Setting the ambience
When used in scene modes, the inclusion of the Ambience or Lighting options from within the Quick Menu presents a new way to add a creative touch to the settings automatically selected by the camera. Ambience lets you choose the mood of the picture with settings such as Cool or Intense. Lighting allows you to select a white balance pre-set according to the scene, such as Sunset.
With fewer dedicated button, there's a greater reliance on menus
With the EOS 60D set to manual or semi-manual modes, the Quick Menu becomes fiddlier – crowded with less than obvious icons. When using the full menu options, the structure appears the same as on previous EOS models, with logically organised screens and colour-coded tabs that become available according to the shooting mode you are using.
Yet the most striking departure from the EOS 50D – and an unmistakable mark of market repositioning – is the introduction of the articulated LCD screen. The panel has a 1.04million pixel resolution, is sharp and bright, has 100 per cent viewing and an anti-reflection coating. The actual size of the screen is the same of the previous model but the aspect ratio has changed to a wider 3:2 to match the size of the sensor. Now images can be displayed full screen without annoying black stripes at the top and bottom.
The screen folds out 90 degrees to the left and can be turned at any angle of a 270-degree rotation to face upward, downward or forward, enhancing creative and unusual viewpoints capture. The screen can be stored away face down for protection when not in use. The EOS 60D also features an eye-level pentaprism viewfinder with 96 per cent frame coverage and a magnification of 0.95x.
Increased pixel count, but the sensor size remains an APS-C form factor
The size of the EOS 60D’s CMOS sensor (22.3x14.9mm) remains the same of its predecessor but Canon has increased its resolution by reducing pixel size. Despite these changes, the overall image quality and ISO performance appears not to suffer.
Next page: Image processing
COMMENTS
Re: While I enjoy camera-porn...
You might have noticed the number of mid-level DSLRs in the hands of all kinds of people out at events. I'd have expected this (or perhaps even the next step up) to be right up the alley of the typical Reg reader, but then I'm no market researcher.
My 2p
"decided against a simple upgrade of the previous model, the EOS 50D"
Indeed, it is a down-grade if you want to compare it to the 50D.
"replacement of the dual function buttons with single function buttons "
Yes, so you now have to wade through menus to change settings that you used to be able to change by pressing a button and rotating a wheel.
"upgrading from the EOS 50D"
To do that, you would buy a 7D or a 5DII from Canon's range. The 60D is not a step up.
(Owner of 450D, 50D, 7D and have used 60D)
Check out the Pentax K5
It has weather sealing, a magnesium body, and in body lens stabilisation for every lens added including those made 30 years ago.
The Pentax has 7.7fps and much the same metering/focus points with better high iso image quality.
The only thing the Canon has over it is slightly higher mp (16 vs 18) a swivel LCD and full manual video control, but video is of minor importance to me. I bought my camera for pictures not video.
Thanks, Canon!
I bought a 40D a few years ago after the 50D came out - while the 50D was a little bit better, the 40D was heavly discounted. The 60D doesn't make me feel like I need to upgrade. Canon just saved me alot of money.
Sounds all very whizzy but....
I would save the money and spend it on Lenses instead, I have a 400d and a 50d. The 50d body makes the 400d feel like a fisher price camera and it was well worth the money.
I think that it says something that they have compromised professional requirements (fps) for consumer requirements (in camera effects) and as such will not be upgrading. I was hoping that the full frame sensors such as the 5d Mk II would be starting to filter down into the lower cameras but hey ho.
Personally, though no one looking to buy a camera is going to listen, if I were in the market for a DSLR I would buy an older model and instead spend a bucket load on courses and days out to take pictures.
