Canon EOS 60D Review

There's a 3.0-inch movable monitor (first time on any Canon DSLR), and some features that will sound familiar to 50D owners, namely a Digic 4 processor and 9 point AF system. The native ISO range now covers the 100-6400 sensitivities (expandable to 12800) versus 100-3200, expandable to 12800 in the 50D. Exposure metering features an "enhanced" iFCL (intelligent focus, color and luminance) system utilizing a 63 zone dual layer sensor we first encountered in the 7D.

The 60D features a fairly wide-ranging suite of in-camera image processing tools, including a RAW file menu that contains picture style, white balance, color space, high-ISO noise reduction, peripheral illumination, linear distortion and chromatic aberration correction tools that can be used to generate JPEGs without affecting the original RAW data. The camera also allows in-camera re-sizing of JPEG images without impacting the original image. Also included are creative image filters familiar to Powershot compact digital users, another first for a Canon DSLR.

The 60D replaces the 50D, but the first things 50D owners moving into the new camera will be replacing are their CF cards with the SD/SDHC/SDXC memory media required by the 60D. Also a memory is the magnesium body of the 50D; the 60D features a composite body that saves about 2 ounces of weight over its predecessor. The 60D is available as a body only or in 'kit' form matched with Canon's stabilized EFS 18-135mm zoom lens (as was our review unit). Here's the view at each end of that focal range:

Wide angle, 18mm

Telephoto, 135mm

Canon includes an eyecup, camera strap, Li-ion battery pack and charger, USB and stereo AV cables, instruction manual and CD-ROM software with each camera.

The 60D is the first Canon prosumer class DSLR to get a video component, but still images are the bread-and-butter of any DSLR - let's see what the 60D brings to the table.