Updated (March, 2013): Compare the Canon EOS 70D vs Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

73

 
Canon EOS 60D

72

 

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 7D

Weather sealed
Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Continuous shooting
Rapid fire
8 fps
Shutter lag
Barely any delay taking photos
131 ms shutter lag
Cross type focus points
Many cross-type focus points
19
Viewfinder coverage
Great viewfinder coverage
100%
Thickness
Thin
2.9"
 

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 60D

Weather sealed
Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Screen flips out
Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Battery life
Great battery life
1100 shots
Fastest shutter speed
Fast shutter speed
1/8000 of a second
 

differences

Advantages of the Canon 60D

Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 1,040k dots vs 920k dots
Help
More than 10% higher resolution screen
Color depth Better color depth 22.2 bits vs 22 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.2 more bits of color
Battery life Longer battery life 1100 shots vs 800 shots
Help
Around 40% more shots per battery charge
Weight Lighter 755 g vs 860 g
Help
More than 10% lighter
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $699.00 vs $1,499.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $800 cheaper (2.1x less)
Canon EOS 60D Learn more about
the Canon 60D

Advantages of the Canon 7D

Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 131 ms vs 253 ms
Help
Around 50% less delay when taking photos
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.7 EV vs 11.5 EV
Help
0.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 8 fps vs 5.3 fps
Help
More than 50% faster continuous shooting
Viewfinder coverage Significantly better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 96%
Help
Almost the same
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 19 vs 9
Help
Grab focus in difficult situations
Focus points More focus points 19 vs 9
Help
Set focus accurately within the frame
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.62x vs 0.59x
Help
More than 10% larger viewfinder
Thickness Thinner 2.9" vs 3.1"
Help
Around 10% thinner
Canon EOS 7D Learn more about
the Canon 7D
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 60D Canon EOS 60D
72 vs 73
Explain scores
Canon EOS 7D Canon EOS 7D
Green arrow Too close to call! Snapsort considers these cameras too competitive to make a clear recommendation.

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
162 lenses
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
400 ms startup delay
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
12,800 ISO
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO
Sensor size Very small sensors Help
APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
60D:11.5 EV
7D:11.7 EV
Overall image quality Low image quality Help
66.0
Color depth Poor color depth Help
60D:22.2 bits
7D:22 bits
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
60D:813 ISO
7D:854 ISO

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Size Fairly small Help
60D:145x106x79 mm
7D:148x111x74 mm
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
60D:$699.00
7D:$1,499.00
GPS No built-in GPS Help
Missing geo-tagging
Focus points Few focus points Help
60D:9
7D:19
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
17.9 MP
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
60D:0.59x
7D:0.62x

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-105mm lens

Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Color depth Has slightly more color depth
Thickness Is thicker
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Canon 650D / T4i

Canon Rebel T4i

Entry-level DSLR

$649 - $800 body only

$719 - $749 with 18-55mm lens

Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Canon EOS 6D

Canon EOS 6D

Pro DSLR

$1,999 body only

$2,599 with 24-105mm lens

Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$599 - $649 with 18-55mm lens

Weight Is slightly lighter
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon D7100

Nikon D7100

Entry-level DSLR

$1,197 body only

$1,497 with 18-105mm lens

Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Color depth Has significantly more color depth
Canon 700D/T5i

Canon Rebel T5i

Entry-level DSLR

$749 - $905 body only

$899 with 18-55mm lens

Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,479 body only

$2,699 - $3,000 with 24-105mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag

Canon EOS 60D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 60D.

Canon EOS 7D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 7D.

appearance

Canon EOS 60D Canon EOS 7D
Canon EOS 60D Canon EOS 7D
Canon EOS 60D Canon EOS 7D

discussion

Showing 25 comments

Avatar for Rodrigo Morales Rodrigo Morales (3:34 AM, May 18, 2013)
I currently own a 60d but i use a lot a 7D also and ive been able to test them for long time. I can say there are differences but i wouldnt say theres one better than the other. 7D has an amazing 19 af point af system and the 8fps burst, also its build on magnesium alloy while 60d isnt but 60d has advantages, of course video on 60d is amazing plus u got the screen versatility, also even though the numbers would say the opposite but while working on really dark situations ive found the 60d faster in focus than the 7d, thats weird cuz supposedly 7d has better af system. Image quality, id say better on 7D for pictures and better in 60d for video. Besides that i think there are many other differences but they dont really make it hard to decide, i think the ones ive mentioned are the things where this two cameras can be compared. Personally i love the 60d vs 7d and 5D mark II (not on image quality, i mean on how easy and fast it is to use).
 
Avatar for Rodrigo Morales Rodrigo Morales (3:29 AM, May 18, 2013)
60d is better in video than the 7d
 
Meh (9:01 PM, April 13, 2013)
I would assume they're relative comparisons and don't use absolutes when making their numerical score. They seem to rate them only against one other camera at a time.
 
Avatar for NewPendant NewPendant (7:57 PM, April 08, 2013)
Yes. Thank you for pointing this out. The MFA (micro focus adjust) is very useful. I took 20 pictures with my 100MM F2/8 then realized that my lens is back focusing, and I fixed it in cameras setting with MFA (micro focus adjust).
 
V.A. (9:36 PM, March 29, 2013)
I actually had both these cameras before i switched to full frame. For entry level cameras they are almost identical, and can actually go beyond entry level in the right hands. The comparison is as simple as this: If you want to be a filmmaker, get yourself the 60D without a doubt. If you're looking to lean towards photography, the 7D is your best bet. Both cameras are good reminders of why Canon is doing all of the right things.
 
Keshav (2:18 AM, February 25, 2013)
Iam so confused to decide which one to upgrade. Iam a serious hobbyist and confused between these 2. I currently own a 550D/ Rebel T1i and want to upgrade, I want to upgrade my camera and any suggestion would be much appreciated. I love shooting people and nature
 
Avatar for rio rio (3:18 PM, January 29, 2013)
I'm an entry level photographer but I don't want and entry level camera Because video is a must!!!! I was thinking price with the t3i dropping but I need great NOW!!!
60d is calling me
 
JR (1:45 PM, January 23, 2013)
7d has manual audio adjust with latest firmware update
 
Avatar for rosie B rosie B (8:27 AM, November 06, 2012)
i am a film student and i love the quality of the 7D for filming and you can see the difference between a hand held camera to the quality of a 7D. does the 60D film the same quality as the 7D?
 
Amateur (2:47 PM, November 03, 2012)
If you already own a lens, go for 7D, it has more fps shooting. cross points, more focus. but if you don't have choose 60D. much cheaper, slightly the sameas for video, 60d plays better for it screen. you can shoot below or above with having trouble for you can flip the screen. I own 60D by the way.
 
alwyn (5:50 AM, October 03, 2012)
Had the 60d. You can't compare build quality against the 7d. I wouldn't shoot in drizzle with the 60d. Mind you, I'm very specific with my gear so I probably will pack it in after the first drop has fallen.
 
Avatar for Pashminu Mansukhani Pashminu Mansukhani (6:23 AM, July 02, 2012)
An equally important competitor is Canon 650D with it flip out screen. I have clicked some photographs for pharma industry here http://www.digitalstudio.in 
 
Austin (2:46 PM, June 18, 2012)
You can use magic lantern on 60d but not on the 7d... with that in mind, 6od all the way if video is priority! How often will you really need weather sealing? you'll probably cover it with another protective covering even it was weather sealed!
 
Stu Young (7:35 PM, June 17, 2012)
im happy with my 1100d cheapy camera, it will do until i progress and then upgrade to the 7d i think.
 
James (8:54 AM, June 08, 2012)
How does the build quality of the 60d, 550d, 600d and 7d compare? Is the weather sealing necessary for  taking photos in a minor drizzle, or will I get away with the 60d or 550d? If so, does the 60d's build quality better than the cheaper models?  
 
Wdeptuch (7:29 PM, April 07, 2012)
The 60d also has manual audio controls where the 7d does not.
 
Tim Pek (10:56 PM, February 13, 2012)
LOL, i compared the 7D to Sony NEX 5N both got 69 score, when compare 60D to Sony 5N, 60D got 74 and 5N got 69, and here it show the 7D has higher score than the 60D, WHY? can someone explain?
 
tbnjz (4:15 PM, January 07, 2012)
Great comparison data! Thanks!
Don't know which I'd choose between Nikon's D7000 and Canon's 7D. Both seem well built and user friendly. Already having Canon lenses however seals the choice in my situation. Maybe the 60D might compare with a D5100?
Thanks again for a great site!
 
Spudo100 (0:50 AM, December 28, 2011)
I've just spent a bit of time with both of them.  I own a 7D and have been playing with a 60D.  All other things being equal, if I had to do it today, I'd take the 60D.  There's really not that much difference between them, and some of the features (creative pre-sets, easy movies) and the user interface and screen are nicer. 
 
Luis Claudio (3:00 PM, December 15, 2011)
I'm getting crazy to choose between 7D and 60D!! I'm advanced amator and it's very difficult to pick one of these great cameras...
 
AnthonyJN21 (1:17 AM, December 05, 2011)
Natyuna, what model are you going with, just curious. I'm about to buy this week. Thanks
 
Natyuna (3:59 PM, November 24, 2011)
Now i know what to choose between 60D and 7D.... Great site for comparison
 
Qdwqerwsf (2:59 PM, October 24, 2011)
hi
 
Itsahsah (10:09 AM, October 20, 2011)
The 7D does have weather sealing.
 
Rjake3 (11:11 AM, October 14, 2011)
most important difference I found, having the 60D, is the lack of MFA (micro focus adjust) which the 50D, 7D and 5D have. If you have a few lenses you might find that one or more, back or front focus. There's nothing more frustrating than having a bunch of portraits with sharp noses and ears and blurry eyes. As appealing as the flippy screen may be, I suggest getting the 7D. And if you're into film and you think 60D flippy screen is a must have, consider a cheap $50~$70 external monitor as an option. :)