Canon EOS 60D

Manufacturer: Canon
Type: Camera (DSLR)
Sensor: APS-C CMOS, 18 megapixels
Resolution: 5184 x 3456 (18MP)
Processor: DIGIC 4
Year introduced: 2010
Predecessor: Canon EOS 50D
Successor: Canon EOS 70D
Key feature: First Canon EOS with Vari-Angle LCD; full HD video at 1080/24p with manual audio control; popular budget alternative to the Canon EOS 7D for underwater videography

Overview

The Canon EOS 60D was announced on August 26, 2010 as a replacement for the popular mid-level EOS 50D. It combined an 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with the HD video recording capabilities of the Canon EOS 7D at a significantly lower price point (^[1]). Canon positioned the 60D as an advanced amateur camera, delivering features previously found only in higher-end bodies.

The camera was notable for several EOS system firsts: a three-inch Vari-Angle Clear View LCD screen with 1,040,000-dot resolution, in-camera RAW image processing, and post-capture creative filters (^[2]). For underwater photographers, the articulating LCD was of limited value since it could not move inside a housing, but the high-resolution display was useful for reviewing footage between dives.

Video capabilities

The 60D recorded Full HD video at 1920x1080 in 24p (23.976), 25p, and 30p (29.97), as well as 720p HD at 50p and 60p (59.94). Native 24p recording enabled cinema-style footage without post-processing conversion. Manual audio level control in 64 steps — similar to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II firmware update — and an electronic wind filter were included in the movie shooting menu. An in-camera movie editing feature allowed trimming clips without external software (^[3]).

Drew Wong, who reviewed both the Seacam and Nauticam housings for the 60D on Wetpixel, noted that production crews specifically preferred the camera because “they like the video output (basically equal to the 7D) and performance value” (^[4]).

ISO and video noise

Community testing by Andrew Schar, published on Vimeo and covered by Wetpixel, revealed that the Canon 60D (and other Canon DSLRs) had “sweet” ISO values at 160 and its multiples. Testing showed the cleanest ISO settings for video were, from lowest noise: 160, 320, 640, 100, 200, 400, 800. Interestingly, ISO 160 was also found to be the best setting for still photography (^[5]).

Position in Canon lineup

Canon positioned the 60D below the 7D, which meant some compromises: it used the 550D’s (Rebel T2i) 9-point autofocus system and LCD rather than the 7D’s more advanced versions, switched from CompactFlash to SD cards, and had a smaller form factor (^[6]). The AF system featured f/5.6-sensitive cross-type focusing on all nine points, with the center point offering high-precision f/2.8 sensitivity identical to the 7D (^[7]).

When Canon later announced the EOS Rebel T3i (600D) in February 2011, it shared the same 18-megapixel sensor, 1080p HD video, and even adopted the 60D’s Vari-Angle LCD and creative filters, though at a lower price point of $799 (^[8]). The Nauticam NA-600D housing description noted the T3i featured “the same field-proven 18-megapixel sensor and 1080p HD video found in 7D, 60D, and 550D” (^[9]).

The 60D was eventually succeeded by the Canon EOS 70D in 2013, which introduced a revolutionary Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor that turned 80% of the sensor area into phase detection autofocus sites, dramatically improving video autofocus. Canon described the 70D as having “taken over for the 7D as Canon’s leading prosumer camera” (^[10]).

Additional specifications

• Continuous shooting: 5.3 fps
• ISO range: 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800)
• Metering: 63-zone dual-layer iFCL (Intelligent Focus, Color, Luminance), identical to the 7D and Rebel T2i
• Viewfinder: 96% coverage, with built-in single-axis Electronic Level Display
• Built-in flash: Pop-up with Integrated Speedlite Transmitter for wireless multi-flash control of up to two groups
• Media: SD/SDHC/SDXC
• Shutter durability: Tested to 100,000 exposures
• Movie Crop mode: 7x magnification in SD video, cropping directly from the sensor

(^[11])

Housing Availability

Seacam Prelude 60D

Seacam announced the Prelude series in December 2010, with the Canon EOS 60D and Nikon D7000 as the initial models. The Prelude represented Seacam’s first entry into lower-end camera housings, marketed as “Where quality meets affordability” and “A 100% Seacam housing for 40% less cost” (^[12]).

The housing was CNC-machined from aluminum with Seacam’s signature silver external coating. Critically, ports, viewfinders, strobes, and connections were fully interchangeable with Seacam Silver housings. It included the Pro G viewfinder as standard — unlike other Seacam Silver products where viewfinders were sold separately. Expected pricing was approximately $3,350 including the viewfinder, with availability by end of February 2011 (^[13]).

Accessible controls included: main switch, shutter release, front/rear dial, manual focus/zoom, mode, lens release, AF-ON (via knobs and levers), plus play, live view, Q-button, and multi-controller (via push buttons) (^[14]).

Harald Hordosch, owner of Seacam, described the design philosophy as “Less is More!” — deliberately omitting some controls to reduce complexity and cost. Drew Wong noted that the first buyer of the Nikon D7000 Prelude housing had raised concerns about missing controls, prompting community discussion (^[15]).

Drew Wong reviewed the Prelude 60D after testing in South Africa (during the Ocean Safari) and Indonesia (at Scuba Seraya in Bali), using it with Seaflash 150 strobes and a variety of lenses including the Tokina 10-17, Sigma 8-16, Canon EF-S 10-22, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro, and Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro. Canon Professional Services Singapore loaned the camera body for the review. Adam Hanlon called it “an amazingly comprehensive review” (^[16]).

Specifications: 250 x 170 x 130 mm (excluding port, viewfinder, handles), weight 2300g, depth rated to 80m (^[17]).

Nauticam NA-60D

Nauticam announced the NA-60D in March 2011, with shipping from March 31 at a US retail price of $3,000 (^[18]). The housing debuted at the Beneath the Sea show (March 25-27, 2011) and the London International Dive Show (^[19]).

Features included: new-style locking latches (inherited from the NA-D7000), lens release lever, ISO thumb lever, ergonomically placed AF-ON button, patented two-stage shutter release lever, improved rear command dial control, audible/visual moisture detector, and the patented locking port release system. The housing was machined from seawater-resistant aluminum alloy and hard-anodized, rated to 100m depth (^[20]).

The NA-60D was compatible with the full Nauticam SLR accessory ecosystem, supporting key underwater lenses including the Canon EF-S 60mm macro, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L macro, Canon 10-22mm, Sigma 17-70mm, and Tokina 10-17mm. Port adapters were available for Aquatica, Ikelite, Inon, Nexus, Sea & Sea, Seacam, Subal, and Zillion lens ports (^[21]).

The Nauticam NA-60D was displayed at Reef Photo’s booth at both the Beneath the Sea 2011 show (though it arrived after the show) and the Long Beach Scuba Show 2011. Chris Parsons of Reef Photo noted it was “the smoothest command dial out there” despite lacking “piano keys” (^[22]).

Drew Wong field-tested the NA-60D in Bali with both the 4.33-inch acrylic dome port and the newly redesigned 9-inch optical glass dome, as well as the Macro Port 87 and Compact Port Extension 30. His review included a subjective comparison between the Seacam Prelude and Nauticam housings. Wong noted Nauticam’s history of two product recalls: a 550D/T2i housing issue with Loctite adhesive, and a dome detachment problem where 9-inch domes separated from the assembly — an issue Wong personally experienced twice, leading to the redesigned dome he tested (^[23]).

Dimensions: 335 x 168 x 134 mm (with handles), weight under 2.53 kg (5.6 lb) (^[24]).

Inon X-2 for EOS 60D

Inon released the X-2 housing for the Canon EOS 60D on October 20, 2011 (^[25]). Built using ultraprecise cast aluminum manufacturing, the housing was designed with Canon’s “Capture the Moment” philosophy, developed jointly with professional photographers for intuitive underwater operation.

The X-2 featured four optical D connectors as standard for Inon’s S-TTL auto strobe system, using an internal mirror to direct built-in flash light to the fiber optic connectors. It supported four interchangeable viewfinder options (Finder Window, Pick-up Finder 2, 45-degree Viewfinder, and Straight Viewfinder), and was also available without a viewfinder for existing owners (^[26]).

Port compatibility included the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM (newly released at the time), Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS, and the Inon UFL-MR130 EFS60 Underwater Micro Semi-Fisheye Relay Lens. All ports used optical lens elements with multi-coating, and the Inon MRS (Magnetic Rotation System) port system allowed focusing through magnetic coupling without mechanical stress (^[27]).

Ikelite

Ikelite offered a housing for the Canon EOS 60D with their signature features: wired TTL flash control, push-button strobe output controls on the back of the housing, externally visible O-rings, and a glass optical viewfinder as standard. The housing was available by December 2012, mentioned alongside their EOS 6D and Nikon D600 housings (^[28]). Ikelite 200DL TTL housings for the 60D continued to appear on the Wetpixel classifieds through at least 2019 (^[29]).

Easydive Leo II

The Italian manufacturer Easydive offered their Leo II housing with Canon EOS 60D compatibility. The Leo II was unique in supporting multiple camera bodies through electronically controlled buttons connected via USB, meaning users could upgrade cameras without buying a new housing — only the USB electronic box and camera tray needed replacement (approximately 260 USD). The housing was CNC-machined from 8mm marine-grade aluminum, depth-rated to 100m, and supported cameras from Canon 10D through 7D including the 60D (^[30]).

Magic Lantern firmware

The open-source Magic Lantern firmware hack supported the Canon EOS 60D, adding significant capabilities beyond Canon’s official firmware. Version 2.3, released August 2012, was compatible with the 5D Mark II, 500D, 550D, 600D, 50D, and 60D, adding fast zebra patterns, automatic HDR bracketing, timelapse features, advanced ISO and FPS controls, and faster playback zoom (^[31]).

Magic Lantern also enabled RAW video output on Canon cameras, though the 60D’s SD card interface limited continuous recording duration compared to the CompactFlash-equipped 7D. Wetpixel noted that the 7D’s RAW video hack would achieve “maximum resolution likely to be similar to that of the 60D” but with longer continuous shooting capability due to faster write speeds (^[32]).

In 2015, Magic Lantern achieved another milestone by successfully running Linux on Canon SLR cameras, with the EOS 60D among the first cameras tested alongside the 600D, 7D, 5D Mark II, and 5D Mark III (^[33]).

Notable uses

Stephen Frink, widely recognized as the most frequently published underwater photographer in the world, mentioned the 60D’s cropped sensor as particularly well-suited for the Canon 8-15mm fisheye zoom lens. In a 2012 interview about photographing Olympic swimmers, he noted: “with a cropped sensor like the 60D or MKIV, this is an incredibly powerful and versatile wide angle. It can give me over/unders or nice perspective on the approaching swimmers” (^[34]).

CJ Crooks, media manager at the Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation (“Sharklab”) in the Bahamas, used a Canon EOS 60D in a Nauticam housing as his primary camera for the short film “Sharks of Bimini” (2013). He paired it with the Tokina 10-17mm, Sigma 35mm, and Sigma 17-70mm lenses (^[35]).

Firmware updates

Canon released two firmware updates for the EOS 60D:

• Firmware 1.0.8 (December 2010): Fixed flash exposure problems when using internal or external flash with four specific lenses: EF 300mm f/4L IS USM, EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM (^[36]).

• Firmware 1.1.0 (July 2011): Fixed two bugs — wireless built-in flash settings resetting to defaults when the battery was removed, and intermittent image-rotation information not being recognized correctly when shooting vertically (^[37]).

Reviews & Discussion

• ^[38] — Drew Wong’s comprehensive review tested the housing with Seaflash 150 strobes in South Africa and Indonesia. Covered Seacam’s “Less is More” design philosophy, compared the camera’s video output to the 7D, and discussed the Prelude series concept for entry-level users. Received 4 comments including Adam Hanlon’s praise.

• ^[39] — Drew Wong’s field test in Bali covering both the 4.33-inch acrylic and redesigned 9-inch optical glass dome ports, plus macro. Included a subjective comparison between the Seacam Prelude and Nauticam NA-60D housings. Documented Nauticam’s product recall history (Loctite issue and dome detachment). Received 7 comments with community discussion about flash triggering techniques.

• ^[40] — Companion review to the Prelude 60D test, covering the Seaflash 150 strobe separately. Provided historical context on Canon E-TTL underwater strobe development, from Ikelite’s initial E-TTL solution through Heinrich Weikamp converters to Seacam’s integrated approach.

• ^[41] — Andrew Schar’s ISO noise testing on the 60D in video mode, revealing that multiples of ISO 160 produced the cleanest results. Generated extensive community discussion (9 comments) about native ISO values and digital noise across Canon DSLRs.

Community Discussion

• The NA-60D was shown at Reef Photo booths at both Beneath the Sea 2011 and the Long Beach Scuba Show 2011, generating interest among Canon shooters (^[42], ^[43]).

• The Seacam Prelude announcement sparked a 12-comment discussion on Wetpixel, with Adam Hanlon noting that despite being marketed as a “novice” housing, “either the D7000 or D60 are serious cameras, capable of serious files” and that the smaller, travel-friendly housing was “definitely not a bad thing” (^[44]).

• Forum classifieds listings for Nauticam NA-60D systems appeared through at least 2016, with complete setups (housing, body, lens, zoom gear) listed at 1,200 EUR (^[45]).

• The Canon Speedlite 320EX (announced February 2011) included a remote firing function compatible with the EOS 60D’s wireless remote control, and an LED continuous light option specifically designed for DSLR video use (^[46]).

Timeline

• 2010-08: Canon announces the EOS 60D with 18MP sensor, Vari-Angle LCD, HD video, and in-camera RAW processing. Scheduled for delivery to US dealers end of September (^[47])
• 2010-12: Canon releases firmware 1.0.8, fixing flash exposure problems with four specific lenses (^[48])
• 2010-12: Seacam announces Prelude series housings for the Canon EOS 60D and Nikon D7000, priced at approximately $3,350 with Pro Viewfinder (^[49])
• 2011-02: Canon announces EOS Rebel T3i (600D), sharing the 60D’s sensor, video capabilities, and Vari-Angle LCD at a lower price (^[50])
• 2011-03: Nauticam releases NA-60D housing at $3,000, debuting at Beneath the Sea show (^[51])
• 2011-03: Nauticam NA-60D shown at Beneath the Sea 2011 via Reef Photo; did not arrive in time for the show floor (^[52])
• 2011-05: Andrew Schar publishes ISO noise testing for Canon 60D video, revealing ISO 160 multiples as optimal (^[53])
• 2011-06: Nauticam NA-60D displayed at Long Beach Scuba Show 2011 (^[54])
• 2011-07: Canon releases firmware 1.1.0, fixing flash settings reset and image rotation bugs (^[55])
• 2011-10: Drew Wong publishes Seacam Prelude 60D review, tested in South Africa and Indonesia (^[56])
• 2011-10: Inon releases X-2 housing for Canon EOS 60D in four viewfinder configurations (^[57])
• 2011-10: Drew Wong publishes Nauticam NA-60D field test from Bali (^[58])
• 2012-03: Drew Wong publishes companion Seacam Seaflash 150D review, originally part of the Prelude 60D review (^[59])
• 2012-08: Magic Lantern 2.3 released with Canon EOS 60D support, adding HDR bracketing, timelapse, and advanced ISO controls (^[60])
• 2012-12: Ikelite confirms Canon EOS 60D housing availability, alongside new EOS 6D and Nikon D600 housings (^[61])
• 2013-04: CJ Crooks produces “Sharks of Bimini” short film using Canon EOS 60D in Nauticam housing (^[62])
• 2013-08: Magic Lantern RAW video hack for 7D noted to achieve resolution “similar to that of the 60D” (^[63])
• 2013-09: Canon EOS 70D successor announced with Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Nauticam ships NA-70D housing from October 1 (^[64])
• 2015-04: Magic Lantern successfully runs Linux on Canon EOS 60D and other Canon SLRs (^[65])

References