Canon EOS 60D vs Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS 60D
47
WINNER
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Canon · DSLR · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D
40
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 60D and the Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D are both 2010 DSLRs, and the 60D is the larger, heavier body of the pair. It measures 145 x 106 x 79 mm and weighs 755 g, while the Rebel T2i comes in smaller at 129 x 98 x 62 mm and 530 g. The Rebel T2i arrived first, announced in February 2010, with the 60D following in August of the same year. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 26, 2010 | February 26, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 145 x 106 x 79 mm | 129 x 98 x 62 mm |
| Camera weight | 755 g | 530 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 60D is the stronger camera for action and bright daylight. Its 5.3 fps burst rate outpaces the Rebel's 3.7 fps, giving you more frames of a moving subject. Its 1/8000 second top shutter speed also allows wider apertures in strong sunlight than the Rebel's 1/4000 second limit. Both use the Canon EF-S mount, so the same lenses fit either body. Resolution is shared at 18 MP, along with 9 autofocus points and no in-body stabilisation. The 60D reaches a native ISO ceiling of 12800 against the Rebel's 6400, and it uses a pentaprism viewfinder rather than the Rebel's pentamirror. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 MP050 | 18 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3456 | 5184 x 3456 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.9 x 22.3 | 14.9 x 22.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5.3 fps045 | 3.7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Canon EF-S |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 4 | Digic 4 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor filming, the two cameras share the same recording limits. Both offer Full HD recording, both save MOV files, and each has a 30 fps maximum video frame rate. Neither includes built-in timelapse recording. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | MOV |
| Features | 57/100 | 44/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 60D's articulating screen is its most useful control advantage. Its 3-inch LCD flips out and swivels, so you can frame from waist level, overhead or around obstacles, which the Rebel's fixed screen cannot do. Both screens offer the same 1040000-dot resolution and live view. The 60D also has weather sealing, which the Rebel T2i lacks. Both have a built-in flash and support external flash, and neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or touch control. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 10400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 45/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe 60D holds the clear battery-rating advantage, at 1100 shots for its LP-E6 against 440 shots for the Rebel's LP-E8. The two battery types differ, so they do not interchange between bodies. Storage is a match here, with a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot in each camera. Neither offers a second slot or USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E6 | LP-E8 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1100 shots1505000 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the 60D if you photograph moving subjects, shoot outdoors in dust or drizzle, or want to frame from awkward angles. Its faster burst, faster top shutter speed, sealed body, flip-out screen and higher battery rating directly support those situations.
The Rebel T2i is the better pick when small size and light weight matter most, such as for travel or everyday carry. Both share the EF-S mount and the same 18 MP resolution, so switching bodies changes neither your lenses nor your pixel count.