K.Cole

Our Canon Rebel Xsi came down with the flu (err 99) last month and I have yet to correct it using all of the online tips I could find. The only thing I have not done is replace the secondary battery. So far, I have been unable to locate it either with online advice or using the manual. I do not want to start removing screws until I am sure where it is and just what to look for in general.

That said, we are ready to upgrade to a better body even if we eventually get the Rebel fixed. The two bodies I have been looking are the Rebel T6i and the 70D. The main questions I have on those two are:

1. do all of the Canon lenses interchange from what we have now? (Rebel Xsi)

2. will the Rebel remote work with either one of those

3. do either of those bodies use the same battery as the Xsi

4. do either of those have a known history of annoying problems

and the really loaded question:

5. how do the two compare for quality of pictures, ease of use, toughness, and anything else you would like to share or comment on (likes/dislikes etc).

Please no "go buy brand xxxxxxx" as we already have three Canon lenses & filter sets that I am very pleased with and do not want to start all over with another brand.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

As you are already a Canon user I would suggest the 7D. You can buy a good used one or if you prefer a new one. A little bit more money and a little learning curve to get used to it, but worth the time and money in my estimation. Look up some of reviews on it. I like the lay out of the controls and the focusing system. I have the xsi and the 60d but the 7D is my favorite. Also the 7d has some water resistance.

K.Cole

so, you prefer it over the 70D?

OH. we are buying new and of course searching for the best deals; either on just the body or a package deal if it does not include the lenses we already have.

current lenses are: 18-55, 55-250 and 28-135

recb

I agree with the 7D recommendation. Runner up recommendation is the 80D.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The 70D has a better sensor than the 7D. The T6i and 80D are very close in sensor performance and better than the 70D or 7D. If money is tight get the T6i otherwise stretch and get the 80D !

leftj Loc: Texas

I went from an old original 7D and T4i to refurbished 80D direct from Canon. Highly recommend 80D.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Welcome K Cole. I recommend not buying an older model to replace an older model. You've used a XSi now for at least 8-years with the XSi model going out of production in 2008. Seeing your trusted camera up and fail with a random error has got to be frustrating. Having owned a 7D after changing from an XTi, I want to chime in and steer away from this idea. The original 7D is a big, heavy, powerful model. But, the sensor inside was the last of a generation of sensors much more noisy than everything that followed. The 7Ds are extremely cheap now relative to their original cost new. This is because the 7D image results do not show well at higher ISOs in comparison to newer models. The 70D has now been replaced with the 80D. I'd suggest a 80D unless cost is a limit, the 70D otherwise. As a cropped sensor camera, all of your lenses from the XSi will work on any of these 7D, 70D, 80D or EOS Rebel line suggestions.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

First, what is your budget?

Without knowing the budget you are working with it is hard to make a solid recommendation.
But look here (Canon direct sales refurbished-warranty same as new): http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras#facet:&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:&pageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:72&

Entries and availability changes pretty much daily and whoever arranges them seems to have no real system so you need to look through all entries (50 today).
If your budget is up to $1000 than I recommend the 80D, they have it body only and with different lens kits. The current latest sensor, AF and at least partly weather resistant. They do have the 70D for $749.

Next down would be the T6i or T6s at $579 and $679 body only, current sensor but without some of the stuff the 80D has and not the same weather resistance in the build. The T6i has the Rebel style controls, the T6s has controls similar to the higher end models.
I would avoid the the T5, T6 etc, they are not the same as the "i" and "s" models, usually an older model sensor etc, they are the beginner/budget models.

If the budget allows I would stick to the 80D, T6s, T6i* and then the 70D, 7D.

*If you are upgrading it makes sense to get the current tech. One generation back, almost as good.

As to lenses, these bodies all use the same lenses as your old body. Canon APS-C bodies can use the EF and EF-S lenses. The Full Frame models only use the EF mount lenses.
Batteries, don't know but I doubt it. In the last few years Canon has started using the same battery for many models. My 6D and 7DII use the same batteries, and so do the 5D line cameras I would consider if I went after an upgrade.

K.Cole

ah, excellent responses so far. looks like lenses interchange. what about the battery pack and remote shutter release?

also on the vari-angle view screen, we have had two point and shoot Canons with that feature and love it. Are there any problems with that for anyone?

I just looked online and it seems 42nd Street Photo has the best deals overall. Does anyone have pro/cons on dealing with them?

so, now with it being said the 80D might be a preferred choice over the 7D and 70D due to being the latest technology, how does it compare to the T6i? Is it just a tad higher level of quality as in going a step above from amateur and bordering on professional level or something else entirely?

edited: budget no more than 1000; which will get the 80D from 42nd St.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Do a search on 42 street using the search at the top of these pages. You'll likely come away realizing lowest price is not worth the hassle.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Avoid 42nd street like the plague.
80D has an even newer sensor than the T6i and T6s, weather resistance, AF at f/8 while the others will only AF at f/5.6 so you get auto function with more lens and lens/extender combos.
With Canon the T* and T** bodies are the rebel line, the **D line is next up the ladder for APS-C sensor bodies, and the *D (6D starter FF), 7DII semi pro APS-C, 5DIV pro/semi pro FF, and at the top is the 1DXII being the full bore pro model FF

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

The 80D is an excellent choice, but 42nd St. is not. Either purchase new or refurb from Canon or one of the reliable and well-recommended "ABC" (Adorama, B&H or Cameta) dealers. A quick search will tell you all you need to know about 42nd St...

leftj Loc: Texas

Definitely heed everyone's warning on 42nd Street Photo.

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

I have seen bad comments here about 42nd Street Photo.
This consumer affairs gives them good ratings:

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/cameras/42nd_street_photo.html

The new Google safe-shopping guarantee covers them.

These reviews are mostly 5-star, with one who said it was the worst store ever.

https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.42photo.com

I have not used them, but I think New Yorkers as a rule can seem rude and horrible to other people.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I have dealt with 42nd St Photo and cannot recommend them. The 80D they advertise is grey market - NO USA WARRANTY! It is a bait and switch game. Adding warranty will bring the price up to the competition, probably with less extras.