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
capability 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 weren't making at least a bit of
money from their photography.
The 50D (and
by extension the X0D range) was starting to look somewhat redundant:
expensive (and in some ways outdated) compared to the rebel T2i (EOS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 big 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 easy 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
movie capture.
And so, from a spec and
feature point of view it sits almost exactly half-way 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)
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.
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.
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 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, no high speed shutter
sync flash option
Slightly reduced customization options
Redesigned control layout with slightly fewer buttons
Lower burst rate
The
camera handling has become slightly more Rebel-like too: the joystick
is replaced by a four-way controller and several of the direct access
buttons have been removed. You do, however, get the all-important
second dial on the back (and an info panel on the top).
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
capability that brings.
Canon EOS 60D
Canon EOS 7D
Canon EOS 50D
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
