Canon 60D: Homerun or Disappointment?

[postal]

Apart from the tungsten lighting AWB anomaly, two other issues specific to the 60D (i.e., worse than 450D and 7D) irritate me a lot:

- assignment of the 'SET' button' custom (CF IV-2) function conflicts with the 'AF point selection method' (CF III-2) function

- excruciatingly slow and often times inaccurate contrast based focusing in live view

However, despite these bugs, the 60D has to be my PERSONAL favorite DSLR of all time. Ya, I'm kind of weird. :bsmilie:

(Off topic: I often take camera ergonomics for granted... until I played with the Sony A55 in a store yesterday... my goodness... the last time I was so put off by a camera because of its horrendous ergonomics was when I owned the Sony F717... ya, another Sony product... unbelievable)

Before u press the shutter button to focus, the set button will be your customized function (white balance etc). Once u press the shutter button to focus, the set button becomes your center AF point. In addition, the addition scroll wheel becomes your exposure compensation after it has focus and meter... a bit awkward... just need some time to get used to it...

And yeah... the contrast focus is totally hopeless... haha! But note that a DSLR is never designed to contrast focus anyway... so is the same for taking video... that's y it is a challenge to create a DSLR which can continuous focus efficiently... Anyway, I would use the quick mode for faster and accurate focusing...

 

[doodah]

Before u press the shutter button to focus, the set button will be your customized function (white balance etc). Once u press the shutter button to focus, the set button becomes your center AF point. In addition, the addition scroll wheel becomes your exposure compensation after it has focus and meter... a bit awkward... just need some time to get used to it...

Yes, that's what supposed to happen... but...

In practice, once custom function III.2 is set to 1, the 'SET' button loses its 'other function' (be it WB, electronic leveler in viewfinder etc)... this persists regardless of whether the shutter button is pressed or not.

Try it... see it for yourself...

Obviously a bug...

 

[postal]

Yes, that's what supposed to happen... but...

In practice, once custom function III.2 is set to 1, the 'SET' button loses its 'other function' (be it WB, electronic leveler in viewfinder etc)... this persists regardless of whether the shutter button is pressed or not.

Try it... see it for yourself...

Obviously a bug...

I sort of figure it out liaoz... the customize set button can only be used in live view mode...

 

[raydio]

I sort of figure it out liaoz... the customize set button can only be used in live view mode...

Is this the way it's supposed to work?... or is it a bug in the firmware?

 

[postal]

Is this the way it's supposed to work?... or is it a bug in the firmware?

I checked the manual liaoz... the assign set button will be disabled if C.Fm III -2-1 is selected... in live view mode it is enabled...

 

[doodah]

I checked the manual liaoz... the assign set button will be disabled if C.Fm III -2-1 is selected... in live view mode it is enabled...

Thanks. Just saw it on Page 256 of the manual.

In this case, it's not a bug then. Just poor design. LOL.

 

[raydio]

Thanks. Just saw it on Page 256 of the manual.

In this case, it's not a bug then. Just poor design. LOL.

Let's hope that a future firmware update will improve the design.

 

[postal]

Hehe... I would prefer the ability to change the AF points and exposure compensation without pressing the shutter button... A bit irritating that I have to focus first before I can do any adjustments... For the white balance or flash compensation, I would prefer using the quick button... :-D

 

[raydio]

Hehe... I would prefer the ability to change the AF points and exposure compensation without pressing the shutter button... A bit irritating that I have to focus first before I can do any adjustments... For the white balance or flash compensation, I would prefer using the quick button... :-D

I guess there's always room for improvement. That's why new models are introduced every 2 or 3 years! Helps to keep the camera manufacturers in business too (not to mention software developers, car manufacturers, computer makers.... I could go on).

 

[raydio]

Has anybody used the flash commander on the 60D? Is it easy to use?

 

[doodah]

Has anybody used the flash commander on the 60D? Is it easy to use?

Very easy. Just go to the menu.

 

[Far far away]

DPReview has a new photo comparison chart that compares results from the Canon 60D, Nikon D7000 and Pentax K5 at various ISO's. The 60D holds it own and is very impressive right up to ISO 1600. You can even switch to many other camera models.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos60d/page17.asp

Note: In the large sample photo (the top one), there is a small rectangle that can be moved to other parts of the photo for comparison. It's a really great feature.

Thanks for the very informative website!

I made a comparison between the EOS 7D, 60D and 550D as all are 18MP DSLRs and went through the pictures at various points and ISO and compared between the 3. I don't know whether my eyes are playing a trick on me or not but the picture quality does look the same to me for all 3 DSLRs. Do you guys agree with me??

FFA

 

[postal]

Thanks for the very informative website!

I made a comparison between the EOS 7D, 60D and 550D as all are 18MP DSLRs and went through the pictures at various points and ISO and compared between the 3. I don't know whether my eyes are playing a trick on me or not but the picture quality does look the same to me for all 3 DSLRs. Do you guys agree with me??

FFA

Yes all look totally the same as they are using the same sensor... Digitalrev claims that 60D and 7D is slightly better in ISO performance... but it is not noticeable for an average photographer...

The main difference between these 3 models are the performance of the camera, especially in continuous focus... and the FPS which I believe it is not very important unless u take fast action photography... u will see the big difference if u are using better lenses or lenses with wide aperture. 60D will AF better with their cross sensors and even better for 7D with their 19 AF cross sensors although some do complain their AF is not very accurate. 60D and 7D can customize more... like white balance... ISO with 1/3 stops... and a better buffer speed so you will not see the word "BUSY" as u see quite often on entry level cameras.

 

[raydio]

Thanks for the very informative website!

I made a comparison between the EOS 7D, 60D and 550D as all are 18MP DSLRs and went through the pictures at various points and ISO and compared between the 3. I don't know whether my eyes are playing a trick on me or not but the picture quality does look the same to me for all 3 DSLRs. Do you guys agree with me??

FFA

Yes all look totally the same as they are using the same sensor... Digitalrev claims that 60D and 7D is slightly better in ISO performance... but it is not noticeable for an average photographer...

The main difference between these 3 models are the performance of the camera, especially in continuous focus... and the FPS which I believe it is not very important unless u take fast action photography... u will see the big difference if u are using better lenses or lenses with wide aperture. 60D will AF better with their cross sensors and even better for 7D with their 19 AF cross sensors although some do complain their AF is not very accurate. 60D and 7D can customize more... like white balance... ISO with 1/3 stops... and a better buffer speed so you will not see the word "BUSY" as u see quite often on entry level cameras.

I agree with postal. All sensors are basically the same, so one would expect that the IQ from each camera would be identical. It just goes to show how good the IQ's are in the 550D and 60D when they can compete well against their competition like the D7000 and K5 and also against a higher specified camera like the 7D.

 

[nightpiper]

Thanks for the very informative website!

I made a comparison between the EOS 7D, 60D and 550D as all are 18MP DSLRs and went through the pictures at various points and ISO and compared between the 3. I don't know whether my eyes are playing a trick on me or not but the picture quality does look the same to me for all 3 DSLRs. Do you guys agree with me??

FFA

Nope, they all look different to me. 60D & 550D is closer but details from 60D is better slightly. Again comparing 60D with 7D, 7D trumps in details & contrast a little better as well. Put in the 1D4 in the comparison & u get this monster way way ahead of the pack. Unfortunately there isn't 5D2 & 1Ds3 in the drop down menu to further compare, unless u decided to take the trouble of downloading the files manually. However from the pics i took with my brief usage of 5D2, i can say for sure 60D no fight. But thats to be expected right? :angel:

Yes all look totally the same as they are using the same sensor... Digitalrev claims that 60D and 7D is slightly better in ISO performance... but it is not noticeable for an average photographer...

The main difference between these 3 models are the performance of the camera, especially in continuous focus... and the FPS which I believe it is not very important unless u take fast action photography... u will see the big difference if u are using better lenses or lenses with wide aperture. 60D will AF better with their cross sensors and even better for 7D with their 19 AF cross sensors although some do complain their AF is not very accurate. 60D and 7D can customize more... like white balance... ISO with 1/3 stops... and a better buffer speed so you will not see the word "BUSY" as u see quite often on entry level cameras.

I agree with postal. All sensors are basically the same, so one would expect that the IQ from each camera would be identical. It just goes to show how good the IQ's are in the 550D and 60D when they can compete well against their competition like the D7000 and K5 and also against a higher specified camera like the 7D.

Not sure about digitalrev's base/measurement for better ISO performance, but from the test charts, 7D has more details & is noisier. Seems like the same "law" applies, less NR = more details

Also read somewhere an interview done with Canon head guy in Europe (or US?) the 60D uses the same sensor as 550D but 7D uses a different one. Despite utilising the same sensor in 550D & 60D, u can see distinctly the differences DSP makes in the 2 cameras from their pics. I'm not saying 60D is super duper good IQ, but its a little notch up from the "lousy IQ" entry level lower end DSLR. (processing algo plays a major part, juz look at the same Sony sensor found in the K5, D7000 & A55, u'll get a better understanding)

In order to see the differences clearly, u need a monitor capable of displaying more than 100% of the aRGB/IEC colour gamut.


Final note to everyone using or considering the 60D, don't get too tangle/attach to the technicalities differences from different brands/models. Use the cam for what it is becos u like the features & ergo, otherwise, there'll always be the next killer cam on the horizon & u'll always be waiting & picky-ing, & never get to take any pics at all. :cheers:

 

[AboutToSnap]

there'll always be the next killer cam on the horizon & u'll always be waiting & picky-ing, & never get to take any pics at all.
:cheers:

I'm thirsty now.

 

[postal]

I agree with nightpiper... If let say all 3 cameras are tested using manual mode, disable all the extra abilities like highlight tone priority, inside a studio doing the test... the images produced will be somewhat similiar... 60D and 7D will have more complicated algorithm and hence when used in the field, the difference will be very obvious. From a 1000D user to a 60D user... finally my Sigma 50 mm is sharp at wide aperture. It was totally hopeless when used with 1000D and I need to step up to F/4 to have a sharp image.

Anyway, the most important thingy is to like the exterior of the camera instead of the interior... the ergonomic, where the buttons are placed, the grip matters more than the performance of the camera. I have try using a Nikon DSLR and I had a very hard time just to change to Av mode... Hence that is the main reason why I am sticking to Canon and not other brands...

 

[icelava]

Final note to everyone using or considering the 60D, don't get too tangle/attach to the technicalities differences from different brands/models. Use the cam for what it is becos u like the features & ergo, otherwise, there'll always be the next killer cam on the horizon & u'll always be waiting & picky-ing, & never get to take any pics at all. :cheers:

i concur with this assertion. your choice of a camera is almost never about which has "better" images. that is just a small aspect of the overall design and build of cameras.

Your choice of body should largely be weighted towards the usability and efficiency it provides during your photo-taking. i.e. controls layout, function accessibility, AF points/modes, fps, ergonomics, etc.

 

[raydio]

I agree with the above statements.... it's not about better IQ, better body, more MP's or better AF. It is about having the system that best meets your needs and makes you happiest at a particular period in one's life.

Camera capabilities from various manufacturers are closer together in ability than many people care to admit. One model may have more mega-pixels and the other may have better AF. But in the end, the individual who purchases Model "A" vs. Model "B", is happier with his/her purchase because of the various aspects that make up that purchasing decision. These aspects may include, number of mega-pixels, AF capability, shutter sound, video capability, price and even brand name (to mention just a few).

Therefore, a 60D is purchased not because it is the best camera on the market. It is purchased because the various attributes that are inherent to the 60D makes the purchaser happier compared to owning other competing models.

 

[weixing]

Hi,

From a 1000D user to a 60D user... finally my Sigma 50 mm is sharp at wide aperture. It was totally hopeless when used with 1000D and I need to step up to F/4 to have a sharp image.

Did you compare the images on LCD monitor or the camera LCD? IMHO, the 1000D's LCD quality should be the same as my 450D... hopeless compare to the LCD screen of 60D. Also, may be your Sigma 50mm f1.4 need to be calibrated to your 1000D if you find the image not sharp.

Have a nice day.