Earlier today Canon announced the Canon EOS 60D and no less than 6 new L-lenses with a couple of surprises in the line-up. Four of the lenses was announced with "release estimates" and two just as "being under development". Also new teleconverters and an update of Canon's Final Cut Pro plug-in was announced.
The Canon EOS 60D is like the 550D/T2i and 7D equipped with an 18MPixel sensor (iso 100-6400, H:12800). It is smaller than the 50D, and as the first Canon SLR it has an "swirl" LCD. While officially a replacement of the 50D, it might not be a natural upgrade for current 40D and 50D users. Some features first introduced on the 7D have also found its way to the 60D, but other features 40D and 50D users are used to, are not included with the 60D. Some specifications that might disappoint current XXD users are a more plastic-based body with less weather sealing, lower fps, SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card, no PC flash socket, only one user-configurable custom mode, no AF microadjustment, some changes to the handling bringing it closer to the Rebel/XXXD series and generally fewer customization options. But you do get full HD movie mode like on the 7D including external stereo microphone terminal and the ability to adjust sound recording level, plus a new movie crop mode for recording with the central 640x480 pixel area of the sensor only. Also the 60D will give you iFCL metering system, in-camera control of multiple EX flash units (but no multi-group support), Horizontal Electronic Level in viewfinder and in Live View mode, Eye-Fi connected functions, in-camera RAW processing and creative filters and more. The AF is like on the 50D with 9 cross-points and like on previous XXD cameras you still get things like a nice pentaprism viewfinder with interchangeable focusing screens, and a top-LCD. You can find some in-depth previews of the camera on DPReview and on Imaging Resource. Expect availability in the end of September.
But for all those 7D users that mostly are interested in new lenses, Canon didn't disappoint. Though you might need to dig deep in your pockets, if you want to purchase any of the lenses announced today...
EF 8-15mm f/4 L USM fisheye zoom
The biggest surprise today was probably an 8-15mm L-series fisheye zoom giving both circular and fullframe/diagonal fisheye effect in one lens on 35mm cameras, plus fullframe/diagonal fisheye for both 1.3x APS-H and 1.6x APS-C cameras. The zoom also has a lock feature to stop the lens from being zoomed wider than its coverage area for 1.3x and 1.6x crop sensor formats, to prevent unintentional vignetting in the corners. More details at Canon Digital Learning Center. Expect availability in January 2011.
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM
Also a bit of a surprise I think. Apparently meant as an affordable intro to L-lenses, and it sounds like it is meant to replace the current EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, though I haven't seen this confirmed. More details at Canon Digital Learning Center. Expect availability in October 2010.
EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM
Expect availability in December 2010.
EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS II USM
Expect availability in December 2010.
Extender EF 1.4x III and Extender EF 2x III
Expect availability in December 2010.
New EF 500mm F/4 L IS II USM and EF 600mm F/4 L IS II USM are in development and are coming some time in 2011.
More information about new superteles and the teleconverters at Canon Digital Learning Center.
