Canon yesterday announced the launch of its latest compact, lightweight Digital SLR (DSLR), the EOS 600D.  

 

The 600D packs a range of automatic shooting modes, which beginners can employ to capture their images and full HD video. Novices will also appreciate the fact that a Feature Guide has been added to the user interface (UI), to assist them in learning about the camera and the functionality it offers.

 

 

The Japanese company’s new 600D sports a high-resolution 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor that combines with 14-bit DIGIC 4 processing, to enable users to capture stunning looking vistas, with exceptionally smooth gradients between colours. The camera’s low light shooting capability enables users to shoot clear, natural images in darker conditions, with an ISO range of 100-6400 which can be expanded further to 12800.

 

This DSLR camera also allows high-speed shooting at 3.7 frames per second (fps), so that, for example, fast-moving wildlife can be easily captured. Each shot will be captured in sharp detail due to the camera’s 9-point Auto Focus system, which can track subjects using the auto-focus points across the frame. Even more accurate focusing is provided by an extra-sensitive central AF Sensor, while the iFCL Metering system from the semi-professional EOS 7D features a 63-zone Dual-layer metering sensor, to ensure that a user’s shot is correctly exposed, even during difficult lighting conditions.

 

 

Canon’s EOS 600D offers Full HD (1080p) movie capturing capabilities, whilst its dedicated movie shooting mode means users will be able to instantly switch between stills and HD video. Subjects that are some distance away (such as wildlife on a safari) can be shot using the new Movie Digital Zoom function, which crops the centre of the sensor from 3x to 10x while still maintaining Full HD quality.

 

This enables users to capture videos in Video Snapshot mode in two, four, or eight second segments, creating clips which are short and easy to edit. As clips are recorded, they are saved to a Video Snapshot Album and combined into a single movie. A soundtrack can be added by choosing from tracks uploaded to the camera and the result viewed on the camera’s Vari-angle 3" ClearView LCD, or on an HDTV via the built-in mini HDMI connection. 

 

The LCD screen (which sports a  high resolution of 1040k dots) has a side-mounted hinge that allows users to tilt or swivel it for creative shots from a range of unusual angles. It also features a smudge-resistant fluorine coating as well as three anti-reflection coatings in order to ensure that users can view images and video in clear detail on the LCD.

 

 

Launching with the EOS 600D is the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens kit that provides exceptionally good performance for amateurs. Its lightweight construction makes it easy to carry and Canon’s optical Image Stabilization also minimises the risk of blurry shots, allowing photographers to use shutter speeds four stops slower while still maintaining a blur-free shot. The EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II will succeed the existing EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS in Canon’s lens line-up.

 

 

As part of the EOS range, this camera is also compatible with a large selection of EF lenses and camera accessories, with more than 60 lenses available to provide users with a variety of shot possibilities such as wide-angle lenses to capture sweeping landscapes and macro lenses capture the tiniest spec of detail. 

 

“This new SLR is the perfect choice for aspiring photographers looking for a combination of outstanding image quality and ease-of-use. The EOS 600D sits at the top of Canon’s entry-level EOS line-up, above the existing EOS 550D and the new EOS 1100D,” commented Roger Machin, photo video product manager at Canon Consumer Imaging South African.

 

The camera will be released at the end of next month and a release price can be expected towards the end of February. 

 

 

•       18-megapixel CMOS sensor

•       Scene Intelligent Auto mode

•       Full-HD EOS Movie

•       On-screen Feature Guide

•       3.7fps continuous shooting

•       Wide-area 9-point AF

•       1040k-dot vari-angle 7.7cm (3.0”) display

•       Basic+ and Creative Filters 

•       Built-in wireless flash control