60D vs T4i

I can get the T4i for $650 with the 18-55mm kit lens (only $1 cheaper for the body only) or the 60D for around $800 for the body only.


I'm replacing my T1i which died after only 2-3 years.

Right now I only have a 18-55mm lens and a 700-200mm L lens. But I want a body that can shoot faster.

Live in the States? If so check the Canon Loyalty Program (do a search on thid board). I think the 60D body can be had for something below US$600.

What do you mean shoot faster? Do you mean FPS, or higher ISO?

The 650D has the same AF as the 60D (9 cross type), but has worse ergonomics, max SS, and FPS. ISO performance is near identical.

I would personally get the 60D.

Yeah I live in the states. I got the T1i via the loyalty program. It was refurbished, and I believe thats why it only lasted 2-3 years.

I want to buy new this time around so it actually lasts. But I've been told the 60D's are built better than the txi series so it will last longer even if I get a refurb.

Sirrith wrote in post #15676713
What do you mean shoot faster? Do you mean FPS, or higher ISO?

The 650D has the same AF as the 60D (9 cross type), but has worse ergonomics, max SS, and FPS. ISO performance is near identical.

I would personally get the 60D.

I mean frames per second.

My T1i was really slow at airshows!

InfiniteGrim wrote in post #15676740
I mean frames per second.

My T1i was really slow at airshows!

If you intend on using it a lot at airshows and other fast action events, a 60D or even a 7D may be more appropriate.

Honestly $800 for the 60D is already pushing my budget.

60D is a great still photo camera.

Go with the t4i if you shoot a lot of video, 60D if you don't

By the way, even if you buy new the warranty is only one year unless you buy an extended warranty. I've had my 60D for almost 2 years now, purchased it through the CLP.

I owned a T4i for a good 3 weeks before I returned it and got a new 60D body for $700 @ Amazon. The T4i "upgraded" video is great if you'll mainly shoot newborns, snails or really old people. Don't believe the hype. If you're serious about video, spend a week or two practicing shooting manually with a 60D. Install Magic Lantern and you can tweak all you want. The 60D can shoot faster and has a much bigger buffer for burst shots. It's also nice to have a top lcd and about twice the battery capacity. Buy a used 18-55 lens here and sell it when you upgrade, you can recoup most if not all your money on it.

Actually it was probably not the case of being a refurb. My 60D for instance came through with about 45 actuations and most reports by people indicate that a very high percentage of refurbs are probably a couple hundred or less. I really have seen only one "bad" report of a refurb in that a user reported a scratched unit, well worn, with something like 10,000 actuations. As I recall everyone said return it and when he did Canon was quite apolegetic. Don't forget with the refurb you have a 14 day exchange and a 90-day warranty. I'd save the money, get a refurb, check the shutter actuations and if excessive request a different unit.

sixtycycleohm wrote in post #15678280
I owned a T4i for a good 3 weeks before I returned it and got a new 60D body for $700 @ Amazon. The T4i "upgraded" video is great if you'll mainly shoot newborns, snails or really old people. Don't believe the hype. If you're serious about video, spend a week or two practicing shooting manually with a 60D. Install Magic Lantern and you can tweak all you want. The 60D can shoot faster and has a much bigger buffer for burst shots. It's also nice to have a top lcd and about twice the battery capacity. Buy a used 18-55 lens here and sell it when you upgrade, you can recoup most if not all your money on it.

I would agree with this. Based on what I've seen of the t4i video AF, it's not any sort of tiebreaker feature. Not impressive at all from youtube examples. If you need video AF, get a cheap camcorder or use your phone. If you want a shallow DoF, manual is the way to go, and Magic Lantern can help you set focus presets for different parts of your scene.

InfiniteGrim wrote in post #15676757
Honestly $800 for the 60D is already pushing my budget.

Just go for the 60D then.

InfiniteGrim wrote in post #15676732
Yeah I live in the states. I got the T1i via the loyalty program. It was refurbished, and I believe thats why it only lasted 2-3 years.

I want to buy new this time around so it actually lasts. But I've been told the 60D's are built better than the txi series so it will last longer even if I get a refurb.

A refurb rebel should last you much more than 2 years if treated with care, cameras are not meant to be thrown around and a new vs. refurb will be no different. The 60d does have slightly better polycarbonate than the rebel series.

My t1i refurb was not thrown around and spent all of its life in a foam case when it wasn't in use.