Canon EOS 60D Preview

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The 50D (and by extension the X0D range) was starting to look somewhat redundant: expensive (and in some ways outdated) compared to the rebel T2i (EOS 550D), underpowered compared to the EOS 7D.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)


read more http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canoneos60d/