EOS 20D upgrade recommendations

[Zebbra47]

I want to upgrade my older 20D body. Have not used for over 10 years but still works. Past history has been wildlife with old 35mm. When purchased 20D also 100-400mm 4.5 IS and have since purchased used 400mm 2.8 IS. Have read many recommendations regarding the 7D mark ll. Have recently been looking at the EOS  1DX Mark ll used. What are thoughts.

[Tronhard]

Hi and welcome

Well the first thing to help us give you the most relevant information is a $value for budget - we don't want to suggest cameras you can't or don't want to afford.

The EOS DSLR range is being phased out, and the 7D variants and 1DXII are no longer made.  The whole DSLR platform is significantly reduced with the EF range of lenses severely limited.

With that aside, as a wildlife photographer myself, I would strongly recommend a move to the Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera (MILC) platform of R series cameras for the benefits it offers.

While you will find the controls and general interface familiar, these cameras offer:
* major improvements in sensor technology, resulting in greatly enhanced performance in resolution, ISO and dynamic range.
* However, it is in the area of focus that they really perform for wildlife, with face and eye tracking that is one of the few times I would use the phrase 'game changer'. 
* In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) in many bodies that proves up to 8 stops of stabilization to massively assist hand-holding for slow shutter speeds and long lenses.

In that respect I would recommend the EOS R6 mark II, the focusing system of which is bested only by far more expensive cameras.  The camera has a 24MP sensor, with  The FF format will return you back to your familiar full 35mm days.

You can use your existing EF lenses with an EF-RF lens adapter.

For examples of image of wildlife taken with this camera and various lenses see:
Search - Canon Community  and Search - Canon Community

For reviews of the R6II see:
Canon EOS R6 Mark II in-depth review: Digital Photography Review

[Waddizzle]

💯 What he said. 

Be sure to only use genuine Canon EF/RF lens mount adapters. 

[Zebbra47]

First I wish to thank all of you who responded to my question and Trevor you always proved a well thought out response. I seem to have been in the early stages of DSLR and now at the end. My budget was around $1300 but looks like the R6 ll is around $2000 so I will have to give that some thought and hope the stock market goes up. I am retired now and have more time to spend on this activity.  Although, I am an amateur and not sold anything, I was more use to full frame 35mm with over 20 years going to Montana NP, Alaska Kat Mai and parts of New Zealand.

My concern with mirror less was using the adapters and some loss along the edges. However, it is good to know that I can still use the older lenses. 

I did not see that answer coming but I did go to this site for the best advise. So, it does sound like I need to upgrade to modern times with the mirror-less body. 

Thanks again to all of you and will see if i can find some deal on that body.

[deebatman316 · Accepted solution]

You won't loose anything when adapting lenses. Aperture Control, AF & IS work like they always have. Certain features will be unavailable though. Like 12 fps won't be available with older lenses. Because they never originally supported it. 

[shadowsports]

Greetings ,

There's nothing else I can add. You've received excellent advice and recommendations from my colleagues.  The term game changer to describe the performance of a mirrorless body over a DSLR is accurate.

[Tronhard]

Thanks for your response.

Well, if you can stretch a bit past the budget you indicated, Canon offer refurbished EOS R6 MkII bodies for $1,699.  These may be overstock, opened but not used, demo or show units, but are 'good as new' and come with the 1-year Canon warranty. Shop Canon Refurbished EOS R6 Mark II Body | Canon U.S.A., Inc.

You can pick up a Canon EF-RF adapter for $80: Shop Canon Refurbished Mount Adapter EF-EOS R | Canon U.S.A., Inc. If an item is not in stock, you can get them to notify you when it is in.

If you budget is fixed, then you could consider the Canon EOS R8 which is the next model down in the full-frame inventory and is also an excellent camera.   It has the same sensor and focusing system as the R6II, but uses a smaller, less powerful battery, and does not come with IBIS - since you have not had that, it might not be something you will miss.  Your existing lenses' Image stabilization will work with both models.

You could pick up one of these, refurbished, for $1,000  Refurbished EOS R8 Body.   If  you want a comparison between the models, I suggest watching this video:
(7) Canon EOS R8 vs R6 Mark II vs R6: Which Camera SHOULD You Buy? - YouTube

If you are not in a hurry, and really want the R6II, then there should be sales of new (and consequently refurbished cameras around Christmas time) and there is rumor that Canon will release a R6III version in the first quarter of 2025, so prices should continue to drop, especially  when that is officially announced.

[Zebbra47]

Thanks again Trevor. You answered one of my other questions but did not want to keep asking questions. I assume the refurbished bodies from Cannon also applies to the lenses. After prior discussion, I have looked as the RF 100-500mm and sell my 100-400mm EF lens. I did look at cannon refurbished lenses and some from Japan but was not sure about ordering these from Japan. A budget is just a number but lowering the price would help to put towards a RF lens. Thanks 

[Tronhard]

If you are in the US you can be assured of warranty supporrt if you buy from the US refurb site. Technically, the warranty is regional so a Japanese one might not be suported.

The RF 100-500 is a fabulous lens!