Canon EOS 60D Manual: A Comprehensive Guide
This guide details the Canon EOS 60D, offering instructions for setup, shooting, and advanced features, accessible via PDF download from Canon’s support website.
The Canon EOS 60D is a versatile Digital SLR camera designed for both amateur and experienced photographers. Boasting an 18.0-megapixel CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 4 image processor, it delivers high-resolution, detailed images.
This camera offers a blend of performance and user-friendly features, making it suitable for a wide range of photographic applications. The EOS 60D features a 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD, providing flexible viewing options.
This manual serves as a comprehensive resource, guiding you through every aspect of the camera, from initial setup and basic shooting techniques to exploring advanced functionalities like Live View and video recording. Download the PDF manual for detailed instructions and unlock the full potential of your Canon EOS 60D.
Key Features and Specifications
The Canon EOS 60D showcases a 22.3 x 14.9mm CMOS sensor, delivering approximately 18.0 effective megapixels for stunning image quality. It captures images up to 5184 x 3456 pixels, ensuring exceptional detail.
Key features include a 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD, a 9-point autofocus system, and continuous shooting at up to 5.3 frames per second. The integrated image stabilizer minimizes blur, while the DIGIC 4 image processor enhances performance.
The camera supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. Its aspect ratio is 3:2, and it incorporates an EOS integrated cleaning system. The downloadable PDF manual provides a complete list of specifications and detailed explanations of each feature, helping you maximize your photographic experience.
Understanding the Camera Body
The Canon EOS 60D’s body features intuitive controls, a vari-angle touchscreen, and clearly labeled panels for easy access to settings and functions.
Front Panel Overview
The Canon EOS 60D’s front panel houses essential controls and features. You’ll find the lens mount, allowing for interchangeable lenses to suit various photographic needs. Adjacent to the mount is the lens release button, crucial for quickly changing lenses;
The panel also includes the depth-of-field preview button, enabling a visual representation of the image’s focus area. Furthermore, the AF point selection/FE lock button facilitates precise autofocus control. A crucial element is the white balance/drive mode button, offering access to different white balance presets and shooting drive modes like single, continuous, and self-timer.
Finally, the microphone input is located here, allowing for external audio recording during video capture. Understanding these components is key to efficient operation.
Rear Panel Overview
The EOS 60D’s rear panel is dominated by the large 3.0-inch Clear View LCD screen, offering bright and clear image review and menu navigation. To the right of the screen are key operational buttons. The directional buttons with a central SET button navigate menus and confirm selections.
The ‘INFO’ button toggles between different information displays on the LCD. The ‘MENU’ button accesses the camera’s comprehensive menu system. The ‘Live View Shoot’ button activates Live View mode for precise composition.
Additionally, the rear panel features the AE-L/AF-L button for locking exposure and focus, and the Quick Control button for direct access to frequently used settings. The viewfinder diopter adjustment dial ensures clear viewing for all users.
Top Panel Overview
The Canon EOS 60D’s top panel houses essential controls for shooting. Centrally located is the main dial, used for selecting shooting modes – including Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, and various scene modes. Adjacent to this is the power switch, integrating the shutter button for immediate access to shooting.
To the left, you’ll find the mode dial lock lever, preventing accidental mode changes. The built-in flash hot shoe allows for external flash units to be attached, expanding lighting options.
Furthermore, the top panel includes the metering mode selector and the AF point selection/drive mode button, providing quick access to crucial shooting settings.
Bottom Panel Overview
The Canon EOS 60D’s bottom panel primarily focuses on battery and memory card access. A secure compartment, covered by a latch, houses the battery chamber and the SD memory card slot – essential for powering the camera and storing captured images.
You’ll also find the tripod socket, centrally positioned for stable camera mounting, crucial for long exposures or time-lapse photography. This socket is standard size, compatible with most tripods.
Additionally, there’s a connector cover concealing the remote control socket, allowing for optional remote shutter release functionality. The panel’s design prioritizes secure access to vital components and stable camera support.
Setting Up Your Canon EOS 60D
Initial setup involves inserting the battery and a compatible memory card, followed by configuring essential settings like date, time, and desired shooting mode.
Inserting the Battery and Memory Card
Before first use, properly insert the Canon EOS 60D’s battery. Locate the battery compartment, typically on the bottom of the camera, and ensure the battery is oriented correctly. Push the locking latch to open, insert the battery until it clicks, and then secure the latch.
Next, insert a compatible memory card – the 60D supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards. The card slot is usually adjacent to the battery compartment. Gently insert the card until it clicks into place. Avoid forcing it.
Always power off the camera before inserting or removing either the battery or the memory card to prevent potential data corruption or damage to the camera. Refer to the full instruction manual for detailed diagrams and safety precautions.
Initial Camera Settings
Upon powering on your Canon EOS 60D for the first time, the camera will guide you through initial setup. Select your preferred language, then set the date and time accurately. This is crucial for correct image timestamps.
Next, choose your shooting mode – options include Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual. For beginners, Auto is recommended. Explore the menu to configure image quality settings, selecting the desired resolution and file format (JPEG or RAW).
Customize the button configuration to suit your shooting style. Refer to the comprehensive instruction manual for a detailed explanation of each setting and its impact on image capture.
Date and Time Setting
Accurate date and time are essential for organizing and referencing your photos. To set these on your Canon EOS 60D, navigate to the menu system. Locate the ‘Date/Time Setting’ option, usually found within the setup menu.
Use the directional buttons to adjust the year, month, day, hour, and minute. Confirm each selection by pressing the ‘SET’ button. Ensure you choose the correct date and time format (MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY) based on your region.
Incorrect settings can lead to misfiled images and difficulties in chronological ordering. Regularly check these settings, especially after replacing the battery, to maintain accurate metadata.
Shooting Mode Selection
The Canon EOS 60D offers a versatile range of shooting modes to suit various photographic scenarios. Access these via the mode dial located on the top panel of the camera.
Common modes include ‘Auto’ for effortless shooting, ‘Program’ (P) for automatic settings with user control, ‘Aperture Priority’ (Av) for depth-of-field control, ‘Shutter Priority’ (Tv) for motion control, and ‘Manual’ (M) for full creative control.
Scene modes like ‘Portrait,’ ‘Landscape,’ and ‘Sports’ optimize settings for specific subjects. Understanding each mode allows you to achieve desired results, from capturing fast action to creating beautifully blurred backgrounds.
Shooting with the EOS 60D
Mastering the EOS 60D involves understanding focus, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance – key elements for capturing stunning, high-quality photographs.
Understanding Focus Modes
The Canon EOS 60D offers a variety of focus modes to suit different shooting scenarios. One-Shot AF is ideal for stationary subjects, locking focus when the shutter button is half-pressed. AI Servo AF continuously tracks moving subjects, maintaining focus as they change position – perfect for sports or wildlife photography.
AI Focus AF intelligently switches between One-Shot and AI Servo, attempting to determine the subject’s movement. Manual Focus (MF) allows precise control, useful in low light or when autofocus struggles. Selecting the appropriate focus mode, combined with choosing the correct focus point, is crucial for achieving sharp, well-defined images. Experiment with each mode to understand its strengths and weaknesses, ultimately enhancing your photographic results with the EOS 60D.
Aperture and Shutter Speed Control
Aperture and shutter speed are fundamental to controlling exposure and creative effects on the Canon EOS 60D. Aperture, measured in f-stops (e.g., f/2.8, f/8), controls the lens opening, influencing depth of field – a wider aperture (lower f-number) creates shallow depth of field, blurring the background.
Shutter speed, measured in seconds or fractions of a second (e.g., 1/200s, 1s), determines how long the sensor is exposed to light. Faster shutter speeds freeze motion, while slower speeds allow more light in but can cause motion blur. Mastering these settings, particularly in Av (Aperture Priority) or Tv (Shutter Priority) modes, allows for precise control over image brightness and artistic expression with your EOS 60D.
ISO Sensitivity Settings
ISO sensitivity on the Canon EOS 60D dictates the sensor’s sensitivity to light. Lower ISO values (e.g., 100, 200) produce cleaner images with less noise, ideal for bright conditions. As light diminishes, increasing the ISO (e.g., 800, 3200) allows for faster shutter speeds or smaller apertures, preventing blur.
However, higher ISO settings introduce more digital noise, potentially reducing image quality. The EOS 60D offers an ISO range of 100-6400, expandable to 12800. Experimenting with ISO settings is crucial for balancing image brightness and noise levels, especially in challenging lighting situations. Auto ISO is also available for convenient adjustments.
White Balance Adjustment
White balance (WB) ensures accurate color rendition under different lighting conditions. The Canon EOS 60D offers several WB presets, including Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Tungsten, and Fluorescent. Auto WB generally performs well, but custom adjustments are often needed for optimal results.
You can fine-tune WB by selecting a preset and adjusting the color temperature and tint. A custom WB setting allows you to meter a white object for precise color accuracy. Incorrect WB settings can result in color casts – images appearing too warm (yellowish) or cool (bluish). Mastering WB is vital for achieving natural-looking colors in your photographs.
Exploring the Menu System
The EOS 60D’s menu provides access to all camera settings, organized into tabs. Custom Functions allow personalized control, while Image Quality settings define file types.
Menu Navigation and Structure
The Canon EOS 60D’s menu system is logically structured for efficient navigation. It’s accessed via the ‘MENU’ button on the rear panel, presenting a series of tabs represented by icons. These tabs categorize settings into distinct groups: Shooting, AF, Exposure, Quality, Picture Style, Custom Functions, and more.
Within each tab, options are arranged in a hierarchical order, allowing you to drill down into specific settings. The LCD screen displays clear descriptions of each function. Use the directional buttons to highlight options and the ‘SET’ button to select or modify them. The menu structure is designed to be intuitive, even for users new to the EOS system, ensuring easy access to all camera controls and customization options.
Custom Function Settings
The Canon EOS 60D offers extensive customization through its Custom Function (CF) settings. Accessed via the menu, these functions allow you to tailor the camera’s operation to your shooting style. There are numerous CF options, covering areas like button assignments, dial behavior, and display settings.
For example, you can assign specific functions to the AF-ON button or customize the Quick Control Screen. These settings are invaluable for streamlining your workflow and achieving faster, more intuitive control. Experimenting with CF settings allows you to personalize the EOS 60D, optimizing it for your specific photographic needs and preferences. Remember to document your changes for easy recall!
Image Quality Settings
The Canon EOS 60D provides a range of image quality settings, crucial for balancing file size and detail. You can select from various JPEG recording qualities – Large, Medium, and Small – impacting image resolution and compression. For maximum flexibility, choose RAW recording, preserving all image data for extensive post-processing.
The camera supports a maximum image resolution of 5184 x 3456 pixels. You can also adjust the aspect ratio, though 3:2 is the standard. Understanding these settings is vital for achieving the desired image quality for your intended use, whether it’s web display or large-format printing. Prioritize RAW for critical work!
Playback and Image Management
The EOS 60D allows easy image review on its LCD screen, with options to delete or protect photos, ensuring important memories are safely stored.
Viewing Images on the LCD Screen
The Canon EOS 60D features a vibrant LCD screen for convenient image playback. After capturing photos, simply press the playback button to initiate viewing. Utilize the cross keys or dial to navigate through your images. Zoom functionality allows for detailed inspection of sharpness and composition; press the zoom button to enlarge images up to 10x.
Histogram display is available for assessing exposure accuracy. Information displayed includes file number, shooting date/time, and camera settings. Rotate images directly on the camera for proper orientation. The quick control screen provides access to frequently used settings during playback. You can also create slideshows with customizable intervals for easy sharing and review.
Deleting Images
Deleting images on the Canon EOS 60D is straightforward. Enter playback mode and select the image you wish to remove. Press the delete button – a confirmation screen will appear to prevent accidental erasure. You can delete images individually or select multiple files for batch deletion. Be cautious, as deleted images are typically unrecoverable!
Protecting important photos is also possible. Before deleting, use the protect function to safeguard specific images from accidental removal. To delete all images at once, a dedicated option is available within the menu system, but exercise extreme care when using this feature. Always double-check your selections before confirming deletion.
Protecting Images
Protecting images on your Canon EOS 60D prevents accidental deletion during batch operations. In playback mode, select the image and press the ‘Set’ button. A key icon will appear on the LCD screen, indicating the image is now protected. This safeguard ensures your valuable photos remain untouched when you choose to delete multiple files at once.
To unprotect, simply repeat the process – selecting the image and pressing ‘Set’ will remove the key icon. Remember, protected images are still visible and can be reviewed, but they won’t be affected by delete-all commands. This feature is crucial for preserving your favorite shots!
Advanced Features
Explore the EOS 60D’s capabilities, including Live View shooting, impressive video recording options, and effective utilization of the integrated flash for creative control.
Live View Shooting
The Canon EOS 60D offers a versatile Live View mode, allowing you to compose and review images on the camera’s LCD screen. This feature is particularly useful for precise focusing, especially when using a tripod, and for shooting from awkward angles.
To activate Live View, simply select the corresponding mode on the camera’s mode dial. While in Live View, you can utilize various focusing methods, including contrast detection autofocus, which can be beneficial for static subjects. The EOS 60D also provides magnification options within Live View, enabling you to critically assess focus accuracy.
Remember that prolonged Live View usage can impact battery life and potentially lead to sensor heating, so be mindful of these considerations during extended shooting sessions. Experiment with the different settings to optimize your Live View experience.
Video Recording Capabilities
The Canon EOS 60D excels in video recording, capturing Full HD 1080p footage at various frame rates, including 24, 25, and 30 frames per second. This allows for creative control over the look and feel of your videos. The camera supports manual exposure control during video recording, giving you precise adjustments over aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
External microphones can be connected via the microphone input for enhanced audio quality. The EOS 60D also features a headphone jack for monitoring audio levels. Remember to utilize a compatible SD card with sufficient write speed for smooth video recording.
Explore the menu settings to customize video recording parameters, such as white balance and picture styles, to achieve your desired aesthetic.
Using the Built-in Flash
The Canon EOS 60D features a built-in flash, offering versatile lighting options for various shooting scenarios. It can function in automatic, manual, and creative modes. In automatic mode, the camera determines the appropriate flash power. Manual mode allows you to adjust the flash output for precise control.
Explore flash modes like red-eye reduction and high-speed sync for specific effects. The flash can also be used as a fill flash to brighten shadows in outdoor portraits. Remember to consider the flash sync speed when using shutter speeds faster than 1/200th of a second.
Utilize the flash exposure compensation to fine-tune the flash intensity and achieve balanced lighting in your images.
Manual Download and Resources
Access the Canon EOS 60D instruction manual as a PDF file via Canon’s official support website, alongside troubleshooting and helpful resources.
Downloading the PDF Manual
Obtaining the Canon EOS 60D instruction manual in PDF format is a straightforward process. Begin by navigating to the official Canon support website. Locate the EOS 60D model within the camera section. A dedicated support page will appear, listing available downloads.
Select the “Manuals” or “Documents” tab. You’ll find the EOS 60D instruction manual listed, typically identified by its language (English in this case). Click the PDF file link to initiate the download.
Your browser will prompt you to either open or save the file. Choosing “Save” will store the manual directly onto your computer for offline access. Ensure you have sufficient storage space. Once downloaded, open the PDF using a compatible reader like Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Canon Support Website
Canon’s official support website is a comprehensive resource for EOS 60D users. It provides access to a wealth of information, including downloadable manuals, software updates, and driver installations; The website features a dedicated section for each Canon product, ensuring easy navigation.
Users can find troubleshooting guides, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and contact information for Canon support representatives. The site also offers online chat support for immediate assistance. Registering your EOS 60D on the website unlocks additional benefits, such as personalized support and exclusive offers.
Regularly checking the Canon support website ensures you have the latest information and resources to maximize your EOS 60D experience. It’s the primary hub for all things Canon, offering a seamless support journey.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Common EOS 60D issues include error messages, autofocus problems, and image quality concerns. If encountering errors, consult the manual’s troubleshooting section or Canon’s support website for specific codes. Autofocus issues can often be resolved by cleaning the lens contacts or adjusting focus modes.
For image quality problems, check settings like ISO, white balance, and image stabilization. Ensure the memory card is compatible and not full. If the camera freezes, try removing and reinserting the battery. Regularly updating the camera’s firmware can also prevent many issues.
Canon’s online resources offer detailed solutions for these and other problems, providing step-by-step guidance to get your EOS 60D back in optimal working condition.