Canon EOS 60D arrives with 1080p video, swivel screen
updated 12:10 am EDT, Thu August 26, 2010
Canon EOS 60D made official
Canon tonight unveiled its update to the long serving EOS 50D. The EOS 60D catches up to recent Canon DSLRs with 1080p, H.264-encoded video and an 18-megapixel sensor. It also brings a first for any Canon DSLR in the form of a swivelling LCD: the three-inch display can move horizontally, vertically and at angles to help shoot photos in difficult positions.
Control both during and after the shoot has also changed. The 60D now has a new Multi-Control Dial that tucks a directional pad and a select button inside the regular quick control dial, making it not only faster to use the camera but to shoot vertically without disrupting the layout. Photographers can now handle some RAW processing and effects filters with captured photos, including color space, noise reduction and correction for barrel distortion or vignetting. Images can be resized on the spot, and the filters bring tricks such as tilt-shift or induce a deliberately soft focus. All edits create second copies and won't damage the original image.
The camera still has a familiar sensitivity of up to ISO 12,800, a nine-point autofocus system and a three-inch, one-megapixel preview LCD. Increasing the resolution has slowed the camera's continuous shooting mode from 6.3FPS to 5.3FPS, but it still shoots faster than the Rebel T2i's 3.7FPS. A 63-point metering system also represents a major upgrade from the 50D's 35-point grid, and the viewfinder now provides a slightly larger 96 percent coverage. The electronic level from the EOS 7D makes an appearance here as well, although storage has moved away from CF and towards SD/SDHC/SDXC.
Canon plans to ship the EOS 60D at the end of September as a body-only version for the same $1,099 as its predecessor and with an 18-135mm, f3.5-5.6 kit lens for $1,399. A new battery grip designed to match the 60D, the BG-E9, arrives at the same time for $270.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2000
BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
While this looks to be a nice camera it is not really a follow on to the 50D. The plastic body and lack of some key features means that the 60D is really a new line right in the middle between the 7D and the Rebel series. It looks to be a good camera but it is in many ways not as good as the 50D. This makes sense since the 50D was really too close to the 7D in features and price. I'm not suggesting you not get the 60D but if you're thinking of upgrading from a 40D or 50D make sure you check the features carefully.