Canon's D60 Digital Cameras

Nick Muskovac, PPSA Palm Harbor, FL wrote veryIn my opinion, the D60 camera's most valuable
interesting article about Canon`s D60 digitalspecification and feature is, that it will take all of
camera. His article is inspired by individualCanon's EF (auto focus) lenses.
experience and observation.This was a very important consideration for me
Author is active user of canon digital cameras.since I already own Canon EOS equipment and
First one he had was Canon D 30. Comparing thethe following EF lenses:
canon D30 with D60 Mr. Muskovac finds than, the20mm 2.8 28-135 IS 4.5/5.6
major difference is that the D60 has much more100mm 2.8 macro 75-300 IS 5.6
pixles - 6.3 million pixels which beats the D30 with70-200mm2.8 100-400 IS 5.6 300mm 2.8
3.25 million pixels.Putting the camera in action he took few shots
He emphasis that D60 is using the CMOS whichand analyzed the quality of the pictures. He used
draws less power and therefore the camera canthe Canon 100mm 2.8 macro lens. Then he
shoot more pictures on one battery than mostexplains "Its focal length is 160 mm when
Point-and-Shoot cameras without the loss ofmounted on the D60, an ideal macro lens. I use a
image quality.twin macro flash, which I have been using for
The major specifications in Mr. Muskovacx` are:years with my EOS 1N. I shoot in the manual
D60 Specifications:mode with this flash, using the guide number to
Type: Single Lens Reflex; 36 bit full color; CMOSgauge the distance. The shutter speed of the
direct imaging sensorcamera is set to 1/200 sec. I vary the f-stop
Compatible lenses: All Canon EF lensesdepending on the distance of the butterfly from
Lens focal length: 1.6 X indicated lens focal lengththe imaginary film plane. The f-stop is generally
Imaging element: High sensitivity high resolutionvaried between f16 and f25. When the distance
large single plate CMOS sensorto the subject exceeds 1 1/2 feet, I change the
Effective sensor size: 22.7 X 15.1mmISO setting from ISO100 to ISO200 instead of
Effective pixels: 6.29 million pixels (3072 X 2048)opening up the aperture. In this manner I could still
Aspect ratio: 3:2use a small aperture value and maintain a good
LCD monitor: TFT type color LCD monitordepth of field. With the D60 and 6.3 million pixels, I
Picture size: 1.8 inchwas able to make a very good 10 X 15 inch print
Recording method: Media--CF card (type I or II)using the largest jpeg image storage mode. Figure
Formats: JPEG, RAW1 shows a Coolie Butterfly taken at ISO200, 1
Auto focus type--AF200 sec, f22, and a distance of about 2 feet".
Focusing points: 3 point (1 + 1)When he used evaluative metering on the snowy
AF working range: EV0.5 to EV18 (ISO 100)--Thisegrets against a green background, the egrets
is a big improvement over the D30 with a rangewere overexposed. Then he concludes that "the
of EV2 to EV 18.same is true to a lesser extent when using
Focusing modes:Center Partial Metering and Center Weighted
(1) One shot AF: AF locks when focus is achievedAverage. To get the proper exposure on the
(2) A1 servo AF: Tracks subject movement untilWhite Egrets, an exposure compensation of -2/3
the actual start of meteringto -1 stop was used in the evaluative metering
(3) A1 focus AF: Automatically switches betweenmode. I shoot most all my pictures using the
one-shot AF mode and A1 servo AF.evaluative metering mode".
(4) Manual focus: Manual focusing can be usedHe pays attention to file numbering systems. We
when focusing mode switch on lens is set tomay choose from: (1)Continuous. (2) Auto reset.
manual focus (M)In the Continuous mode the numbering is
Exposure control: 35-zone SPC and TTL opencontinuous between cards. Then he points that
MeteringCanon software assigns the folder numbers. The
(1) Evaluative meteringimage number in each successive folder picks up
(2) Center partial metering (approx. 9.5% ofwhere the previous folder left off, thereby
viewfinder area)providing consecutive numbering of images. The
(3) Center weighted average value meteringtime/date is also permanently stored with each
Exposure modes:image file. Convenient storage functions allows to
(1) tv (time value) Shutter speed priorityplace Images in folders in groups of 100.
(2) av (aperture value) Aperture-priorityIn the Auto reset mode the number resets to
(3) Auto depth of field priority0001 each time you insert a new card.
(4) Full Auto modeThe D60 image numbering system only goes to
(5) Manual mode9900. It would have been nice to allow for
ISO speed range: Equivalent to 100, 200, 400,100,000 images. Heavy shooters will shoot more
800, 1000than 10,000 images in a year.
Exposure compensation:Here is an example of how the folder and image
(1) AEB +/- 2 stops in 1/2 or 1/3 stopnumbers work:
increments.Folder Image Range
(2) Manual compensation +/- 2 stops in 1/2 or 1/3CANON100 IMG_0001 to IMG_0100
stop increments.CANON101 IMG_0101 to IMG_0200
Shutter type: Vertical travel focal plane shutterCANON102 IMG_0201 to IMG_0300
with all speeds controlled electronically.CANON198 IMG_9801 to IMG_9900
Speeds: 1/4000 to 30 seconds. Bulb, and X-syncCANON200 IMG_0001 to IMG_0100
at 1/200 second.CANON201 IMG_0101 to IMG_0200
Self-Timer: Electronically controlled, 10-secondBy keeping images in different folders, duplicate
delay.image file names can be identified and then
Drive modes:renamed if necessary.
(1) Single shotThe D60's has nice 1.8 inch TFT color LCD
(2) Continuousmonitor, It allows us to review your images right
(3) Self-timer (10 sec)away.
Number of continuous images:Important is his comment about the battery life
Approximately 3 images/second; In One Shot AFUsualy with 50% flash use and review mode on,
mode at 1/250 second or faster, to a maximumhe usually can perform between 350 and 400
of 8 images.images on one fully charged battery. He concludes
Built-in flash type:"Reviewing the images does use a significant
Retractable E-TTL autoflash and auto popup flash.amount of battery power".
Guide No. 39 at ISO 100 (ft.)According to the author following features of the
Recycling time: approximately 3 seconds.D60 that I consider important:
Power Supply: operates from one BP-511 Battery1. D60 can use all Canon EF lenses.
Pack (lithium ion battery)2. Changing ISO settings in mid-roll.
Number of images that can be taken with a fully3. Review your picture :immediately after making
charged battery:the exposure.
540 (50% flash, normal temp.)4. Having a built in 1.6 X extender.
Camera Body5. Shooting 3 images per second and up to eight
Flash contacts:continuous images.
(1) Accessory shoe: X-sync contactsHe gives the D60 a good grade. Most of all he is
(2) Sync terminal (with locking thread) on lowerimpressed with the image quality. According to
corner of camera body.him "the camera has interchangeable Electronic
External flash system compatibility: CompatibleFocus lens capability, and multiplies your long
with E-TTL auto sync.lenses by a factor of 1.6X.