Canon EOS 60D: Conclusions

CONCLUSIONS
We've come to expect follow-on cameras to generally out-do the camera they're replacing features-wise, and the 60D follows suit in most cases compared to the 50D. Sensor resolution is up and an HD video capability exists where none did before. The 3.0-inch LCD monitor is movable and viewfinder coverage is improved, albeit only 1% and only to 96% overall. A host of in-camera editing menus for both still and movie captures allow a lot of processing without resorting to a computer and external software.

The 60D loses 1 fps in continuous shooting speed compared to the older camera, carries the same 9 point AF system as the older camera, and drops to a 100,000 cycle shutter from 150,000 in the older camera. The 60D still manages a decent 5 fps rate and the AF system is capable but not state of the art in this class and price point. I can't figure why Canon downgraded the shutter in a camera designed to appeal to advanced amateurs, though. And that video capability suffers somewhat by comparison with a slow AF acquisition time and lack of continuous AF performance some competitors have already introduced.

Ah, but the still image quality is great and the high ISO noise performance looks to be competitive with the best cropped-sensor cameras on the planet. I've always felt you get a DSLR for the still image quality and features like video and Live View are really more in the "nice to have" category rather than being a deal breaker with regard to any particular camera. There is a lot to like about the still images out of the 60D.

Pros:

• Swiveling monitor
• Excellent image and color quality
• Excellent high ISO noise performance for a cropped sensor
• Good video image quality

Cons:

• Slow AF acquisition time in video and Live View
• No continuous AF in video mode
• Awkward mode dial

Individual Ratings: *

Image/Video Quality 
Features 
Design/Ease of Use 
Performance 
Expandability 
* Ratings averaged to produce final score