MilesfromColumbiaSC Loc: Columbia, SC

I'm what I'd call an enthusiast photographer. I have dabble with it for several years and have gotten pretty good at it. Good enough that friends who know me have asked me to take pictures for events (parties, weddings, etc.) My brother in law is a professional and he has encouraged me to get more serious with it. I will be retiring in about 2 years and am thinking of taking the next step. I presently have the Canon XSi and would like to upgrade. I don't believe I can afford a full-frame (unless it's an older one) so I am looking at sticking to an APS-C sensor camera and since I'm heavily invested in Canon glass, I would like to stick with Canon. My question is what should I upgrade to? I'm thinking of one of the following: Canon 80d, 90d or XTi. If I decide to go with the 90d, I'm willing to wait about 6 months for the price to come down a little. What are your thoughts? Or do you think I should look at something else (mirrorless)?

I was asked about the lenses I have. They are:
Canon EF-S 10-18mm F/4.5-5.6 IS STM
Canon EF-S 50mm F/1.8 STM
Canon EF-S 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF-S 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS

I have several tripods, a monopod, A Neewer NW-670 TTL Flash Speedlite and a Pixel 283 Wireless remote shutter release.

And since I work for a school district I was able to get Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop Elements for the discounted school rate.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Tell us about your lenses too. Do you have some old and / or overlapping models where maybe you should sell something there to generate funds?

Have you looked at used cameras? Try KEH.com and their EX or EX+ rated items.

The EOS 90D may be the newest thing, but an 80D is a great camera and no reason to wait for just 1 version newer.

If you want to 'get serious', you need to consider all your tools: tripod, flash, computer, editing software, wired remote control. Used equipment will save money for other areas.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

At the moment, at least over here in the UK, there's not a busting lot between the 90D and the 6D mkII. This might be because the 90D is new, or that a 6D mkIII is about to announced. That full frame might be less out of reach than you think. Especially if you check Canon U.S.A's refurb page.

If however it is out of reach I'd get your brother in law to explain why he would choose one over the other.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I'm a long time Canon guy, from 1976 with an AE-1 and 1986 with a T90. I bought a refurb 80D from Canon a little over a year ago, which I am very pleased with. The investment in glass / system is frequently much greater than the camera. The refurb deals on the 80D aren't as good as they were a week or so ago, but still good value.

I think the future is mirrorless, but not for several years. Consider the 80D

Good luck

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Say what? Canon XTi? That camera came out in 2006. Did you mean something else?

MilesfromColumbiaSC Loc: Columbia, SC

Ops. I meant the T7i.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Canon 80D would be a very significant upgrade for you and are available at a discount right now, making room on the shelves for the new 90D...

New, the 80D is selling for $1000, body only... $1150 w/EF-S 18-55mm IS STM lens, $1300 w/18-55mm & EF-S 55-250mm IS STM, $1400 w/EF-S 18-135mm IS USM lens. (The last is a particularly good deal since that lens sells for $600 when bought separately).

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=canon%2080D&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

If you want to save some $, Canon USA's website is offering refurbished 80D, currently $800, body only... $920 w/18-55mm STM or $1120 w/18-135mm USM. Refurbished are often little different from new... maybe plain packaging instead of the usual retail box. Same accessories and same warranty as new.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-interchangeable-lens-cameras#facet:-810369798332564868,-810765808345673240494654120329911411111241&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:11&pageView:grid&pageSize:72&

Compare your camera to 80D: https://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-450D-vs-Canon-EOS-80D. But, basically, there's nothing your camera does that the 7 or 8 year newer 80D doesn't do better. In some cases, a whole lot better! Note: Rebel XSi is the N. American model name for the EOS 450D that was sold around most of the rest of the world.

You also can compare 90D to 80D: https://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-80D-vs-Canon-EOS-90D. (Note: I think there's one mistake in that comparison. The 80D has 27 "f/8 AF points" too, when used with certain lenses. The 90D appears to use the same AF system.) The main differences are that the 90D sees a pretty big increase in resolution: 32.5MP versus 24MP. It also uses a 2 generation newer processor, so is able to shoot at faster continuous rate: 10 frames per second vs 7 fps. Yes the 90D is a further step up from 80D. Only you can say if you need what it offers. I think you are being pretty optimistic hoping the 90D's price will come down significantly in 6 months time. It's $1200 list price is the same as the 80D's introductory price. It was some two or three years before 80D's MSRP dropped $100 to $1100, and now it's only been discounted to $1000 "clearance" price.

Either camera will work fine with all your current lenses.

Of your current lenses, if it's the original version, the "weakest" one is the EF-S 18-135mm IS. That lens has been upgraded three times since the original. First came the "II", which is a relatively minor upgrade, still uses slower micro motor focusing and has some image quality issues similar to the original. Next came the "STM" version which has faster autofocus as well as improved optical quality (sells for $400 new). Finally, there's now a "USM" version (costing $600) which is identical to the STM, except that the new lens uses even faster "Nano USM" focus drive and has been externally redesigned to be compatible with the PZ-E1 Power Zoom module. Normally the EF-S 18-135mm IS USM lens is a "premium kit" option with 80D or 7D Mark II (versus the "body only", "budget kit" w/18-55mm and "two lens kit" w/18-55 & 55-250 options). Canon claims the USM version is 2X to 4X faster focusing than the STM version (which itself is noticeably faster focusing... and quieter, as well as more accurate...) than the two earlier micro motor focus versions. The USM version also uses Canon's new "Nano USM", which is the best of both worlds... fast like USM and quiet/smooth like STM... so is usable both for action photography and for video.

I'm sure your 50mm lens and your 70-300mm lenses are "EF"... not "EF-S" as you wrote. Those two lenses are full frame capable (such as 6DII), but of course they work fine on crop sensor cameras like XSi, 80D and 90D, too.

The other two EF-S lenses are not full frame capable. You'd have to replace the 10-18mm and 18-135mm, if you switch to a full frame camera. In place of the 10-18mm, look at the EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM at $1000 or the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM (not nearly as good optically) for around $500. Options for a "walk-around" lens in place of the 18-135mm include the EF 24-105L $1100) or the EF 24-105 STM ($600).

Some people "just gotta have" full frame cameras! They are great for some things... not so much for others. For a lot of people, an APS-C camera... which offers greater selection of lenses, including some smaller/lighter, less expensive options... are a better choice and can meet all their needs.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You're in good shape with the other equipment you added to the original post. There will be refurb (aka returned) 90D bodies after the holiday rush. Maybe wait or get started with something currently available. The T7i is a very advanced camera, as advanced as the 80D, with maybe not the rugged design. You can't go wrong with either body option.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

If the OP is going to go professional maybe he should look at more rugged camera. For the same $ the 7d2 is not a plastic body and therefore much more durable

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

This genre of camera is bigger, heavier and so finely tuned for sports photographers that the average shooter, professionals and amateurs alike, probably will not consider it. Canon doesn't seem to see the need for an update to this DSLR version with the 90D being the merging of the xxD and 7D lines.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

Since you are more than a year from your retirement , I would save and go for the newer RP mirrorless with the adapter for your current glass. You already have 4 nice lenses and a camera with a better sensor and low light capabilities is what you need especially for family & weddings where you don't have to use a flash all the time. And natural lighting is preferred over man made for me at least and more natural looking.

The 80D is a great camera and refurbished is certainly a viable option. The 6DMkII is also a nice entry level FF rig that I personally use and love . It is great for family shoots.....not ultra fast for sports however but satisfactory for the normal walk-around activities.

Good luck with your choice and get your brother involved on the acquisition for final approval.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Although the EF-S lenses will work on the EOS-R bodies, they'll operate in 1.6x 'crop' mode. Two of the four lenses our OP has identified as 'EF-S' are actually 'EF' lenses. The true EF-S lenses will yield 11.6MP images (4,176 x 2,784) from the larger 30MP EOS-R. The 80D delivers 24MP images every time, regardless of the EF-S / EF lens used. The 6DII is a non-started for the OP's EF-S lenses, 50% of their portfolio, as EF-S lenses cannot be mounted to a full-frame EOS DSLR. The mirrorless EOS bodies are the future, but they are better suited for someone starting fresh or currently using only / mostly FF EF-mount lenses.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

Thanks Paul.....you're the best.

ggenova64

Check out if any Hedgehoggers have a Canon for sale.

khorinek

If you want to go "professional" I would consider upgrading equipment. Consider a Full Frame camera, 6D II, 5D Mark III or IV, (maybe a slightly used copy). I would go with "L" lenses, 24-70 f/2.8 or f/4 and 70-200 f/2.8 or f/4. These lenses have constant aperture, work better in low light and are built tough. The lenses you have are variable aperture lenses and can be frustrating to use indoors. Or go mirrorless, that's the future. The EOS RP is a great place to start and will use all your lenses.