Canon 60D vs T3i vs 7D

Canon DSLR Cameras

Canon has three fantastic mid-range digital SLR cameras. The newest release of the Canon Rebel T3i (aka 600D) has already proven to be a winner. However, the 60D continues to be quite a stir in the camera review trenches.

Here's the issue with the lower end of Canon DSLR cameras. The Canon 60D is not a typical upgrade of the 50D. It is apparent that Canon is "gunning" for a very specific target market. That market is between the Canon Rebel T3i and the Canon 7D. Both of these cameras are extremely popular among consumers. If Canon were to simply upgrade the 50D, it would be in almost direct conflict with the 7D.

They could not afford that, simply because the 7D is a huge part of their market right now. They hit a home run with the "pro-sumer" Canon 7D.

They chose instead to take some of the features from the T2i, some from the 7D, and a couple that are actually new, to create a seemingly new model with a not-so-new name.

Below you will see a side-by-side comparison of the three cameras with their positive benefits highlighted.

But first, who will want to purchase a Canon 60D? Well, first, who will NOT want to purchase one? Those who already own the Canon 40D or 50D may not be interested because those cameras have not been improved upon tremendously. In fact, the body of the older cameras is of better material, being constructed of a magnesium alloy. The new 60D is made of a high grade plastic.

Canon 50D owners may be a bit disappointed that the 60D is kind of a hybrid of the T3i and the 7D rather than a true upgrade. That being said, they may consider upgrading to a 60D simply for the video which has the same excellent quality as the 7D, plus it has more control of audio input.

If you are a new consumer entering the digital SLR market, you are the perfect candidate for the new Canon 60D or the Rebel T3i. They really are awesome cameras as you may be able to see from the specs below. Canon has done very well in the past few years with the technology they included. They have been listening to their consumers and producing what "we" want. Not bad at all.

Price is a major consideration, as always. The T3i is at the lowest price point - $899 for camera with kit lens. Then, at just over $1100 for the camera and the 18-135mm kit lens, the 60D is perfectly placed in between the T3i and the 7D. The 7D is at the top of the heap in features and price with a list price of about $1800 which includes a Canon 28-135mm kit lens.

Canon DSLR Cameras - Comparison Chart
Canon 60D	Canon T3i	Canon 7D
Construction: Polycarbonate resin with glass fibre on aluminum chassis	Construction: Stainless Steel and polycarbonate resin with glass fiber	Construction: Magnesium Alloy Body
18 MP Sensor	18 MP Sensor	18 MP Sensor
DIGIC 4 Processor	DIGIC 4 Processor	Dual DIGIC 4 Processors
Viewfinder Type - Pentaprism	Viewfinder Type - Pentamirror	Viewfinder Type - Pentaprism
Viewfinder Coverage 96%	Viewfinder Coverage 95%	Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Video: • 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps) • 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps) • 640 x 480 (59.94, 50 fps)	Video: • 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps) • 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps) • 640 x 480 (59.94, 50 fps)	Video: • 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps) • 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps) • 640 x 480 (59.94, 50 fps)
LCD • 3.0 " TFT LCD • 1040,000 dots (3:2) • Articulating Screen	LCD • 3.0 " TFT LCD • 1040,000 dots (3:2) • Articulating Screen	LCD • 3.0 " TFT LCD • 920,000 dots (4:3)
Sync Speed - 1/250 sec	Sync Speed - 1/200 sec	Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
Wireless Flash - Yes	Wireless Flash - Yes	Wireless Flash - Yes
Continuous Shooting • Approx. 5.3 fps • Up to 58 JPEGs, 16 images (RAW)	Continuous Shooting • Approx. 3.7 fps • Up to 34 Large/Fine JPEG / 6 RAW frames	Continuous Shooting • Approx. 8 fps • Up to 126 JPEGs (with UDMA card), 15 images (RAW)
Feature Guide - No	Feature Guide - Yes	Feature Guide - No
Dimensions 145 x 106 x 79 mm (5.7 x 4.2 x 3.1 in)	Dimensions 129 x 98 x 75 mm (5.1 x 3.9 x 2.9 in)	Dimensions 148 x 111 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.3 x 2.8 in)
Weight 755 g (1.6 lb)	Weight 530 g (1.17 lb)	Weight 904 g (2.0 lb)

What are the benefits of the Canon 60D vs the "other" 3 top Canon contenders?

Canon 60D vs Canon 50D

Pros:

• Video
• Upgraded sensor from 15mp to 18mp (this is the same sensor as the T2i and 7D have)
• Articulating LCD screen with improved resolution
• 63-zone dual metering
• Horizontal electronic level (great benefit for those of us who can't seem to stand up straight)
• Wireless flash control
• Improved control over auto-ISO

Cons

• Polycarbonate body (downgraded from the magnesium alloy)
• 5.3fps (6.3fps in the 50D) continuous shooting rate
• No microadjusment lens control

Canon 60D vs Canon T3i

Pros

• 5.3fps vs 3.7fps in the T2i
• Horizontal electronic level (great benefit for those of us who can't seem to stand up straight)
• Added auto-focus control with 9 cross-type AF points (only one in the T3i)
• Bigger, brighter viewfinder at 0.96x vs 0.85x

Canon 60D vs Canon 7D

Pros

• Articulating LCD screen
• Improved audio control in video mode
• Improved control over auto-ISO

Cons

• One DIGIC 4 processor vs Dual DIGIC 4 processors in the 7D
• Polycarbonate body vs magnesium alloy body of the 7D
• 5.3fps vs 8fps continuous shooting rate
• No microadjusment lens control in the 60D
• 7D has a better viewfinder with 1.0x magnification
• Electronic level is horizontal only vs horizontal AND verticle on the 7D
• 9 all cross-type AF points vs 7D's 19 all cross-type points

Bottom Line:

As already mentioned, price is always a consideration. Any one of these three Canon DSLR cameras is a worthy contender with regard to image quality. Also know that the Canon 60D is worth every penny you will pay for it in spite of any "controversy" regarding upgrades. It is perfectly priced in the DSLR market. However, if you are a current 50D owner, you might want to upgrade to the 7D instead or wait for the 70D (if things continue at the current pace you won't have to wait too long).