desperante

Having seen ads about the new Canon 6D Mark II, I almost bought one. Instead, because of a special price and a new credit card promising 20k rewards points, I ended up buying a Canon 7D Mark II. I would like to hear your experiences with either camera. Did I make the right decision to go for the older 7D instead of the newer 6D?

I am still a beginner compared to most of you. I have experimented with my new 7D. At times, it seems the photos I've taken with my SL1 are better than the photos I've taken with the 7D. Evidently, I still need to learn how to handle or use the adjustments of the 7D.

I would appreciate hearing your 7D expertise/experiences. Thank you.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Are you asking yourself: Why did I buy the 7D II? Although available for all types of photography, you paid a price premium for highly advanced features that include:

dual DIGIC 6 image processors
65-point all cross-type phase-detection AF system
full HD 1080p video
native ISO range of 100-16000
shutter lag time of 0.055 sec
shutter tested to 200,000 cycles
continuous shooting rate of 10 fps

Sounds like you were more concerned about credit card points than the many features and purpose of this specific camera model. This is Canon's top crop-sensor model specialized for sports, wildlife and similar high-speed / low(er) light photography. Are those uses in your intended usage? The camera is also maximized by using Canon's L line of lenses. What are lenses are you shooting with?

Is this a camera you plan to grow into or is it maybe not the model you should have been looking at?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

The 6ll is like the family sedan. The 7ll is like a race car. If you race, you NEED the 7ll. If you just go to the store to buy milk, the 6ll is enough! I'm sure you'll enjoy either!
SS

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Though it is a great camera for general photography the 7DII is a specialty action/sports/wildlife camera. It also has pro grade controls and options, the AF alone has a 50+ page manual. A much more complicated camera to learn than your beginner level SL1. But a much more capable camera once you learn to use it.

Also you choose an APS-C camera over a full frame. What type of photography do you usually do? Is that type more suitable to a FF or APS-C size sensor? ie landscape in general is better with FF because of the wider Angle Of View you get with each lens, also low light photography is generally better with FF because they have better high ISO performance while the APS-C works very well for birds, sports and wildlife because of the boost in "reach" you get from the narrower AOV making it seem to be a longer lens than it actually is (ie a 100 mm lens gets the same view as a 160 mm on a FF)


Oh, I have both the original 6D and a 7DII and I can say that with the right techniques the 7DII will handle any and all situations. To a lesser degree the same applies to the 6D(more so to the 6DII) as the techniques used for 35 mm film before AF work just fine with the 6D. One of my best BIF series was done with my 6D, supposedly a camera that can't do BIF according to many "experts". Learn how to use your 7DII, practice, practice then practice some more. There are several good books and only God knows how many tutorials and videos on line about the 7DII. Many of those can be accessed through the web sites of major magazines and organizations concerned with wildlife, outdoor photography and sports photography.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

NEVER BUY THEN ASK, IT IS NOT RIGHT. Always do your homework before. That said the Canon 7D Mark II paired with the new Canon 100-400 is a great camera for birding. All my buddies in Florida use this system and are very, very, happy with their results. Many of them win 1st in Green Cay Annual Photo Contest. I win too but I am one Nikon against a dozen Canon's. I need some more Nikon folks to show up their early in the mornings. Anyone interested?

lapin photographer Loc: Bay Shore,NY

I own 2 Canon 7DII's, and can say without a doubt, if you're after Birds and Wildlife, THIS is a great camera to have in your arsenal. I've been very pleased with the burst speed and many other features that this camera offers. There's a bit of a learning curve, and I can't stress enough the importance of : READ THE MANUAL ! Once you know what you have at your disposal, your potential is awesome. Happy shooting !

will47 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

7D Mark ll excellent camera. Moderate learning curve but worth it.

sergio

If you do birds, wild life and sports images take the 7DII. For anything else use your phone camera.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I am not a birder, but am pleased with the 7D II and all use a 5DIV. Don't find my iPhone does any kind of job unless you are a casual shooter or want to record something to send. Bit to each of us with our pictures and use. I never tried to sell a phone picture but you might.

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

I just saw that someone was selling a used 7DII on Craigslist. Said it worked great and had 175,000 on the shutter. Workhorse camera.

JeffT Loc: Central NY

I have a 6D and the 7DII. Both are excellent cameras for their intended purposes. The 7DII is a definite improvement on the 7D (which I sold when I bought a 5DIII). The 7DII is a great action camera. I use it primarily for action shots in gyms where the lighting is less than perfect. ISO 3200 for these pictures with a 70-200mm f/2.8. I can shoot all day without any issue. The antiflicker capability in many gyms is incredible where you want to hit the withe balance consistently. Having dual cards slots is great for piece of mind. This is also the camera I tend to use for weddings from a distance in order to stay as inconspicuous as possible during the ceremony. As a crop sensor camera, shooting in tight spaces can sometimes be a challenge.

The 6D is a fantastic camera as well. It's my go to for family events due to its lightness (relatively speaking). The full frame is great for small spaces and getting some bokeh. This is the camera that I have my second shooter (typically my daughter) use. Great high ISO capabilities and battery life. Not so great coverage of the autofocus points. This was also my portrait camera prior to the 5DIII. A solid performer with some interesting features.

I was initially very excited about the 6DII primarily due to the AF system improvements. However, reviews have suggested that the dynamic range is not so great on this camera (no personal experience with the camera, so others opinion, not mine). For me this is not so good as shadow detail can be very important.

The bottom line is that you should buy the camera that works best for what you want to do with it. If you are shooting a lot in areas with open shadows, the 6DII could be a great camera. In my opinion (for what it's worth) the 7DII is a more versatile camera in that it can do more types of shooting well. Just remember, it's a crop sensor, so getting a shallow enough depth of field can be challenging in some situations.

NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

Well I think you made the better choice as 1 who went from SX50 TO 7DMKII there is a BIG learning curve and yes for awhile you may get some pics that you think would have looked better with the SL1 it was about 6mo in before I started to see improvements in the technical aspects of my photos ,(RAW before edit) if you can afford it, go with the Canon L series lenses they tend to be faster on focus and produce sharper images. For general purpose I have also liked the Tamron 16 to 300 very nice pics but not quite as sharp. I am thinking of adding the new 6D for landscapes and astro but I'll be more likely to go with more L series glass instead .

Bob Boner

I have the 7DII. When I go to Yellowstone, I put y 600mm lens on it and leave it on. It is a great wildlife body. I think you will really enjoy using it.

skingfong Loc: Sacramento

I have both 7DII and the original 6D. They are very different and nice to have both because they specialize in different areas. The 6D excels in low light performance and has great image quality being a full frame camera. It's weakness is the focus system.

The 7DII has a much better focus system with wider coverage. It also has a joystick to move and select your focus points. It also has a higher burst rate. It's loaded with features. It's weakness is the image quality isn't as good as the 6D.

Now that I have both cameras, I've learned the most important feature for me is the focus system. If a shot is out of focus, you can't fix it in post. High ISO performance and all of a camera's great features go out the window. If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose the 7DII because of it focus system.

Having said that, I'm glad I have both bodies. One picks up where the other leaves off. The 7DII is for sports and wildlife. The 6D is for everything else.

sergio

The problem you have is that you have no humor...