More than just an evolved version of the EOS 50D, the Canon EOS 60D brings with it upgrades that make the overall shooting experience as versatile as it is enjoyable. It caters to the snap-happy enthusiast as well as to the demanding pro, which is why if you're ready to part with P57,950, we suggest you read on.
Let's talk about the body first. The 60D is as intimidating as any SLR can be. It's got buttons and knobs up the wazoo and a mass that, although lighter than its predecessor, would scare noobs and posers away. It's also less hefty (and less "macho") than the EOS 7D, but is enough to wear your arms out after a day of shooting.
Twisted LCD
The new twist-and-swivel (articulating) screen is the centerpiece of the 60D. Though it may be a feature borrowed from prosumer cams, it certainly proves itself worthy to be included in a pro shooter. It's especially useful for shooting videos and for capturing stills in unorthodox angles. Should you not fancy using it for such purposes, however, you can always opt to snap it back into position like a normal display.
Speaking of the LCD, we have to warn you that because of its incredible 1-million+ pixel resolution, shots tend to look much better than they actually are. So as a rule of thumb, never make snap judgements about your snaps.
Controls
There are 2 new control improvements with the 60D. First is the mode dial, which now has a lock button. That's the nub in the middle, which basically prevents accidental mode changes. A great feature, especially if you have kids or nephews who are always tinkering with your SLR.
Next, there's a new D-pad inside the scroll wheel, which replaces that other nub near the screen. It's usable, yes, but longtime EOS X0D users may need some time to adjust.
The EOS experience
Using the 60D can be likened to driving a sports car – you know it's bigger, better, and badder than most of the others out there, thus inspiring you to up your skills just so your performance will be worthy of it. Fortunately, the 60D has more than enough brains and brawn that will help you work like a pro.
In-camera effects add a dash of whimsy to the 60D. There are fun filters such as B/W grainy film, toy cam, miniature (tilt-shift), and soft focus (bokeh). It's not as versatile as using Adobe's suite of apps, but it's definitely easier to use. The 60D also gains the ability to convert RAW files to JPEG on-cam.
The 60D's ISO rating goes all the way up to 6400 (native) and 12800 if you use the HI/Boost setting, thus making outdoor photos look like HDR [high dynamic range] shots. Using an ordinary f/3.5-5.6 18-135mm EF-S kit lens, we were able to capture images with extraordinary color and depth. We wouldn't recommend going past ISO5000, though, as "film" grain begin showing up.
So long, CF
The 60D finally waves goodbye to CompactFlash cards. It only accepts SD cards – which is great, but you will need to purchase at least a 4GB Class 6 card to be able to use it for HD videos. Older, slower SD cards are simply not fast enough to keep up with the Digic 4 sensor, as you'll end up with snippets rather than actual footage.
So should you get the Canon EOS 60D to prove to yourself and to the world that you're a serious shooter? Yes, especially if you were using EOS cams for quite a while now (and we're talking at least from the EOS 350D). It's a huge investment, so if you're not 100% sure about your choice yet, it's best you wait for the 1100D or the 600D.
Comments
Post a Comment