In designing the much-anticipated EOS 60D, Canon decided against a simple upgrade of the previous model, the

The Canon EOS 60D sits between the Canon EOS 50D and the Canon EOS 7D in Canon's mid-range digital SLR offerings, and it's a mighty beast to shoot with. It's fast, it has a vari-angle LCD screen, it can shoot high-definition video, and it has useful built-in image processing.

Fast burst mode; excellent high ISO performance; hinged LCD screen; Full HD video recording

Its buttons could be better; the 8-way control button feels terrible and doesn't always respond properly

Although not particularly innovative – mostly borrowing features from other EOS models – the EOS 60D nicely fits the market section between beginner and semi-pro DSLR models. With virtually the same image quality of the EOS 7D plus a swivel LCD screen, the Canon EOS 60D is an accomplished DLSR that...

The 60D is ideal for anyone looking for a video-enabled SLR who wasn't familiar with the 50D or earlier line of cameras. But if you were looking for an upgrade you might be left wondering what Canon did to your faithful product line and why this camera feels a bit like a souped-up 550D, or a...

Excellent LCD screen in terms of resolution and shooting flexibility; High ISO performance is impressive; Very good picture quality without needing to alter the default values; Creative filters are fun; but probably better suited to an entry-level model

Body no longer made of magnesium alloy; Some design quirks that affect usability; Slow AF in Live View

Now is the time to see the Canon EOS 60D in action and assess its strengths and weaknesses. Let's start from what, in our view, is the main shortcoming in this model. We are talking about the Auto focus Live View is used when you cannot reach the freezing point in a short time, and this could lose...

Image quality; Handling; definition of the display

Slow AF Live View mode; Post-production impractical

The successor to the EOS 50D brings higher resolution, a handy swiveling LCD, and surprising performance even at high ISO speeds.

Excellent color accuracy; You can actually shoot at 12,800 ISO; Vari-angle LCD a real plus; Superior battery life

Still not a fan of DSLR HD video; focusing is a hassle, "Warm" indoor images with Auto White Balance, Puzzling Multi-control dial

The 60D is probably best understood as a 'super Rebel.' It's a more comfortable, more flexible, and faster-to-use version of Canon's justly popular entry-level DSLRs. The twin dial controls, better grip, and bigger viewfinder will delight stills shooters while the articulated screen and movie...

Excellent image quality up to ISO settings unthinkable just one camera generation ago; Extremely high detail and resolution at base ISO; good per-pixel sharpness; Very good low-light performance; with low noise levels and good retention of detail; Good ergonomics; well shaped and comfortable hand...

Slow AF in Live Mode reduces benefit of articulated screen for stills shooting; White balance often excessively orange under artificial light; Slight tendency to overexpose in contrasty conditions; Post-processing options oddly arranged (and don't provide access to the Ambience options; Plastic...

The Canon 60D has some smart features and handling is good overall, but getting the best results can take more effort than it should. Be prepared to interact with exposure compensation and auto lighting optimization settings fairly frequently.

The Canon EOS 60D is an excellent mid-range camera, sitting in between the Canon EOS 550D and the EOS 7D. If you're looking to step up from an entry-level DSLR, it's well worth a look.

The Canon EOS 60D delivers absolutely stunning quality when it comes to photographs; and it's good enough to please both amateurs and semi-professionals alike; Along with delivering nearly 18 megapixels; the EOS 60D features HD video recording; letting you create your own movies on the go.

Where the Canon EOS 50D – the 60D's ancestor – features a magnesium casing, the EOS 60D is constructed from plastic; It's still tough enough for daily use, but it's a shame that quality has been cut slightly

Canon makes two expert SLRs: the EOS 7D is a high-end model aimed at pros, while the Canon EOS 60D we're reviewing today is a more lightweight and slightly scaled-down model.

High-quality build; well-defined swivel screen; Good picture quality in video mode; General responsiveness: start-up; saving shots; autofocus; Handles ISO sensitivity well; Excellent handling

Autofocus not reliable enough via optical viewfinder; Autofocus slow with on-screen viewfinder; Some nice design features lost (mini thumbstick; on/off button moved etc.