The Phoblographer

Photography: Think Simpler

Why the Canon 5D MK II and 7D Compliment Each Other So Well

with 9 comments

Reader letters have been coming in en masse asking which Canon DSLR cameras to get. Many people want to go with two 5D Mk II‘s but also like the 7D. After some judging of needs, I usually convince readers that the 5D MK II and 7D compliment each other very well and that instead you should probably get one of each.

It’s Cheaper

Purchasing a 5D MK II and a 7D is much cheaper than buying 2 5D Mk II’s. If you were to get two 7D’s then you’d save even more money but users would not be able to enjoy the full frame benefits.

If you’re on a budget or trying to save as much money as possible, using the 5D Mk II and 7D will be all that you will need for a long time to come. The different situations that both of these cameras can cover alone makes for the ultimate combo in terms of versatility. More on this later.

Different Sensor Sizes

Because the 5D Mk II has a full frame sensor and the 7D has an APS-C sized sensor they can compliment one another very well. At weddings, I tend to put my 24-105mm F4 L IS on the 5D MK II and either my 85mm F1.8 or my 80-200mm F2.8 L on my 7D. The result is a larger range coverage and also allowing different cameras to achieve different tasks.

The 7D can also take EF-S lenses in case you have some of them.

Wedding photographers, videographers, and photojournalists will greatly benefit from having the two different sensor sizes. The 5D Mk II will allow users to get really wide with their wide-angle lenses vs having them cropped with the 7D and changing the field of view.

Different Feature Set

The 5D Mk II and 7D have different features and yet retain some similar characteristics.

5D MK II:

- Full frame sensor

- Better High ISO control

- Manual sound control in video mode

- 21MP level of detail to your images

7D:

- APS-C sensor

- 60P HD video mode

- Wireless flash control

- Fast 8fps

- RAW+JPEG butoon

- Switch for video or stills

- Built in camera level to ensure your lines are straight

- EF-S lens compatability

Different Image Quality

Again, the 5D Mk II has better high ISO control than the 7D. Additionally, crops from the 5D MK II can be made more liberally than the 7D.

Different Uses

With both of these cameras it will be easier to shoot a variety of subjects. One can do studio work with the 5D MK II with ease and then shoot sports the next day with the 7D.

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Related posts:

  1. The Complete Canon 7D Review
  2. Cheap Photo: Canon 7D/5D MK II Instant Rebates Available Through April 3rd
  3. Canon Announces T2i, Essentially a Lil' 7D
  4. A Hint of What's To Come With Canon?
  5. Quick Lessons Learned Shooting A Podcast With the Canon 5D Mk II

Written by Chris Gampat

June 11th, 2010 at 12:36 am

Posted in Cameras

Tagged with , , ,

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  • Jon Covey

    Thanks now I need to buy a 5D

    • http://thephoblographer.wordpress.com Chris Gampat

      Use our affiliate link please :)

  • Steve Dockray

    Hi
    What are your views on using EF-S lenses on the 5D mkII?
    The expense of using 2 different types of lenses will soon eradicate the saving on buying the 7D and not another 5DMKll

    Steve

    • http://thephoblographer.wordpress.com Chris Gampat

      You can’t use EF-s lenses on a 5D Mk II, it’s a full frame mount and meant for only EF lenses.

      Alternatively, you can just buy EF lenses and eradicate using the EF-S.

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  • Dbophoto

    I’ve owned both and couldn’t get passed the fact that the 7D’s selective focusing areas didn’t work like the 5DMII. I can toggle to select the focus on the 5D, but not with the 7D.

    • Anonymous

      I hate to say this, but I think you’re doing something wrong. The 7D’s focusing areas and potential is far more sophisticated than the 5D Mk II’s.
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  • afpakarcphotog

    This is super nit-picky, but I thought I’d point out that the image above is actually a 5D not the newer 5DmkII. It was probably one of the photoshopped jobs floating around before the mkII came out. You can tell by the rounded prism area and the texturing of the dial on the left of the camera, which is composed of vertical grooves here unlike the small squared bumps on the 5DmkII. 

    Now, so as not to seem like an awful troll, let me say that as a working photographer, I really think you guys do some great practical writing here. I’ll echo the common sentiments about the 5′s focus though. If you are shooting in low light, it’s going to experience problems with hunting. This is where the 7′s more advanced system really stands up. Low light shooting isn’t just about ISO…. That said, you have the much larger viewfinder (a point that deserves mention along with the other advantages of full frame) which should help you manually focus in lower light environments. Nice rundown guys!