Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

I'd go with a Somy a6300, you won't be sorry, I wasn't.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I'd like to add my two cents to this thread. Since you've been shooting Canon for a lot of years, you may want to stay with them. Back in film days I shot a Canon TX, and connot tout it enough. It was one rugged camera, after several moped, motorcycle crashes, one airplane crash, and other mishaps, it took Hurricane Katrina to finally put the TX to rest. Now, I shoot digital, and have a nice stable of newer Canon glass, and some 3rd party lenses. You'll be amazed at what can be done with a digital camera. You can instantly see your images, make adjustments, and keep your images on a digital disk.
Tell us exactly what type of subjects you like to shoot, it does matter, a lot. The 7D Mark II, is a excellent wildlife/bird camera, of course it is excellent as a all round subject camera too. The 7D Mark II, is also Canons professional grade, cropped sensor camera. It also does video. The 80D, replaces the Canon 70D, but both are accomplished bodies, both are cropped sensor cameras. Don't forget the full frame 5D Mark III, and Canon 6D. Both of these great full frame cameras are scheduled to be replaced with the next version. But, both are exceptional cameras, with a full list of bells and whistles, and video. Sorry, but your old FD mount lenses will not mount to the newer EOS mount. Canon makes two different type of mounting systems, one for the cropped sensor cameras, the EF-S mount, and the EF mount. The EF mount is basically made for the full frame cameras, but can be used on the cropped sensor cameras too. In the EF realm you'll also find the ultra high quality "L" lenses. These lenses are not only made of extra sharp glass, but are also weather sealed. These lenses are set apart from basic EF lenses by being white in color, or have a distinctive red ring around the outer element, and higher price tag. If you really like video, you may want to direct yourself to the lenses with a STM focus motor, or the new NANO focus motor. Both are very quiet, and will not be as audible on your shots as the older USM motors. Canon has also come out with a removable zoom system for some lenses, this will give the video-grapher the smooth zoom found in theater movies. You may want to look at the site www.canonrumors.com for information on bargain pricing, and what is coming new from Canon.

B

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

I don't know if I'd go with Carl D's suggestion. His camera can't take a full frame shot by the looks of his pic. LOL

Mojoni Loc: Eastern Tennessee

Take a look at the new Pentax K1

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

That was taken with my iPad as a selfie.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I don't know a whole lot about manufacturers other than Canon (which are what I use)... but they all offer models that are competitive with the Canon 70D/80D.

Contrary to some earlier responses, I'd say the 80D is a SIGNIFICANT upgrade to the 70D. I haven't had opportunity to try one out yet, but as I understand it, it's especially improved for video work (also not my bailiwick). And it is often being sold in kit with the new 18-135mm "Nano" USM lens, which is ideal both for still photography AND videography. This new type of USM drive is 2.5X or more faster focusing than the STM version of the lens (this speed makes it great for sports/action shooting), yet it's also quiet and smooth (unlike most USM lenses... like STM, and good for video). Canon is also introducing a new power zoom module specifically (and only... so far) for this new lens. There are other video-releated enhancements, such as a headphone socket (which the 70D apparently lacks).

The 80D's AF system alone is new and a very significant upgrade. The 70D's is a quite good 19-point AF that's a bit dumbed down from the original 7D's, is -0.5EV or -1EV and f5.6 capable (center AF point only). In comparison, the 80D's AF is 45-point, with up to 27 -3EV, f8 capable AF points throughout the array. In some respects it's even more advanced than the the 7D Mark II's one-year-older 65-point AF (which is -3EV and f8 capable too, but at the center point only). The 7DII's AF is supported by a discrete chip, instead of sharing a single processor that also handles images, the way both 70D and 80D do. This should make the 7DII a better sports/action camera, with faster acquisition and better tracking... But otherwise the 80D's new AF is surprisingly good for a camera at its price point... and it's no slouch, either, when paired up with the right type of lens.

80D and 70D also have an articulated, "touch" LCD screen. The 7DII doesn't have either. 70D and 80D also have built-in WiFi... 7DII doesn't. It instead uses a separately sold WFT module that gives much greater range and higher performance, but adds around $800 to the price of the already more expensive camera.

Canon 70D, 80D and 7DII all have new "Dual Pixel Live View/Video" autofocus. This greatly improves speed and performance of autofocus in these modes. I think some other manufacturers are offering something similar, but am not all that familiar with the details.

Advantage of Canon and Nikon systems are that they offer the broadest and deepest selection of lenses and accessories. Canon has the most lens choices and any of the 125 million EF or EF-S lens made the last 25 years can be fitted to and fully used on a 70D or 80D. However, Canon FD/FL lenses that fit your AE-1 are generally unusable on the more modern EOS cameras. (Note: There are FD/FL to EOS adapters, but they come with a lot of limitations such as being unable to focus to infinity or use cheap optics that spoil image quality.)

Nikon has some limitations on lens compatibility... Certain of their modern and recent autofocus lenses (AF-D) do not have a focus drive motor built in. Those rely upon a motor built into the camera body to autofocus (which only D7000 series and higher camera bodies have). Nikon has been gradually converting to AF-S lenses. Many of their lenses are now this type, which have a built in motor and so can autofocus on both types of camera bodies. Plus, a lot of excellent, vintage, manual-focus Nikon lenses are still quite usable on modern Nikon DSLRs. (Pentax and Olympus also accommodate their respective, vintage lenses. Vintage Nikon-, Pentax- and Oly-mount lenses also can easily be used on modern Canon DSLRs.... which actually accommodate many different vintage lens mounts via adapters. Sony DSLRs are similarly adaptable.)

Canon and Nikon use in-lens image stabilization: IS and VR (there are a few Sony lenses with this, too, I think). This has an advantage that it also stabilizes the image in the camera's viewfinder. In-camera stabilization used by other manufacturers doesn't do this with optical viewfinders (but can, in some cases, where an electronic viewfinder is used).

Olympus emphasizes more compact and portable cameras and lenses. They use a slightly smaller "four/thirds" size sensor that makes this possible. Pentax emphasizes waterproof and dust resistant designs. Sony pushes the limits of electronic potential, with interesting mirrorless designs and electronic viewfinders and more.

While I use Canon, I have to say that you can put together a very good usable kit from any of the major manufacturers, fully capable of making excellent images. Rather than try to sell you on one or another, I'd suggest you go to a store and handle different models from different manufacturers yourself... Something might stand out to you as a more intuitive design that you feel comfortable with and would most enjoy using. Also look carefully at the systems behind the cameras, to be sure any manufacturer offers what you think you will want. Lens and accessory availability now and in the future might make a bigger difference than the features of the camera body you choose. Finally, consider third party lenses and accessories. For example, Sigma, Tamron and Tokina offer some excellent lenses.... but may not make them to fit all camera mounts.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

This post plus the foregoing discussion about Canon, Sony and Nikon prove an important point! There are a lot of good cameras out there made by reputable manufacturers. To go seriously wrong would take some serious effort, I believe. Every manufacturer has its cadre of supporters who feel their choice is best. AND for them it is. Over the years I have had at least one example of every camera listed plus Rolleiflex. Changes are made at the time for a specific reason usually. We all stand behind our favorite and tell the world it is best but anymore it is hard not to pick a good camera.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

The 80D is the latest, Well built and full featured with a great ne AF system for both still and video that is lacking in other brands as well as some Canon cameras including the 5DIII.
The 80D is very sophisticated yet extremely easy to use with intuitive controls that don't require interminable menus in order to make adjustments. The 70D is older technology and you would be better to get the latest as the way things go now it lasts about a year or less until the next latest comes out. This is for all makes not just Canon.
So get the 80D and enjoy the best lenses available with the new STM motors for totally silent focus while doing sound video or other lenses. And do not worry any used EF/EFs lens will work perfectly on the camera no matter how old it is. no compatibility issues at all which means any good deal that is not broken you can buy with the confidence it is compatible with your latest camera.

wattsimages

Welcome
you asked question that is pretty common on this forum. But I'm surprised that some of it's regulars are giving you questionable advice. For instance "number one camera company"? all of the modern DSLR's and Mirrorless cameras make great images. And you're AE1 didn't have menus and buttons that you would be able to relate to a new camera. there is no reason for you to stay with one brand.

So I think your best bet is to go to your local camera store, hold The camera in your hand, see which one fits you the best, then go from there.

You can do some homework first, there are some very good review sites posted in this thread. These cameras have very complex systems. Some of them are more intuitive than others. Sony for instance has a reputation for being very complicated. If the camera is complicated it can be frustrating to use. You will probably will leave it on the shelf. Don't get to caught up in specifications. You'll likely never see the difference. The only time you worry about specifications, is if you're going to be shooting sports. Then get ready to shell out some cash.

The wildcard of this decision is, do you have any friends/family that use the same camera or brand. Having a friend that is already using that camera or brand, can be huge. Sometimes just five minutes of explanation from somebody who really knows, makes all the difference.

I would start off the conversation with I have this much money to spend, and I would like to look at the Canon, Nikon, Fuji, pentax and Sony that fit within the budget. Don't let them steer you to their personal favorite. The camera the feels right in your hand is probably the best choice. Then I would ask do you have free classes (or at least really cheap).

Also if you have any of your old Canon stuff left. most mirrorless cameras will allow you to manual focus old lens via an adapter.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

K-3 is the Pentax offering comparable in price to the Canon 70D, but SnapSort shows that the K-3 has meaningful advantages over the 70D:
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-70D-vs-Pentax-K-3/score

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Take away IS which is a bogus score and it falls 11 points behind the Canon.
Canon uses IS in the lenses like Nikon does.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

In body IS is important only with mirrorless. Since it is easy to adapt legacy glass of any brand.

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

The Sony Alpha line is the best hands down. I sold all my Canons and Nikons along with all the lenses and other related accessories. I have been thrilled with their performance and haven't regretted it one bit.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Ah, such passions are aroused when we talk about brands! Personally, I switched from Pentax to Canon in 1995 because I liked the Canon AF lenses better than what Pentax was doing at the time, and then I switched back to Pentax about a year ago because I had two Rebel bodies {lower cost than what we're talking about here} fail over an eight year period {and with a total shutter count of under 5000 - yes, I'm a low volume shooter}. Each person's story is different, which is why I try to stick to the facts in discussions like this.

I provided a link to the scores instead of to the summary so we all could see where the overall scores came from. I notice that you don't discount "popularity", as though this were a high school thing, but you can apply whatever ultimate standards you want to, and the OP can apply his. My goal was to provide information, not debate.

Only partly yes. One of the joys of using Pentax is the ability to experiment with older lenses, since current cameras are compatible with virtually every Pentax {or related} lens ever built.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

All at an additional price!! Also, I never understand how and why, some folks advise that you go feel one in your hands, to pick the camera of your dreams. Based on feel, alone, All of us would MARRY up with HOOKERS. As most say, almost all cameras today, are fabulous. Get many opinions, then ...MAKE YOUR OWN.. RJM. (K-1 fan)