EOS 60D
The Canon 60D is a special camera for me. I bought mine when it was new just before my trip to Europe in 2012. At the time I was using a Rebel XTi, which I also loved, but when I got my 60D i thought I was in heaven! The interesting thing is that I still have this
camera and I still use it almost daily. So
why do I regard it so highly?
To be fair, this description is heavily biased and very subjective. Over the years this has been a reliable camera with enough features to match my skill level. It is a better photographer than I am.
The 60D is one of a series of crop sensor
APS-C cameras that originated with the D30 in 2000, Canons first popularly priced digital
My Canon 60D (Serial No. 1370703535) with the EF-s 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Kit Lens (Serial No. 9146143040). In fact this was not the original kit lens. It had the same specs but did not image stabilization.
camera. While they expanded their line of more basic and more advanced cameras they continued to work on this line of APS-C Sensor cameras with almost professional features. The series cosisted of the D30 in October of 2000, the D60 in March of 2002, the 10D in March of 2003, the 20D in September of 2004, the 30D in March of 2006, the 40D in September of 2007, the 50D September of 2008 and finally the 60D introduced in September of 2010.
You will remember that the Crop Sensor has a smaller surface area so that the lens, with focal length expressed in millimeters, actually appears to be of a longer focal length when compared to a full 35mm sensor. To get a 35mm full frame equivalent focal length for an EF-S lens one had to multiply the EF-S stated focal length by 1.6. For instance, with the 18-55mm kit lens it was in reality a 28.8-88mm lens.
Canon created a series of lenses for the smaller sensor which were called the EF-S series. These lenses had a special EF-S mount that would not attach to the standard EF lens mount however, EF lenses would mount on an EF-S camera body.
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This is the 60D with the articulated LCD screen in the open position. Notice the name plate in the recess in the body for the LCD when in the stowed position. Always identify your equipment so that it can be returned to you if lost (and assuming it falls into the hands of an honest person!).
Technical Details
The 60D, replacement for the 50D, was introduced by Canon in September of 2010. Its APS-C CMOS sensor had 18.1 million pixels which produced images of excellent detail.
The image processing and other camera functions were controlled with the 4th iteration of Canon’s Digic processor, the Digic 4.
Sensor speed is variable from ISO 100 to 6400 and can be expanded to 12800. However, over ISO 1600 the noise in the image becomes substantial and sharpness suffers. However, in the normal range, ISO 100 to 400, images are crisp and detailed.
Shutter speeds run from B to 1/8000th of a second.
On the top deck on the left we have the Mode Dial to chose our shooting mode. Then the hot shoe. On the right at the top, the shutter button, then the Main Dial and LCD Screen. Their function is explained in the User Manual.
On the bottom left we have the LP-E6 battery compartment door. There is no secondary battery to worry about. There is nothing else of interest on the bottom plate except the serial number and tripod socket
These are selected using the Main Dial on the right side of the top deck. The selected speed appears on the LCD Panel between the Main Dial and the Shutter Button.
Focus, of course, is automatic with 9 possible points of focus selectable by the user.
Exposure has the usual Exposure Modes: Evaluative, Center Weighted Average, Partial, and Spot Metering. The metering range is 0.5 to 18 EV at ISO 100 and 23 degrees C. Exposure compensation is plus or minus 5 stops.
There is a pop-up flash over top of the pentamirror. There is no PC terminal as the camera has a hot shoe. External flash isE-TTL II autoflash capable.
The 60D is powered by an LP-E6 battery pack which load through the door on the bottom. On the same side by on the end of the camera is the compartment for the SD card.
dpReview has a complete review of the 60D that is very informative.
You can read the whole Instruction Manual here.
On the right is my 60D with the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM which is a great lens. This combination is a great workhorse outfit and a favourite of mine.
The LCD articulated screen on the back of the camera was Canons first 3″ screen. It had about 1 million pixels and displayed a beautiful image. And of course the camera had “Live View” which meant that the image coming through the lens could be displayed in real time on the LCD.
Beside all of this performance, this camera will record full HD movies and capture sound through a built in mic.
The 60D records images as JPEG’s, RAW or both together. It writes to SD Memory Cards, SDHC and SDXC.
But we are getting very technical and this is not a full camera review. You can find one on the dpReview website by clicking on their logo on the left. And for complete operating instructions you can read the whole User Manual by clicking on the Manual cover below.
Shooting with the 60D
When I bought my 60D I was shooting with a Rebel XTi which, although it is capable of excellent pictures, is an entry level camera. However, I was able to pick up the 60D and find my way around it with no trouble. It is superficially just like the XTi. The difference lies in the more sophisticated features of this camera.
The 60D is refered to as an enthusiast or advanced amateur camera but in fact it is more than that. There are very few situations in which this camera would be found lacking. These would arise from the larger pixels in a full frame professional camera, its superior speed and low noise characteristics or focus features.
I have used this camera on vacation, for work, and for most of the images on this website. It is a workhorse, it is reliable, and it gives me beautiful images.
The 18-55mm kit lens is is an underated performer and there are some that are really fine. My favourite is the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens which, although it is not an L lens, it should be. In fact, there are no EF-S “L” lenses.
These cameras are available on the second hand market and usually at very good prices. A complete very capable camera outfit can be had for very little money. I recommend it.
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