Should you get the latest Canon T7i, or go with a slightly more expensive Canon EOS 70D? There’s a 3 year gap between them, so let’s see which one is better for the money.
Our comparison table below covers all the important specifications of each camera. Below that, we specifically talk about the new improvements and which model is better suited for your needs.
Canon T7i Canon 70D Megapixels 24.2 20.2 Sensor Type CMOS CMOS Sensor Format APS-C APS-C Crop Factor 1.6x 1.6x AA Filter Yes Yes Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 5472 x 3648 Body Image Stabilization Yes (Movie only) No Lens Mount Canon EF/EF-S Canon EF/EF-S ISO 100 - 25,600 100 - 12,800 Expanded ISO 51,200 25,600 AF Points 45 19 Cross-type AF Points 45 19 Continuous Mode 6fps 7fps LCD 3.0" - Fully Articulated 3.0" - Fully Articulated LCD Resolution 1,040,000 dots 1,040,000 dots Touchscreen Yes Yes Focus Peaking No No Top LCD Display No Yes Viewfinder Type Optical Optical Viewfinder Coverage 95% 98% Viewfinder Magnification 0.82x 0.95x Video Resolution 1920x1080 (60/30/24p) 1920x1080 (30/25/24p) 1280x720 (60/50p) 1280x720 (60/50p) Microphone Jack Yes Yes Headphone Jack No No Memory Card Type SD SD Dual Card Slots No No SD UHS Support UHS-I UHS-I Fastest Shutter Speed 1/4000 1/8000 Slowest Shutter Speed 30" 30" Bulb Mode Yes Yes JPEG Buffer Size Unlimited 65 RAW Buffer Size 27 14 Time Lapse Yes No Built-in Flash Yes Yes Max Flash Sync Speed 1/200 1/250 Startup Time x 0.7s Built-in Wi-Fi Yes Yes Built-in GPS No No Built- in NFC Yes No Bluetooth Yes No USB Type USB 2.0 USB 2.0 Environmentally Sealed No Yes Battery Life (CIPA) 600 shots 920 shots Battery Included Yes (LP-E17) Yes (LP-E6) Weight 18.8 oz (532g) 26.7 oz (755g) Size 5.2 x 3.9 x 3.0" 5.5 x 4.1 x 3.1" Price Amazon Amazon Release Date 2017 2013
Canon T7i Advantages:
- Sensor – The T7i sports a newer sensor with 4 more megapixels, improved dynamic range and image quality.
- Built-in Video Stabilization – You get a 5 axis electronic stabilization that works only in video mode. Huge advantage for shooting with lenses that don’t have IS, and even with those that do have it!
- 1 stop higher maximum ISO – 51,200 vs 25,600. The T7i has slightly better noise performance but both are barely usable over 12,800, so only use in extreme situations
- 45 vs 19 AF Points – This is easily the most amazing feature of any Rebel in the past few years. Having 45 points allows you to be more precise with where you want to focus on your subject
- 45 cross-type points – Cross-type points are more accurate than regular ones, and this type was usually reserved for more expensive models. Not anymore! The 70D isn’t bad with 19, but the T7i is on a whole another level, borrowing the focusing system from the more expensive Canon 80D.
- Full HD at 60fps – 60fps compared to 30fps is better if you want to get smoother slow motion shots (the footage also looks smother when played at normal speed, but if you want that standard film look, below 30 is where you want to be. This is a personal preference though)
- Bigger Buffer – The T7i has two times bigger RAW buffer and an unlimited JPEG buffer. While you’d rarely go over the 70D’s 65 JPEG shots, 14 in RAW translates to being able to shoot only for 2 seconds at 7fps.
- Time Lapse
- Bluetooth & NFC – You can now send your shots using Bluetooth and NFC
- Weight & Size – The T7i is smaller and over 200g lighter.
- Less Expensive – Body only, the T7i is around $150 cheaper
Despite being positioned lower than the 70D, the Canon T7i is newer and therefore offers quite a few improvements. The biggest is definitely its AF system with 45 cross-type points. Both cameras are excellent for shooting action in low light, but the T7i just gives you more room to select your focus point.
For video, both will do fine since they feature Dual Pixel AF (smooth video auto focusing), but the T7i now has an electronic 5-axis image stabilization added and can record Full HD at 60fps. Both have an articulating touchscreen LCD.
The T7i is easily our favorite Rebel so far, simply because Canon didn’t hold back as much as they used to.
You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews.
Canon EOS 70D Advantages:
- Top LCD Display – When shooting in manual/semi-automatic modes, previewing your settings on the top LCD screen is much faster
- Rear Control Dial – There’s a main dial to control most of the functions instead of buttons, which in many cases leads to quicker setting selection
- Viewfinder – Its coverage is 98% compared to 95%, and the magnification is bigger too. This doesn’t affect your photographs, but does make your life easier if you can’t see too good.
- Faster Max Shutter Speed – 1/8000 vs 1/4000. When shooting on a bright day with big apertures (f/1.8, f/1.4), 1/4000 is not always fast enough to get a good exposure. This is rarely an issue for most photographers, but it’s still an advantage.
- Faster Flash Sync Speed – 1/250 vs /200
- Environmentally Sealed – More protected against water, snow etc.
- Battery Life – 320 shots more with a single charge.
The 70D costs more mainly because of the exterior features; better weather-sealing, top LCD display and a rear control dial. It’s more recommended if you mainly shoot in difficult weather conditions, but even the T7i won’t be bad here. For $150 more, the body is definitely better, but you do lose out on quite a few features so you’ll have to ask yourself what’s more important.
You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews.
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