d60 vs 300d

[ptwong]

New bird here, need some advice from the resident Canon experts. How does d60 square off against 300d? I know d60 got FEC, AI servo on/off but it has only iso 800 only as compared to 300d iso 1600 and no FEC. Are these important? How about other benefits?

[wilson68]

you may read this:
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=69644

[RCheah]

Originally Posted by ptwong need some advice from the resident Canon experts.

The moment you phrase it like this, you may not get too many replies.
I'm no expert, but I have used the D30 and the 300D previously. I believe the camera (picture taking) part of the D30 is similar to the D60.

What I miss about the D30/D60 over 300D:
1) Better build, more sturdy and hardy.
2) AF mode selection. The stupid AI Focus on the 300D can be quite irritating initially, just takes getting used to.
3) Custom Functions, some of which are quite useful.
4) FEC / 2nd curtain sync. Not a problem if you use 550EX or equivalent.
5) It's black! I kind of like the matte finish.
6) Can set full time metering mode, i.e. Eval, Centre weighted, Partial, without having to use * button.
7) Comes with double battery charger.
8) Mirror Lock up - could be useful to some.

What I like about the 300D over D30/D60:
a) Much improved AF - faster and works in lower lighting conditions
b) Much better "User Interface" - Dedicated buttons for ISO, WB. (Of course, you could program the D60's "SET" button for ISO settings too.)
4-way buttons very useful for navigating in menus and also during playback zoom. Menus split into 4 sections, no need to scroll like siao like that. But silly that the buttons cannot be used to set AF points like in EOS30.
Much easier to perform playback zoom with zoom-in/zoom-out buttons. Can switch to another photo while maintaining the same playback zoomed-in magnification - good for comparing the same portion of the photo between different shots.
c) Better AWB (Auto White Balance) - at least over the D30
d) Lower noise, esp. for long exposure, and even up to ISO 800 . No irritating dark-frame subtraction method for long exposure, thanks to Digic.
Actually D60 has ISO up to 1000.
e) Orientation sensor. Great if you use video out to display your photos a lot.
f) 7 focus points.
g) Built-in flash is placed higher.
h) Can use Infra-red RC-1 remote.
i) Lighter weight.
j) FAT32 support
k) More choices for colour space, e.g. Adobe.
l) LCD Illumination (D60 has this, but D30 didn't have it)
m) LCD display and monitor next to each other, so only need to look at the back for most info.
n) EF-S kit lens. Good if you need to travel really light.

[Amfibius]

RaymondCheah has said most of the important points. Excellent post Raymond!

IMO the D60 does has a better user interface and has the features that REALLY matter - flash exposure compensation, mirror lockup, ability to select AF modes, custom functions, rear command dial, and better build quality. If you pick up a 300D and try to use it, the lack of the rear command dial will REALLY IRRITATE YOU especially when you want to set shutter/aperture in manual mode where you have to hold down a button to change a setting.

The 300D probably takes marginally better images, especially at high ISO, and has much better AF than the D60. The better AF is the ONLY real reason to choose a 300D over a D60.

If it came down to it, I would choose a D60 with NO hesitation.

[ptwong]

thanks guys for the the info. You all have been a great help.