Canon 600D or 60D?! :/

Eddzz!!

Eddzz!!

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Eddy
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Dear camera enthusiasts,

I'm having a bit of a dilema! I got into photography properly this year, after buying myself a Canon 450D back in April. Since then, I've yearned for a bit more control over my camera and bit more image quality in the photos I capture. I picked myself up a nice Tamron 17-50mm lens earlier on in the year and don't find myself needing much else on the lens front (though undoubtedly I will in the future!)... It is thus that I have decided in it is time to catch up with the times with my camera body.

Since I've wanted to start experimenting with video along side the photography, I've narrowed it down to a couple of options: the Canon 600D and the Canon 60D... Both look fairly similar on paper, although obviously have their differences with one being a couple £££ more. My question to you guys would be:

"Have you used both and how have they differed in your experience?"

I'd appreciate any help you can give me, as I intend to sell the 450D over the next week or so and pick up a new body in the Christmas sales! :D
 
The 60d has 1/8000 of a sec shutter speed, a faster frame rate, bigger buffer, and probably more menu options as it's the semi pro version.
 
Not so sure there will be many popular cameras like those two in the sales, might find a 550D which is pretty much the 600D without the flip out screen.

The 60D does indeed have a plastic (polycarbonate) body, have to move up to the 7D for a metal shell
 
Depends on what you are shooting, I have the 60D for wildlife.

Faster frame rate.
 
Difficult to say - hold them both and decide which you like the feel of, the 60D is a "better" camera - but are you good enough to justify the extra price.
 
donald said:
Difficult to say - hold them both and decide which you like the feel of, the 60D is a "better" camera - but are you good enough to justify the extra price.
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:plusone:

I was after a 2nd body for shooting festivals.
I went with the 60D because it drives more like the 20D/40D/5DII that I'm used to.
Don't worry about the lack of metal chassis, it feels very solid.
 
EOS 60D

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos60D/

EOS600D

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos600d/

Or both

http://www.digitalrev.com/article/canon-eos-600d-vs-60d/ODIyNQ_A_A

Remember small things, also don't be told a magnesium body is better than poly, it is not, even here on TP someone cracked a 1D whatever by dropping it, they all break.

60D has a pentaprisim not the 600D penta mirror (cheaper quality mirror not glass), faster frame rate, interchangeable focussing screens, greater shutter speed range and greater increments

Google can be a real ally
 
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600d takes sd cards. What does the 60d take? That might be another consideration.
I've just upgraded my youngests 400d to a 600d, but he needs all new cards. At least I get my second body back.
 
The main difference is that the 60d has all nine cross-type auto-focus points compared to the one central cross-type of the 600d.

I have a 600d and I love it. It's a fanatstic camera. However, if i had the extra money for the 60d, I would have bought that. The grip is much larger and I have quite large/thick hands. However, having gotten used to the smaller grip on the 600d, it's better than I first thought.

Spring for the 600d if you mainly use centre-AF point and have normal/small hands.

Spring for the 60d if you shoot sports (larger buffer) use various AF points and have big hands. Or if you just have the money to burn.

Can't go wrong with either.
 
Even though I didn't think the 60D was a sufficient upgrade to the 50D it is better than the 600D.

The 60D is a better camera than the 600D, and if money is not a problem then get the 60D. And if money is a problem, and you have a Best Buy close to you, the 60D may be within your grasp with big savings to be had.
 
I have a 60d, haven't tried a 600d but used to have a 400d and 50d. The size/weight and speed would be my 2 main considerations - to me personally it feels like the goldilocks 'just right' in terms of size/weight/ grip. I would ideally like a lighter weight for travel but I know that overall I would risk being frustrated at the frame rate and buffer clear rate at those times when you may come across an opportunity for action shots. I have an interest in dog photography and wanted something lighter weight and more portable than the 50d so would not have gone for 7d, though would have loved the 8fps.
As a subjective opinion I find the focussing/ tracking very good on the 60d, I feel I have better results than the 50d but have no way of telling whether this is true or not, as I've never shot them side by side in the same conditions.
 
Monkeyhanger said:
The body on the 60D is plastic-the 50D had an alloy body.
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Well, as others have said, not quite... The 60D, from DPR... "Polycarbonate resin with glass fibre on aluminum chassis..."

Not that it matters one jot to image quality and it probably doesn't matter one jot to longevity either. "Plastic" as you call it, comes in many different guises and can be very tough. 30 years ago I was fixing industrial "plastic" stuff and you could sit and hit it with a hammer all day long and not damage it. Try that with magnesium :D

I'd go for the 60D as it has the 1/8000 shutter speed and that's important if you want to shoot with wide apertures in good light.
 
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If I was buying now I would go for the upgrade to the 60D rather than the step to the 600D.
 
JSER said:
And will take more knocks that most of the supposed "higher" cameras
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That's not true. Canon switched to polycarbonate for the 60d as its cheaper than the mag alloy construction, and easier to repair if it does get damaged.

Mag alloy certainly has a higher strength to weight ratio than the polycarbonate mix, and copes with general wear and tear far better.

But I'd say, drop ANY camera from waist height and you're asking for trouble.
 
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Thanks for all the comments guys. After handling both cameras today, I'm still no closer to deciding! The 60D certainly felt better in hand and also handled a lot better. The 600D was also an enjoyable experience and felt very solid in hand - light a slightly better built version of my 450D. Argh I just cannot decide!
 
Eddzz!! said:
Thanks for all the comments guys. After handling both cameras today, I'm still no closer to deciding! The 60D certainly felt better in hand and also handled a lot better. The 600D was also an enjoyable experience and felt very solid in hand - light a slightly better built version of my 450D. Argh I just cannot decide!
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Buy a Nikon :lol:
 
Had the same dilemma few months ago when i wanted to upgrade from 450D. Here are the main differences:
Faster shutter speed
Larger view finder
Faster continuous drive
Better control dials
Better battery life

If these are not important then save 200 pounds difference and buy the 600d.

I take quite Few sports and school theatre pictures plus movies. I held and tried the 60d and I loved it and it seemed natural for me to go for it.
 
Eddzz!! said:
Thanks for all the comments guys. After handling both cameras today, I'm still no closer to deciding! The 60D certainly felt better in hand and also handled a lot better. The 600D was also an enjoyable experience and felt very solid in hand - light a slightly better built version of my 450D. Argh I just cannot decide!
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Hi.

A good friend earlier this year went through the same decision, he decided on the 60D over the 600D (from a 450D) eventually and loves it. The 60D was a larger body and felt better in his hands, had a faster fps aswell which has been a real bonus.

The swivel screen he wasn't overly bothered about, but he is finding it a great additional extra. He doesn't regret the extra money the 60D cost.

Hope this is of some help...
 
Eddzz!! said:
Thanks for all the comments guys. After handling both cameras today, I'm still no closer to deciding! The 60D certainly felt better in hand and also handled a lot better. The 600D was also an enjoyable experience and felt very solid in hand - light a slightly better built version of my 450D. Argh I just cannot decide!
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What would be the benefit of the 600D over the 60D. For me, it being smaller and lighter is a bit of a plus as then I'm more likely to take it when going out somewhere, but if you're happy with the handling of both then why not the 60D? (other than cost of course).
 
Please don't take this the wrong way as it is not intended to be rude, so no one jump on me but...

Are you looking for re assurance.

Only you can really decide what you want and need, I chose the 60D the same way I chose to buy a new 1.9 Renault Grand Scenic, it was just "right" for me. The choices would not be right for others.

There will come a point when only you and you alone can decide, no one here knows what you need more than you.

I chose the 60D because t had a top plate LCD the 600 does not it also has a higher frame rate , 100% none of this may apply to you.

I could have bought a 5D, I wanted the crop factor, I could have bought a 7D, wanted the Vari angle screen make your list of requirements and then .......

I'd hate to be around when you want to chose the next lens :lol:
 
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I think I'm fairly decided on the 60D. With my Tamron 17-50mm I can't see I'd need to upgrade any of my camera equipment for some time to come. Can anyone recommend the best place to buy from? I don't really understand quidco, but apparently I'd be able to get some cash-back by buying through them? :)
 
Eddzz!! said:
I think I'm fairly decided on the 60D. With my Tamron 17-50mm I can't see I'd need to upgrade any of my camera equipment for some time to come. Can anyone recommend the best place to buy from? I don't really understand quidco, but apparently I'd be able to get some cash-back by buying through them? :)
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Hi Eddy

Have you had a look at http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/cat1.html


Gives you a good idea on price.

Quidco and Topcashback are very similar, if you go through them and then click on the retailer you want to buy from, it tracks back and you can get some cashback. TCB don't charge an annual £5 fee as Quidco do

Enjoy your new purchase
 
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Excellenté - I don't know about you guys, but that seems like a fairly decent price, no?
 
Just Dave said:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=372478

and

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=281220

and

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=372274

Looks like you missed the chrissy deadline though
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Also missed out on the free shipping! :( I had to sacrifice the SDHC card and the goody-bag as a result of shipping costs. :thumbsdown:

Oh well, all ordered and now I'm excited! I expect it shall arrive after Christmas, so shall get one more day of photographs out of my 450D and then it'll be off to the classifieds / eBay with her! :)

Cheers for all the help guys!
 
I was in same boat and decided that due to a big part of my hobby is football so opted for the 60d and to be honest have not regreted it I take it nearly everywhere as its so much easier and better for me than the 450 was
 
I am thinking about upgrading from the 450D to 60D at the moment, I saw a refubished Canon 60D and 17-85 kit for £635 but by the time I got approval from the Mrs to buy it, it had gone :(

Still, atleast I have approval now... :thumbs:
 
Why do people keep slating the so called PLASTIC body of these cameras. They are "Polycarbonate", which is the same material as Formula 1 cars use for their outer skin. It's tough but flexible so it will absorb a few knocks. I got a 550D for last Christmas and it was the best I could afford at the time. I got so fed up of camera snobs saying it's only the plastic model when it had a better sensor, screen and lots of other updates over their camera.
I only updated mine because I was left some money in a will and decided to get a 7D and keep the 550D as a second body, then a few weeks later I decided to go with a 5DMkII and have the 7D as a second body. I ended up giving the 550D to my wife with a couple of lenses and a flash because it was such a great camera and didn't want to part with it. I still use it now and again when we're both out and she has the 18-55 IS lens for a few wide angle shots.
 
It's not the same material as the outer skin of F1 cars. All outer skin and structural elements of an F1 car are made of Carbon Fibre, which is completely different to polycarbonate, (polycarbonate is a form of plastic) and is VERY expensive.

A carbon fibre camera would cost in the tens of thousands!
 
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odd jim said:
It's not the same material as the outer skin of F1 cars. All outer skin and structural elements of an F1 car are made of Carbon Fibre, which is completely different to polycarbonate, (polycarbonate is a form of plastic) and is VERY expensive.

A carbon fibre camera would cost in the tens of thousands!
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Agreed, not quite the same materials as used to build F1 cards, but indeed similar! Light-weight car bodies are often made of similar materials used in the Canon 60D and definitely do not cost tens of thousands! :lol: My Dad used to have a Midtec Spyder kit-car which had body-work made of similar materials. They are designed to be very strong, yet light weight - and from what I'm led to believe, the Canon 60D is just that! :)
 
Indeed. I owned a Renault Clio Williams of which the front wings were made of polycarbonate. When I cracked one on a track day, a new wing only cost me £36 to buy from the Renault factory in Dieppe (as the original factory item). Polycarbonate is light, strong and cheap to make but not *quite* as strong as you'd think...

It's not even similar to Carbon Fibre, as carbon fibre is a weave of very expensive and heat treated exotic materials (which contains no plastic on it's own, though you can buy carbon fibre reinforced polymer which is plastic reinforced by carbon fibre known as CFRP - again very expensive!). You can buy a Carbon Fibre wing for the Clio Williams but it costs £5000, so that's the cost difference between polycarbonate and carbon fibre £36 / £5000 for the same part!
 
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Eddzz!! said:
Agreed, not quite the same materials as used to build F1 cards, but indeed similar! Light-weight car bodies are often made of similar materials used in the Canon 60D and definitely do not cost tens of thousands! :lol: My Dad used to have a Midtec Spyder kit-car which had body-work made of similar materials. They are designed to be very strong, yet light weight - and from what I'm led to believe, the Canon 60D is just that! :)
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You will always get the "PLASTIC" body answer everytime on any forum because there is allot of know it Alls on every forums and when Canon goes to Carbon Fibre you just wait all the alloy people will jump out and do the same again. I agree with you it is and always will be polycarbonate on the 60D.;)

Problem is some people just don't like different materials on a camera but for me i like to hold something light and not a brick.:)

Happy Christmas
 
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