Gear Talk > EOS Bodies - For Video

60D vs. 650D

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nickwees37:
I know that this has been one of the biggest debates since the 650D came out, but I haven't seemed to find any definitive answers.
From a film standpoint, is the 60D still the better camera? Or has the new technology of the 650D outdone the 60D?

For context, I personally make short films and vlogs. This will be my first DSLR.

Your opinions? :)

JasonATL:
First, I will assume that you actually mean 60D, instead of 600D (aka Rebel T3i). This is somewhat of an apples to oranges comparison, as the 60D is a prosumer camera, while the 650D is a consumer camera (and I say that with all due respect for its capabilities). I personally have a 600D (and a 550D and a 5D Mark III). The 60D's build quality is said to be quite a bit superior to that of the 600D or 650D. The image sensor in the 60D is the same as the 600D and the image quality from the 650D appears to me (from posted video samples) to be no better than the 600D (or 60D).

Second, it appears to me that the new technologies in the 650D are the video auto focus and touch screen. If these are things that you really want, then I would say that the 650D is a step forward. I suggest searching Vimeo for some videos of the autofocus in action to make sure it works as you would need it.

For me, I don't consider the 650D a step forward. Indeed, for me it is a bit of a step backward. I say this because Canon did not put one of the 600D's key features on the 650D: 3x digital zoom. All DSLR's suffer from aliasing and moire issues. Canon almost completely eliminated it in the 5D Mark III. But, the 600D, 650D, and 60D all have it. But, with the 3x zoom feature on the 600D, you can nearly eliminate aliasing/moire. See https://vimeo.com/35111205. Again, the 650D does not have this feature and the 60D does not have this feature either.

Worse, I've not seen any evidence that Canon has made the 650D less noisy (i.e., better in low light). Therefore, I see no new technology that really results in better video quality over the 600D (which has the same video quality as the 60D).

Finally, if you are not aware of Magic Lantern, you should look it up. It is a very useful third-party firmware that can be installed on both the 60D and 600D today. Magic Lantern has many features that are very useful for video (and many for stills, especially timelapse). It is not yet available for the 650D.

So, if you weren't already considering the 600D/T3i vs. the 650D/T4i and 60D, I suggest that you add the 600D/T3i to your list. Good luck as you do your research and decide on which of these great DSLR's work for you.

Videoshooter:

--- Quote from: JasonATL on July 14, 2012, 11:22:54 PM ---This is somewhat of an apples to oranges comparison, as the 60D is a prosumer camera, while the 650D is a consumer camera (and I say that with all due respect for its capabilities).

--- End quote ---

I think it is quite a valid comparison, given the current price points. The price difference is as low as $20 from some reputable dealers. Given that they also share the same 18mp sensor, I'd say the comparison is more like "mandarins to oranges"!

Personally I think the 60D is the better choice. It feels much better in your hands and the 2nd control wheel makes it easy to adjust settings without ever taking your eye off the LCD screen (espescially handy when using an LCD viewfinder). The battery life is also much longer, which is an important consideration seeing how quick these cameras drain a battery in video mode.

The only advantage of the 650D for video is the questionable AF - but if you're shooting anything other than home movies, you should be using manual focus anyway. You'd also need to use STM lenses in order to have the full advantages and this would limit your choices severely.

paul13walnut5:
Whether you mean the 650D, 600D or 60D I would say the 60D is the weakest choice of the bunch for video.*
You would gain intermediate ISO stops.  You would gain different handling (try both, see which you prefer)

I make this assertion purely from a video point of view, and based on the little extra functionality the 60D offers the video user for the extra cash.

Between the 600D and 650D...   Both reputed to do the same job.  The 650D has the new on sensor AF for live view for STM lenses..  but is largely untested, and still expensive, and as far as I am aware has not been cracked by magic lantern yet.

As such, if you need to buy NOW, for video then I would go for the 600D.

*I am not slating the 60D as a stills camera, or even as a VIDEO orientated DSLR, just it wouldn't be my first choice for VIDEO.  60D owners, please do not get all indignant.  If certain stills applications were important to the OP I would steer them towards the 60D or 7D.

nickwees37:
In reply to paul13walnut5,

Though I will be using my camera frequently for video, I will definitely be using it for stills as well. It will not be purely a "video camera".
I didn't mention this because I'm still a beginner when it comes to stills. I will the camera to capture high quality video, as well as honing my skills as a stills photographer.

Does the 60D have the upper-hand over the Rebel series cameras when it comes to stills?
Let me know what you think.

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