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Canon's EOS D60 digital camera. Copyright © 2002, The Imaging Resource.  All rights reserved. Canon announces update to the EOS D30!
By Dave Etchells, The Imaging Resource
(Friday, February 22, 2002 - 10:01 EST)

EOS D60 doubles the resolution, incorporates numerous other updates...

Canon Inc. has today announced a new single lens reflex digital camera based on its existing (and extremely well-received) EOS D30 model. With that camera now officially retired, the EOS D60 takes the reins as Canon's entry into the increasingly competitive market for (comparitively) low-cost SLR cameras for use by enthusiasts or pros who don't need a bullet-proof camera or blazingly fast shutter speeds - features required by photojournalists and the like which come at a hefty price premium.

Perhaps the most obvious update in the EOS D60 is the use of a newly-developed 6.52 megapixel CMOS imager, in place of the previous model's 3.25 megapixel CMOS chip. The chip remains identical in size to the previous one, though - so the 1.6x focal length multiplier remains the same. Along with the doubling in resolution, there are a number of other changes lurking inside a body that looks almost indentical to the previous model. Following is a brief summary of the changes:
  • New 6.52 megapixel CMOS imager (3072 x 2048 pixel image size, 7.4 micron square pixels)
  • Viewfinder now displays frames remaining in a burst, shots remaining on CF card (if 8 or less), and whether flash exposure compensation is in use
  • New Laser Matte focusing screen with improved contrast for manual focusing
  • Top LCD display panel is now backlit
  • New LCD display has improved visibility and shadow detail (but slightly lower resolution, 114,000 pixels vs. 127,000 pixels)
  • Red superimposed illumination in viewfinder to show active focusing point (can be disabled)
  • 1.5 stops greater low light autofocusing sensitivity
  • New algorithm to decide when to use focus assist light
  • Maximum ISO rating of 1000 (was 1600)
  • Evaluative metering algorithm improved
  • Now available in two bundles - camera body only, or camera body, battery, charger and AC adapter
  • New Custom Function C.Fn 15 prevents shutter release without a CompactFlash card in the camera
  • New long-exposure noise reduction method (and hence C.Fn 1, which disabled the old noise reduction, has been removed)
  • .CRW CCD-RAW file format has been changed somewhat
  • New secondary buffer memory allows faster bursts for longer than before
  • Same size, but slightly heavier than the previous model
  • Multiple parameter settings can be uploaded from a host computer to allow quick customisation
  • Rubber covers for PC socket and remote socket now attached to camera body so they can't be lost
  • 'Digital' logo on front of camera
Pricing and availability information for the Canon EOS D60 have not yet been announced, but we'd expect pricing to be competitive based on Canon's past products. Full specifications for the camera are in our database for comparison with other products, and highlights follow:

Specification Highlights - full specifications here
Canon EOS D60
Canon's EOS D60 digital camera. Copyright © 2002, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Imaging Sensor
Resolution: Approx. 6.52 million total pixels (approximately 6.3 million effective pixels)
Recording pixels: 3072 x 2048
Sensor type: CMOS sensor, with primary RGB filtration
Sensor size: 22.7mm x 15.1mm; diagonal 27.3mm (same as EOS D30)
Lens focal length factor: Approx. 1.6x
Pixel size: 7.4 microns square
Performance
Maximum frames per second: max 3 fps (at full resolution)
Maximum number of frames in a burst: 8 (New: viewfinder display shows frames remaining in a burst)
Shutter speeds: 30 seconds ~ 1/4,000, plus Bulb (choice of 1/2- or 1/3-stop increments)
Flash sync speed: Up to 1/200, with built-in flash and EX-series Speedlites
Shutter "lag" time: Approx. 100ms, from half-way point of shutter button's travel to fully depressed
Mirror "black-out" time: Approx. 300ms, at 1/60 and faster shutter speeds
Computer interface: USB v. 1.1
Image Recording
Storage media: CompactFlash cards, Type I and Type II (including Microdrives); single card slot
Image format options:
  • RAW (.CRW-based RAW file, similar to EOS D30)
  • JPEG (two levels: "Fine" and "Normal")
Simultaneous RAW + JPEG recording: RAW file incorporates 2.8 million pixel JPEG file; can be extracted with D60 driver software
Reduced resolution options: "Middle" resolution (2048 x 1360 pixels; approx. 2.8 million pixel file)
"Small" resolution (1536 x 1024 pixels; approx. 1.6 million pixel file)
Data recording format: DCF (Design rule for Camera File system); EXIF 2.2 compliant
User-set image Parameters: Contrast, Sharpness, Color Saturation, and Color Tone can be adjusted in 3 steps by user
Folders: Created automatically on CF card by camera within "DCIM" folder; cannot be user-set
Sound recording: none
Image Playback
LCD Monitor: 1.8-inch (diagonal) TFT color; approx. 100% coverage; approx. 114,000 pixels (improved visibility and shadow detail vs. D30)
Image playback: Automatic after image is taken, or by pressing "Display" button on rear of body
Playback options:
  • Single image with information and histogram
  • Single image
  • 9 images at a time
  • Magnified view of single image
Moving from shot to shot: Turn Quick Control Dial
Information displayed: 15 items on LCD monitor, including Histogram, when in "Single (Info)" playback mode
Highlight alert: Possible (flashes over-exposed areas on and off to warn of error)
Menu structure: 23 Menu items (grouped as Shooting items, Playback items, and Set-up items)
Autofocus
Number of AF points: 3 (similar to EOS D30)
AF point illumination: Red superimposed illumination (similar to EOS-1D); cancellable with C.Fn 14-1
Focus modes: One-Shot AF (for stationary subjects) and AI Servo AF (for tracking moving subjects)
Focusing speed and performance: Same as EOS D30
Methods of selecting AF point:
  • Manual AF point selection
  • Automatic AF point selection
(Eye-controlled AF point selection not possible)
AF working range: EV 0.5 ~ 18 (1.5 stops greater low-light AF sensitivity than D30)
White Balance
Modes available:
  • Auto
  • User-set (Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash)
  • Custom (reading off gray card, or neutral white object)
Exposure Control
ISO sensitivity: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000
Exposure modes: Program AE, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority, Manual, Depth-of-field AE, Bulb
Metering: 35-zone metering sensor (similar to EOS D30)
  • 35-zone Evaluative metering (improved algorithm vs. D30)
  • Center-weighted metering
  • Partial metering (central five metering zones; approx. 9.5% of picture area)
Exposure compensation: Possible in any Auto exposure mode, by turning rear Quick Control Dial; +/- up to 2 stops
Automatic Bracketing: Possible in any mode, including Manual; 3 shots at up to +/- 2 stops exposure variation
  • Conventional bracketing of shutter speed and/or aperture (depends upon exposure mode)
Flash
Compatible flashes:
  • Canon EX-series Speedlites (Manual flash only with 540EZ, 430EZ, and 420EZ flashes)
  • Non-dedicated, third-party shoe-mount flashes
  • Studio strobes, via PC socket on camera body
E-TTL flash metering: 35-zone Evaluative flash metering, Through The Lens, with any EX-series Speedlite
Flash Exposure Lock: 9.5% Partial reading of flash with any EX-series Speedlite (via AEL button on D60 body)
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- up to 2 stops; can be set on EOS D60 body, or on certain EX-series Speedlites (New: viewfinder icon indicates flash exposure compensation in effect)
Ambient exposure +/- w/ flash: Possible by turning Quick Control Dial; does not affect E-TTL flash output
Flash Exposure Bracketing: Possible with Speedlite 550EX, Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX, and Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX
Flash Metered Manual: Not possible
Hi-speed flash sync: Possible with EX-series Speedlites to 1/4,000; normal x-sync speed is 1/200
Wireless E-TTL flash: Fully compatible; ratio control (A:B or A:B:C) possible over six-stop range
  • Compatible "Master" units: 550EX, MR-14EX, MT-24EX; ST-E2 Transmitter (A:B only)
  • Compatible "Slave" units: 550EX, 420EX
PC socket: Threaded socket on camera body for studio strobes
The Viewfinder
Viewfinder: 95% coverage (magnification 0.88x, with 50mm lens at infinity, -1 diopter)
Viewfinder display: Similar to EOS D30, with added new information:
  • Digital display of frames remaining in a burst
  • Shots remaining on CF card (displayed when capacity limited to 8 or fewer images)
  • Flash Exposure Compensation icon
Focusing screens: New Laser Matte screen; non-interchangeable (New: improved manual focus contrast)
Diopter: Adjustable diopter (range -3.0 ~ +1.0); Dioptric Lens E can be added to extend range
Eyepiece blind: none
The Camera Body
Chassis material: Glass-fiber reinforced polycarbonate and Stainless Steel (similar to EOS D30)
Outer body material: Polycarbonate resin
Operating temperature range: Guaranteed 32*F ~ 104*F (0*C ~ 40*C); according to tests performed by Canon, Inc.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 5.9 x 4.2 x 3.0 inches (149.5 x 106.5 x 75mm)
(world�s smallest 6-million pixel digital SLR with interchangeable lenses)
Weight (without battery or CF card): 27.5 oz. (780g)
Power Supply
Battery: Rechargeable Canon BP-511 (Lithium Ion; same battery as EOS D30)
Battery supplied with camera (in USA): Body only�no battery included; D60 "Kit"�includes battery, charger, & AC adapter
Battery capacity:
  • 620 shots, without built-in flash, at 68*F (20*C)
  • 400 shots, with 50% taken with built-in flash (same temperature)
Expanded Battery capacity: Optional Battery Grip BG-ED3 accepts two BP-511 batteries (same accessory battery grip as used on EOS D30)
Battery check: Full-time, 3-stage display on top LCD panel (appears whenever camera is ON)
Recharging battery: Compact Power Adapter CA-PS400 (supplied with camera) charges up to two batteries
Recharging time: Approx. 90 minutes for fully exhausted BP-511 battery pack
AC power option: DC Coupler DR-4 (supplied with EOS D60 camera kit, not body only)
  • Voltage range 100v ~ 240v
  • Consists of "dummy" battery with cord, which plugs into charger unit
Customization
Custom Functions: 14 Custom Functions built into camera; user-selectable via Menu on rear LCD panel (similar to EOS D30)
  • New: C.Fn 14�turn off illumination of AF points in viewfinder
  • New: C.Fn 15�shutter release impossible without CF card in camera
  • Custom Function 1 eliminated (long exposure noise reduction built into CMOS sensor)
Note: All specifications are preliminary and subject to change without notice. All information and specifications based on Canon, Inc.'s standard test methods, and are current as of December, 2001.
More Photos
Canon's EOS D60 digital camera. Copyright © 2002, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Canon's EOS D60 digital camera. Copyright © 2002, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Canon's EOS D60 digital camera. Copyright © 2002, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Canon's EOS D60 digital camera. Copyright © 2002, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Canon's EOS D60 digital camera. Copyright © 2002, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Canon's EOS D60 digital camera. Copyright © 2002, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Canon's EOS D60 digital camera. Copyright © 2002, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Canon's EOS D60 digital camera. Courtesy of Canon Inc., with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 


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