and has a better sensor than the 7D Mark II. In other respects the 7D Mark II is still a better camera with regard to it's feature set and magnesium alloy build like your 40D. It also has a similar control layout and joystick like your 40D, which the 80D does not have. You should try to play with both and see how they feel in your hand.

I have the 7D Mark II and have played with the 80D extensively. Although it is very fine camera, I would not give up my 7D Mark II for it. In most respects the 7D II is still superior.