Canon EOS 60D Preview

Canon EOS 60D Preview August 2010, by Simon Joinson and Richard Butler

Preview based on a pre-production Canon EOS 60D

Canon’s X0D series has, throughout its life been the company’s offering for a range of photographers from enthusiasts and semi-pros through to some pros who appreciated having a lightweight option. Each model offered a high enough specification (usually in terms of build quality and AF sophistication) to ensure it was both aspirational and attainable for users who had out-grown their Rebel/XX0D series. However, the feature set always left a sizeable gap below the company’s full-blown ‘pro’ models.

The arrival of the EOS 7D, with its highly configurable 19-point AF system and 8 frame per second ability changed much of this – here was a mini 1D that drew the attention of many people who previously would have been X0D customers. However, the price tag (a 30% premium over the 50D at launch), pushed it beyond the reach of most people who were not making at least a bit of money from their photography.

The 50D (and by extension the X0D range) was starting to look somewhat redundant: costly (and in some ways outdated) compared to the rebel T2i (EOS 550D), underpowered compared to the EOS 7D. It seemed obvious that Canon needed something to balance out the EOS range to fill the huge gap between the Rebel and the 7D. And so we have this, the EOS 60D.

With the 60D Canon has unashamedly moved the X0D range out of the ‘semi pro’ bracket and instead focused on the enthusiast photographer looking to upgrade from their Rebel. As a result, it’s not the obvious continuation of the 30D – 40D – 50D pattern that its naming might suggest. Rather than being a direct upgrade replacement for the 50D, it’s perhaps better understood as a ‘Super Rebel.’

So gone is the magnesium alloy construction that featured in previous models. Instead we have a consumer (and tripod) friendly 3:2 ratio articulated LCD and a smattering of simple to use variable program modes, plus some key ‘step up’ features (top panel LCD, rear control dial, higher burst rate), including a few that have trickled down from the EOS 7D. It also brings the EOS mid-range in line with those above and below by upping the sensor resolution to around 18MP and adding full HD motion picture capture.

And so, from a spec and feature point of view it sits nearly exactly halfway between the EOS 550D and the EOS 7D, which is exactly where it should be (though I suspect there’ll be a few howls of protest at the apparent ‘dumbing down’ of the venerable X0D line).

Key features 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor ISO 100-3200 (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) 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.

Higher resolution sensor (17.9MP vs. 15.1MP) Accepts SD, rather than CF memory cards No flash sync socket Wireless Speedlight control 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 1080p20/25/24 or 720p60/50 plus cropped 640 x 480 motion picture 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, no high speed shutter sync flash option Slightly reduced customization options Redesigned control layout with slightly fewer buttons Lower burst rate 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, a flip-out screen and the sensor used in the Rebel T2i (550D) and 7D, with all the HD ability that brings.

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 (100-3200) 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)

Canon EOS 60D Preview

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