Canon 60D Review Part 1

This camera came as what I had expected; solid, wonderful ergonomics and just the perfect weight. Current 50D users may have been unhappy with the removal of the alloy body but trust me, this is not an issue per say.

It's very exciting this camera because it incorporates the best features of the Canon 550D and the 7D in a newly-designed body which makes an experienced user with Canon cameras feel quite lost at times (frustrating too I may say). But the new body and button layout was done for a reason and I will cover that in the second part of my review with the Canon 60D.

Let me just get towards the new development of the 60D over the 50D (which surprising is retailing for the same price in US). The most obvious new feature is the ever-awesome EOS Movies capability with a selection of frame rates and manual exposure control, really useful for fellow photographers cum indie filmmaker. Another notable new experience is the articulated 3" LCD screen (in the ratio of 3:2 similar to the 550D) which really helps in video recording especially with the low angles and such. I still haven't go through how the LCD could be of great help or a major distraction, I will cover that in another full hands-on review later on. One thing interesting the manual audio control too which incorporates from the 5D Mark II but with an added feature, a 'wind filter'. This again, will be tested to see its relevance to the system.

Now, for the photography part it is also very enlightening on what Canon has brought us. From what I've felt since yesterday using the camera, the autofocus system is somewhat better than the 50D. Probably because of the implementation of the cross-type AF at all the 9 points. I think they definitely have been more accurate than the 50D but I still think the Canon 7D sets the standard in autofocus system. I will again do another test with more details. Another great deal from the 60D is the wireless flash trigger. It is certainly useful without the need to buy a Pocket Wizard or a flash trigger. It is all done in camera!

The most interesting about the 60D is the In-Camera Raw Conversion. Yes, you can process RAW pictures in camera now! And there's also a new feature called Creative Filters which gives you effects like Grainy B&W, Toy Camera, Miniature Effect and Soft Focus! All of them are pretty great and below is an example of its usefulness.

Toy Camera Filter

Soft Focus Filter

Miniature Effect Filter (Something like Tilt-Shift)

I'm really looking forward to this 2 weeks of full testing with the camera, I would really want to a full test on the camera. I would probably give better examples in my final review. So far, it's been really impressive and I would seriously consider to buy this set after the review program.

I can't speculate on the price just yet but it is said to be released in the beginning of October, I'll probably mention about that in the next review with the testing of the kit lens too. Here's a test video from Sunday's event.

more information about the Canon 60D

www.canon-asia.com/eos60d/