Focus foibles
The list of features continues with 1080p HD video. Canon must be feeling the pressure as Nikon gradually rolls out H.264 video across its DSLRs, but the 600D holds its own nonetheless. You can shoot at 25 or 24fps in 1080p mode, or 50fps in 720p mode, with a 'legacy' 640 x 480 mode for masochists.
The BG-E8 battery pack option is an essential extra for the long haul
Video quality is superb, with the only disappointment that Canon still hasn’t made progress when it comes to autofocus, which, although supported, is all but useless. You either need to choose contrast detection, which doesn’t interrupt shooting but which takes ages and lots of hunting, or switching to phase-detection, is much faster but introduces a jarring, noisy break as the camera resets the shutter and mirror. If you want good results you’ll need to get to grips with your lens’s focus ring and do things manually.
As with any camcorder the ESO 600D picks up body noise like no-one’s business: even with an ultrasonic motor (USM) lens attached you’ll be able to hear it whirring away. The plastic body also gathers handling noise if you’re not careful, so a bit of practice is required if you want to shoot clips without resorting to an external microphone. The EOS 600D will take a stereo mic in its 3.5mm jack socket.
A word of warning goes to travellers expecting to spend days away from a charger – the 3in display is used to show shooting information, so it spends a lot of time draining power from the small 1120mAh battery. If you shoot only stills, Canon quotes a battery life of around 400 shots, but once you start recording video you can expect to exhaust the battery quickly – under two days with even moderate video use. Those with an eye on multimedia should invest in the BG-E8 battery grip (£100) and a few spare batteries.
With 18-135mm zoom: alas, the kit lenses don't do the body justice
With the 600D and Nikon D5100 at almost exactly the same price at the time of writing, recommending one over the other is next to impossible. Both take incredibly good images, and both are backed up with a spectacularly wide range of lenses. Both shoot 1080p video, with the D5100 edging out the EOS 600D for usability and the Canon countering the Nikon for features with its excellent wireless flash system.
Verdict
If you’ve been using Canon kit for a few years and are looking to replace an entry-level DSLR with something more up-to-date, the EOS 600D is an excellent halfway house between a low-spec DSLR and a semi-professional model such as the EOS 60D or EOS 7D. If you haven’t chosen a platform yet, the best advice is to pick both cameras up and see which you prefer: neither will disappoint. ®
Dave Stevenson is the author of A Pocket Guide to Digital Photography.
More Camera Reviews… |
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D7000 |
Canon EOS 600D 18Mp DSLR
COMMENTS
Perhaps they still like making cameras for photographers...
Everything you suggest are toys/tricks that eat into battery life.
When I go out with a camera, its to take pictures not ass about with Facebook.
All I need is a good selection of lenses, a spare battery and SD card, but then again I am one of those people who cringe when I see people taking snaps holding a camera at arms length.
Choice?
So long as camera mounts are non-standard then you'll buy what body fits onto your lenses.
Those starting out right now should be more interested in buying a decent lens than the body. But everyone I know who has bought an SLR has stuck with the very average kit lens, bad move.
Re: Re: EF lens mounting makes it (AC@14:31)
Don't want to turn this into even more of a Canon vs Nikon bunfight because both systems are great, but there are a few things that need to be clarified.
Nikon's entry level bodies don't have a focus drive screw and so won't AF with AF lenses that don't have a built-in motor. They also won't meter with non-CPU lenses, so while "Any Nikon-mount lens will mount onto a Niikon DSLR", that is true only if you're willing to accept variable values of "will work".
Meanwhile as Thomas pointed out, all EF lenses will work properly and completely on all EF and EF-S bodies. And as a bit of irony, using a mount adaptor any Nikon lens will meter on any Canon DSLR, albeit with stop-down metering, and with a focus confirmation chip in the adaptor they'll also trigger the body to indicate focus lock.
EF-S is for consumer-only... - nope that's not right
Not true! -' No professional worth his salt .... yada yada' There are excellent EF-S lens, 15-28 and 18-135 which are more than capable especially on the 7D. Yes professionals use EF-S too. EF-S are not consumer based.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0909/09090103canon15mm28mm18mm135mm.asp
If you want excellent lens for canon and don't want to spend a fortune on 'L's buy the EF primes 50 f1/4 and 85 f1/8.
Also most if not all, the f/4 L lens are sharper than the f/2.8 lens equivalent. While we are that it, I feel like a rant, people who are not Event/Wedding/Sport photographers who buy the f/2.8 lens are simply wasting there money and don't understand what they are doing. If you need to shoot in low light buy an EF prime for a quarter of the price. Yes I know some of the L prime are beautiful too but get real unless you know how to take picture. </rant>
