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Canon EOS 60D: Top Shop or Chop Shop?

Posted Friday, August 27th, 2010 by Adam

The Canon 60D has unraveled itself to the worldwide market starting yesterday, 26th August 2010. With its 18 megapixel APS-C sensor, DIGIC 4 processor, 5.3 frames per second (fps), effective ISO up to 6,400 (Max 12,800) and Full HD 1080p (H.264) video with in-camera editing features, the answer is obvious from the question: “Mommy, what camera should I buy next?”

Of course, seeing your friends running around with a nice Canon EOS 550D, Nikon D90 or Sony A550 would make you think of buying one, since you’ve seen their pretty pictures of Chinese ‘Marilyn Monroe’ posing around and on Malaysian soil. This begs a huge question to noobs/newbies to DSLR photography: “Do I really need *THAT* much power?”

The all-new Canon EOS 60D *pic from DPReview.com

Canon 60D for beginners in photography?

First, let’s look at the specifications. Here are some non-technical information each and every one of you who understands English could appreciate:

With the Canon EOS 60D, you can take a FULL HD (1080p) camcorder/DSLR with you whereever you go.
- That’s if you don’t mind an additional 1kg+ weight to your baggage (Yeah, it’s approximately 800g±. But what about your lens, mini tripod and a few more camera accessories that little camera shop twerp conned you into purchasing?
- The 1080p resolution (pretty picture output) is equivalent to that 42″ Full HD LED TV you just bought for your husband to watch football/wrestling after he finishes dinner without washing the plates.
- Resolution is 1920 x 1080. The 15.6″ HD (1366 x 768) computer screen you’re looking at now, is 720p.
Canon 60D has 18 megapixels (MP) compared to:
- That Canon 50D and Nikon D5000 that gives you 15MP and 12.3MP respectively.
- Or that Canon 40D and Nikon D3000 that gives you approximately 10MP each.
- Or that Fujifilm FX300, 12MP compact camera your salesperson is pushing you to buy.
- ….here’s a tip. Shooting your lover/baby or a scenic scene will only take as much as 10MP to make you a very, very happy person.
5.3 fps (frames per second) shoot, taking 5 pictures at one time!
- Yeah, capturing the 1/2 second moment is essential. I mean, who knows when he’ll look so natural in photos again?
- Cars can now look cool when you’re shooting it at high speed (clear car and blurred background), like a pro.
Effective ISO of up to 6400, with the option to set up to 12,800.
- ISO = How sensitive your camera’s sensor is to light:

ISO calculations, where ISO 6:1993 method of determining speed for black-and-white film is calculated....

Neh… just kidding.

You use a lower ISO setting when an area is brightly lit, higher ISO setting when an area is not so lit up. Suppose you’re out in the evening for family time with clear blue skies, ISO 400 should be enough. If you’re indoors, ISO 640 should be the maximum. Anything more than that, would make your photos look like it’s taken in 1960 during the Vietnam War.

So….?

Yeah, yeah. Canon 60D is a great DSLR camera. Although its predecessor, Canon 50D and the direct competitor, Nikon D300 is technically a better off use for a pro; or the Canon 7D/Canon 5D Mark II and Nikon D300s/Nikon D700 is better suited for those who wants more convenience for a higher price, go ahead.

If you’re a newbie venturing into photography and want a camera somewhat similar to a beginners DSLR with good technology built inside, you may want to take a look at the Canon G11 model (although arguably the G10 is much better in some ways).

Canon 60D deciding factors

Here’s what will help you decide on purchasing this baby:

You will look good carrying that 60D in front of your friends, with a flashgun attached to it, diffuser and probably your RM400 Denim jeans.
You will probably be the ‘pro’ photographer whenever you hangout with certain non-DSLR-owners group(s) or the Nikon D5000/Canon 350-450-500-550D kakis. Bite that.
There are allegedly ‘picture styles’ in this camera just like the Canon 500D, so you can snap ‘Japanese-feel’ pictures or ‘Bright Green Grass and Sky Blue Skies’ pictures without a sweat. Just turn your dial to that option.
Clear, sharp & nice video feature & functions with basic editing features on the camera at Full HD whenever you want to record… er… clear images of people doing loving things.
You can get a good, bright picture with its effective ISO of 6400; even at very low light/dim conditions without a flash when you fly down to Uzbekistan to spy on that government for your government.
You can take 5 pictures in 1 second, allowing you to choose between who looks fat or ugly in the picture without annoying them.
Accepts SD cards: Now you don’t have to buy another CF card, that’s just bulky, mean and damaging to your pocket…
Nicer looking LCD preview screen whenever you take photographs and want to look at them ‘nicely’.
Plastic-made body instead of magnesium alloy (which most cameras use as their material for body for protection), but it’s heavier. It’s a like fat boy slim.
Lighter than Canon 50D and 7D (body only), but heavier than most of the Nikon & Sony cameras out there.
You’ll choke on your budget and go hungry for the next 12 months because this fella will cost US$1,099 (RM 3,600) for body only and US$1,399 (RM4,496) for its 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens. That’s 8,000 bucks, senõr.