Thanks all for the reviews. I've decided to risk the purchase of a Canon 60D. I'll let you know how it goes.
OK, I bought a 60D from HDEW and I wanted to leave a quick review of the experience:
- Response to email queries was very quick
- As they told me before buying it, the 60D is a grey import from the US (I don't mind)
- Price was very good: £729 including a free 3 year extended warranty
- Instead of the normal Canon warranty card you get an "XTEND Cover" card, and allows you to get the camera fixed on any repair shop in the world, subject to pre-approval of the estimated quote
- Online card payment was done securely through SAGEPAY
- Delivery was very quick via TNT
In summary, a very good and smooth experience. No complaints at all.
Now a quick review of the camera: in the few days I played around with the 60D I found it great, and a worthy replacement to my 50D, so I am a happy bunny...
The choice between the more expensive 7D and the 60D was not easy. In the end I decided that the advantages of the 7D, partially offset by the 60D flip screen, did not justify the price difference (personal view).
The 60D feels very good in the hand, it's very well balanced, even when combined with my trusty 24-105mm L IS USM lens that is not light.
The image quality and clarity of the flip screen is fantastic, and this feature is a joy for taking pictures from low angles and to aim from above your head, and provides great screen protection when the camera is not in use. If you fit a 1/2mm hardened glass screen protector the flip screen it can't be stowed backwards, so you can only use the much thinner sticky films, but you probably don't need as good protection as an exposed screen.
The new aluminium/policarbonate body feels much more solid than the lighter and plasticky steel/fibreglass body on xxD and xxxxD EOS cameras, and is not very different in weight and feel to the magnesium alloy on the 50D, although probably not as resistant to bumps...
The classic joystick multi controller / clickwheel featured on the back of the xD's and xxD'xs is gone, and both were replaced by a single controller that combines the click wheel with a concentric 8-direction controller. This made space to relocate most of the rear buttons to the right of the TFT screen, so you can pretty much contol everything with the right hand, leaving your left hand free for lens operation, scratching your head, hang from a post or whaterver other use you can think of.
The mode selector (top left) now has a safety button, that is a bit of a pain if you need to change modes quickly, but solves the problem of self change of modes when taking the camera off the bag (happened all the time with my 50D).
The 60D supports the Canon wireless shutter releases so you no longer need to carry the bulky wired 2-piece RF remote releases that fit to the hotshoe or dangle from the camera!
HD video is brilliant although, as with most DSLRs that do video, the auto focusing is a bit quirky when using your normal lenses.
Overall, I think it's a good replacement for the 50D, the only thing missing is the focus micro adjustment, something that from my point of view doesn't really matter.
Hopes this helps
:t: