Canon 7d as good as 5d mk2? Cheapest place to buy?

[Corey Benoit]

i am getting ready to buy a 7d and was going to shoot a wedding in HD with it, cause i dont have my new nx5 yet....

is the 7d good for that kind of work? also is it better or as good as the 5d mk2?

in the reviews below you will see that the 5d mk2 has a single digic 4 processor while as the 7d has a dual digic 4....

and the videos shot with the 7d look better to me at least....

any thoughts?


Comparing the Canon 5D Mark II, 7D and 50D Serious Amateur Photography

Canon EOS 7D vs EOS 5D Mark II - Side-by-Side ISO Comparison

[Jon Fairhurst]

The real difference between the cameras is lens availability.

With the 5D2 you can use a 24/1.4L or the 28/1.8 and get a fast, wide view. With the 7D, if you want a wide view, you're looking at f/2.8 at the fastest - and many of those lenses are zooms, rather than primes. A 24mm lens is a 38mm equivalent on the 7D.

[Ethan Lane]

The larger sensor gives the 5D an advantage in low light (although the 7D fares pretty good)

7D gives you 1080p24 and 720p60

[Jon Fairhurst]

The 5D2 will give you 1080p24 any day/week/month now. The jury is still out on 720p60.

Another difference is that Magic Lantern only works on the 5D2, for now...

[Liam Hall]

If you don't know the difference between a 5D or a 7D you shouldn't be shooting someone's wedding with one of these cameras.

These aren't camcorders that you can just switch on and press your auto everything button. Both cameras have huge issues for professional video work, but if you know how to work around those issues you can get some great looking shots.

[Ethan Lane]

Originally Posted by Jon Fairhurst

The 5D2 will give you 1080p24 any day/week/month now. The jury is still out on 720p60.

Another difference is that Magic Lantern only works on the 5D2, for now...

You can't claim Magic lantern is a benefit for the 5D if you can't say different frame rates are an advantage for the 7D. Magic lantern is being worked on for 7D, firmware update for the 5D is being worked on. Eventually they'll each have both, but for right now, it's something to consider. just imho

[Bruce S. Yarock]

I second what Liam says.
I've had my 7d for a few months now, and have it rigged out with just about everything I need. Still, the camera has issues and a learning curve if you use it for a fast paced, non- repeatable event like a wedding.

I've been shooting weddings for several years, and have been itching to use my 7d on these jobs. I've been using it conservatively, and have shot with it at about 6 weddings so far. I have plenty of out of focus footage from the first few, but it's getting better. What I've been doing is using it as a 2nd ( or 3rd) camera on the important shots, and alone for set up or beauty shots. I don't trust myself or the camera yet for anything really important by itself.


So I would advise you to forget the idea of using one of these as a primary camera at a wedding, untill you have lots of real life experience with it. You need to practice at at home, and at events where you can duplicate a 1st camera, or just experiment. Start shooting stuff that isn't crucial, and when you screw up, it won't make the bride go hysterical or the groom pissed off.
Good luck
Bruce Yarock

[Paul Cronin]

Bruce and Liam are offering excellent advice.

I own a 7d but use it as Bruce says as a 3rd or 4th camera on my shoots. Some of that is making sure you can NAIL the shot with the camera. My shoots are for clients so if I don't nail the shot I don't get re-hired. And to do that with the 7d takes a low motion locked camera shot for it to be up to snuff for my clients.

Is the 7d better then the 5d that is hard to quantify for me. I would love to have both but have been thinking of adding the MKIV instead. They are great cameras and only getting better. But to pull the 7d out of the box and use as a #1 on a paid shoot having never used one would lead to a very disappointed client.

IMHO the best way to go is rent one or both. Rental is worth every penny when you are not sure which one to buy. This lets you test gear by shooting what you want to shoot. Making changes and learning in the field. Abel in NYC has both for rent along with all the extras you might or might not need.

[Jon Fairhurst]

Originally Posted by Ethan Lane

You can't claim Magic lantern is a benefit for the 5D if you can't say different frame rates are an advantage for the 7D.

I was just mentioning Magic Lantern for completeness.

[Ethan Lane]

I get that, Jon

[Michael Simons]

I bought the 7D in November, used it as a backup on a few weddings. I shot my first 7D wedding on December 19 and use my Canon A1 just for the live ceremony. The only reason I use the A1 is because it can record more than 12 minutes at a time. I've shot about 6 weddings now with primarily using the 7d for everything but the main cam at the ceremony. I'm not sure why people are claiming the 7D should be a 2nd or 3rd camera at a wedding. The brides I had booked in 2010 before I had the 7D, are all now upgrading their package to my 7D.

[Paul Cronin]

Michael that is not what I was saying, and I don't think it is what Jon and Liam where saying. I was saying you can't buy the camera and having never shot with it go out and shoot a wedding and expect to get first rate professional results. You have to practice as you said you did for a month.

The reason I use the 7d as a 3rd or 4th camera is because it does fit my business as well as my XDCAM cameras, and will not do what my XDCAM PMW-350, Nano flash, Canon HJ17x lens, optical stabilizer, is capable of doing. But as I also said the Canon cameras are only getting better with each update, and that is why I shoot with the 7d and enjoy the results.

It is great that you have a business where you can use the 7d and shoot the whole job with the camera.

[Manus Sweeney]

Originally Posted by Ethan Lane

The larger sensor gives the 5D an advantage in low light

you could also say the opposite.. ie to shoot with a workable dof you need to stop down on a 5d

The Power of Focus | Hurlbut Visuals

[Tony Davies-Patrick]

I agree with Liam. At least make sure that you are proficient at using the 5D or 7D in a variety of situations before you actually use it for a full-blown wedding.

I'd hate to think that a couple had unknowingly booked a 'pro' video guy to shoot their once-in-a-lifetime special day with his untried & untested equipment...

[Bruce S. Yarock]

Tony,
My sentiments exactly.
Here's an example of the pitfalls of depending on the 7d for a one chance shot, before having enough experience and accessories.

It was at the second wedding I did incorporating the 7d. At the end of the night, the b+g came out of the hotel, down the stairs, and through a gauntlet of guests holding sparklers. They then got into a 1947 Cadilac, which took them away. I positioned myself on the other side of the car, planning to shoot through the rear window, with them in the back seat., Now keep in mind that I had two ther guys shooting the scene, one with a Canon H1 with Frezzi, and the other with a Canon A1. So did I do the smart, safe thing and shoot their "once in a lifetime" entrance to the car with one of the Canons, guaranteeing sharp focus? Of course not. I had to be fancy and use my new toy, (before getting the Zacutoi z finder and tokina 11-16 lens). Result...my shot was soft focus. ( Thank god my girlfriend is the editor and will make it work and create their "dreamy" entrance :)).
Bruce Yarock