Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hey gang. My wife is interested in a camera that also has HD video. The choices are the 7D or T2i. I've never shot the rebel series before. I've shot 50D and 5D. I know there is a difference in build quality, but the question I pose to everyone is this -- video aside, and assuming you're using the same lens, how does the picture quality between the two compare? I haven't really found any sites that compares the two.

picture will be roughly the same, nothing to worry about on the rebel side. The difference will be in features (less in a rebel), although nothing an occasional photographer can't live without. Size, weight, ergonomics for big handed dudes, that's probably it. I've shot with XT,XTI,XSI,40D,50D,7D, never filmed video though

Not having shot with a T2i, I'd imagine that the 7D would be a bit better at the high ISO, but the difference is not very distinguishable. After all, they are the same sensors. Most of the difference is in the user interface, AF sensors, and the high frame rate of the 7D from the dual processors.

I would go with her to a store to handle both cameras. My girlfriend has a an older Rebel, and I just recently got the 7D. So, just from a handling (carry this camera around sort of feel), as well as the ergonimics, this will be a big difference. Even though the 7D has superior AF, faster frame rates, my g/f would still rather take her Rebel because it is so much lighter (her girls are in competitive cheer leading).

If she's really interested in the video part of the camera, and since you are considering the price point of the 7D, maybe you should look at the 60D due to its articulating screen?

7D for me was a no brainer. The IQ after processing RAW through LR3 I'm sure will not be much of a difference between the 60D & Rebel, but I'm so used to the build quality of cameras like 1Ds MKII & MKIII, and Olympus E-3, that the 7D is the only crop body on the Canon side that I like.

+1 on what James said, but if she's not too serious (e.g. not shooting low light or in difficult weather conditions), save the $$$ and go with the T2i.

Come on, T2i isn't a toy, it's a travel-to-Europe camera something tells me your girlfriend isn't a serious photographer, so forget about the 7D

Agreed. T2i would be a fine choice.

Thanks! Sounds like the body build quality an processing speed are the man differences. Picture quality should be the same, or close to it. I'll take her to the store and let her hold them.

I really like the rebel series, I really miss the compactness of those series cameras. My wife really liked the Rebel XT.

Hey, how about the 60D? Why compare T2i with only the 7D?

The T2I is a pretty good camera. Quality wise the 2 should be directly comparable. The things you lose are some of the pro features. External sync port comes to mind and the wheel on the back.

If she is not an advanced shooter then really put both in her hands and see what is more comfortable. I have big hands and do not like the feel of the rebel line.

Image quality is 95% identical T2i vs 60D vs 7D.