(Probably done to death) 60D or 600D?

G

gshort

Active member
Hi all, I had a search around for a similar thread but didn't really see one. I'm thinking about a DSLR purchase, purely for video. I think Ill take probably under 100 photos a year so still image is almost irrelevant as the differences will be minimal.
I want to know why I would need to buy a 60D when the 600 seems to be exactly the same camera (for video purposes anyway). Obviously the 5D is full frame and I believe the 7D is environmentally sealed but between the 60 and the 600 seems to be very little if anything. I am on quite a tight camera budget so is the difference really worth it? Is it worth waiting for the *rumoured* Digic 5 powered 700D or whatever they may or may not announce in September?
I know I want to go DSLR, I'm just not sure which of the two.

Any suggestions or opinions? Is there a definitive answer to why I should go 60D?

Thanks in advance
 
60D is better built and has better ergonomics and some people are losing with ML now.

600D has the crop mode though which is handy, but strictly from an operating standpoint I enjoy the 60D over the rebel.
 
60D benefits: Better build quality, larger/heavier (pro or con depending on your preferences) dual control wheels for easier operation, Kelvin WB, LCD info screen on top, Magic Lantern firmware.

600D benefits: Smaller/lighter (pro or con depending on your preferences), cheaper, 3x crop mode.

If you personally don't see any advantages in the 60D, then you may as well save a few dollars and get the 600D. Quality glass is where you should be investing most of your money, and the difference between the 60D and 600D will put you well on your way to getting a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 to replace the kit lens.

There is no point waiting for a 'rumoured' 700D. A new Rebel comes out every 12 months so there is always a new one just around the corner. You're better off getting a camera now so you can start shooting and learning. If something much better comes out, well then you can sell your current camera and upgrade for a very minimal loss. Besides, I doubt they'll put a Digic V processor into a Rebel camera until the 5d, 7d & 1d lines have already recieved it.
 
I just went through this decision making process before buying an APS-C DSLR to complement our 5DIIs. I eventually went for the 600D body & did indeed put the money saved vs. the 60D into buying the Tamron 17-50 F/2.8 lens. As someone who has been shooting video on the 5DII for a couple of years I immediately felt at home with the 600D & am only now working through the manual discovering new features this has vs. the 5DII. The menus & controls all look very familiar while it is a little smaller it feels comfortable in the hand with all the controls easily accessible. With the Tamron lens the weight does feel more comparable with the 5DII. I have ordered a battery grip which will bulk it up a bit more. The build quality is fine. The 600D misses out on the top panel LCD, rear control dial, & Kelvin WB of the 60D but does have custom WB & gains the 3X crop mode which at the push of a button gives me an extra 50-150mm (80-210mm 35mm equivalent) F/2.8 lens for free. In round figures for the body only the 600D is about £600 ($975) while the 60D is about £800 ($1300). The £200 saved goes a long way towards the £345 price of the Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC.
 
The difference in price for the GH2 is too much for me after budgeting glass etc. So I have ruled that out (for now). The differences between the 60 and 600 seems so little that I cant really see a reason to spend the extra on the 60D. I work for a camera place here in London so I should be able to get it for an even better price and maybe pick up some nice glass as well. Definitely going to pick up the Tamron 17-50 as soon as I can and the Canon 50mm f1.8 for a first prime (and as its so cheap!). Then its probably Ebay all the way for new lenses!

Other than the Tamron that I hear so much about, are there any essential lenses that I should look out for?

Thanks for all the responses
 
I live in the UK aswell, and in a few places the Gh2 is cheaper than the 600d, and while not having as many native lenses, you can use pretty much any lens ever, albeit manually, which if you're getting into proper video work is pretty much mandatory, they tend to feel better for video work aswell; being better built and having real focus rings

http://www.mathersoflancashire.co.uk/html/gh-2.html (I bought mine from there, great service)

http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=3122&PT_ID=691
 
I have been shooting video with 5DIIs for a couple of years & a few months ago got myself a GH2. It is possible to shoot some lovely video with the camera but the ergonomics are just horrible. It feels like a tiny plastic toy in my hands after the 5DII. I just got myself a 600D & it is much more comfortable & familiar than the GH2. Using the 600D with the 5DII I won't have problems matching footage, I will get similar DOF, I will get the 3X crop. The main advantage now for the GH2 is the lack of moire but I can work round that. The other features of the camera like AF simply don't work as they should for a video camera. I will still keep the GH2 as it is a very handy pocket size but the 600D is a better tool for my work shooting events & I get to use my existing investment in lovely Canon lenses without waiting for the Birger adaptor to finally make it to market.
 
himynameisnathan said:
I live in the UK aswell, and in a few places the Gh2 is cheaper than the 600d, and while not having as many native lenses, you can use pretty much any lens ever, albeit manually, which if you're getting into proper video work is pretty much mandatory, they tend to feel better for video work aswell; being better built and having real focus rings

http://www.mathersoflancashire.co.uk/html/gh-2.html (I bought mine from there, great service)

http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=3122&PT_ID=691
Click to expand...

Cheers for the links but I work at a camera place and I can get the 600 for a lot cheaper than the GH2 which enables me to get some lenses and UV filters etc. Plus Im used to the Canons from a still image perspective as well. Ive come from an SD video background so Im not entirely new to video, just HD!
I think my mind is made up onj the 600D for now. Just working out a deal with my boss!
Thanks again for all the responses.
 
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