Solid cameras in the semi professional segment, also suitable as a second housing for professionals, the two-digit Canon EOS models are. The latest version of this class of camera between entry-level and high-end means 60D EOS and presents itself as a model maintained 50 d with the new 18-megapixel sensor and faster image processor which allows now FullHD video. The 60D is priced between the 550D and the 7 d, which is more oriented to the smaller sister to. On the question whether this difference is justified, we try an answer to be found in this review.

Ergonomics and processing the Canon EOS 60D is relatively compact because. The mandatory handle bead has been small something for large hands, so that the little finger of the right hand under the handle lands. The camera is still in the hand and the trigger the precise point is easy to reach. The Cabinet is not, as usual from the 50 d, metal and plastic. It makes a well processed impression though, feels but much less solid than you expected, that in this class. The switch and wheel rather convey the charm of an entry level SLR so that 50D-Besitzer will be certainly initially disappointed. The first impression given in any case not the value that wishes the 50D-Aufsteiger. However, is the 60D solid processed and very handy thanks to the rubber coating in the right places. And the housing material used has an advantage: compared to its predecessor, it reduced his weight by approximately 100 g to 780 g. With the underlying this test kit lens EF-S 18-135 mm 1: 3, 5-5, 6 IS the 60D weighs aufnahmebereit 1,230 g.

The slots for HDMI, USB, external microphone and remote control port be protected by a simple rubber cap sufficiently against dust and moisture, the memory compartment on the other hand has no seals. Only the battery compartment door is protected by a thin foam insert against wind and weather. You should expect so not too much weather. The metal tripod is located exactly in the optical axis and even with the planned large quick-release plate can be exchange of the battery.

On the top of the housing push buttons for the most important camera features, the main dial and an information panel, which shows the most important recording parameters are left of the Prism, the mode dial with the main switch, right of four. The back will be allocated to two-thirds of the now fold and swivel 3 inches (7.6 cm) display, the Auflösung has grown to over a million pixels. The switches for menu, image information, reproduction, inputs and Canon “Multi Controller” called out and the multiple switch is located right of the display, easy to reach with your thumb. Its principle is quite similar to already known in the compact camera, run here but in a sufficiently large version, so that it is good to use even with large thumb: in connection with the “Q”key, various camera parameters can very quickly be set directly.

Somewhat more critical as the operation of the other keys must be assessed: the main dial, with the aperture or time can be adjusted, is somewhat unfavourable above the trigger, so that it can be reached only in slightly convoluted attitude. The quick dial on the back of the camera is good with the thumb, but it makes a somewhat rickety impression. The multi controller in the Centre of quick dial wheel actually is a 8-way see-saw. This is unfortunately lacking in a clear pressure point, which can lead to the misuse. And last but not least, the mode selector is bugging: Although he is exemplary secured by a locking against accidental adjustment. He obstructed but quick work that he has a final attack. To the author for example of the “custom setting” (which often needed parameters obtained can be stored and) switch to video recording, a full rotation must be running. In the worst case, it is so 14 positions that need to be shot. This is particularly cumbersome, because constantly the Poploc must be held down. Unlimited rotation, you would have to switch only one position in the opposite direction.

But the Canon EOS 60D also sunny sides. First, the display is of course to name a few. Not only the high resolution of 1.040.000 pixels lifts it in this discipline on the podium of all cameras currently on the market. The enormous brilliance and sharpness that not much fades even at very shallow view of the display is remarkable. And also it is rotatable and hinged on a folding mechanism on all sides. In connection with the LiveView, completely new possibilities arise as a result. Course, it is only a matter of time before other cameras to be upgraded, but at the moment there are only a few competitors who provide similar.

The menus also pleased: there are eleven main entries, each colored grouped in groups. Under each of these tabs, you can find maximum of seven settings. In video mode, other options appear here as in photo mode. The menus are quite open and prevents annoying scrolling. So can such as in the first four menus all camera functions be controlled and changed. The thumb navigates this very fluently with the multi-control button by some of the items and confirms changes with the set button. If you would like to have it even easier, represents the six most common menu entries in the “my menu” individually together, just fine!

Is facilities for whom the 60D? Canon seems to have resolved this issue clearly ambiguous: for all! The “Touch button automatic” in which the camera automatically makes all settings of scene modes (landscape, portrait, sports, macro, night), “normal” program, time and shutter priority and full manual control, it offers everything for beginners and professionals. Here, the 60D gets awarded to this balancing act between “easy on it going” and targeted control. Beginners trust of “green” full automation that works reliably. For experimental, there is a “creative automatic”, in which such as the Hintergrund(UN)schärfe can be affected. For professionals and Studio photographers, the 60D can be set completely manually. Pity that Canon has streamlined the PC-contact for the Studio Flash unit off and thus certainly saved 20 cents…

For the light metering multi-pattern are spot and weighted average metering available very quickly switch between those with a direct dial button, selective. The sensor’s sensitivity varies from ISO 100 up to 6,400 automatically, with the extra to enable “H mode” even up to ISO 12800. A limit of maximum sensitivity of automatic on lower values is of course also possible. The sensitivity not sufficient once, the built-in Flash help. At some scene modes and the fully automatic, he works out even automatically if necessary. He can be synchronized to the first or second curtain and flashes either without or with respect to ambient light, which of course can lead to slower shutter speeds. With guide number 13, he has enough strength he brings into the picture properly, and neutral in color for many occasions. The illumination is sufficient for the kit lens and without lens hood, it is only a small shadow even at close range. Focusing helps the Flash with a small but conspicuous storm. Red eye but be reduced with the help of a bright yellow lamp. The small light dispenser can remotely control also external strobes of Canon Speedlite EX series. Some getting used to is that also the hot shoe is switched off to disable the Flash menu. Should the Studio Flash system is so striking for some unknown reason, a view in the menu is helpful. There is also extensive possibilities to affect sharpness, saturation and color reproduction of the JPEG file. In addition, such as a grain can existing images as assigned to analog footage or a depth of field and saved as a new file. Professionals will appreciate the ability to convert your RAW files in the camera and to exert influence on exposure, white balance, contrast, noise reduction and other properties.

Helping the proper horizontal alignment of the camera is the built-in orientation sensor. When using the Info button, the digital spirit level is enabled, a virtual horizon appears on the monitor. Who wants a corresponding display in the viewfinder, must find the function well hidden in the individual menu and activate. Pressing the set button then appears in place of the exposure indicator of the level below the viewfinder. The orientation sensor detects also portrait or landscape mode and saves this information in the metadata of the image file on request. On the display and the image editing software the photo shows then automatically according to the situation of the format. Out of the water level there is a grid and the histogram when playing an over-exposure warning.

The great folding display provides uniquely the largest improvement on the 50 d. In LiveView mode, the full benefit is, if must be photographed from difficult angles discreetly. This will look especially report photographer. With the LiveView button attached grip convenient next to the eyepiece, you work up the mirror and sees the 100% image on the super sharp display. The Info button can show, for example, also a live histogram or this level data of lots of. The exposure preview to activate the menu quite reliably simulated exposure corrections as well as white balance settings. A sensible function is quietly mode, in which the mirror not back and forth klappt. Only the quiet clack of focal shall be heard. Pity that the contrast AF is very slow and then sometimes also is located.

In video mode is the recommended manual focusing anyway, because the Knarzen of the AF drive is wonderfully present captured by the built-in Mono microphone. Here only the connection of an external (stereo) microphone that picks up in stereo creates workaround. It is equipped with 3.5 mm jack plug connection behind the rubber cap. The recording quality is adjustable from maximum FullHD (1920 x 1080 pixels) with 25 or 24 frames per second of 1,280 x 720 pixels to 640 x 480 pixels and 50 frames per second. It is a nice idea that pixel large area of the sensor can be used a 640 x 480. Canon it crafts a siebenfaches digital zoom. There are automatic and manual control available, what film professionals actually need for the sound recording. When playing, various slow motion can be set and at the beginning and end of recorded videos second cut in addition to the normal speed.

5.3 Frames per second, with our test nominal creates the EOS 60D even more: the camera per second in the internal memory shovels 5.6 raw images and even 5.8 JPEGs. Unfortunately, this is somewhat sparingly equipped, so that the fun in the raw format is compressed ended after only 16, after at least 64 images. The show as a location being used, the image speed to 0.9 (RAW) or 1.5 (JPEG) slow frames per second. The high image speed reached the Canon, but only in normal lighting in the dark, it is much slower (in AF is switched off). At the high speed, the continuous auto focus comes with not quite.

Objectively, Canon has one of the largest and most comprehensive lens programs of all camera manufacturers. Everything is available from the extreme wide angle up to the super telephoto, there are therefore lenses for all budgets. But now fits the 60D? The Professional is certainly very different judged as the novice. Canon has for the 60D the EF-S 18-135 mm 3, 5-5, 6 IS as a kit lens provided and thus more ambitious beginners a (price) favor done. For 300 € extra charge to the case, you get a lens with the most common focal length range, including optical image stabilizer. Of the key data you can be have impressed, because after all the lens covers compared with Kleinbild large range between approximately 29 mm and 200 mm the. A lens for everything, “Always on” – a lens.

Looking closer, the thing becomes clear quickly where was saved: save the bayonet (and of course the lenses), it is completely made of plastic. Although reasonably fast but quite clear, the AF motor carries out his work. A distance scale has been the rigour to the victim as a lens hood. Of course, she can be purchased as accessories. Also disturbing that the focus ring is pulled from the AF motor. This is an obstacle when holding the camera on the one hand and on the other hand, the photographer may be obstructed the engine. Especially if he would like to manually intervene in the sharpness, which is stupid. With a quarter of the wide zoom ring to the long end of the focal length range, where the lens grows to 1,5 times the length. The pleasant smoothness of rotating ring, which nevertheless does not cause the zoom adjusted independently by the force of gravity is positive. Is exemplary also, that is the version of either the focus or zoom with turns. This is beneficial when using a polarizing filter. However, this makes 7, 5 x zoom look express little confidence.

There are bright spots, however, with the configurability of the AF points: with a direct dial button can either the camera left to the choice of the 9 AF points or even the appropriate select. Groups of measurement fields are not possible. Which point selects whatever the photographer, the Canon is relatively fast in spite of the simple AF motor. On average a brief half second passes from the tapping of the trigger until its absorption. Previous refocused the Canon 60D needed a good tenth of a second, what is considered in General as “immediately”. In the LiveView same auto focus engine can perform his service, but the mirror must be folded to down and back, which almost eats the speed advantage. Geräuschloser is the contrast AF to the point. The focus box can be moved manually almost over the entire image field or automatically follow a face. Under good lighting conditions although slowly but surely works. In Twilight, the contrast AF is torture: he sekundenlang desperately searches the correct distance, then briefly stops at the right place to focus still a piece next to it at the last moment. Here should be taken in any case manually. One with the thumb switchable 5 or 10 x magnifying glass makes this easier.

The control of the depth of field via attached button one for the left hand grip combined to the bayonet mount of the camera. It seems as if 18-135 mm lens Canon had to make too many concessions. Simply not properly, the zoom fits the camera class of a 60D.

Image quality on the sensor size of 22.3 x 14.9 mm jostle 5.184 x 3.456 pixels. This corresponds to an edge length of a pixel of approximately 4 micrometers. A hair is 10 times as thick! These dimensions in mind is that it soon becomes clear, what high demands on a lens are made, that the 18 megapixel of Canon EOS 60D to can use. We have as always investigate the optical quality in the DCTau test lab. The full Protocol is available against 1.40 euros via the secondary link. The Protocol specifies the efficiency with about 60 percent long and short end up no more than 80% in the Middle focal length. This means that only about 10 to 14 Megapixels are effectively usable. After all, this mediocre resolution over the entire image field is fairly consistent. The relatively faint lens is not much better by stopping down, only the edge blur of tele will even with closed aperture. Seen in this way it can be used safely at maximum aperture. The sharpening in the camera shows bright or dark hems on the edges and is more intended for the quick use of photos. This leads to problems on fine structures, so-called artifacts occur.

The noise, particularly problematic at such high pixel density, has reduced Canon very well: the sensitivity range can be used without remorse to ISO 3,200, in a light color noise joins to the usual grain. The dynamics of the input can convince to this sensitivity, consistently about eight and a half f-stops, the 60D is available. Only from ISO 3,200 it falls below the 8 stops. While the tone value processing is in turn for direct recovery of photos: clearly “crisp” in the midtones and flat in the bright and dark areas. If you would like to carry out extensive tonal corrections, should access to the raw file. There, you can increase the excessively bright black levels of the best.

A dark chapter is the distortion. Visible configuration of actually straight edges occur in the entire focal length. Especially the wide angle position shows strong barrel deflection which are visible even in the viewfinder. But also the medium and long focal length have to fight here but pillow-shaped with distortion. To use this lens for demanding landscapes excludes themselves, in particular, if the horizon in the image is. It is entirely unsuitable for architectural photography or reproduction purposes. The image is not so sad at the vignetting. Although there is a so-called “spontaneous” darkened of the corners of the image over the entire focal length range. Canon has filed but an automatic fix for this and other lenses in the camera. Has detected the 60D the lens, the photographer can activate the correction in the first menu of the camera. As a result, the effect will be reduced significantly but not completely and remains visible in critical scenes. The exposure of the 50D-Nachfolgerin proved in practice to be very reliable. She met rarely wrong decisions even under critical lighting conditions. Only in the snow, she remained about two f-stops below the correct exposure, what but occurs in all cameras and is easy to correct. The much more critical overexposure is not occurred. Also the white balance is mostly blameless, only in artificial light, the mood turned out slightly too warm. But here again, much in the eye of the beholder lies and he can take far-reaching influence on the menu of the 60D.

Conclusion as successor is the Canon EOS 60D so photographers disappoint some 50 d. Neither the quality of housing is the Hebeleien and switches correspond to the expected. The supposedly higher resolution is given by the kit lens lies. There are not, the comparison to the 50 d the thing presents itself differently: the EOS 60D is a camera for financially strong beginners and frugal professionals. Both will learn to appreciate the great facilities with the 60D by the folding screen is almost unmatched. Professionals should, the EF-S offered in the kit 18-135 mm 3, 5-5, avoid 5.6 IS however and select even a more appropriate lens. Canon fans who do without the brilliant display and don’t want to pay the relatively high for the visited price are well served with the 550D. Sophisticated, want the solidity of a semi-professional camera, will resort to the 7 d.