BarTim Loc: Milan, Ohio

The 7D II is my "go to: wildlife camera.
That along with the 500 f4 and the 400 f5.6 and your covered. Good luck in you search,
Tim

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Although I'm not a Canon user, the people who do these comparisons know what they're doing.

(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

gerhel Loc: Sweden

I choose the 80D as it had a flip-out display which the 7D lacks

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

My cousin is a professional photographer. She owns 2 of the Canon 7D MII, bodies, and a 5D MIII.

Combined with the Canon 100-400 lens, the 7D MII is a workhorse for birding.

Recently I had been considering a much more expensive Canon body (almost 4 times more expensive) instead of the 7D MII. I think she's talked me off of that expensive ledge. I already own the 100-400, I just need to upgrade my camera body, and I now have the money saved up to do that.

If you want more distance with the 100-400, consider adding adding v.3 tele-converter, either a 1.4x, or a 2.0x. Understand that you will lose some light using either of the tele-converters, but they're a much less expensive option than buying longer lenses.

Rumor has it that they will be announcing a 7D MIII next spring, but an on sale date is far into the future. Do I buy the v.2 now, or wait yet another year plus for the v.3? After waiting and saving for over 24 months to upgrade, what's another 12 months?

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Canon's current two best cameras for sports, action, and wildlife are the 1DXII and the 7DII. The 7DII has several advantages over the 1DXII and is the more logical choice, unless you are a pro. I've never used the 80D, and though it receives great reviews and has some nice features, such as the tilting touchscreen, I'll stick with my 7DII. It was designed for that type of work and yet it's landscape work is as good as any other Canon crop sensor. It's build and weather sealing are both superior to the 80D and it's frame rate can't be matched by any other Canon except the 1DXII. The 7DII's auto focus is excellent, and coupled with a lens such as the 100-400 L II it is almost instantaneous. A very hard combo to beat. Using an extender, either the 1.4x or 2x, with the 100-400 L II will limit you to f/8 and only the 5 center focal points. I've never found that to be a big issue. Don't know how that would be on the 80D, but I suspect it would be the same.
Personally, I would wait for the specs of the upcoming (so we are told) 7DIII to be released and see if that might not be worth waiting for. I understand that one of Nikon's crop sensors currently has an edge over the 7DII, so, I wouldn't be surprised if the 7DIII leapfrogs that. Seems to be the way it usually works between Canon and Nikon.

whitehall Loc: Canada

Intersting question, and here is my answer based on recent experience. I shoot Canon, my wife shoots Nikon. I recently purchased a 7D Mkii, and I convinced her to buy the D500. I had a number of Canon bodies before and curenly own a 5D mkiv as well. My wife had a number of Nikon bodies and currently owns an 810. My transition to the 7D mkii was relatively seemless, whereas hers is far more challenging. I looked at the Nikon books and I think that while in some areas Nikon can do more, I think the Canon system is more logical and likely the icing on the Nikon cake will be unused by most ordinary mortals.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

All of Canon's DSLRs have metal frames, as do Nikons, I would assume, and probably most others. The difference is in how robust the frame is and in the metal used. The 7DII has a very robust frame made out of magnesium. The 80D is less robust and made out of aluminum. Unless you plan to use your camera as a chock block so that your car doesn't roll, I don't know that it makes a great deal of difference to the average user.

dyximan

Thank you Tim just rented the camera and 18 to 135 and a 200 to 400 lens for the weekend for colors and some birding next week

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

After reading the replies I will stick to just answering your 7D2 vs 80D question.
I would definitely go with the 7D2 for outdoor action shooting between these two choices.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

You didn't really mention the advantages of the 7D2 over the 1Dx MKII but about the only two I can think of are lower price and perhaps slightly lower weight with a Battery Grip if you want a vertical grip. Otherwise the 1Dx II is going to outperform the 7D2 in about every way I can think of. I am not sure being a "Pro" has anything to do with it. When I looked for a new camera it came down to 1Dx MKII as first choice , 5D4 as second choice and 7D2 as third choice. The only thing is when the 7D2 will get an upgrade, but it is still a very capable camera. The 5D4 is a contender as long as you can live with the fewer FPS. It is probably more of a choice and budget decision for most people. I agree that the 100-400 II with or without TC IIIs would be a great relatively inexpensive lens for birding.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I like the 80D. But I like it because of the flip screen. I do not think that is as much an issue for your use. The 7DII has better weather sealing and faster FPS, both important to your needs.

jmvaugh Loc: Albuquerque

I have the 80D and love it. The body is weather-sealed and a bit heavier duty than any of the Rebel based cameras. If you can afford the 7DII, get it. Whichever you get, invest in some Canon L lenses, used or refurbished. You’ll be amazed.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I have been using Canon since 1977. 50D, 60D, 300 2.8, 70-200 ect. - now 80D. I got the 80D strictly for BIF with the optical VF. 2 years ago I moved to SONY A77II and really prefer it to the Canon for everything except BIF. The Sony has 12 FPS, Clear Image Zoom, in camera HDR and sweep pano - oh, and EVF so you can see EXACTLY what you get before you trip the shutter. Except for fast action, the EVF is a joy to use.

Never shot Nikon - always too expensive - just as today ! Nikon's brand new stuff today is impressive though ! If you can afford Nikon's latest/best stuff and do not mind an OVF, I would probably stick with it. But I can Highly recommend Sony also.

For full frame, Sony A9 or A99II .....12 and 20 FPS ....

ccook2004 Loc: Rockledge FL

I really like my Mark II but I do have difficulty with the focus system. Any tips, I have watched videos but maybe it’s too complicated for my merger brain.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

Truer words have never been spoken