When to buy a DSLR?

[sherman1]

I have two 7D cameras and love them. However, they are older technology. So, I purchased a mirrorless Canon EOS R. I used it once and I hate it. The buttons feel all wrong, the touch screen is too small to see without glasses, and the viewfinder lags. I also photograph sports and the blackout in the viewfinder prevents me from tracking action accurately.

I would love to buy a 5D Mark IV but it is too expensive. A 6D Mark II has its limitations but it is full frame. It is also within my price range and it would be a step up (for the most part) to my 7D cameras. Since Canon is moving away from the DSLRs, should I buy the 6D Mark II now or is there a possibility of a 6D Mark III in the near future? I know Canon is secretive about upcoming cameras, but it would be helpful to know should I buy now or wait?

While mirrorless cameras are now the rage, I think DSLR cameras do have a place in the photo world. Optical viewfinders allow for easy tracking of objects both in athletics and nature. Canon should consider keeping at least one entry, intermediate, and advanced level DSLR in their lineup. Just a thought. 

[snapetom]

Just adding my experience to all the great replies here, which I agree with.  I dabble with sports and wildlife.  For a while now, I had a 70D.  It was "good enough" but a trip this past summer it was made apparent the tech in the newer mirrorless cameras would make things a lot easier.  The question was, since mirrorless does have drawbacks, would the benefits overcome them, or should I just go with a 90D or 5D. 

I was vehemently opposed to mirrlorless in the beginning.  I hated even the idea of an EVF.  The battery life, UI, and blackouts were also concerns.  Long story short, I actually tried out an R I borrowed and found the EVF to be not as bad as I thought.  For the others, especially blackouts, in researching I concluded the R5 to be the best option.

It's been amazing.  Everything is so much easier with the R5.  The controls are so customizable, once I thought about it, ends up being more consistent than the previous cameras.  Sure, they're in new positions, but the process of customizing forces you to think about it, and then you realize how much it all makes sense (at least to you).  I haven't even begun to push this camera, but it's clear it can handle it.

I'm definitely relieved I did not jump into the first generation of mirrorless cameras, but I'm quite happy with this R5.

To make things easier, I purchased a refurb to save a few hundred bucks.  Also, the battery in the 7D/70D/R5 is the same.  I didn't have to buy new batteries for it.

[sherman1]

Trevor,

Thank you for the detailed response. I appreciate your advice. I like your pictures. Very well done. With the EOS R6, do you have shutter blackout when using high speed continuous shooting?

[sherman1]

EB,

The 90D looks like a fine camera. Thank you for the suggestion. I appreciate the time you took in the response.

Cheers,

Mike

[Kenneth4019]

It may not have as many features as the EOS R or the 5D Mark 4, but I can take pictures of just about anything. The 6D Mark 2 would be a step up from the 7D, for the most part.

[Tronhard]

I don't have any noticeable blackout when I turn off all of the power-saving features.  I have them on when I am not shooting moving object, just to be conservative, but in my custom settings I can assign settings for EV performance over economy, so they come along for the ride, so to speak...

[Tronhard]

I agree.  The question is which element(s) are the most critical to the OP's mode of photography, only they know that.