Canon EOS 60D, 50D, 7D and Rebel T2i compared

[Johnny]

Well written article, Bob. I share your opinions. I have seen many complaints on the Internet, people are threatening to leave Canon and switch to Nikon and many look at the 60D as a downgrade. Comparing the cameras side by side it is clear that the 60D has many new features that you currently do not find in any of the Rebels and the xxD line. I think that when the camera hits the marked we will see that the image quality is similar to the 7D and 550D, which is great. I also think Canon will sell a lot of 60D´s. People are asking for smaller cameras, they got it, they are asking for video optimized cameras, they got it.

The only think that is bothering me personally is that I now have to step up to the xD line if I want a camera the size of the 40D/50D. Having large hands the 50D is almost to small. I can´t imagine buying a smaller camera. But Canon can´t satisfy every single customer around the globe. They need to make money. I think the smaller form factor of the xxD series has come to stay. The market demands smaller bodies and Canon has to go with the market.

[Bob Atkins]

It's not that small. When I briefly shot with the 60D the size was not noticably different from the 50D. It's only a matter of a couple of mm in some dimensions. On the other hand some time ago when I shot with the 550D it did feel small (and I commented on that in my review).

So I wouldn't worry, the 60D feels a lot more like a 50D in your hand than a T2i.

I'll add in the exact dimensions of each camera to the comparison table when I get a chance.

[Bob Atkins]

I've updated the comparison article. The  50D and 60D are the same width and height (rounding off fractions of a mm), and the 60D is actually slightly thicker due to the articulated screen.

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/canon_eos_60D_comparison.html

[Johnny]

Thank´s Bob. That is good news. I did not to look at the specs. I briefly looked at dpreview´s preview. They said it was "noticeably smaller than the 50D". Looks like they made a wrong statement. I like it slightly thicker. It gives a better grip.

[Johnny]

Bob, can you give a short comment about the 60D´s image quality? Did you look at raw files when you tested the camera or was it jpeg´s only? Imaging Resource has raw files available ( http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E60D/E60DA7.HTM ) and now that Adobe Camera Raw 6.2 supports the 60D I downloaded them and took a closer look. To me it looks like the image quality of the 60D is much better than the 50D, at least at higher ISO values. Even at 6400 ISO the files looks surprisingly clean and detailed. I am really impressed. Maybe it has something to do with the new algorithms ACR is using? Files are very detailed and chroma noise is much better controlled than files from the 50D. This is looking very promising.

[Bob Atkins]

I do have a bunch of RAW files, but I normally use DPP and so far DPP does not support the 60D. I asked Canon if they had a beta release of the updated DPP which will ship with the 60D, but so far they have not been able to provide one. As soon as I can get hold of the next version of DPP I will do some RAW conversionspost my impressions.  I'll actually be meeting with Canon in NYC tomorrow so I'll renew my request there.

I would not be surprised if high ISO performance is better then the 50D since the 60D now has ISO 6400 as a "native" ISO setting whereas the 50D topped out at ISO 3200 "native" and 6400 was an expanded (H1) seting.

In my 60D preview I do show noise levels from 400 to 12800 and I was impressed by the clarity of the images. I couldn't do a "side by side" with the 50D, but I'd say they are at aleast as good, possibly better, based on the JPEG images. I'd expect that optimum conversion of the RAW images might yield even better results.

[bmpress]

It is interesting that Canon has a pattern of camera migration that makes only marginal increments in features/performance. That is why many of us wait three generations or four to upgrade. Apparently this strategy works for Canon or they would not be doing it. I wonder who would actually want to trade in a 50D for the 60D. Maybe one who shoots little flowers in the earth or a macro photographer. Any thoughts, Bob?

[Johnny]

Bob, if Canon cant/won´t supply you with DPP you can always use Adobe Camera Raw. I have compared the latest version with its new rendering and algorithms against DPP and in my opinion DPP does not have the lead anymore. I have used DPP as my main converter for many years but with Adobes latest ACR I think they have made a significant step forwards in image quality. They did not do a good job with Canon´s high iso raw files earlier but now they do.

[Johnny]

I wonder who would actually want to trade in a 50D for the 60D.

If you need/want video and can´t afford the 7D.  ( Probably the best reason )

Time will tell but I am quite confident that the image quality you will find in the 60D is a big step forward compared to the 50D. That could be another reason to upgrade. From the files I was looking at I did find that they showed much better detail and lower noise than the 50D. ( I have a 50D )

I don´t know if I will upgrade, but I was very tempted after examining the raw files.

[Bob Atkins]

I'd take a look at ACR, but I don't use Photoshop. I consider it bloated and overpriced and I'm not enthralled by Adobe's update and upgrade policies. I realize that I'm in a minority with that opinion of course. I'm not sure if ACR can be used outside Photoshop.

There may be other RAW converters that will support the 60D before DPP is updated. Perhaps DCraw will. However I think the fairest comparison will come from using Canon's own DPP for RAW decoding.

Of course there will be a new version of DPP shipping with the 60D. Whether they will have tweaked it more than just to add 60D support I don't know, but I presume DPP is always under some level of active development

[Johnny]

I'm not sure if ACR can be used outside Photoshop.

No you can´t. Lightroom 3 or Photoshop CS5. I downloaded a trial of Photoshop CS5. I agree, it is overpriced. They don´t have any direct competition so they can charge whatever they like.

I hope Canon one day will come up with a more comprehensive software packet. If they took only a few elements, like the retouch tab, from their new Studio Solution program, blended it with DPP and charged a reasonable price for it I would gladly dump Photoshop. The new Studio Solution program has a nice retouch palette. More than enough for the average user. Have you tried it? If I can find the correct mail for feedback and suggestions I will email Canon. I am sure they have thought about it. They have many clever engineers. The question is if they wish to do it and how expensive it will be. Nikon users have a very good option in Capture NX. I hope Canon will offer something similar one day.