david vt Loc: Vermont

Hi

Looking for help from fellow hogs whom have experience with the Cannon product line, and in particular older used models. This is for my daughter. I am a Nikon shooter and am not well versed in “Cannon”

After taking a year long photography/videography course at school, she would like to continue to work on her craft(s). Both “modes” are important for her. In both, she is more focused on people/actors and some indoor and some outdoor. No sports, no landscapes, no birding. Maybe a bit of macro (eg-jewelry for sale on poshmark) and streetscapes, but that’s about it. 100% shared via social media, etc. Never prints, so I am not sure ultra high MP is needed.

She used in the class, and is comfortable with, the EOS 60D from Cannon. She has also tried a Cannon 40D and my Nikon D7200. Neither she liked as much.

So, thinking about the 60D for a Christmas present and would like opinions from those who know the Cannon line and older used models. Was hopeful that, if you all confirm the 60D is reasonable (OK, not a horrible..) choice, I can find one on the used market as people upgrade to mirrorless and look to unload their old equipment.

Two final notes.
A) She is 17, which means her focus (pun intended) can shift month to month. Therefore, I don’t want to go towards a brand new Camera or mirrorless (sorry Paul) as who knows what she will be into two years from now. If she continues and finds herself limited by equipment at that point, we can upgrade then.
B) One reason she is looking at the Cannon line is we have two inherited cannon lens from Grandma: a 28-135 and a 70-300. Is still need to understand compatibility, but if they are, this means just a 60D body would be needed.

All thoughts welcome. If there is another model other than the 60D you would recommend, please explain what features you think would make it better for her use.

Thank you in advance

OKsprat Loc: Oklahoma

At my daughter’s wedding in Puerto Vallarta in 2015, the photographer used a Canon 60D. The results were stunning. The color rendition was perfect. The clarity was very impressive, even with blow-ups to 20”X30”. The resort photographer did it all, from pre-wedding posing and festivities to the reception afterward and he was a young man in his early 20’s. I asked him how he liked the camera and he said he loved it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Why consider this ancient 18MP camera (Canon EOS 60D)? Newer cameras offer more resolution, more technology capability, better ISO, and better overall image performance.

The ##D line of 'advanced' cameras includes the EOS 40D you mentioned. They 'map' to Nikon's D7xxx line. The EOS 70D and EOS 80D are less old, 24MP cameras, and I'd consider either of these used over the 60D. There's also the 77D that tried to split the difference between the more 'beginner' level Rebel line and the 80D body.

And, don't look down on the 'beginning' level of the Rebels. The newest T8i surpasses the technology features of the older 80D. I'd take this newer Rebel model over the older 'advanced' discontinued 70D / 80D options.

And, all those comments apply to the cropped-bodies. The wildly popular full-frame bodies like the EOS 5DII and EOS 5DIII are dropping into the $600 range as used as the pros move onto FF mirrorless.

Used, it looks like the 70D might be $100 more than the 60D, but I'm sure a bit of shopping can close that difference. If the cost is important, the EOS 60D is / was a fine camera.

Regarding lenses, the EF 28-135 IS is a wonderful lens, extremely cheap with great IS support and image quality. It's an 'original' in the IS releases, so the stops support is maybe 1-stop, a bit low / old, and the aperture is a bit slow, compared to newer lenses. The 70-300 is another EF (full-frame) lens. These lenses have never been well regarded, but if you use a tripod and / or shoot between f/8 and f/11, their image quality is just fine.

Summary: look at some other, slightly newer cameras, still used. The EF lenses will work great on any EOS DSLR selection. Her interest in 'in door' photography will benefit from a camera with better ISO performance, especially with these two slower inherited zoom lenses.

david vt Loc: Vermont

hi Paul.

thank you for the quick and through reply, and including thoughts on these two lenses.

Is there a good “authoritative” site where I can send her to compare 60D vs 70D vs 80D?

As a 17 y.o., she doesn’t want to admit Dad could possibly know anything. 🤪

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

All things Canon: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/

- lenses are divided between primes and zooms, and then active and a link to discontinued equipment inside each roster lenses.

- Cameras are similar with older reviews of discontinued equipment are linked from the roster of active equipment reviews

Rockwell is good too form all these cameras and lenses: https://kenrockwell.com/

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

David, regardless of any other comments, I can tell you from experience that the 60D is a WONDERFUL camera for the APS-C format... My Canon kit is (2) 60D and (1) 6D. 18 MP is NOT prehistoric and with top shelf glass the IQ is basicly as good as the 6D. Have her only buy EF lenses and down the line she can maybe grad. to a FF body and have dual use of the lenses, or an adapter to go to RF. You DON"T need the latest and greatest... Glass, composition and experience is where its at. I am playing around with my Olympus E-PL1 this weekend with the exceptional 75mm 1.8 lens to see what larger MP (12) and world class optics are all about. Familiarity with a camera body is very important.... Thats why I have 6D also.... like an extension of 60D. Another suggestion on the used market is what I have on my 60D at the moment and you can pick up one real cheap used and the optics are great... The old school 28-70 2.8 L zoom. This lens made the transition from 60D to 6D just fine and performs as well after 15 years as new. Check into used prices.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I completely agree with Paul's assessment. If the OP can afford it a used Canon 80D, and even better a used 90D would be a much better choice than the ancient 60D, especially if his daughter will be using the LCD screen significantly.

However, if her interest is just a whim on her part, she may likely prefer the ergonomics, convenience and usability of an late model iPhone. She will likely be satisfied with an iPhone's photos and videos as well. I owned a 60D, which today is very long in it tooth With regard to image quality, usability, and almost any other measure, It is bettered by almost every camera available today.

SteveInConverse Loc: South Texas

A 70 or 80D would be a good choice. 24mp is plenty and they both have excellent focusing systems as well as focus tracking in video mode which is something the 60D did not have. I would avoid the 90D unless 4K video is something she must have. 70 and 80D's are common in the used market and not super expensive. Use decent lenses and you will get great results.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

From what I could see with a brief look is that a used 70D should be not much more and is one generation newer.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I had the CANON 60D for about 8 years and enjoyed it immensely. I bought as a kit with the 15-85 lens which I found complemented the camera perfectly. My neighbour had the same and liked it, but upgraded to a 70D, selling the 60D to a club member some years back. So far as I know she is still using it. I sold mine and not heard anything since so I guess that's O.K. to.

Otis

For starters it is Canon.

uhaas2009

You could give her a gift certificate from b &h or Adorama….. young people sometimes quit but in certain situations I would ask my son how he enjoyed when he enjoyed his hobby. Most of times he went back.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

She might prefer the 80D if videography is important.
It has the great DPAF that the 60D is lacking.
Body wise there would be pretty much no issue.
But the video capabilities took a quantum leap over the 60D. Most noticeable is the AF actually works and focuses fast and highly accurately.
Nikon did not obtain parity in this area until the Z6/7 II mirrorless cameras.