Which Canon dSLR? (roundup)

Editors' note: This was originally published in May 2012.

Even once you've narrowed a choice down to a specific manufacturer, the decision as to which model to buy can still be complicated and overwhelming; in fact, I'd say it's probably harder to pick the right camera from a particular lineup than it is to decide which manufacturer's wares you like best. Here's my take on Canon's current dSLR offerings and when and whether I think it's worth the extra bucks to buy higher up the line.

On a general note, if your budget is tight, and unless there's a specific feature or performance level you need from a particular model, it's usually a good idea to save money on the body and spend it on a better lens.

At over 3 years and 2 years old, respectively, the 7D and 60D are past ready for replacement; here's the latest speculation on a timetable. Personally, I'm not sure that both camera segments really need to exist, but Canon could really use a weather-sealed model at around the $1,000 level and a 6D Mark II with a fast AF system and updated build quality to replace the 7D.

Reviews still to come: The EOS Rebel T5i, EOS Rebel SL1, and EOS-1D X.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Canon EOS Rebel T3
If you're on a really tight budget, you don't have many choices. The T3 is widely available for just under $500, but if you have just a little more money to spend, I suggest you skip it and get the T3i, which has better video capabilities.
Read the full review.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Canon EOS Rebel T3i
For most hobbyists, vacation shooters, and nonpro business users: buy the Rebel T3i (street price for the kit just under $700). It delivers significantly better performance and photo quality than T3, plus you get higher resolution, excellent video capture, and an articulated LCD.
Read the full review.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Canon EOS Rebel T4i
The T4i is the company's best consumer model for shooting video, in part because of a new autofocus system that requires special STM lenses for best results. Canon has subsequently replaced it with the T5i, a nearly identical camera; the difference is it ships with a new, less expensive 18-55mm STM kit lens than the 18-135mm version that drove up the price of the T4i. The main thing that significantly differentiates the T4i/T5i from the cheaper T3i is that autofocus system and a very nice touch-screen screen and system that's great for shooting video. If you're planning to use high-quality lenses and manual focus, think about saving a little money with the T3i. When doing price comparisons between the T4i and T5i, check the cost of separately buying the T4i body with the 18-55mm STM lens.

All that said, you may want to wait a bit for the EOS Rebel SL1, a more compact version of the T5i and one of the smallest dSLRs to date. There are some compromises for size, including battery life and a fixed LCD, as well as a slower continuous-shooting specification.
Read the full review.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Canon EOS 60D
For better burst-shooting performance and build quality than the T4i, the 60D occupies Canon's dSLR midrange, and the street price has come down to a relatively reasonable $899 (body only). It's a lot faster for shooting action than the T4i -- although comparable in all other cases -- and has a nicer viewfinder. Unless you need those capabilities, again, you might want to save some money and put it toward a good lens. However, if you're not in a rush to buy, I'd wait to see what its replacement looks like. The 60D does have one advantage over the Rebel series for shooting video: it's got hackable firmware, so if you want to install third-party video-optimized firmware like Magic Lantern, this is a better choice.
Read the full review.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Canon EOS 7D
For the least expensive model suitable for action shooting or with a weather-resistant build, the 7D (body only about $1,400, though prices look like they're all over the map) is well worth the extra cost over the 60D. It delivers more than 2fps faster continuous shooting, a better autofocus system, and bigger viewfinder with 100 percent coverage. The one disadvantage versus the 60D is the fixed rather than articulated LCD. With a modest $300 price gap between it and the older 5D Mark II, though, it may be tempting to bump up to full frame. That said, the 7D is over 3 years old and rumor has it that a new version is due imminently.
Read the full review.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Canon EOS 6D
If you want the best value in a full-frame model, it's a hard decision between the 6D and the older 5D Mark II, though I ultimately come down on the side of the 6D. They have similar street prices of between $1,600 to $1,800 for the body-only version, at least for now -- the 5DM2 has been officially discontinued, so prices will start to rise as available units dwindle. The 6D is a fine camera, but has a more consumer-oriented design and feature set, making it less of a cheap alternative to the 5DM3 than the 5DM2 was; it has an inferior viewfinder, less durable shutter, and single SD card slot. In exchange, however, you gain Wi-Fi and GPS, somewhat better high ISO image quality and a lighter body in the 6D.
Read the full review.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Canon EOS 5D Mark III
For the best general-purpose professional full-frame camera in Canon's line, the 5D Mark III (street price about $3,299) is probably your pick. It adds a significant boost to its autofocus and continuous-shooting performance over the Mark II and the 6D -- enough that some people who otherwise might have opted for the 1D X needn't -- plus sufficient features and changes in the design that it feels like a better model than its predecessor for shooting both stills and video.
Read the full review.

(Credit: Canon USA)

Canon EOS-1D X
Though I haven't yet tested it, the 1D X (street price about $6,799) will likely be your best bet for the fastest full-frame continuous-shooting possible for a Canon. With a rated speed of 12fps and support for dual UDMA 7 CompactFlash cards, this is obviously designed to continue the 1D's place in the line as Canon's sports shooter. The APS-H-size 1D Mark IV (street price about $5,200) is still around, and at 10fps is a bit slower than the newer model, but is substantially cheaper; you might be able to find good deals on it used as well. Though the 2007-era 1Ds Mark III is also still available, it's the most expensive of the line at $6,999 and, except perhaps for a larger viewfinder and built-in vertical grip, seems to offer no significant advantage over either the 5D Mark III or the 1D X.
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