Canon EOS D60

Real progress has been made in recent years with regards to the quality that digital cameras have to offer, particularly in the professional arena. However, the downside has always been price. Things are looking brighter though, thanks to Canon's new EOS D60 - a professional 6-megapixel SLR camera for £1,872.

The ability to capture 6-megapixel images is a key feature for any professional camera, and it means that the EOS D60 can compete in terms of quality with 35mm film cameras loaded with print film. But this alone can't guarantee its success - the surrounding package must also stand up to scrutiny.

To the millions of Canon EOS users around the world, the new body will be familiar, as it was also used for the EOS D30. It's still a great body though, being very easy to handle. However, while the shell may be the same as its predecessor, right down to the flash inside the prism, the EOS D60's specifications see some marked improvements.

The most obvious is the image sensor, which is a CMOS chip, not a CCD, and is able to capture images at a maximum of 3,072 x 2,048. At this size, the EOS D60 can create a whopping 7.4Mb file size using the RAW image format.

The RAW format is another professional feature, saving the image without processing the data for colour, sharpness or contrast. Instead, these adjustments are performed with the supplied software. This is a slower process in comparison to the alternative JPEG options, but gives the dedicated worker the option of complete control.

Standard JPEG images can be captured as large, medium or small, with normal or fine compression. When on location, a big issue is knowing which format to use - both JPEG and RAW have their uses, depending on the shooting conditions and subject. If the situation changes quickly, swapping from one to the other loses precious seconds that could cost you the shot. Canon's solution to this is a practical approach, allowing both RAW and JPEG files to be saved simultaneously.

I also like the excellent 'parameters' options, which allow you to adjust the characteristics of the recorded image for such settings as saturation, colour, contrast and sharpness in camera. In essence, it's the equivalent of shooting various types of film, but provides the added benefit of being able to change parameters from frame to frame.

Exposure control is comprehensive and includes program, aperture and shutter priority plus manual modes, as well as specialist programs for a variety of subject-based capabilities. Particularly noteworthy is the fully automatic 'green' position, which disengages many options and so simplifies shooting, which is useful for novices. There's also the depth program, which - in landscapes, for instance - lets you set the near and far points of sharpness with just a couple of light touches on the shutter release.

The camera can also go into sleep mode if you leave it unused for a while, saving battery life. However, be aware that depressing the shutter release sometimes doesn't bring the camera out of this mode quickly enough, and may cause you to lose some shots.

The AF system uses three-point detection and is fine for general use in landscape orientation. However, in portrait mode it didn't work so well, often needing refocusing.

A good light-measurement system is a must for any camera worth its salt, and the EOS D60 has some fine options including 35-zone multipattern, partial and centre-weighted metering. If you don't like what the finder and top plate readings suggest, there are bracketing and compensation facilities.