Professional-class SLR cameras can not only captivate a potential buyer with their appearance and functionality. Sometimes one cost is enough for this, because not every day a user can spend 40-70 thousand rubles on buying a camera (the price depends on the presence of a lens in the kit).
The focus of this article is one of the representatives of the expensive segment of SLR cameras, which most professional photographers still classify as entry-level, because the Canon EOS 60D has a non-full-size matrix, therefore, it cannot be in the flagship line of digital devices.
A step in the right direction
Beginners and advanced photographers are already accustomed to the peculiarities of the SLR camera market and know that the fewer characters in the model name, the higher the class of a digital device. Moreover, this applies to all brands on the world market that produce similar devices, because the existing hierarchy allowssegment cameras into different price niches, which will greatly facilitate the choice of the user during the purchase process. Accordingly, the Canon EOS 60D SLR camera belongs to the segment of entry-level devices that belong to the professional class.
However, the manufacturer made a surprise for all fans - he did not continue to update the line of two-digit modifications of mirror devices (after all, logically, the 60th model is a modified 50D camera). Within the walls of the company, they broke their own rules and presented the world with a completely new product that incorporated all the qualities of a professional Canon 7D camera and, as a bonus, received a completely new functionality.
Just to stay afloat
After Nikon's all-new D90 was introduced with its technical characteristics and was decades ahead of all Canon's double-digit cameras, technologists had no choice but to use the functionality of professional SLR cameras in the production of the Canon EOS 60D. The swivel screen, which appeared at that time, played a major role in the digital technology market and attracted millions of buyers to the novelty.
This is the only model from all Canon products that is in the "golden mean". Sitting between features, image quality and price, the 60D marking is a pointer to buyers, identifying camera models according to user needs. Everything that was on the market beforethis SLR camera, including three-digit modifications, is limited to amateur and creative use. The novelty opens the way to the world of professional photography for everyone.
Strike on status
The Canon EOS 60D Kit causes a lot of bewilderment among seasoned photographers at first glance. The manufacturer, trying to reduce the cost of production, refused to use magnesium alloy in the creation of the body of the mirror device. This is really a serious blow to the status of a semi-professional device. Let the aluminum frame with polycarbonate inserts lighten the camera, but the loss of strength is disproportionately greater.
The lack of a mini-joystick on the back of the gadget, which allows you to control autofocus points, was the second bad news for many photographers, judging by their reviews. Yes, the manufacturer created an alternative in the form of an 8-position switch, which he placed on the control dial, but the usability of this functionality is an order of magnitude lower and even causes discomfort.
Main characteristic
For the Canon EOS 60D Kit, the price is not the main indicator, because in the class of devices in the semi-professional segment, the matrix of a digital device plays an important role. There is nothing special to be surprised here - an 18-megapixel CMOS-matrix has dimensions of 22, 3x14, 9 mm, which corresponds to the APS-C format and is called crop factor 1, 6 among professionals. It is this indicator that does not allow a SLR camera to be placed on a shelf with full-frame flagships.
As for the light sensitivity and density of the matrix elements, here the fact of the use in production of technologies inherent in expensive mirror models is manifested. The powerful DIGIC 4 processor, which was also borrowed from the Canon 7D, processes information quickly enough, which pleases many owners of this SLR camera, judging by their reviews.
Shooting convenience
An optical viewfinder is the norm for all SLR devices, but a movable LCD screen for this class of devices is a novelty. First, the LCD monitor has a 3:2 aspect ratio, making it more informative, both in the control menu and when viewing images. The second feature is color reproduction and display brightness. The screen, even in sunlight, perfectly displays information from any angle.
Naturally, such characteristics bring the Canon EOS 60D to a new level, the price of which continues to be affordable for many potential buyers. However, judging by user reviews, there are also disadvantages in working with a rotary screen - the lack of a touch surface causes a negative. Many users compare the semi-professional device with the entry-level Canon 600D SLR camera, which has a touch screen.
Is it negative?
Many buyers who pay attention to the Canon EOS 60D are very often interested in the camera's ability to shoot high-quality video. Undoubtedly, recording a video sequence in the formatFullHD (1920x1080 dpi) up to 30 frames per second should satisfy a potential buyer, but there are a number of drawbacks that make the user think that it will not be possible to advance further than amateur photography. And we are talking about the lack of the possibility of automatic focusing during the recording process. A professional photographer is able to correct the situation with his own hands - by controlling the lens rings, but a beginner will obviously not like this solution.
Missing in SLR and support for stereo sound recording. It would seem - a trifle, but it is she who stops many potential buyers. Even if the video recording will never be used by the owner, the fact that something important is missing very often decides the fate of the purchase.
Device modifications
All SLR cameras for the convenience of the buyer are presented by manufacturers on the market in the form of several models. A significant difference between them is the price and availability of the lens. The most inexpensive copy, the cost of which does not exceed 40 thousand rubles, is generally offered without a lens (Body). But the expensive representative of the Canon EOS 60D 18-135 Kit (price - 70,000 rubles) is offered to customers complete with one of the best lenses for creativity and home use.
Also on the market, the user can meet cameras with lenses: 18-55 and 18-200 - they also fall under the definition of "creativity" for those who like to take pictures in the bosom of nature. More professional photographers assure in their reviews,that the purchase of optics with a long focal length is irrational, and it is advised to take a closer look at the Body modification and any fast lens with a fixed parameter (for example, the Canon EF 50 f/1.8 II).
Control panel
It's impossible to find fault with the control of a SLR camera (if you forget about the lack of a mini-joystick). Here the manufacturer decided to please everyone by simplifying the control menu, automating several processes and leaving the layout of the buttons and the additional screen, as is done with professional cameras. The instruction helps all beginners to understand the Canon EOS 60D settings, and advanced photographers do not have to relearn at all.
Yes, it's a little unusual for professionals that most of the functionality in a SLR camera is automated, however, after getting to know the device better, the user will agree that scene control and exposure selection have become much easier. But beginners will still have to delve into manual settings, since in automatic mode most photos turn out to be too cold, with a predominance of an artificial light shade.
Additional functionality
Many sellers are silent about some of the features of semi-professional SLR cameras, hoping that a potential buyer is already versed in technology. So, the Canon EOS 60D EF-S camera, unlike inexpensive modifications, is equipped with its own lens control mechanism (popularly called a “screwdriver”), respectively, any lens compatible with the connector will fit the camera. Canon.
Also, the manufacturer refused to use CF memory cards in expensive cameras. Following fashion and technological progress, the camera was equipped with support for SD cards. As for the remote control of the camera, synchronizing the device with several flash units and “shooting” several frames per second with different exposures, here the manufacturer guessed and provided the required functionality for its product.
In conclusion
One can talk about the Canon EOS 60D for hours, describing its advantages and disadvantages, because this is not the only SLR device in the semi-professional segment on the digital technology market. However, many professional photographers recommend paying attention to the reviews themselves in the media, because most of them are left by the owners of SLR gadgets. And if millions of users gave their preference to this camera, then it is not so bad.
