Another what camera - Upgrade from 450d 70d or 760d

[Mr Bishi]

I've had my trusty 450d for a while now and I've got to a point where I'm competent enough now to justify an upgrade. I mostly shoot in 'AV' mode and capture all sorts from car shows to portraits to architecture.

I feel I have outgrown the 450d so I'm trying to balance getting the best camera for my needs without going over the top and getting one that's above my needs/skills and also not wanting to grow out of it too soon either.

The budget is around £700 for body only and about the same for a lens. Looking at new rather than used as I would like a warranty and not so keen on a grey import either. I will also be getting a new lens at the same time and have decided on a Tamron 2.8 24-70 as a one lens fits all solution.

I'm no expert on camera specs but the two that seem most suited to my needs are the 760d and the 70d. They both have Wi-Fi and HD Video and I may be wrong but I don't think I will really use either of these functions that much so the extra 2 FPS on the 70d is not that significant to me. The same goes for the extra shutter speed on the 70d as well given that I won't be doing much sport photography.

Just looking on paper at the specs there doesn't seem to be much in it either but there is around £100 difference in price, so the question then becomes what am I really getting for the extra amount? I'm happy to pay the extra for the 70d but only if it's beneficial for me to do so. I would also need to justify the extra bulk and weight of the 70d as well.

Either of these cameras will be a decent upgrade from my current camera but from a practical point of view what makes the 70d a better choice than the 760d? Has anyone used both and found much difference if so what? Also, is there anything else from the Canon range that I should consider?

Edited by Mr Bishi on Monday 10th August 13:13

[FunkyNige]

I asked a similar question a while back upgrading from my 400D (to either the 70D or 700D), the replies may be of use to you too -
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Never did upgrade in the end as I'm tempted to move away from SLR but haven't had chance to get to the shop yet.

[tenohfive]

I'd opted for the 70D as an upgrade from my 400D (still haven't done it mind) but I wasn't aware of the 760D.

Don't know if this is of any use to you:
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-s...

Specifications alone don't mean a huge amount but it may be a starting point.

[Mr Bishi]

My original idea has changed quite significantly since my first post above!

I've been speaking to someone today who is very clued up on all things camera related and he has pretty much convinced me that the jump from a 450d would be noticeable but it wouldn't be a significant upgrade. So long story short and in a drastic change to the original brief, I'm off to look at a Canon 6d. The budget for the lens will go towards the camera and I'll get an upgraded lens at a later date.

[DavidY]

I bought a minty 6d about 6 months ago, s/h with warranty from my local dealer, and have added the Tamron 24-70, it's a brilliant combination, and will be a real upgrade from your 450D. With the current cashback on the Tamron, I spent only about £100 more than your budget.

[tenohfive]

What sort of photo's are you taking, and how many (if any) of your current lenses will you still be able to use making the jump to full frame?

[cheesewotsit]

I went from a lower end Canon crop camera to a 6D. I’m sure you can read plenty good enough on t’web about how good the 6D is (upgrade was noticeable – low light performance is such a step up, and the dof you get amazing…) but just beware, as I’m sure you’ve read, that any EF-S/crop specific lenses will not work on your 6D. You’ll need EF lenses only.

[Mr Bishi]

Yep I have read that the lenses might not be compatible. The only lenses I will be keeping off the 450d will be a Canon EF 50 F/1.8 STM Lens and a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Lens so I guess these will be OK?

There will be an additional lens purchase at a later date due to my allocated budget for both being taken up by the 6d alone.

[cheesewotsit]

Those will work. I enjoy my 50mm so much more on a full frame camera than I did my crop. And you think 1.8 in a 450D was a thin depth of field…
(eta: I’m sure you know that 50 will be a little wider on the 6D…)

[tenohfive]

Just wondering what is driving the jump to full frame - how do you feel that the APS-C crop factor or form is holding you back, where you do you hope to gain by going FF? Depending on what you're into taking photo's of it might not be the best answer.