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60D worth it over 550D or 600D?

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Mike Tansey

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Hi,

I used to be a regular here a year or so ago. I was then forced (needed new car) to sell my beautiful white lenses and 550D, along with most of my equipment (except my hot lights, strobes, stands and brollies, which aren't really worth much).

A year on, my Mrs realised we've now got no recent photos of our kids of any appreciable quality (phone pics only), so she suggested I got a proper camera again. I also really miss the sound of the shutter drop. :D

I was more than happy with the features, ability and image quality of the 550D. It's 18MP, and gives me RAW, which does it for me.

It was a bit small and flimsy feeling though, the chap I sold it to had a 50D, and I had a hold of it. It was much bigger, heavier and sturdier than my little plastic 550D, even with it's battery grip on.

I'm not interested in the 50D, as I'm a resolution junkie. I had 18MP, so I'm not going to go any lower. So looking at the specs of the 60D, it does everything my 550D did, not much more, but is much more expensive, and has the bigger sturdier body I'm after.

So life story over; Should I spend the extra on the 60D, is the image quality, dynamic range, noise, or anything else particularly better than the 550D? I want to know if I'm spending all the extra cash on pretty much the same thing wrapped in a big heavier body, or if I'm getting a much better DSLR.

Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks for reading. :)
 
Hi,

I spent 4yrs learning on a 400d, and made the switch to the 60d mid last year. The 60D is a great camera, the flip-out screen i use more than i thought i would. Has plenty of features to 'grow into'.

Some good pricing around, so my 2cents worth is go the 60D. Enjoy ..

Cheers,

Duggo
 
I was about to buy the 60d a couple of weeks ago as an upgrade to to my trusty 450d mainly for the FPS increase.Then my attention was drawn to the 650d and I realised the FPS was almost as good as the 60D so I bought the 650D.The sensors the same as the 60d- 7d so image quality wise they are about the same but if you're a jpeg shooter the processor on the 650d has been upgraded to Digic 5. It also has a touch screen which I thought was going to be a needless gimmick.How wrong I was,I've never used a touch screen for anything but after ten minutes of use I realised that it was a joy to use and greatly enhanced the handling of the camera.
 
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Oh, I didn't even realise the 650D existed.

I don't shoot jpeg, I always spend time and enjoy post processing, so shoot raw exclusively.

Not sold on the touch screen, but if you say it's useful I'll believe you! I'll look into the specs and features of the 650D.

It's mainly the flimsy tiny plastic body that's off putting. I had that with the 550D, and envied the guy with the 50D because of it's much bigger, heavier body.
 
Mike Tansey said:
Mike Tansey wrote:

Oh, I didn't even realise the 650D existed.
I don't shoot jpeg, I always spend time and enjoy post processing, so shoot raw exclusively.

Not sold on the touch screen, but if you say it's useful I'll believe you! I'll look into the specs and features of the 650D.

It's mainly the flimsy tiny plastic body that's off putting. I had that with the 550D, and envied the guy with the 50D because of it's much bigger, heavier body.
Click to expand...
 
Don't be put off by the body size Mike,it's quite durable but obviously not up to pro standards.

I also forgot to mention the high iso capability,which is great.As someone who shot iso 100 slide film only for over 15 years I feel quite spoiled these days :-)


Best regards, DS
 
Wow, thanks. I didn't realise the 60D done away with the magnesium body. In that case, there really isn't anything I want the 60D for over the 550D. If I'm going to have that size camera, I've just read up on the 650D, and am really impressed.

So I'll do some more reading, but I think I'm settled on the 650D now.

Thanks everyone.
 
Whatever you decide check out Digital Rev's prices.I saved about 150 quid compared to UK retail prices.
 
I have a 7D and a 550D; I upgraded to the 550D from a 450D. I use the 550D as often as the 7D and I've never preferred the 7D's feel over the Rebels, although I do prefer its controls and its blazing speed. But otherwise, the 550D does everything I want. You should check the cameras out in person to see how you like or dislike the differences, but I'd be getting a 650D over a 60D if I were buying now. (I hope you got good money for your 550D; it really is a lovely camera.)
 
I tried the 60D and it feels better, well balanced and better built than my T1i. Though my three year old T1i is still a solid and good enough put together camera that never failed on me. For operating controls the 60D is really nice but some complain about the rear buttons to be a bit responseless (spongy) to the microswitch kinda feel the rebels have. I found the 60D ok in that respect and would pick it because of the grip and balance (I got a 15-85 as standard) over the rebels. Technically they are nearly identical with the exception that the 550D can't wireless trigger off shoe flashes without spending extra money. Further the 60D has a higher burstrate and buffer, brighter viewfinder and slightly more advanced AF compared to the 550D.
 
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Mike Tansey said:
Mike Tansey wrote:

If I'm going to have that size camera, I've just read up on the 650D, and am really impressed.
Click to expand...
The 60D is physically larger than the 6xx series. It's essentially the exact same size as a 20D/30D. To my touch, it doesn't feel any less sturdy or well built than my 20D.
 
650D & 60D Specs (I'm happy with my 60D)
  • Processor = 650D: Digic 5 and 60D: Digic 4
  • Viewfinder = 650D: Eye-level pentamirror and 60D: pentaprism (solid chunk of glass).
  • Magnification = 650D: 0.85x and 60D: 0.95x
  • Shutter speed = 650D: 30 thru 1/4000 sec. and 60D: 30 thru 1/8000.
  • Eye-sensor to toggle LCD screen on and off = 650D: Yes and 60D: No.
  • Horizontal electronic level = 650D: No and 60D: Yes.
  • Battery life = 650D: 450 shots and 60D: 600 shots.
  • Weight (inc. batteries) = 650D: 575 g (1.27 lb) and 60D: = 755 g (1.6 lb).
  • Dimensions:
  • 650D = 133 x 100 x 79 mm (5.24 x 3.94 x 3.11 in)
  • 60D = 145 x 106 x 79 mm (5.7 x 4.2 x 3.1 in)
And the winner for you is your smart choice.
 
Mike Tansey said:
Mike Tansey wrote:

Should I spend the extra on the 60D, is the image quality, dynamic range, noise, or anything else particularly better than the 550D? I want to know if I'm spending all the extra cash on pretty much the same thing wrapped in a big heavier body, or if I'm getting a much better DSLR.
Click to expand...
There's no compelling IQ differences between the 60D and recent Rebels. What matters are the buffer size (6 raw shots in one second on the 650D vs 16 shots over three seconds for the 60D), and the ergonomics (better viewfinder, bigger grip, two dials, one-touch exposure compensation, one-touch AF point selection, top LCD, etc.). If you don't need those advantages, get one of the Rebels.

For me, the 60D is still "a much better DSLR" because I'd happily pay the difference in price for any one of the many differences that are significant for me and the way I use it. You're better off buying the one you like in your hands than basing your choice on the spec sheets.

You might get something out of having a look at the unofficial Rebel Talk FAQ - http://snipurl.com/RebelFAQ
 
Mike

I went through the same thoughts a couple of months ago, when trying to decide between a 60D or a 650D as an upgrade from 500D. I started this thread: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/42322083

I chose the 60D (although that was partly because I could get a good price on it). Having now had it for a couple of months I have to say I love it. I didn't think I would find the rear control as useful as in fact I do. The top plate is also good to have. Best of all, though, the VF is definitely better than the smaller XXXD cameras and the way it feels in my hand is great.

For me it's the best compromise.
 
Mike Tansey said:
Mike Tansey wrote:

A year on, my Mrs realised we've now got no recent photos of our kids of any appreciable quality (phone pics only), so she suggested I got a proper camera again. I also really miss the sound of the shutter drop. :D
Click to expand...

This should be a news story on the front page of DPR IMHO. People going to iphone flashless pics for their kids is in my opinion a sad, sad thing. Motion blur, out of focus, dark and noisy photos. All for a little convienence factor of having the phone on you and not having to download a camera to a computer in order to post them to facebook. And that period of time without any good kid pics cannot be rewound. That time has passed.
 
I had 550D for a year and realized I needed more. I upgraded to 60D and I am VERY happy with it. 60D might not have a metal shell, but its larger body still feels a lot better and fills my hand a lot more comfortably. It got all the physical controls, so going into menus is hardly ever needed. Dual dials, 8-way selector and shoulder LCD take handling and adjustment to the next level from the xxxD tier. And I LOVE the articulated LCD and 16-RAW burst buffer. The viewfinder is also much more pleasant to use.

So, for me, 60D is definitely worth every penny I spent on the upgrade. Your mileage may vary.
 
scorrpio said:
scorrpio wrote:

I had 550D for a year and realized I needed more. I upgraded to 60D and I am VERY happy with it. 60D might not have a metal shell, but its larger body still feels a lot better and fills my hand a lot more comfortably. It got all the physical controls, so going into menus is hardly ever needed. Dual dials, 8-way selector and shoulder LCD take handling and adjustment to the next level from the xxxD tier. And I LOVE the articulated LCD and 16-RAW burst buffer. The viewfinder is also much more pleasant to use.

So, for me, 60D is definitely worth every penny I spent on the upgrade. Your mileage may vary.
Click to expand...

I agree with you.

I have a 60D and recently bought a 600D as a backup. In spite I am really pleased with the camera, because it performs almost as well as my 60D I am planning to sell it and change to another 60D.

You can shot same great pictures, but as you said, the 60D worth avery penny!

Go for it if you can afford!
 
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