On Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Review based on a production Canon EOS 60D
The appearance of the EOS 7D, with its extremely configurable 19-point AF program and 8 supports per second ongoing capturing capability modified much of this - here was a 'mini 1D' that attracted the interest of many individuals who formerly would have been X0D clients. However, the cost tag (a 30% top excellent over the 50D at launch) encouraged it beyond the arrive at of most individuals who weren't creating at least a bit of money from their digital cameras.
The 50D (and by expansion the X0D range) was beginning to look somewhat redundant: costly (and in some methods outdated) as opposed to insurgent T2i (EOS 550D), underpowered as opposed to EOS 7D. It seemed obvious that Cannon required something to stability out the EOS variety to complete the big gap between the Rebel and the 7D. And so we have this, the EOS 60D.
With the 60D Cannon has unashamedly shifted the X0D variety out of the 'semi pro' segment and instead targeted on the fanatic digital photographer looking to update from their Rebel. Consequently, it's not the obvious expansion of the 30D - 40D - 50D routine that its labeling might recommend. Instead it rests fairly well accurately in the same industry place as was once-upon-a-time filled by the 'Elan' sequence of Negatives film SLRs (which in European countries were not-so-coincidentally given double-digit design numbers).
So gone is the mineral magnesium metal development that presented in past designs, modified by a less heavy in bodyweight nasty spend. Normally the 60D profits some key 'step up' functions from the Rebel range (top board LCD, back management switch, greater rush rate), along with a few that have been handed down from the EOS 7D. There's also a video- (and tripod-) helpful 3:2 amount articulated LCD. In picture excellent conditions it delivers the EOS mid-range in range with those above and below by boosting the indicator excellent to around 18MP and including complete HD film catch.
The EOS 60D also profits a number of brand-new functions of its own. There's now a number of shade modifications (or 'Ambiences') which can be used to the picture when using the landscape methods, and whose impact can be previewed on display in Stay Perspective. The 60D also lastly profits the capability to turn raw information to jpg in-camera, such as the choice to appropriate for contacts aberrations such as frame distortions and chromatic aberration. As an extra, you can retrospectively implement new 'Creative Filters' to information you've taken, such as 'Grainy Dark and White' and 'Toy Camera' looks.
And so, from a specifications and function perspective, the EOS 60D rests almost exactly half-way between the EOS 550D and the EOS 7D, with a few new techniques of its own. Which, we think, is exactly where it should be (regardless of the unavoidable howls of demonstration at the obvious 'dumbing down' of the revered X0D line).
Key features
- 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor
- ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800)
- 5.3 fps continuous shooting
- 1080p HD video recording with manual controls
- SD / SDHC / SDXC storage
- In-camera raw development
- Subject modes with 'Ambience Selection' (Standard, Vivid, Soft, Warm, Intense, Cool, Brighter, Darker and Monochrome)
- In-camera Creative Filters (special effects)
- Fully articulated 3.0" screen (3:2)
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| The 60D's position in the range is immediately apparent when lined-up between the EOS 550D (Rebel T2i) and the 7D - it's a model that sits half-way between the two, without coming too close to either. |
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Canon EOS 60D vs 50D: Key Differences
Placing the 50D alongside the 60D it becomes clear that the new camera is not a simply a direct upgrade but a repositioned model. The most obvious difference is that it's smaller and, of course, no longer features a metal body. |
| The 60D is smaller than the 50D but its ergonomics are not substantially changed - it'll still feel like a big improvement over a Rebel series camera, though the loss of the metal body means the same won't be true for 50D owners. One welcome addition is signaled by the little receiver window on the handgrip - the 60D is compatible with Canon's IR remote controls. |
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- Higher resolution sensor (17.9MP vs. 15.1MP)
- Accepts SD, rather than CF memory cards
- No flash sync socket
- Wireless Speedlight control
- Support for optional infra-red remote release
- Articulated 3:2 high resolution LCD screen
- Plastic body shell (8% weight saving)
- Standard ISO range extends to 6400, rather than 3200
- User-definable Auto ISO upper limit
- HD video recording 1080 p30/25/24 or 720p60/50 plus cropped 640 x 480 movie mode
- New features: in-camera raw conversion, ambience settings, creative filters, more JPEG options
- No joystick, no multi-flash support, simplified top plate & info panel, only one Custom mode, no AF micro-adjust
- Slightly reduced customization options
- Redesigned control layout with slightly fewer buttons
- Lower burst rate
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| The camera handling has become slightly more Rebel-like too: the joystick is replaced by a multicontroller the resides within the rear dial, and several of the direct access buttons have been removed. You do, however, get the all-important second dial on the back, plus an info panel on the top. |
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Compared to the EOS 50D and EOS 7D: core feature and specification differences
As you can see from the table below the 60D is not an unequivocal upgrade from the 50D in the same way that previous cameras in the range have been. Essentially it's a 50D in a smaller body, the includes a flip-out screen and the sensor used in the Rebel T2i (550D) and 7D, with all the HD movie recording capability that brings. Canon EOS 60D |  Canon EOS 7D |  Canon EOS 50D | |
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| Construction | Polycarbonate resin with glass fibre on aluminum chassis | Magnesium alloy body | Magnesium alloy body |
| Sensor | � 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor � RGB Color Filter Array � Built-in fixed low-pass filter (with self-cleaning unit) � 19 million total pixels � 18 million effective pixels � 3:2 aspect ratio | � 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor � RGB Color Filter Array � Built-in fixed low-pass filter (with self-cleaning unit) � 19 million total pixels � 18 million effective pixels � 3:2 aspect ratio | � 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor � RGB Color Filter Array � Built-in fixed low-pass filter (with self-cleaning unit) � 15.5 million total pixels � 15.1 million effective pixels � 3:2 aspect ratio |
| Processor | DIGIC 4 | Dual DIGIC 4 | DIGIC 4 |
| ISO range | � Auto ISO (100-6400) � ISO 100-6400 in 0.3 or 1.0 EV increments � H (12800) expansion � Adjustable Auto ISO limit | � Auto ISO (100-3200) � ISO 100-6400 in 0.3 or 1.0 EV increments � H (12800) expansion | � Auto ISO (100-1600) � ISO 100 - 3200 � 0.3 or 1.0 EV increments � H1 (6400) and H2 (12800) expansion |
| Movie resolution | � 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps) � 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps) � 640 x 480 (59.94, 50 fps) | � 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps) � 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps) � 640 x 480 (59.94, 50 fps) | N/A |
| AF sensor | � 9 cross-type AF points (f/2.8 at center) � Center point additionally sensitive with lenses of F2.8 or faster � AF working range: -0.5 - 18 EV (at 23�C, ISO 100) | � 19 cross-type AF points (f/2.8 at center) � Center point additionally sensitive with lenses of F2.8 or faster � AF working range: -0.5 - 18 EV (at 23�C, ISO 100) | � 9 cross-type AF points (f/2.8 at center) � Center point additionally sensitive with lenses of F2.8 or faster � AF working range: -0.5 - 18 EV (at 23�C, ISO 100) |
| Metering sensor | � TTL full aperture metering with 63 zone Dual Layer (iFCL) � Metering range: EV 1 - 20 EV | � TTL full aperture metering with 63 zone Dual Layer SPC � Metering range: EV 1 - 20 EV | � TTL 35 zone SPC � Metering range: EV 0.0 - 20 EV |
| Viewfinder | � Eye-level pentaprism � 96% frame coverage � Magnification: 0.95x � Eyepoint: 22 mm � Interchangeable focusing screen Ef-A standard (2 other types optional) � Dioptric adjustment: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter | � Eye-level pentaprism � 100% frame coverage � Approx. 1.0x magnification � Eyepoint: 22 mm � Fixed screen (Transmissive LCD screen) � Dioptric adjustment: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter | � Eye-level pentaprism � 95% frame coverage � Magnification: 0.95x � Eyepoint: 22 mm � Interchangeable focusing screen Ef-A standard (2 other types optional) � Dioptric adjustment: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter |
| LCD panel | � 3.0 " TFT LCD � 1040,000 dots (3:2) � 100% coverage � 160 � viewing angle � Dual anti-reflection � Articulated | � 3.0 " TFT LCD � 920,000 dots (4:3) � 100% coverage � 160 � viewing angle � Coating : Anti-reflection and Solid Structure | � 3.0 " TFT LCD � 920,000 dots (4:3) � 100% coverage � 160 � viewing angle � Dual anti-reflection |
| Continuous shooting buffer | � Approx. 5.3 fps � Up to 58 JPEGs, 16 images (RAW) | � Approx. 8 fps � Up to 126 JPEGs (with UDMA card), 15 images (RAW) | � Approx. 6.3fps � Up to 90 frames (with UDMA card), 16 frames (RAW) |
| Memory format | � SD / SDHC / SDXC | � Compact Flash (I, II and UDMA) | � Compact Flash (I, II and UDMA) |
| Dimensions | 145 x 106 x 79 mm (5.7 x 4.2 x 3.1 in) | 148 x 111 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.3 x 2.8 in) | 146 x 108 x 74 mm (5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in) |
| Weight (inc battery) | 755 g (1.6 lb) | 904 g (2.0 lb) | 822 g (1.8 lb) |
Original Article:www.dpreview.com
