Canon EOS 60D 18 MP DSLR
Today Canon announced the new EOS 60D DSLR (not to be confused with the Canon D60, a 6MP DSLR Canon released back in 2002). The new D60 features an 18MP APS-C sensor (very similar, if not identical, that that used in the EOs 7D and EOS T2i), a tilt and swivel LCD screen (a first in the EOS line) and full 1080p HD video with manual exposure control options.
The EOS 50D was getting a little long in the tooth since it didn't have any video capability and that's a sine qua non for any new DSLR these days. The new D60 sits comfortably between the EOS 7D at the high end and the EOS digital Rebel T2i at the low end. In terms of price and features it sits pretty much midway between the two. The main difference between the EOS 7D and EOS 60D is that the 7D has a new 19 point AF system with cross sensors at all 19 positions, while the 60D has the older 9 zone AF system (from the 50D), again with cross sensors in all 9 positions. The T2i has a similar 9 zone pattern, but only uses a cross sensor for the center AF zone. Of course the 7D has other features such as an 8fps frame rate, vertical and horizontal electronic levels.
Here's a list of some of the major features of the new Canon EOS 60D
- An 18MP sensor with 4 channel readout. This sensor appears to be very similar to that used in the EOS 7D and Digital Rebel T21, though the 7D's sensor has an 8 channel readout which speeds up operation.
- The AF system is inherited from the EOS 50D with 9 AF zones all with cross (dual axis) sensors. The 7D has a more advanced AF system with 19 cross type sensors, while the 9 point AF of the T2i has only one cross sensor (in the center)
- The ISO range is now 100-6400 plus "H" (12800). This is the same as found in the T2i and 7D.
- The maximum frame rate is 5.7 fps, between the 3.7 fps of the T2i and the 8 fps of the 7D
- For the first time on any Canon DSLR, the EOS 60D has a tilt and swivel LCD. While this doesn't help much for conventional still photography, it should be very useful in Live View mode and when shooting video.
- Full 1080p HD video at 24/25/30 fps and the same resolution and frame rate options as both the Rebel T2i and EOS 7D. Manual exposure setting is possible and the 60D has the "movie crop" mode found in the T2i
- The LCD has a 3:2 aspect ratio and Canon's current (and excellent) anti reflection technology.
- There is a "wind" filter which can be used when recording audio along with video. The built in mic is mono, but there is a jack for a stereo mic. There is no manual control over audio volume.
- 63 zone metering as in the T2i and 7D
- The viewfinder has 96% coverage, and is similar to that of the EOS 50D (the 7D is 100%).
- The EOS 60D is no longer CF card compatible and now uses SD(HC) cards like the T2i. The 7D uses CF cards.
- Canon have finally abandoned the BP-511 battery of the 50D in favor of the LP-E6 which is used in the EOS 7D (and 5D MkII). No current EOS DSLRs no use the BP-511/512 Li-ion batteries.
- The weathersealing of the EOS 60D seems to be somewhere between that of the T2i and the EOS 7D. It's not super weather sealed, so it shouldn't be used unprotected in heavy rain, but it shouldn't quit if it sees a little drizzle
- The shutter is good for 100,000 cycles (same as the EOS 50D). Max speed is 1/8000s and sync is 1/250s (same as EOS 7D)
- There is an electronic level, but only for the horizontal axis. The 7D has both horizontal and vertical levels, the T2i has none.
- There is a position on the mode switch for video and a dedicated "start/stop" button. When not in video mode, the same button starts and stops Live View.
- The mode dial has a locking button in the center which must be pressed before rotating the dial to change modes. This makes it harder to nudge the dial and inadvertantly change modes. Hopefully Canon learned their lesson with the A2, which had a similar, but notoriously fragile, mode change locking button.
- The on/off switch is directly below the mode control dial (as in the EOS 7D)
- The buffer will hold about 58 JPEGs or 16 RAW images. This is better then the T2i but not quite as good as the EOS 7D for JPEGs.
- The 4 way controller used for menu selection, AF zone selection etc. is now incorporated inside the rear QCD on the EOS 60D.
Hands-on testing with a pre-production Canon EOS 60D
I was lucky enough to be able to shoot with a pre-production Canon EOS 60D in New York earlier this month. The results were fully up to the standard set by the EOS 7D (and Rebel T2i) in terms of color and noise levels. I found the 60D to handle very much like earlier EOS DSLRs. The button layout is a little different, they've moved the on-off switch, the commend dial now has a locking button and the multi-axis controller is now integrated in to the rear Quick Control Dial (QCD) but it didn't take more than a few minutes to get accustomed to the new layout.
Shooting video was made quite a bit easier by the articulated LCD which allowed shooting from waist level, around corners or holding the camera overhead. It can even be swung around to face forwards if you want to shoot self-portraits! A very brief video clip shot at 1080p, 24fps can be viewed here - http://vimeo.com/14436331 (a new window will open). The audio is mainly wind noise (shot from the roof of a building).
Below are some still images shot with the pre-production (beta) EOS 60D. Click on the image for a larger version.
Below is a comparison on noise at ISO 400 to 12800. Noise below ISO 400 (and even at ISO 400) is not an issue. Click on the image below (~50% crops) for a larger version (100% crops).
Finally here is an example of a 100% crop. The first image below shows the whole frame, while the second image shows a 100% crop (with the area it covers indicated by the yellow rectangle on the first image)
Shot with pre-production Canon EOS 60D (whole frame)
Lens: Canon EF70-200/2.8L IS II, 200mm, f8, ISO 100, 1/250s
Area outlined in yellow on previous image. 100% crop. Pre-production Canon EOS 60D
Conclusions
So now, for the first time, we have three APS-C cameras which differ only in features. The intrinsic, RAW, image quality of the T2i, EOS 60D and EOS 7D are for all practical purposes the same. However the EOS 7D AF system is better than the 60D AF system which is in turn better than the Rebel T2i AF system. Similarly the EOS 7D has a higher frame rate than the EOS 60D, which is in turn faster than the Rebel T2i. I won't list all the features and custom functions, but again the EOS 7D has more than the EOS 60D, which has more than the Rebel T2i. All three shoot 1080p HD video, have a jack for an external stereo microphone and allow full manual control over ISO and exposure.
Which one to chose depends on your budget. The only exception to that would be if you are mainly buying the camera to shoot video. In that case I'd go for the new EOS 60D simply because of the articulated LCD screen which does make shooting video easier. The articulating LCD screen is something I'd expect to see on most new EOS DSLRs from now on, except perhaps for the lowest priced entry level rebel.
I expect the EOS 60D to sell well and from my brief time with it (about an hour) it seems to be a camera I can certainly recommend. If you do a lot of action work (especially outdoors), the EOS 7D with it's higher frame rate, improved weathersealing and 19 AF zones might be a better choice, but for the average serious amateur the EOS 60D has just about every bell and whistle you could want.
The only think lacking is continuous AF in movie mode. Sony have just introduced two new cameras, the alpha A33 and alpha A55 which do offer continuous phase detection AF in movie mode. However to achieve this they had to use a fixed semi-reflective pellicle mirror (such as Canon used in the EOS RT film camera), plus they had to give up optical reflex viewing and use an electronic viewfinder. Perhaps Canon will do something similar in time, though I personally wouldn't be too enthusiastic about an EVF camera with no optical reflex viewing. A fixed mirror would also need some mechanism to allow for sensor cleaning unless the entire mirror box, shutter and sensor were a sealed unit.
For a camera that does dual duty for still and video photography, I think the EOS 60D is hard to beat right now, especially at a price of only $1099.00.
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Here's the official Canon Press Release
Canon's New EOS 60D Digital SLR Camera Unleashes The Creative Potential Of Digital Photography And EOS Full HD Video With New In-Camera Imaging Features
New EOS 60D Offers a Vari-Angle LCD Screen, EOS Full HD Video Recording, In-Camera RAW Processing and Creative Filters and 18-Megapixel Resolution Among Class-Leading Specs
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 26, 2010 – High-quality digital capture and skillful post-processing go hand-in-hand for superior end results, and more control over in-camera image processing means less time editing and more time shooting. At the same time, the overwhelming popularity of Full HD video recording with other current EOS Digital SLRs has led to customer requests for more advanced features such as manual audio level control and flexible LCD screens. Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, delivers all of these features and more with the new EOS 60D Digital SLR Camera. For the first time on an EOS camera, the EOS 60D DSLR boasts a three-inch Vari-Angle Clear View LCD screen, EOS Full HD video recording with manual overrides including audio level control, and in-camera functionality for RAW image processing plus Creative Filters to manipulate images after taking them. Designed primarily for advanced amateurs, the EOS 60D replaces the EOS 50D and boasts a broad array of new features that make it easier for photographers to add personal creativity to their images. Whether it's capturing an overhead shot on the Vari-Angle screen at a graduation ceremony, or converting a color image to black and white for a nostalgic look, Canon is delivering in-camera features and functions that empower advanced photographers to capture, display and print the images they want.
"The EOS 60D has been designed to offer the image-capture and the Full HD video features customers are looking for as they continue to expand their photographic skills. The exciting new features of the EOS 60D make using a DSLR camera more attractive and easier than ever before. We want everyone to experience the great image quality a Canon DSLR can offer with features and functions that they will appreciate and use," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
Exciting EOS "Firsts"
For the first time in the history of the Canon EOS System, the new 60D camera features a large Vari-Angle 3-inch Clear View LCD screen with 1,040,000 dot/VGA resolution plus anti-reflective and smudge-resistant coatings for bright clear viewing from any angle. The new LCD screen is ideal for composing low-angle or overhead shots whether capturing still images or Full HD video clips.
Another first for the EOS system is the EOS 60D camera's new Multi-Control Dial, which places a Multi-Controller and Set button inside the Quick Control Dial. This new control layout streamlines camera navigation for vertical as well as horizontal shooting and enables a cleaner camera design. Responding to customer requests, the EOS 60D also features a locking mode dial, which makes camera operation more secure by preventing inadvertent changes to the photographer's selected shooting mode.
While the photography mantra of "get it right in the camera" still stands true, Canon's new EOS 60D gives advanced photographers an edge with new in-camera features that enable users to enhance their images without a computer even after they have been shot. For the first time ever in an EOS camera, the EOS 60D features in-camera processing of RAW image files, new reduced resolution image copies, and post-processing creative image filters for exceptional flexibility in digital image rendering.
Each of these filters can be applied to a captured still image in-camera to create a second "filtered" JPEG version, leaving the original RAW or JPEG file unaffected.
Another addition to the camera's Live View function is Canon's new Aspect Ratio feature whereby the Live View screen can display cropping lines for 1:1, 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios in addition to the standard 3:2 ratio. These cropping lines make it easier to compose images in Live View, and they can help to expedite printing when using Canon's supplied Digital Photo Professional software. Custom aspect ratios are also applied to JPEG images whether captured directly in-camera or created with the EOS 60D's in-camera RAW image processing function.
EOS HD Video: Continuing the Video Paradigm Shift
In addition to its new still capture capabilities, the EOS 60D features Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution with selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p or 30p. Native 24p recording helps videographers achieve a more cinema-style look for their footage without the need for post-processing. The EOS 60D builds upon the great video capabilities Canon has introduced in recent DSLR cameras and packs them into a camera photo enthusiasts will love. Full HD video capture, along with selectable cinematic frame rates for both NTSC (National Television System Committee) and PAL (Phase Altering Line) standards, will help the EOS 60D to be the camera of choice among film students and photography students alike.
The new EOS 60D camera's movie mode also includes manual controls for exposure as well as manual audio levels in 64 steps, much like the latest firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark II HD-SLR. Users can set audio levels on the rear menu screen before shooting begins; once recording is initialized, audio adjustments are not possible. In addition, Canon has added an electronic Wind Filter to the audio controls within the movie shooting menu.
Canon has also included an in-camera movie editing feature, allowing users to shorten a video file by clipping segments from the beginning or the end, removing unwanted portions without outside software. This feature can dramatically accelerate workflow by reducing the time needed to upload video clips to a computer for further editing and assembly. The EOS 60D also includes Canon's Movie Crop mode, which allows users to achieve 7x magnification when shooting SD video. Unlike the digital zoom feature found in many compact digital cameras, Canon's Movie Crop mode crops the image directly from the CMOS sensor at full SD resolution to preserve image quality and still provide additional telephoto power.
Providing access to the right lens for any given shooting scenario, the EOS 60D DSLR camera is compatible with more than 60 Canon EF and EF-S lenses. The EOS 60D DSLR's video functions are supported by two key proprietary Canon technologies, a DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor and a large APS-C–sized CMOS sensor capturing fine detail and color with an amazing cinematic depth of field. The Canon EOS 60D allows for three video recording modes – Full HD and HD in a 16:9 aspect ratio and Standard Definition (SD) in a 4:3 aspect ratio, all at selectable frame rates. The EOS 60D Digital SLR camera will record Full HD at 1920 x 1080 pixels in selectable frame rates of 24p (23.976), 25p, or 30p (29.97); 720p HD recording at 50p or 60p (59.94) and SD video at frame rates of 50p or 60p (59.94). The EOS 60D features a dedicated button to initiate live view for both video and still shooting. Once engaged, the same dedicated button will start and stop video recording.
Valuable Additional Features
Along with the adjustable LCD screen, the new EOS 60D DSLR features a class-leading 18-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, a proprietary DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, a 9-point Autofocus system and Canon's exclusive iFCL Metering System (Intelligent Focus, Color, Luminance) giving it the power of a professional-level camera. Capable of capturing fast action, the 60D DSLR can shoot full resolution still images up to 5.3-frames per second (fps). The EOS 60D records its images and video clips to the photographer's choice of SD, SDHC or new extended capacity SDXC memory cards.
The 9-point AF system on the new EOS 60D features f/5.6-sensitive cross-type focusing on all nine focusing points. Like the EOS 7D, the center AF point is a hybrid of standard cross-type and special diagonally-shaped "X" cross, with high-precision sensitivity for f/2.8 and larger aperture lenses. Complementing the AF system, Canon's iFCL metering system, identical to that on the EOS 7D and Rebel T2i, takes color information into account and includes a 63-zone dual-layer metering sensor that reads both illumination and color for consistent results in all lighting conditions, keeping exposure levels stable from shot to shot, even as the light source changes.
Photographers will enjoy shooting in low light thanks to the EOS 60D DSLR's wide ISO range from 100-6400 (adjustable in 1/3-step increments from ISO 100-6400 and expandable to 12,800) allowing it to capture beautiful images without flash during family milestone events such as wedding ceremonies, while still being equipped with a built-in pop-up flash for shooting the cake cutting ceremony and reception. The EOS 60D's pop-up flash features a built-in Integrated Speedlite Transmitter for control of up to two groups of off-camera EOS Speedlites without the need for an external transmitter, providing an economical solution for multi-flash shoots.
Making accurate composition more convenient, the EOS 60D's optical viewfinder provides 96 percent coverage along with Canon's built-in single axis Electronic Level Display, which utilizes the exposure level scale below the picture area to let the photographer know when the camera is level. The Electronic Level Display is also visible on the camera's LCD screen in both Live View and Movie modes. An artificial horizon display illustrates horizontal roll, allowing the photographer to know when the camera is in a fixed level position. The entire camera has been durability-tested to 100,000 exposures making the EOS 60D a reliable as well as a powerful imaging tool.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers toward the end of September, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $1,099.00i. It will also be offered in a kit version with Canon's EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $1,399.00ii. The Canon BG-E9 battery grip is scheduled to be available toward the end of September and sell at an estimated retail price of $270.00iii.
i Pricing subject to change at any time. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.
ii Pricing subject to change at any time. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.
iii Pricing subject to change at any time. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.