pondering an upgrade 650d or 60d?

R

rocklobster

Suspended / Banned
Messages
7
Name
Darren
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi,

I've been lurking here for a while and finally signed up :)

I'm pondering an upgrade - nothing too special or expensive unfortunately. Currently got a 400d which is ok but more and more often my son (11) is wanting to use that so I'm pondering an upgrade for myself, and then give him the 400d as he is outgrowing his sx120.

Not been following what's happening in the Canon world for a while (is it me, or have they made the numbering really confusing??). First thoughts were a 60d as it would give me upgraded focusing (I like motorsport photography, and better focusing is always good although limited by the 70-300is lens I've got!), higher usable ISO (is this really the case? I know it goes higher, but...) and a better build.

However, a bit of research has suggested that actually, canon have rather downgraded the x0d range with the 60d - dropping the tougher shell and that the 650 and the 60 are actually pretty similar build quality. Also, the 650d has the same focusing, the same sensor (largely - with added focusing magic for video), better video quality (might be nice, not sure I really care) and digic 5 instead of v4 (potentially a big improvement?).

Price wise they are in the same sort of area, and given the 650d with kit lens is under 500 quid at the moment (with the cashback) I think I've decided to go that way.

Only real thing I'd quite like is the quick control dial on the back, but then I lost that when I went digital (went from 100 to a 300d, then to 400d) and it's been so long since I had it that I don't think I'll miss it :-)

Given costs I'd be looking at the kit lens for now - as much as I'd love a better lens it'll do for now, and it only seems to add 40 quid to the body cost. Can always upgrade that later.

So, have I missed any obvious reason why I should go for one over the other?

I did actually pop into Jessops to try both the 60d and the 650d just before Christmas (I've spent a lot in there over the years) and they didn't have either in stock...guess I know why now :-/

Not looking for miracles, just a bit of an upgrade for me to free up the old body.

Cheers,

Darren
 
If i had to choose between the two i would go for the 60D, i've had a play with both and i found the 60D was much nicer to hold than the 650D. For me with large(ish) hands the 650D was far too small. The grip on the 60D is nice and round, making for a very nice strong grip.

The build quality of the 60D i found to be better, its also weather resistant.. plus it has top screen (650 doesnt). The quality of plastic is much nicer on the 60D.

These features are important to me, but it may not be for you. The 650D is a great camera, but the 60D meets my needs better.

Could you stretch to a 7D? The grey imports are loads cheaper than the UK prices... just some food for though. ;)

EDIT: You should really try and have a play with both as i found them very different to hold.
 
Last edited:
7D is over 300 quid more even grey so no, that's too much :-(

Actually holding them is tricky as no one local seems to have stock - as I said, I was willing to buy from Jessops but they had no stock when I tried!

I've got a load of amazon vouchers so I suspect I'll be buying from them. They had a deal last week with a cheap basic manfrotto pod included but that seems to have vanished now. Still got a few days with the cashback deal to decide :-)

I'm happy with the size of the 400d (although I did used to have a grip on my 300d...) so I'm less concerned about the size. Interesting you say you found the build of the 60d to be better though - that's what I expected but contradicts some of the stuff I've been reading that say they are much the same.

Any idea how much better (or worse!) the digic 5 processor is in the 650d over the digic 4 in the 60d?

Thanks for the reply :-)
 
Hi Darren

From the 2 you listed I'd opt for the 60D as it is an upgrade over the xxxD series.
 
I was deciding between the 2 in October and I went for the 650D mainly because of it being newer, it is very similar to the 60 and a lot cheaper. My decision was also made based on the fact I would be getting a 6D very shortly, so either would do. Saying that, I'm not rushing to get the new camera, I'm very happy with my 650D (having had a 450D previously). I might even hang on and see if an updated 7D will surface before June, ready for formula 1. I've only been taking pictures of my daughter up to now though.
 
Have you thought about buying 2nd hand, you could get a used 7D for between £650 and 800.
 
As much as I'd like a 7D, I can't justify that. 700 quid is a lot more than the 400 quid it would cost me for the 650d (once I've got 50 quid cashback, and used the amazon vouchers I've got).

I'm increasingly thinking a 650d for now, and get my Son using the 400d. Then look for a second hand 7d in a year or so as the 400d will really be getting on a bit then.

Maybe what I "save" I can spend on that 60mm ef-s macro I've been lusting over ;-) Particularly if I can find one second hand from someone who has moved to full frame.

Thanks all,

Darren
 
I had a 60D until recently and I swapped it for a 7D primarily for the better AF system and the MA ability of the 7D. The 60D is a very good camera though and ticks all the boxes the OP would need. However, the wife has a 650D and that is also a very good camera. It has better ISO ability than the 60D, the AF for stills is as good as the 60D and there's next to no difference in the FPS. The touchscreen is excellent and very responsive which makes it easy to use and also gives you 31 focus points when used in Liveview.

The build quality is very similar and if you're updating from a xxxD model or just starting the 650D is much easier to navigate as you'd be used to the rear 4way switch and no top screen. The 60D has the extra dial and the top screen so if you're adding to a body that already has them ie. 7D, 5D series etc then maybe that would be the way to go. It's a shame that the OP is so far away from me otherwise he could of come and had a look and a try with the 650D to see if he liked it. Have a look at Hdew Cameras for the 650D, they have it at a decent price at the moment, they are based in the UK and they give great service.
 
modchild said:
However, the wife has a 650D and that is also a very good camera. It has better ISO ability than the 60D, the AF for stills is as good as the 60D and there's next to no difference in the FPS.
Click to expand...
Interested that you say "AF for stills is as good"... are you implying it's not as good for moving subjects? From what I've read it's pretty much identical as the 60d as it shares the focusing setup - in your experience is that not the case?

I'm definately looking for something better than my 400D for motorsport (well, certainly no worse but I assume that's a given). Plenty of youtube reviews etc suggesting it's the same but if you've experience saying otherwise then I'd be very interested! I've not got the money for fantastic glass (usually using a 70-300 IS USM) so there is a limit to how good I need...

The build quality is very similar and if you're updating from a xxxD model or just starting the 650D is much easier to navigate as you'd be used to the rear 4way switch and no top screen. The 60D has the extra dial and the top screen so if you're adding to a body that already has them ie. 7D, 5D series etc then maybe that would be the way to go. It's a shame that the OP is so far away from me otherwise he could of come and had a look and a try with the 650D to see if he liked it. Have a look at Hdew Cameras for the 650D, they have it at a decent price at the moment, they are based in the UK and they give great service.
Click to expand...

The build quality being similar is also what I've heard - not so much that the 650D is much better than the earlier xxxD bodies, more that canon have dropped the quality of the 60D (I've used a 40D and that's much better built).

Top screen not at all bothered about, and as I said, I've not had the rear dial since my EOS 100 about 20 years ago so I've got used to not having that :-) If anything, I'm thinking it might actually be annoying having a 60D and the 400D as well - when I used the 400D I'd be swearing about the lack of the rear dial :-) Maybe best without it :) Bit worried about your comment about focusing though - is the 60D better at "non stills"?

Thanks for the offer of trying yours - very generous but yes, I'm a bit far away :) Pricewise hdew look good - but I've never heard of them! At those prices I assume they are grey imports? Anyway, as I mentioned, I'm almost certain to buy from Amazon now as I've got a lot of vouchers to spend.

Of course, the alternative to all this is just to buy my son a 1100D and I keep the 400D a bit longer, but that means a) I miss out on new shiny and b) we both end up with pretty low end bodies. :-)
 
Hi Darren, I meant that they are both as good for taking 'stills' as opposed to video. The focus on both is equally as good for all types of shooting including moving subjects. When I was out with the 60D I got some good action shots, even better with a top of the range lens like the 70-200 f2.8L MkII, but with the same lens on the 650D they are so close it would make no difference.

Maybe the 650D, having the Digic 5 processor, is a little bit faster than the 60D, having a Digic 4 processor, in AF speed and the 650D is definitely faster and more precise than the 60D due to its updated sensor.

Build quality for both is very similar, they both feel very solid in the hands, the 650D has a stainless steel and polycarbonate body while the 60D has an aluminium and polycarbonate body. They aren't going to break apart from a knock, it would take a severe bang to break either and that hard would probably damage the interior anyway. In your situation, updating from a 400D I would go for the 650D. Had I not already got a 5D3, with the rear dial and top screen, I would of had the 650D rather than the 60D but I couldn't get used to having the 2 different body types.
 
Personally, I don't know if I could cope without the top screen. Not sure about you, but one way to see if you can work without it would be to put a piece of masking tape over on your current camera and go for a quick walkabout shoot - see if you find yourself hankering after it.
 
Hi Stuart, Excellent, that pretty much sums up my thoughts. Video is a bonus, definately not something that's real requirement so I don't care about the focusing (and anyway, that seems better than the 60D anyway).

I hadn't considered the "two types of body" annoyance till you mentioned it but yes, many years ago I had a 1000fn and a 100 and it did annoy me only one having the rear dial. Given I've not had a rear wheel for many years I think I'll stick the 650D idea. I won't miss it then :-)

Dan: I would if I had one, but using a 400D I've not had a top LCD for years so I'll not miss that :-)
 
Good choice Darren, I'm sure you'll enjoy using it as much as the wife enjoys hers. The rear touch screen can be disabled if you want and then it'll be very similar to your 400D but the screen is excellent, very responsive and is great for liveview. Just a touch anywhere on the screen and you'll see it AF to that point, even if it's not a normal AF point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top