canon eos 600d review
Nidhi Doshi
Author
April 13, 2014
Specifications:
Sensor
22.3 x 14.9mm (APS-C) 18.0-million effective pixel CMOS sensor
Focal length conversion
Approx 1.6x
Memory
SD/SDHC/SDXC
Viewfinder
Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage with 0.85x magnification and approx. 19mm eye point
Video resolution
MOV format, 1920 x 1080 (at 29.97, 25, 23.976 fps), 1280 x 720 (at 59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (at 59.94, 50 fps). Mono sound
ISO range
ISO 100-6400, expandable to ISO 12,800
Autofocus
9 points (1 cross-type)
Max burst rate
3.7fps
LCD screen size
Three-inch articulated Clear View LCD, 1,040,000 dots (346,666 pixels)
Shutter speeds
1/4000-30sec, bulb
Weight
570g (including battery and memory card)
Dimensions
133.1 x 99.5 x 79.7mm
Power supply
LP-E8 (supplied)
Sensor
22.3 x 14.9mm (APS-C) 18.0-million effective pixel CMOS sensor
Focal length conversion
Approx 1.6x
Memory
SD/SDHC/SDXC
Viewfinder
Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage with 0.85x magnification and approx. 19mm eye point
Video resolution
MOV format, 1920 x 1080 (at 29.97, 25, 23.976 fps), 1280 x 720 (at 59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (at 59.94, 50 fps). Mono sound
ISO range
ISO 100-6400, expandable to ISO 12,800
Autofocus
9 points (1 cross-type)
Max burst rate
3.7fps
LCD screen size
Three-inch articulated Clear View LCD, 1,040,000 dots (346,666 pixels)
Shutter speeds
1/4000-30sec, bulb
Weight
570g (including battery and memory card)
Dimensions
133.1 x 99.5 x 79.7mm
Power supply
LP-E8 (supplied)
Overview:
Canon's triple-digit EOS line has traditionally made for those who are new into DSLR photography, but as successive models have acquired more functionality, they've ventured further into enthusiast territory.
The Canon 600D sits somewhere in between the two camps, with a small form and entry-level styling, many features are inherited from the enthusiast EOS 60D and EOS 550D.
The design of EOS 600D resembles a lot with 550D. From the front it simply looks like the newer model has bulked up a little, while on the top-plate the only changes are to the design and functionality of the mode dial, and the addition of the display button, whose former space on the rear is now taken by an Info button.
What I like is a raft of new features and up-to-date specs give the beginner buying this DSLR more room to grow than with, for example, the Canon EOS 1100D announced at the same time as the EOS 600D.
Features:
Despite a number of other changes, the EOS 600D carries over the same sensor/processor combination seen on the 550D.
The sensor still contains 18.7MP to give an effective total of 18MP of image, while the processing engine facilitates a burst rate of 3.7fps for up to 34 JPEG images, six raw images, or four simultaneous raw and JPEG captures.
It allows a sensitivity span of ISO 100-6400 with an extension to ISO 12,800, and noise reduction is also on hand for both long exposures and high sensitivities, the latter in three different strengths.
HD video functionality is largely unchanged from that of 550D, with Full HD recording (1920 x 1080) at 24, 25 and 30fps, and 720p recording at 50 and 60fps.
There's also a VGA(Video Graphics Array) option should you not require high-definition footage, and plenty of control on offer, from manual exposure control and the provision of Picture Styles, to adjustment of audio levels and application of a wind cut filter.
There is, however, the new addition of a Movie Snapshot mode, which captures movies in two-, four- or eight-second bursts, before stitching the separate files together into a single sequence.
Canon's triple-digit EOS line has traditionally made for those who are new into DSLR photography, but as successive models have acquired more functionality, they've ventured further into enthusiast territory.
The Canon 600D sits somewhere in between the two camps, with a small form and entry-level styling, many features are inherited from the enthusiast EOS 60D and EOS 550D.
The design of EOS 600D resembles a lot with 550D. From the front it simply looks like the newer model has bulked up a little, while on the top-plate the only changes are to the design and functionality of the mode dial, and the addition of the display button, whose former space on the rear is now taken by an Info button.
What I like is a raft of new features and up-to-date specs give the beginner buying this DSLR more room to grow than with, for example, the Canon EOS 1100D announced at the same time as the EOS 600D.
Features:
Despite a number of other changes, the EOS 600D carries over the same sensor/processor combination seen on the 550D.
The sensor still contains 18.7MP to give an effective total of 18MP of image, while the processing engine facilitates a burst rate of 3.7fps for up to 34 JPEG images, six raw images, or four simultaneous raw and JPEG captures.
It allows a sensitivity span of ISO 100-6400 with an extension to ISO 12,800, and noise reduction is also on hand for both long exposures and high sensitivities, the latter in three different strengths.
HD video functionality is largely unchanged from that of 550D, with Full HD recording (1920 x 1080) at 24, 25 and 30fps, and 720p recording at 50 and 60fps.
There's also a VGA(Video Graphics Array) option should you not require high-definition footage, and plenty of control on offer, from manual exposure control and the provision of Picture Styles, to adjustment of audio levels and application of a wind cut filter.
There is, however, the new addition of a Movie Snapshot mode, which captures movies in two-, four- or eight-second bursts, before stitching the separate files together into a single sequence.
Picture Styles comprise Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful and Monochrome modes, as well as a new Auto mode, which lets the camera decide on the best parameters for the scene being shot, and three user-definable options.
In contrast to previous EOS models, the 600D shows its fun side by adding the EOS 60D 's Creative Filters, which allow processing effects to be applied to images post-capture.
Another significant addition is the Wireless Flash option, which allows the camera's pop-up flash to be used as the master for other Speedlite flashguns. While the subject of flash can be mysterious to beginners, Canon has gone to the trouble of including an EasyWireless flash mode to help simplify flash for new users, and has broken everything down step-by-step in the accompanying user manual.
Next to the focusing modules found in competing models, the 600D's wide-area nine-point AF system may seem a little lacking, but the system cover a healthy portion of the frame while the centrally placed cross-type point promises an increase in speed and accuracy over the eight around it.
In good light, none of the nine points has any problems picking out the subject, and when all points are activated the camera does well to quickly bring subjects into focus.
In lower light, however, the better performance of the central point is appreciated, with it picking up low-contrast subjects reasonably well, while the other eight often run the lens through its entire focusing range, before pausing for a brief moment and fine tuning focus.
The three-inch LCD screen boasts the same 1,440,000-dot resolution as the Canon 60D, and is primed with three anti-reflection and fluorine anti-smudge coatings. The level of detail it resolves is excellent, and both its default contrast and brightness is spot on, too.
Although the 600D's focusing speed is generally good, the meagre burst rate and slow down upon processing mean that it's perhaps not the ideal camera for action photography. It's also probably not ideal for larger handed users, but otherwise there's little to complain about.
The various changes bestowed upon the 600D perhaps make a little more sense here than they do in the enthusiast EOS 60D, and what results is a model that provides plenty of growing space for beginners but enough to keep the more adventurous happy from the off.
What I disliked is the Canon 600D burst mode averaged 19 high-quality JPEGs before slowing down, and about six Raw frames at a continuous speed. Also, only around six or seven Raw and JPEG captures may be taken at a much slower rate of around one per second before the camera prohibits images from being shot without needing a few seconds in between exposures.
Overall, the Canon EOS 600D is a well specified camera that's ideal for those wanting to get creative and elevate their photography to the next level.
In contrast to previous EOS models, the 600D shows its fun side by adding the EOS 60D 's Creative Filters, which allow processing effects to be applied to images post-capture.
Another significant addition is the Wireless Flash option, which allows the camera's pop-up flash to be used as the master for other Speedlite flashguns. While the subject of flash can be mysterious to beginners, Canon has gone to the trouble of including an EasyWireless flash mode to help simplify flash for new users, and has broken everything down step-by-step in the accompanying user manual.
Next to the focusing modules found in competing models, the 600D's wide-area nine-point AF system may seem a little lacking, but the system cover a healthy portion of the frame while the centrally placed cross-type point promises an increase in speed and accuracy over the eight around it.
In good light, none of the nine points has any problems picking out the subject, and when all points are activated the camera does well to quickly bring subjects into focus.
In lower light, however, the better performance of the central point is appreciated, with it picking up low-contrast subjects reasonably well, while the other eight often run the lens through its entire focusing range, before pausing for a brief moment and fine tuning focus.
The three-inch LCD screen boasts the same 1,440,000-dot resolution as the Canon 60D, and is primed with three anti-reflection and fluorine anti-smudge coatings. The level of detail it resolves is excellent, and both its default contrast and brightness is spot on, too.
Although the 600D's focusing speed is generally good, the meagre burst rate and slow down upon processing mean that it's perhaps not the ideal camera for action photography. It's also probably not ideal for larger handed users, but otherwise there's little to complain about.
The various changes bestowed upon the 600D perhaps make a little more sense here than they do in the enthusiast EOS 60D, and what results is a model that provides plenty of growing space for beginners but enough to keep the more adventurous happy from the off.
What I disliked is the Canon 600D burst mode averaged 19 high-quality JPEGs before slowing down, and about six Raw frames at a continuous speed. Also, only around six or seven Raw and JPEG captures may be taken at a much slower rate of around one per second before the camera prohibits images from being shot without needing a few seconds in between exposures.
Overall, the Canon EOS 600D is a well specified camera that's ideal for those wanting to get creative and elevate their photography to the next level.