August 30, 2010: Canon’s latest DSLR camera, the 18-megapixel EOS 60D, offers enthusiast photographers a wider range of creative functions, including a high-resolution vari-angle LCD monitor and Full HD video recording.
Replacing the popular EOS 50D, the new EOS 60D sits between the EOS 550D and EOS 7D. Canon says it’s ideal for photographers stepping up from an entry-level DSLR, and will also suit compact camera users who want the benefits a DSLR can provide without sacrificing ease of use.
One significant departure from the two previous cameras in this family, the 40D and 50D, is that the body is not made from magnesium alloy, but plastic resin instead.
Like other Canon DSLR models, the EOS 60D features Live View Mode with autofocus support. The new 3-inch, 1040K-dot vari-angle screen, which opens out to the side and rotates 180 degrees has a 3:2 aspect ratio. It enables photographers to compose and shoot images from high and low angles and is useful for close-up photography.
The EOS 60D’s 18-megapixel CMOS sensor measures 22.3x 14.9 mm (APS-C size). It’s coupled with Canon’s DiG!C 4 image processor, which provides faster signal processing and delivers images with finer detail and natural colour reproduction.
Canon has included four new creative filters, which can be applied to images post-capture. Photographers can experiment with these adjustments and save the results separately, preserving their original image file. Available effects include:
– Toy camera effect: produces images that look as if shot using a toy camera (for no extra cost you can have vignetting and uncontrollable colour shift!);
– Miniature effect: imitates the visual qualities of a ‘Tilt Shift’ lens, applying blur to background and foreground areas to render subjects in miniature;
– Soft focus effect: Produces dramatic silhouettes with a soft, glowing look while maintaining colours and focus;
– Grainy black and white effect: Produces retro images that look like traditional silver halide prints, with emphasis on contrast and grain.
The EOS 60D also supports continuous shooting at 5.3 frames/second with up to 94 Large/Fine JPEG images capable of being recorded in a single burst. The new camera offers a Live View Mode with Live Face Detection AF available. Full High Definition movies can be recorded at 1920 x 1080 pixels and the camera also offers lower resolutions of 1280 x 720 and 720 x 480 with a new Movie Crop setting at 640 x 480 pixels that enables users to crop into a scene (up to approx. 7x magnification).
The EOS 60D’s sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to ISO 6400 and this is expandable up to ISO 12,800 if required. As noted, the camera has a plastic resin chassis.
Body only and without battery or memory card, the 60D weighs 755 grams. It is compatible with Canon’s optional RC-6, RC-1 and RC-5 remote controllers and the BG-E9 Battery Grip.
The new camera is scheduled to go on sale in September and will be available as body only or bundled with one or more lenses in the following kits: EOS 60D Single IS kit (with EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS), EOS 60D Twin IS kit (with EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS), EOS 60D Premium Kit (with EF-S18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS) and EOS 60D Platinum Kit (with EF-S15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS).
Prices have not been supplied for Australia. Body-only price in the US is US$1099, and in the UK, body-only price is 1099 GBP (incl. 17.5 percent sales tax).
For more information phone Canon on 1800 021 167 or visit www.canon.com.au.
Be First to Comment