Canon 60D

SOoooo....

Canon have finally released the 60D eh - exhibiting their first swivel screen on a DSLR!

The SLR purists (and utter bores in my opinion) will all bleat on that the screen, let alone a swivel screen, isn't "proper photography" but I beg to differ.

I moved from Panasonic bridge cameras (FZ50, 30 and 20) to Canon DSLR (40D) about this time last year, but really miss my Panasonic swivel screen - so much so that I vowed never to get rid of my old panny, and I use it still - every month.

Yes.

I love the fact that Canon have gone all swivel screen on us, but am of the opinion that the 60D is a let down in most other ways.

I'm yet to be convinced that an APS-C sensor can really handle 18MP (apologies 7D owners!), the body is light and plasticky and 9 AF points aren't enough any more I think.

So where's the 60D sitting then?

The replacement for the 50D?

I guess so, but all the good that Canon have done with the swivel screen (sorry purists), they've taken away by making a little plasticky camera continuing to be obsessed by the mega-pixel race rather than real image quality.

Me - I'd still rather save up for a secondhand 1Ds mkii....

Just my ha'penny's worth mind.

TBR

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Permalink Reply by Mark Williams on August 30, 2010 at 10:41am

I changed from a Fuji bridge camera with swivel screen last year and went for Nikon (sorry Canon owners for swearing) and the swivel screen is sooo useful - well done Canon for leading the way.

I agree Black Rabbit what is it about megapixels - Canon have also announced a sensor with 120 megapixel capability...why? Lets have quality not quantity.

....My rant for the day over.

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Permalink Reply by The Black Rabbit on August 30, 2010 at 12:14pm

Thanks Mark.
I think (for what its worth) the Nikon D90 with 12MP is about all an APS-C sensor can handle.

My 40D with 10MP does the job nicely I think.

The 50D was widely regarded as having pushed the MP boundaries too far (on APS-C) with 15MP (many 40D owners didn't upgrade to a camera which took poorer quality (albeit more detailed) shots).

Then the 7D (and 550D) then went to 18MP on the same size sensor (but in the case of the 7D at least - somewhat counteracted the fact it took even poorer quality shots than the 40 or 50D by giving a whole series of functions which are VERY useful).

With a full frame sensor, sure - 16-21MP are fine, but with an APS-C, the 18MP are so small, I see no point in cramming them all on and compromising on quality (no matter what Canon say about gapless microlenses (or whatever).

Nikon seem to be very sensible about this.
Their 12MP D3 & D700 is probably a few too few pixels on a FF, but I guess they were interested in low light shots with that ratio. Canon on the other hand seem to be packing as many pixels as they can (50% more than the D90, D700 or D3) on a sensor smaller than that on a D90 (just).

Seems like MP still sell for Canon then....

Like I say, give me a secondhand 1Ds mkii with its 16MP - enough for me, and big enough pixels for me too.
Just gottae start saving!

TBR

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Permalink Reply by Alexander Batten-Phelps on August 30, 2010 at 3:40pm

I think the thing is many people were expecting the 60D to be a full upgrade for the 50D, without realising that canon already has one - the 7D. Instead they have split their midrange camera range for the 1.6 crop the same way they have at the entry level.

Where you have xxxxD camera bodies (eg 1000D) and xxxD (eg 400D) at the entry level, split really by a small price difference you again have the xxD (eg 60D) and the 7D series now holding a similar stance. If you want a budget midrange DSLR and maybe you've only just shifted up from a point and shoot or bridge camera then the 60D is the market for you - whilst if you're more serious or demanding then the 7D is for you.

The only surprise I got was still no 1DsMIV from canon - leaving the (very good) 5DM2 as still their top range fullframe camera body. However I think they do need to get a fullframe camera body on the market with a faster FPS at least as well as overall improved AF as these appear to be key areas that others (sony) are trying to break into the fullframe market with.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Williams on August 30, 2010 at 4:47pm

Now I don't want to get into the whole Canon/Nikon which ones best but when I was looking last year at which way to jump the choice for my budget was the Canon 550D or Nikon D90 and when I compared them like for like on quality the Nikon just seemed to have the edge but I'm sure others would say the oposite.
At the end of the day which ever camera we choose we are responsible for the image.

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Permalink Reply by The Black Rabbit on August 30, 2010 at 5:05pm

"At the end of the day which ever camera we choose we are responsible for the image."
Absolutely Mark.

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Permalink Reply by The Black Rabbit on September 1, 2010 at 6:50pm

And now Nikon have gone for 14MP in their new D3100! Eventually they had to forget their "12MP is enough" stance, I s'pose!

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Permalink Reply by Paul Gregory on September 3, 2010 at 8:57pm

I was looking at this as a possible against a 7D, have decided on the 7D as the projected price put it directly against the 7D which trumps it on nearly every point. Even though a bit of a purist, I think the only real thing going for it is the screen being able to swing out, should be useful for some macro work, shame about the rest of the camera.

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Permalink Reply by Kate MacRae on September 5, 2010 at 4:13pm

I have a 40D and upgraded to a 7D some months ago now. I LOVE my 7D, especially the video capability which, to me, has added a whole new dimension to my photography. I agree entirely with the comments here saying that the camera is only as good as the photographer behind it!!! Some become too obsessed with having the latest model, rather than concentrating on learning how to get the very best out of the kit they already have.... doesn''t stop you hankering after that next bit of glass though!!!

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Permalink Reply by Mark Williams on September 5, 2010 at 5:31pm

Kate, an all singing camera is one thing and I agree as stated above but lenses - now that's a different story!

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Permalink Reply by Andy Biggar on October 15, 2010 at 9:01pm

I think its so important not to overlook the most important factor when choosing a camera and that is what lenses will you be using with it.
I have recently got back into photography and bought an old Canon 20D last year, I have a couple of L series lenses and I am very pleased with the quality of my photographs.Infact I am regularly winning club and national competitions with the results so must be doing something right.
So many people get fixated on Pixels and how they need as many as they can in the misguided belief that there images will be better???
I could have easily gone out and spent a small fortune on a top of the range camera set up, but learning on such complex equipment is not in my opinion the best thing to do, you need to learn your craft and the best way to do that is go back to basics and learn how to use the camera,light,ISO settings etc etc to get the best results.

Then when you do move up in the semi or professional range of equipment your photo's will really shine.

I know a photographer who has a Nikon D3s and is always boasting how great it is but the proof of the pie is in the eating so to speak and his images are terrible.

I am now looking to upgrade but having learnt how to use a camera effectively I now know what camera i need to get the best results for me and it doesn't always need to be the most expensive top of the range all singing all dancing model.

The camera can't do it all, it still needs what is becoming a forgotten word in a lot of books and magazines,
A PHOTOGRAPHER to tell it what to do!!!!