Canon EOS 60D - A New Kind of Rebel

Image Performance

Image Performance

The 60D scores a high 2000 LPH horizontally and 1800 LPH vertically on our test chart, which looks similar in performance to the 550D; the step-below camera. ISO3200 looks like the upper limit for clear and noise-free photos, and that's an impressive number. Beyond that image noise becomes apparent, especially color noise, but we found that they could still be used with some image reducing in Lightroom.

We have to say that the 60D shows better image quality than the 550D. For example, at ISO6400,  images are cleaner than the 550D's. Keeping within the ISO limit, pictures look great, with pleasing colors and detail. The AF system is fast and mostly accurate, but it seems to neglect large masses (like people) for nearer ones (like decorations).

Shooting in JPEG is fast. At JPEG's best settings Canon lists a maximum burst of 58 shots at about 5 shots a second. Shooting in RAW, the 60D's buffer gets you about 16 shots before the camera locks up for a few seconds to write to the memory card. Interestingly, the RAW burst rate isn't too far from the step-up camera; the 7D has a maximum RAW burst of about 15 shots (but JPEGs get you about 94 shots), while the 550D only gets you 6 RAW shots before the buffer fills up.

The buffer is another point you'll need to watch when shooting HD video. Since the 60D records to SD cards instead of the faster CF cards, you'll need to watch for fast write speeds when selecting an SD card (which oddly, don't always correspond accordingly to SD card class) if you plan to record video. Auto-focus can be manually turned on and used during video recording, which consumers will likely appreciate. Manual overrides for settings exist including audio levels.