Canon EOS 60D review

Canon is definitely a brand that likes to offer consumers choice: the EOS 60D is one of nine digital SLRs in the EOS range, sitting in the mid-range sector aimed at advanced amateurs through to semi-professionals.

It replaces the EOS 50D that appeared in late 2008 and joins the EOS 7D in offering a highly-specified DSLR with an APS-C sensor, aimed at serious photographers who are not looking for (or able to afford) a full-frame model. To differentiate the EOS 60D from the EOS 7D, Canon has made some changes to its build and size to provide a more noticeable ‘gap’ between the two cameras, although much of the specification is comparable. We’ll refer to the similarities of the EOS 60D to the EOS 7D and EOS 550D throughout the test, while the table over the page provides an at-a-glance comparison.

Rather than promote it as a camera for the advanced photographer, Canon is aiming this at the creative photographer looking for a DSLR with which they can develop their photography skills. It’s certainly got plenty to offer on paper, but has it the sublime mix of handling, features and performance to make it a champion in this saturated sector of the DSLR market?

Handling & ease of use

The size and weight of the EOS 60D is the biggest initial clue that it’s a very different proposition to the EOS 550D that sits below it in the range. The EOS 60D is aimed at photographers looking for a camera made for constant use as opposed to weekend jaunts, and for all-weather conditions rather than temperate days. That said, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t have the magnesium-alloy body found on the EOS 50D, instead being polycarbonate around an aluminium chassis.

The large, pronounced handgrip provides for a very firm hold thanks to its shape and the rubberised finish, and regardless of whether it’s fitted with a compact 50mm lens or large 70-200mm f/2.8, it balances well.
One of the benefits of bigger camera bodies is that buttons and controls can be better spaced out and larger, so that they’re easier to use. This improves not only handling but also ease of use.

The arrangement of the various buttons and dials will be familiar to Canon users, and those who haven’t handled an EOS before shouldn’t take too long to get to grips with it. To speed up operation, Canon has placed four buttons controlling key functions on the top-plate, close to the small LCD panel.

These allow fast access to the AF, drive, ISO and metering systems, without the need to access the main LCD’s menu. My personal preference would have been to include White Balance here too. Other functions are accessed on the rear, with most buttons clearly marked.

It’s worth getting accustomed to the Q button which, along with the rear dial and the four-way control, makes adjustments using the main LCD readout a breeze. The colour-coded menu system is easy to use too, although the specification means there are more tabs and sub-menus than most to navigate through.

The 3in LCD panel boasts two areas worthy of note. The first is the high-resolution screen, which provides an incredibly sharp display. The other is that it’s the first on an EOS to be fitted to a vari-angle system, allowing it to be viewed at awkward angles when shooting stills or video.

Those who prefer to use the viewfinder will be greeted by a large, bright screen that provides 96% coverage and a 0.95x magnification that makes it very comfortable to use.
Overall, the EOS 60D is what you expect of a camera at this price – very well made and straightforward and fast to use.  22/25

Features

The headline feature of the EOS 60D is its 18-million pixel resolution, which matches that of the EOS 7D and the EOS 550D. It actually uses the same sensor as found on the EOS 550D, but inherits the low-pass filter (which sits over the sensor) of the EOS 7D. Bar the pro models from Canon, Sony and Nikon, it’s the highest resolution available and arguably as high as you’ll ever need for general picture-taking.

A single DIGIC 4 image processor handles the enormous file sizes at up to 5.3 frames-per-second. While the frame rate is slightly slower than the EOS 50D, it must be remembered that the file sizes are substantially larger. And while the EOS 7D has dual DIGIC 4 processors and an 8fps rate, it’s worth noting that this is reflected in the EOS 7D's higher price. In terms of resolution, the EOS 60D compares favourably against all its rivals, with Nikon’s D7000 getting closest at 16.2-megapixels.

Like the EOS 7D, the EOS 60D sports the iFCL metering system that uses additional data to aid exposure calculations (see panel). As well as this 63-zone pattern, spot, partial and centre-weighted average metering are also available. The autofocus system on the other hand features nine AF sensors – the same as on the EOS 550D – rather than the 19 on the EOS 7D. It’s worth noting that all nine points use the superior cross-type sensor as opposed to the standard line-type. As you’d expect, there are the three standard AF modes (One-Shot, AI Servo and AI Focus) and the option to have all or individual points active. An AF-On button on the rear allows you to activate AF independently of the shutter button, while an AF assist beam aids focusing in low light.

The integral flash has a Guide Number of 13 (ISO 100, m) and coverage as wide as 17mm, which is on a par with most rivals. As well as the usual integral flash modes (flash-on/off, red-eye reduction, flash exposure compensation and second-curtain sync), the EOS 60D has a built-in Speedlite transmitter, allowing the pop-up flash to trigger off-camera flashguns while retaining E-TTL (Evaluative-Through The Lens) flash metering.

The EOS 60D is the first in the range to offer in-camera processing of Raw files, allowing adjustments to exposure, saturation and White Balance before saving files to JPEG . You can also add your own ratings to the metadata in-camera or resize images, for instance to make them web-ready, without the need for a computer. The facility for more experienced photographers to apply Picture Styles such as Landscape or Monochrome to alter how an image is captured has long been available, but Canon has now added Basic + to its arsenal of style settings. Available to those selecting one of the basic shooting modes, it allows beginners to also try out effects such as Soft, Vivid, Mono and Sepia.

The EOS 60D also offers a choice of four Creative Filters, which can be applied to images in-camera to add a specific effect. The options of miniature effect, toy camera, grainy black & white and soft-focus allow for existing images to be altered and saved without affecting the original.

Video capture is well catered for. Full HD video is possible (1920x1080 pixels) with movies lasting up to 12 minutes at this highest setting. The EOS 60D allows manual control of apertures, shutter speeds, ISO and frame rate, while a mic socket allows use of a stereo microphone instead of the built-in mono mic. Experienced photographers may want to note two features not included on the EOS 60D. The lens calibration facility found on the EOS 50D, which allowed users to fine-tune optics, is missing; as is a PC socket for direct connection of the camera to studioflash. Overall, the EOS 60D offers a great deal for the enthusiast, although it lacks a couple of functions we’d have expected at this price point. 22/25

Performance

The Canon is a real delight to use. It’s very fast, the controls are nicely laid out and the images it captures are excellent. Although its exterior may not feel as robust as the EOS 7D, it certainly isn’t a lightweight and provides a solid, reassuring hold. The autofocus locks on silently and instantly and is hard to fault. Moving subjects are well tracked too, no doubt due to the use of nine cross-type sensors. LiveView benefits from the vari-angle LCD, but LiveView AF still lags behind the likes of the Sony system.

Image quality is excellent with the large files capturing plenty of detail. As always, a touch of sharpening improves the JPEGs, but it’s worth working with the Raw files as they record high detail.

Image noise is very well controlled, you can set ISO 1000 without any major concerns. Colour reproduction is also very good too – accurate but with a good level of saturation and contrast. The iFCL metering in general is accurate, but has the odd blip, usually resulting in slight underexposure. Overall though, it’s an accomplished performer. 22/25

Verdict

Canon has produced a DSLR with lots of features and an excellent performance that will no doubt prove to be a big seller and help Canon retain its place as the leading DSLR brand. However, while it does sport innovations with its Creative Filters and vari-angle LCD, these are features already found on rival models. And its major selling point – its 18-megapixel resolution – is found on two other Canon models. While its specification is strong, it will be interesting to see how Nikon’s impending D7000 fares against it and, looking ahead to next year, we can expect a rival from Sony sporting a translucent mirror. Whether Canon users opt for the EOS 60D over the EOS 550D or EOS 7D will most likely to be determined by the price set by dealers. Overall, it’s very good, but lacks a major innovative edge.

Handling & ease of use: 22/25
Features: 22/25
Performance: 22/25
Value For Money: 22/25
Overall 88/100

Body Only: £1,050 (Guide) / £830 (Street)
18-55mm IS kit: £1,150 (Guide) / £900 (Street)
IMAGE RESOLUTION: 18-megapixels
LCD: 3in vari-angle (1,040,000 dots)
STORAGE: SD (SDHC/SDXC)
WEIGHT: 755g (without battery and card)
PHONE: 08705 143723
WEBSITE: www.canon.co.uk
Supplied accessories: The Canon EOS 60D is supplied with the following accessories: Li-ion battery (LP-E6), Battery Charger (LP-E6E), wide strap, USB & AV cables, body cap, software CD, pocket guide and instruction manual.