Categories: Gear, ReviewsTags:

Just a few hours ago I went over to Pictureline in Draper to pick up one of the brand new Canon 60D cameras. It was released a lot earlier than I expected … which is awesome! I’ve had a little bit of time to play around with it and so far really like what I’m seeing.

So … after having this in my hand for less than an hour and taking some photos with it I do have some initial thoughts. Here are a few thing’s I noticed right away:

  • Articulating screen: I love this feature. Yeah, you lose a few buttons because of it, but it’s really nice to be able to move it around and use live view to photograph at different angles, and I also like that I can turn it completely around so I don’t see the screen at all. This helps prevent too much chimping and also keeps the LCD protected when not in use.
  • Joystick: I don’t really like the new version of the “joystick” (a.k.a. the “Multi-controller”), but it’s not a deal-breaker. I prefer the type on the previous cameras (7D, 5D, etc.) where it is really more of an actual joystick that you can wiggle with your thumb. This camera has one similar to what you find on any Nikon DSLR, with up/down/left/right buttons. I notice the difference when zooming in on an image to check focus and move the image around. It’s not as easy to do with this camera but still okay.
  • Creative Filters: These are fun, but I don’t really see any practical application that I will use them for. I can see myself using these on images that are just personal (not work) and when I have a few extra minutes to dink around with the camera and I’m not at my computer. There are only four filters, and my hope is that they add more down the road. I’m so spoiled with iPhone apps that have tons of ways to edit photos and the few they have on the 60D seem very rudimentary. I would use these much, much more if there were a way to connect to the internet (3G) lik you can with a cell phone … but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. :)

I have a few unedited straight-out-of-the-camera images below. The “un-edited” versions were shot in RAW format and exported as JPEG using the Canon software.  I included the full-res versions as well (just click on the image to view the larger size … they’re pretty big so will take some time to load). I’ll also be writing up a more detailed blog post next week after I’ve had some time to really do some serious shooting with it. So … more to come!

(Update: more detailed review HERE)

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/250 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*no filter applied—this image is unedited

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/250 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*”Toy Camera” filter applied in-camera

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/6400 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*no filter applied—this image is unedited

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/6400 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*”Miniature” filter applied in-camera

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/500 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*no filter applied—this image is unedited

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/500 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*”Soft Focus” filter applied in-camera

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/400 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*no filter applied—this image is unedited

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/400 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*”Grainy B&W” filter applied in-camera

Images & post are © Nicole S. Young (All Rights Reserved) and may not be used without permission

Just a few hours ago I went over to Pictureline in Draper to pick up one of the brand new Canon 60D cameras. It was released a lot earlier than I expected … which is awesome! I’ve had a little bit of time to play around with it and so far really like what I’m seeing.

So … after having this in my hand for less than an hour and taking some photos with it I do have some initial thoughts. Here are a few thing’s I noticed right away:

  • Articulating screen: I love this feature. Yeah, you lose a few buttons because of it, but it’s really nice to be able to move it around and use live view to photograph at different angles, and I also like that I can turn it completely around so I don’t see the screen at all. This helps prevent too much chimping and also keeps the LCD protected when not in use.
  • Joystick: I don’t really like the new version of the “joystick” (a.k.a. the “Multi-controller”), but it’s not a deal-breaker. I prefer the type on the previous cameras (7D, 5D, etc.) where it is really more of an actual joystick that you can wiggle with your thumb. This camera has one similar to what you find on any Nikon DSLR, with up/down/left/right buttons. I notice the difference when zooming in on an image to check focus and move the image around. It’s not as easy to do with this camera but still okay.
  • Creative Filters: These are fun, but I don’t really see any practical application that I will use them for. I can see myself using these on images that are just personal (not work) and when I have a few extra minutes to dink around with the camera and I’m not at my computer. There are only four filters, and my hope is that they add more down the road. I’m so spoiled with iPhone apps that have tons of ways to edit photos and the few they have on the 60D seem very rudimentary. I would use these much, much more if there were a way to connect to the internet (3G) lik you can with a cell phone … but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. :)

I have a few unedited straight-out-of-the-camera images below. The “un-edited” versions were shot in RAW format and exported as JPEG using the Canon software.  I included the full-res versions as well (just click on the image to view the larger size … they’re pretty big so will take some time to load). I’ll also be writing up a more detailed blog post next week after I’ve had some time to really do some serious shooting with it. So … more to come!

(Update: more detailed review HERE)

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/250 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*no filter applied—this image is unedited

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/250 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*”Toy Camera” filter applied in-camera

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/6400 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*no filter applied—this image is unedited

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/6400 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*”Miniature” filter applied in-camera

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/500 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*no filter applied—this image is unedited

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/500 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*”Soft Focus” filter applied in-camera

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/400 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*no filter applied—this image is unedited

Canon 60D, Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens, 1/400 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100
*”Grainy B&W” filter applied in-camera

Images & post are © Nicole S. Young (All Rights Reserved) and may not be used without permission

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Nicole is a photographer, published author, and educator specializing in Lightroom, Photoshop, and photography. She is best known for her books on food photography but is widely versed in various photographic genres, including landscape, nature, stock, travel, and experimental imagery.

20 Comments

  1. Nicole August 20, 2010 at 3:29 am - Reply

    @Matt – I’ll have a detailed post up next week with more photos at different ISOs. I’ve had the camera for less than 24 hrs so haven’t had the chance to do any “real” shooting with it yet. :)

  2. Ryan Romeike September 16, 2010 at 5:41 pm - Reply

    Thanks for the initial feedback! So I’m wondering along with others I’m sure – how’s it feel compared to the 7D (which you literally wrote the book on)? Sluggish with only 6 fps? How’s the autofocus?

  3. Todd September 16, 2010 at 5:52 pm - Reply

    Thanks for the samples and the writep. I’m thinking it’s going to be more comparable to the 40D or 50D according to the specs, only with the swivel screen. The noise levels at ISO 100 are looking pretty low, close to my 40D, at 100% – which is good to see. In stock the ability to downsize or crop is a lifesaver. IQ on the 60D is looking good. Ugh, I wish they left the joystock too!

    I really got attached to that swivel screen on my Powershot A610 back in the day, but sort of forgot about it when I started my journey in the xxD series, beginning with the 20D. Live view is cool to screw around with but with this swivel screen, it’s going to make creative angles a heck of a lot easier for both stills and video.

  4. Protocol Snow September 16, 2010 at 6:06 pm - Reply

    The miniature filter looks fun. Not a perfect tilt shift effect in that example, but maybe with some experimentation it’ll look just right.

  5. Adam September 16, 2010 at 6:07 pm - Reply

    I too am very interested in how the camera feels in your hand compared to the 7D. I’m quite happy with the magnesium alloy construction of the 40D and 50D and was pretty disappointed when Canon decided to lower the build quality in the 60D. The specs make the quality seem more like rebel quality compared to the older versions in the series that felt like the 7D. Those are just specs though and I’m interested to hear what you think!

  6. Matt September 16, 2010 at 6:14 pm - Reply

    I’m debating on buying either the 50D or the 60D but I’m not sure which one i want to go with.

    I can’t afford the 7D before I need it for my trip to Florida early next year.

  7. John Schmidt September 16, 2010 at 7:29 pm - Reply

    Why would you spend money on a 60D when you have a 7D?

  8. Shin Howard September 16, 2010 at 10:22 pm - Reply

    The in camera effects looks pretty fun.
    Can they be applied to movie mode too?

  9. Joe September 17, 2010 at 12:51 am - Reply

    “Why would you spend money on a 60D when you have a 7D?”

    Didn’t she write a book on the 7D? :)

  10. Matt September 17, 2010 at 9:22 am - Reply

    What about the noise level? Can you post some raw jpgs from the highest ISOs? The latest Nikon has some spectacular quality straight out of camera at 3200 ISO per a review by Chase Jarvis, and I’m curious to see how the 60D compares.

  11. Adam September 17, 2010 at 9:35 am - Reply

    @Matt

    Have you taken a look at trying to find a 40D? There are reports that the iso performance is actually worse in the 50D than it is with the 40D. The 40D also has a slightly faster burst speed than the 50D and over 1fps faster than the 60D.

    You also loose the solid magnesium alloy body and gain a smaller build with the 60D.

    So your basically going from the solid “pro” body to a consumer build, dropping fps in burst mode and getting comparable iso performance.

    It looks like the 40D’s are currently selling for $500-$600 in good condition. You could buy one of those and use the difference to get a nice new lens for your trip!

  12. Nicole September 17, 2010 at 1:36 pm - Reply

    @Matt – I’m going to be posting some high-ISO images on the blog next week after I’ve had some time to really use the camera. :)

  13. Todd September 17, 2010 at 9:59 pm - Reply

    @Matt I just picked up my gently used 40d (with 4000 clicks on the shutter) for $450 about 6 months ago. Good old craigslist… the other day there was another one on there for $400. On the Canon POTN forum they’re going for $500-600 range still, daily.

    I’ll wait till the 7d2 or 5d3 comes out, and then get a 7d or 5d2 :)

  14. Benton Collins September 18, 2010 at 7:28 am - Reply

    Thanks for the first impressions Nicole! I am on a waiting list to get the 60D. Glad to hear they are shipping! I noticed a very strong amount of purple fringing on the upper right corner of the swing shot (around the triangular metal piece). Is this from the 60D or the 50 1.4 lens?

  15. Nicole September 18, 2010 at 8:43 am - Reply

    @Benton – The fringing from the 50 f/1.4 lens.

  16. Benton Collins September 19, 2010 at 9:00 am - Reply

    Yeah, that’s a tough challenge for any lens. High contrast hard edged subject near the frame border against a pure bright white background.

    I use Capture One Pro and they have a purple fringing filter that would knock that right out. Other RAW programs might also have this feature, I’m just not familiar with them.

  17. Łukasz fotograf rzeszów December 25, 2010 at 8:40 am - Reply

    jak dla mnie 60d to to nieporozumienie, sam mam 50d i nie wymienił bym go na 60d ten aparat nie ma ergonomii. osobiście robię śluby wiec to jest dla mnie jeden z ważniejszych czynników

  18. Santhosh Kumar January 3, 2011 at 10:30 pm - Reply

    I didnt know using filters would bring such changes in photos.. I thought only a UV filter would be all I need. I will research more on filter now.. Thanks!

  19. Scott Morton November 25, 2012 at 9:19 pm - Reply

    As far as the fringing goes, it even happens with 85mmf1.2L MKii – for all that money, you’d reckon Canon would get it completely right…

  20. laura Berry February 4, 2013 at 5:41 am - Reply

    I have been using My canon D60 for taking wedding photographs. Iality is excellent. The sigma lens is excellent in low light and a great price. I also have the canon F2.8 24-70 mark 1 which is pricey but absolutely amazing. I can honestly say it changed my life. The colours and contrast is amazing.

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