I can't afford the 60d, what are my options in the xxx range?

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fabphoto

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Fabien
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I wanted to get the 60d as my first dslr camera. From the reviews i think it s a good camera for beginner who wish to experiment and progress with their photography (I am not a total beginner, I used to have a film slr)
Unfortunately I keep delaying buying it cause I can't afford it yet.
I now feel that I need to look at something cheaper in the xxxD range but I fear that I will feel limited too soon in my photography, and need to upgrade.
 
As above. Now the 70D is out I would have thought 60Ds would start getting cheaper. I got mine used from a fellow camera club member and have never regretted it.
 
Used 500d or better and save a bit for glass. I use a 650d and the only thing I miss from the 60d is the bigger grip. 60d isn't as well built as the previous xxD's AFAIK so you're not missing much.
 
Having gone from a 60D to a 650D as my back up camera I can tell you you won't be disappointed if you are just starting out.
It has the usual shutter and aperture modes, as well as manual (as almost every DSLR does). This is enough to get started with and the IQ is very good for a camera that's a couple of years old (newer than the 60D).
The ergonomics aren't as good, less buttons on the body, but it has a nice touch screen and a few other features the 60D doesn't have.
Of course it's a cut down camera but if money is tight you aren't going to be disappointed.
As others have said it's the glass that will make the most difference, and that's when it can start getting expensive.
 
Go 2nd hand, for the ergonomics the xxd cameras are so much better to use, I'd rather use a 40d than a 700d any day of the week.
 
you could look at pentax and sony too unless u got a pile of canon gear, they can be good value
 
Phil V said:
Go 2nd hand, for the ergonomics the xxd cameras are so much better to use, I'd rather use a 40d than a 700d any day of the week.
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Couldn't agree more. The 40D would be my choice every day of the week. That's what I started off with and absolutely loved it.

They are so solidly built as well - hold it in your hand next to an xxxd model and it's like comparing a tank to a Nissan Micra.

For about 100-150 quid used they are outstanding value.
 
minnnt said:
Nissan Micra's are pretty good though......................
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What I dislike about the xxd models: the lack of buttons for basic functions, once you've had a rear dial, there's no living without one.

To use the car analogy: it's like having to go into the glovebox to adjust the drivers mirror, which isn't easy from the drivers seat, and you might want to do frequently to get into a tight parking spot.
 
You can get the 600D also known as the T3i. Maybe with a kit lens. Also don't forget to buy on holidays or sales.
 
Phil V said:
What I dislike about the xxd models: the lack of buttons for basic functions, once you've had a rear dial, there's no living without one.

To use the car analogy: it's like having to go into the glovebox to adjust the drivers mirror, which isn't easy from the drivers seat, and you might want to do frequently to get into a tight parking spot.
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Whilst I have grown to like the dial on the back of my 70d, I can't say I really missed it since I never knew what it was like but also, the touchscreen works nicely for navigation of menus (I started with a 650d)
 
Phal said:
Whilst I have grown to like the dial on the back of my 70d, I can't say I really missed it since I never knew what it was like but also, the touchscreen works nicely for navigation of menus (I started with a 650d)
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But to navigate menus with a touchscreen you have to take the camera from your eye. I have a great big wtf to the notion of looking through menus when I'm supposed to be shooting.
 
While ergonomics are definitely better on the xxd series I find most people that complain about the xxxd range have used better and find the lower end cameras lacking what they are used to.
IMO if starting with a xxxd there is no issue with usability, you get used to it very quickly.
 
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Phil V said:
But to navigate menus with a touchscreen you have to take the camera from your eye. I have a great big wtf to the notion of looking through menus when I'm supposed to be shooting.
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Yeah I guess it doesn't quite work for that lol. I never really bothered customising buttons for my 650d or even checking to see if I could so I can't really say if any reasonable level of blind setting changes can be achieved. Performance wise it's definitely not far behind the 60d but if you're used to certain features then it could be annoying.
 
Phil V said:
Go 2nd hand, for the ergonomics the xxd cameras are so much better to use, I'd rather use a 40d than a 700d any day of the week.
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that - you can get a low activations 50D for under 300 quid
 
Phal said:
Yeah I guess it doesn't quite work for that lol. I never really bothered customising buttons for my 650d or even checking to see if I could so I can't really say if any reasonable level of blind setting changes can be achieved. Performance wise it's definitely not far behind the 60d but if you're used to certain features then it could be annoying.
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As long as you know where the buttons are, and understand or remember this the basics are all there without restoring to the LCD.
I don't think there are many cameras that show that much in the VF, and using the My Menu setting, along with the Q button means you don't need to hunt through menus, and after you've used a camera for a short while you get to know where things are.
 
You could buy discounted cameras online. I used to pay Giift card or amazon prime and I got a 30% discount. That's a good deal for my first DSLR.
 
My advice is to go and have a 'feel' of some cameras and see how they are to you. I have a 550D and well happy with it.
 
The 550D certainly punches above it's weight, I've had mine since march 2011 and it was the gateway to DSLR photography for me, however I do want a bigger body as they feel so much better in the hand. Like 7D or 70D. When I decide to get my next camera it will probably be a 70D or something along those lines (7D mk ll) if it ever comes out.
 
40D.
http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...ed-canon-digital-slr-cameras/canon-eos-40d-16

my first DSLR was a 60D and it was great, but later on i got a 40D as a back up (after i'd sold the 60D and got a 1D) and it was also great.
compared to the 60D, the 40D had a magnesium weather sealed body compared to the 60D's plastic one, the 40D also has a faster fps too.
You can pick an excellent condition one up (check the link) fvrom a shop with warranty for under £200, or get one off the forum even cheaper!
 
dave_bass5 said:
Can I ask why?
I only ask as the current sensors have been improved over the lat few years, and as good as the older cameras are I wonder why you wouldn't bother.
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The evolution of Canon crop sensors was minimal over the years... The controls, speed and size of xxxD are simply far inferior to xxD models. Brand new xxxD must be a pretty bad investment to make considering quick depreciation too.
 
daugirdas said:
The evolution of Canon crop sensors was minimal over the years... The controls, speed and size of xxxD are simply far inferior to xxD models. Brand new xxxD must be a pretty bad investment to make considering quick depreciation too.
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Ok, I don't agree but we are all entitled to our opinion.
 
You're all absolutely right (and potentially wrong).

A lot of the ergonomic considerations are as much to do with subject and personal preference.

If your main interest is landscapes, and your camera spends most of it's time on a tripod, then using the camera controls away from the eye may be more useful. Where as for wildlife, sport c street photography etc changing settings with camera to eye is more important.

Likewise with the body material, I'm not convinced that polycarbonate is a lesser option for everyday use either. To be honest the little bit of "give?" In the polycarbonate bodies of my old 400D and 60D make them feel less vulnerable to knocks than my very solid 5D3. The paint doesn't rub off the poly bodies either.

To what extent the quality of the sensor outweighs the ergonomics will always be a very personal thing.

To the OP I would say have a look at the internet for the technical appraisals of the technical bits, and go and hold and play with a few models to see what you like.
 
daugirdas said:
The evolution of Canon crop sensors was minimal over the years... The controls, speed and size of xxxD are simply far inferior to xxD models. Brand new xxxD must be a pretty bad investment to make considering quick depreciation too.
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The image qualty out of a 650D or 700D is a remarkable improvement over the 40D. There has been some advances in that area - when did you last shoot with a crop sensor and the xxxD range?
 
40D is quite heavy to cart around and is very much old tech compared to a 550D. Ok, it has a wheel at the back but that doesnt mean you will take better pictues!

Have a look at what suits you. Be it an XXD or XXXD etc. Have a play with them and then decide.
 
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