Note: Photo tips are answers to questions asked on our Facebook page. If you would like to submit a question, please click here to submit your question. We will then post them on our Facebook page and let our fans respond to the question. We will then transfer the question over to our blog so we can keep them in an organized way for others to see.
Question from Elizabeth: ” I shoot with an ancient Canon Rebel T1i and will be able to upgrade soon. I was looking at the 7D and the Mark 5D II. They are both in my price range for upgrade. I guess my question is, which one will be the best bang for my buck? I do portrait and newborn photog primarily. The Mark II seems a little outdated?? I don’t know…thoughts?”
Devi: I am debating the same thing…
Meghan: It’s only outdated in that the mark III came along. It’s an amazing camera for portraits. I had the ability to shoot with both the mark ii and 7d this week and maybe I’m biased (mine is the mark ii) but the full frame alone is worth it.
Timothy: Mark II is still a great camera and for the price it is definitely better than getting the 7D.
Diana: MKII is still amazing and nothing beats full frame. I have the MKIII (upgraded from my trusty 4yo ol’ Rebel) but I would be completely content with the MKII.
Leah: I love my 7D (moving from an entry level Sony Alpha) but I do wish I had the Mark III. SO, I say upgrade to the 7D, then in a few years get the Mark III because I too feel like the Mark II is becoming “outdated” & the mark iii has so much more than it does. Hope that helps
Cara: The mark II’s biggest downfall is the focusing system… it can be frustrating at times, however I still get great results. I am very glad I went with the Mark II instead of the 7D, I love shooting full frame, especially for newborns. I get to be literally at an arm’s length from them. The low-light capabilities are great also (not as good as the mark III but still awesome.)
Melanie: I wouldn’t say the Mark II is outdated. It’s just that the Mark III is brand new. Big differences between the two: Full frame vs cropped sensor (FF deals better with ISO noise), and Frames Per Second. 7D= 8 FPS. 5D= 3.9 FPS. But I prefer full frame so I would go with 5D, personally.
Brian: It really depends on if you want to go Full Frame or stay with a crop body. Since you are currently own a crop body; all your lenses will be optimizing for crop senses. Which means you may have to replace certain lenses or all of them; which will cost a lot more. The good news with lenses is if it’s a top grade lens you ever decide to sell; you should get back most of your money.
Rachelle: I also have a 7D which I love, but now that I’ve had it almost a year I’m partly wishing I would have gone full frame. Especially for small space studio work. 50mm is a tight squeeze for me in my small space with a crop frame and I wish it weren’t. Good luck!
Elisha: Have you looked into the 6D? It’s around $2900 for the kit and is full frame but a grand less than the Mark iii.
Elizabeth: I have had the 7d for 2 years it is a fantastic camera, but my 5d mark ii is coming today! I am really excited for full frame but I will continue to use my 7d it is faster and the video on it is amazing.
Tom: I can’t really add anything more to the above good comments other than if you ever plan on shooting sports, like your kids, etc., the 7D’s AF system will outperform the MkII. If you really are set on more portrait related work, the IQ nod goes to the Mk II.
Krista: I’m debating the very same thing! My only concern is my lens: Sigma 18-200 3.5-6.3 I won’t be able to upgrade it also if it doesn’t work with the full frame…anyone know if it will?
Edit: It won’t. 7D for me it seems 🙂
Sergio: Awesome comments…
Nicole: I own a 7d. Can anyone do a comparison photo between the full frame of a Mark and a crop of the 7d?? I have a small studio space and would like to see the difference please.
Amy: Full frame is the key!!! Believe me! Makes all the difference!
Shanyn: Uhm mkii hands down. I love mine. Full frame is the best with portrait! No, you can’t use your EFS lens but a 50mm 1.8 is only about $100 which is an amazing lens for newborn.
Steven: I commented on a similar post yesterday. What it boiled down to is “what lenses do you use most?” If you use mostly EF-S, then you will have to look to buying new ones with an EF mount in the equivalent focal range (crop sensors magnify by 1.6 – 100mm lens will look like a 160mm lens on crop). So there’s an extra cost that might be hindering making a jump to Full Frame. EF-S lenses cost less than EF lenses, because they don’t have to perform as well as their EF counterparts do on the extreme sides – this area is already cropped out due to the sensor size of APS-C. With all that said, a new 6D (FF) isn’t much more expensive than a 5D II, although I’m not sure how it stacks up yet. The 5D II (FF) has focus issues. The 7D (APS-C) is fairly old (released in 2009), and I’ve read rumors of a replacement 7D II (APS-C) coming next year, but it’s just a rumor so no idea on the validity of it.
Rebecca: There is an amazing deal right now through Buydig….I just bought the 5d with this deal. If you look up the 5d on CNET they will explain the deal …
Rebecca: Its $1598 with a printer….
DeeDee: Following… I’m very outdated with my beloved Rebel XT
Kama: 5D!!!! I upgraded to 7d from a rebel then to a 5d mii…I wish I skipped the 7d!!
Renee: I’m in the same boat….I have a 60d and looking to upgrade…I am holding out to see how the new 6D (ff) performs…it should be out in Dec…..I went from a rebel to the 60d and now wanting a full frame….
Angela: I started with the t1i – other than the kits lens, straight off the bat I invested in nothing but good glass so when I made the transition to my Mark ii – I just sold my t1i camera & kit lens and I was good to go! My advice? Sell your EF-S lenses and invest in a great lens (or 3!) and buy the mark ii. Trust me, once you shoot full frame with a prime lens you won’t ever want to go back to a cropped!
Jaye: I have both the 7D and the 5DII and to be honest, the 7D rarely, if ever, leaves my bag. The 5DII is a far superior camera for portrait work. And it is FAR from outdated. I even use my 5Dc over my 7D and don’t see that camera as being outdated, either.
Karen: this was my dilemma, but now holding out for the 6D due out in December, and if the reviews don’t come up to scratch I’ll be getting the 5dii.
Genti: 5Dmk II is one of the best dslrs available, and is far better than 7D. I have it and it’s amazing 🙂
Katherine: Have both the 7d and 5d mkii and 5d is tons better
Feel free to keep responding to this question using our comment section below.