First look: Canon EOS 60D

Canon has revealed a number of new photo products, including the EOS 60D, priced at £1,100 body and available in October, which boasts an 18-megapixel CMOS sensor, Full HD capability, a flip-out 1,040K 3in LCD monitor and in-camera processing. The EOS 60D features a DIGIC 4 processor that handles continuous bursts at an impressive 5.3 frames-per-second and like the EOS 7D, also features the iFCL metering system and an integrated Speedlite transmitter. The specification is comprehensive but the camera’s layout has been designed to appeal to newcomers to DSLRs as well as experienced photographers. As well as new layout, the body is compact too, with similar dimensions to the EOS 550D. Check our panel for key specifications and prices and watch out for a main test soon.

Specification at a glance
18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
Vari-angle 3in (7.7cm) 3:2 ratio LCD
Full HD movies with manual control
DIGIC 4 processor
ISO 100-6400 (Hi12,800)
5.3fps for up to 58 JPEGs
Nine-point cross-type AF system
iFCL metering with 63-zone Dual-layer sensor
Integrated Speedlite transmitter
In-camera Raw processing

EOS 60D Guide Prices
Body only £1,100
With 18-55mm IS lens £1,200
With 18-135mm IS lens £1,400
With 17-85mm IS lens £1,450
With 17-55mm IS lens £2,000

Canon has also released four new L-series lenses, as well as a pair of extenders, which updates and adds to the current range of pro lenses. The £1,500 EF 8-15mm f/4L fish-eye USM is suitable for use with full-frame, APS-H and APS-C models and is the world’s first fisheye zoom lens offering both circular and full frame images. It boasts an angle-of-view of 180º, incorporates an aspherical and UD glass element and features a fluorine coating on the front and rear elements that repels water, dust and dirt.
The £1,600 EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM is a 4.3x telezoom aimed at meeting the demands of photographers who enjoy this popular focal length but demand high quality results. It incorporates two ultra-low dispersion (UD) elements, an image stabiliser with a claimed four-stop benefit, a four-stop image stabiliser and a minimum focus of 1.2m.
The 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM and 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM prime telephotos incorporate major advances in optical technology as well as a four-stop image stabiliser. They also come with hefty price tags: the 300mm costs £7,500 and the 400mm is £11,500.
The Extender EF 1.4x III and Extender EF 2x III increase the focal length by 1.4x and 2x respectively with minimal loss of quality and each costs £550.
All the new lenses and the extenders will be available in December, with the exception of the EF 8-15mm, which is released in January 2011.
Canon: 0844 369 0100; www.canon.co.uk

First look: Canon EOS 60D

Editor Daniel Lezano was granted an exclusive preview of the Canon EOS 60D at Canon UK’s London office. Here are his initial thoughts:

“The EOS 60D is being aimed at creative photographers who lack experience and knowledge as well as other levels of advanced amateurs and enthusiasts, and while I see it being a hit with this level of photographer, I also see it appealing to very experienced photographers too, who may currently b considering the EOS 7D. Like the EOS 50D before it, this model is jam-packed with features and while this is impressive, what I really liked about the camera, in the few minutes I had to play with it, is how a few minor changes to the layout of controls have really improved its ease and speed of use. If you enjoy using your camera you’ll take more pictures with it and in this respect, from my brief look at it, the Canon seems to meet that criteria extremely well. The specification leaves you wanting for little, 18-megapixels and the Full HD EOS Movie facility are headline features but the camera offers far more too. I’m really looking forward to testing it very soon and I think it will become an instant best-seller.”