Canon 7d vs 6d: Which Canon Dslr Should You Buy?
Choosing the right DSLR can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re wading through a sea of options. If you’re considering Canon cameras, you’ve likely stumbled upon the Canon 7D and the 6D. Both are fantastic cameras, but they cater to slightly different needs and budgets, making the decision a bit tricky.
This in-depth comparison of the Canon 7D vs 6D will break down their key differences. We’ll explore their strengths and weaknesses, from image quality and autofocus performance to video capabilities and overall user experience. This will help you determine which camera is the perfect fit for your photography style and requirements.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a passionate enthusiast, understanding the nuances of these two models is crucial. We’ll examine their features, performance, and value proposition so you can make an informed decision and capture stunning images. Let’s dive in and find the best Canon for you.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | 7D | 6D |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | APS-C CMOS | Full-Frame CMOS |
| Megapixels | 18 MP | 20.2 MP |
| ISO Range | 100-12800 (expandable to 25600) | 100-25600 (expandable to 102400) |
| Autofocus Points | 19 cross-type | 11 points (1 cross-type) |
| Continuous Shooting | 8 fps | 4.5 fps |
| Video Resolution | 1080p at 30fps | 1080p at 30fps |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 97% |
| LCD Screen | 3.0-inch, 920k-dot | 3.0-inch, 1040k-dot |
| Body Material | Magnesium Alloy | Polycarbonate/Aluminum Alloy |
| Weather Sealing | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in GPS | Yes | No |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Sensor Size
- Canon 7d: Features an APS-C sensor, which is smaller than full-frame. This results in a 1.6x crop factor, meaning your lenses have an effective longer focal length. It excels in reach and offers a more compact body.
- 6d: Boasts a full-frame sensor, capturing more light and offering shallower depth of field. This leads to superior image quality, especially in low light, and a wider field of view.
- Winner: 6d
Image Quality (ISO Performance)
- Canon 7d: Performs adequately up to ISO 1600, with noticeable noise creeping in at higher settings. It’s suitable for well-lit conditions, but struggles in dim environments.
- 6d: Excels in low-light situations, producing clean images even at ISO 6400 and beyond. This allows for shooting in challenging lighting conditions without excessive noise.
- Winner: 6d
Autofocus System
- Canon 7d: Equipped with a robust 19-point all cross-type AF system, providing fast and accurate focusing, particularly useful for action photography. It offers excellent subject tracking.
- 6d: Features an 11-point AF system, with only the center point being cross-type. While accurate, it’s less capable in tracking moving subjects compared to the 7D.
- Winner: 7d
Continuous Shooting Speed
- Canon 7d: Offers a rapid 8 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting speed, ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects. This is a significant advantage for sports and wildlife photography.
- 6d: Shoots at 4.5 fps, which is slower than the 7D. While adequate for some situations, it may struggle to capture the perfect moment in rapidly changing scenes.
- Winner: 7d
Viewfinder Coverage
- Canon 7d: Provides 100% viewfinder coverage, meaning you see exactly what will be captured in the final image. This is crucial for precise composition.
- 6d: Offers 97% viewfinder coverage, which can result in elements appearing in the final image that were not visible in the viewfinder.
- Winner: 7d
Video Capabilities
- Canon 7d: Shoots Full HD video at 1080p, with good image quality. It lacks continuous autofocus during video recording, which can be a drawback.
- 6d: Also shoots Full HD video at 1080p, but offers continuous autofocus during video recording, making it easier to keep subjects in focus.
- Winner: 6d
Build Quality
- Canon 7d: Boasts a more rugged and durable build, with a weather-sealed body. This makes it better suited for use in harsh environments.
- 6d: Has a lighter and more compact build, but isn’t as weather-sealed as the 7D.
- Winner: 7d
Connectivity
- Canon 7d: Offers USB connectivity and Mini HDMI output.
- 6d: Includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, allowing for easy image transfer and geotagging. This is a significant advantage for sharing photos and tracking locations.
- Winner: 6d
Winner by Category:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Image Quality (Low Light) | 6D |
| Autofocus Speed | 7D |
| Continuous Shooting | 7D |
| Ergonomics | Tie |
| Features | Tie |
| Portability | 6D |
What They Have in Common:
- Video Recording: Both cameras offer Full HD 1080p video recording capabilities, allowing users to capture high-quality moving images. They both record at 30fps.
- Weather Sealing: Both the 7D and 6D feature weather-sealed bodies, providing protection against dust and moisture, making them suitable for outdoor shooting in various conditions.
- Iso Performance: While the ISO ranges differ, both cameras offer a wide range, enabling photographers to shoot in various lighting conditions. They allow users to adjust the sensitivity to light.
- Full Hd Recording: Both cameras support Full HD video recording, allowing users to capture high-quality footage. They both record in the same resolution.
- Canon’s Ef Mount: Both cameras use Canon’s EF lens mount, ensuring compatibility with a vast range of Canon lenses. This provides photographers with a wide selection of lenses.
Canon 7D Vs 6D Buying Guide
Image Quality and Sensor Performance
The Canon 7D, with its APS-C sensor, delivers excellent image quality, especially in good lighting conditions. Its 18-megapixel resolution provides ample detail for most photographic needs. However, the 6D, featuring a full-frame sensor, excels in low-light performance due to its larger sensor size. The 6D produces less noise and offers greater dynamic range, making it ideal for landscapes and situations where light is limited. This advantage translates to cleaner images at higher ISO settings, allowing for more flexibility in challenging lighting scenarios. The 6D often yields more professional looking images.
Autofocus System and Performance
The 7D boasts a more advanced autofocus system, featuring 19 cross-type autofocus points compared to the 6D’s 11. This gives the 7D a significant advantage in tracking moving subjects and capturing fast-paced action shots. The 7D’s autofocus system is also more customizable, allowing for fine-tuning to suit different shooting scenarios. While the 6D’s autofocus is accurate, it is less robust. This makes the 7D the superior choice for sports, wildlife, and any situation where rapid and reliable autofocus is crucial.
Build Quality and Durability
The Canon 7D is renowned for its rugged build quality, featuring a weather-sealed body that protects against dust and moisture. This makes it a more suitable choice for demanding environments and outdoor photography. The 6D, while still well-built, lacks the same level of environmental sealing. The 7D’s robust construction ensures longevity and reliability, making it a more durable investment for photographers who frequently work in challenging conditions. This is an important consideration for professional use or demanding amateurs.
Video Capabilities
Both cameras offer full HD video recording, but the 7D provides more advanced video features, including a higher frame rate (60fps at 1080p). The 7D has a dedicated video record button and more manual control options for shooting video. The 6D, on the other hand, offers a more cinematic look due to its full-frame sensor, producing a shallower depth of field. However, the 7D’s advanced features make it more versatile for video recording. This makes the 7D potentially a better option for advanced videography.
Lens Compatibility and Ecosystem
Both cameras are compatible with the extensive Canon EF lens lineup. The 7D, with its APS-C sensor, has a 1.6x crop factor, which effectively increases the focal length of lenses. The 6D’s full-frame sensor offers a wider field of view, especially useful for landscapes and architecture. However, both cameras are compatible with the same lenses. The availability of lenses is a benefit for either camera. The choice depends on the photographer’s preferred shooting style and the types of lenses they already own or plan to acquire.
Price and Value
The 6D, often being a slightly older model, is generally priced lower than the 7D. The 6D offers excellent value for a full-frame camera, especially considering its image quality and low-light performance. The 7D, despite its more advanced features, might be considered more expensive. The price difference depends on the used market. The choice ultimately depends on the photographer’s budget and the features they prioritize. Considering the features and the price point, the 6D represents a great value.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy 7D If…
- You need a camera with a faster continuous shooting speed for capturing action shots.
- You require a more robust and rugged body with enhanced weather sealing for demanding environments.
- You want a camera with a built-in GPS for geotagging your photos.
- You prefer the crop sensor’s reach for telephoto photography.
Buy 6D If…
- You prioritize image quality and low-light performance due to the larger full-frame sensor.
- You want a camera with built-in Wi-Fi for easy image sharing and remote control.
- You desire a lighter and more compact full-frame camera.
- You’re looking for a camera with a wider dynamic range for better details in shadows and highlights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between the Canon 7D and 6D?
The Canon 7D is an APS-C camera known for its robust build, advanced autofocus, and faster continuous shooting. The 6D is a full-frame camera that excels in image quality, especially in low light. The 6D also offers a wider field of view. The main differences are sensor size, autofocus system, and build quality.
Which camera is better for low-light photography?
The Canon 6D is significantly better for low-light photography. Its full-frame sensor captures more light, resulting in less noise and better image quality at high ISO settings. This allows for cleaner images in dim environments. The 7D, with its APS-C sensor, struggles more in low light, producing more noise.
Which camera has a better autofocus system?
The Canon 7D has a more advanced autofocus system. It features 19 cross-type autofocus points, providing superior tracking performance and faster focusing speeds, particularly useful for action photography. The 6D has a less complex autofocus system. This makes the 7D better for tracking moving subjects.
Is the Canon 7D weather-sealed?
Yes, the Canon 7D has a weather-sealed body, offering protection against dust and moisture. This makes it more suitable for outdoor shooting in challenging conditions. The 6D, while not fully weather-sealed, offers some level of protection. The 7D is more durable.
Which camera is better for video recording?
Both cameras offer full HD video recording, but the 7D has more advanced video features, including a higher frame rate (60fps at 1080p). The 7D also provides more manual control options. The 6D has a cinematic look due to its full-frame sensor, but the 7D is more versatile.
What types of lenses can I use with these cameras?
Both the Canon 7D and 6D are compatible with the Canon EF lens mount. This provides access to a wide range of Canon lenses, including both prime and zoom lenses. The 7D also supports EF-S lenses, which are designed specifically for APS-C sensor cameras. The 6D will only make use of the center of EF-S lenses.
Which camera is cheaper?
The Canon 6D is generally cheaper than the 7D, especially if you are looking at used models. The 6D provides excellent value for a full-frame camera. The price difference depends on the condition of the camera and the seller. The 7D, with its more advanced features, might be more expensive.
Final Verdict
The Canon 7D excels in action photography due to its robust build, advanced autofocus, and faster continuous shooting. The 6D shines in low-light conditions thanks to its full-frame sensor, offering superior image quality and dynamic range. While the 7D is more suited for demanding environments and capturing fast-paced action, the 6D provides excellent value for its full-frame image quality.
Winner: Canon 6D