"Better Camera" is a misnomer. Different cameras have different advantages and disadvantages as they are suited for different types of work. A $40,000 Hasselblad camera is great for studio work and capturing a lot of detail but it's autofocus cannot keep up with a fast running football player. On the other hand an iPhone could be said to be a better camera as you have it everywhere you go and it's so small and discrete you can do a lot more with it. It's all a matter of perspective

Technically speaking a Canon Rebel T3i will have just as good image quality as a 7D and a Nikon D3200 or Sony A6000 will have as good or better for cheaper but it's other features that make the 7D a good camera.

Different photographers have different needs. The 7D is a great camera if you have certain needs:

• Good autofocus (there are cameras with better but the 7D is very good and it can track fast moving subjects)

• Advanced control that might be a little more complex for someone who doesn't know how to use a camera but lets you change more settings without having to go into menus so you can change them more quickly.

• Bigger/brighter viewfinder

• High speed burst shooting. It can shoot 8 frames per second in continuous mode. Few cameras can do this and most of them cost a lot more. It also lets you shoot more shots in a row before you fill the buffer. Good if you want to take a shot of someone playing baseball swinging at a base ball. If you hold the shutter for a second or two before the actual hit, you'll get more shots and be able to choose the best shot where the bat is in closer contact to the ball.

• Rugged/durable. The 7D has good "weather sealing" you don't want to go swimming with it but you can feel a little more comfortable shooting in a misting rain or if dust is blowing.