EOS 600D and new EF-S 18-55mm lens

Canon has launched the EOS 600D – a compact, lightweight digital SLR. The camera sits at the top of Canon’s entry-level EOS line-up, above the existing EOS 550D and the new EOS 1100D.

The EOS 600D provides all the tools to capture stills and HD movies. Picture detail is provided by a high-resolution 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor which combines with 14-bit DIGIC 4 processing to capture smooth gradients between colours. The camera’s low light shooting capability allows clear, natural images in darker conditions, with an ISO range of 100-6400 that can be further expanded to 12800.

The EOS 600D allows high-speed shooting at 3.7 frames per second. The 9-point autofocus system can track subjects using the autofocus points across the frame. Even more accurate focusing is providing by an extra-sensitive central AF Sensor, while the iFCL Metering system from the semi-professional EOS 7D features a 63-zone dual-layer metering sensor, helping to ensure that each shot is correctly exposed, even in difficult lighting conditions.

Scene Intelligent Auto analyses the scene and automatically picks the best settings to capture it. A new ‘Auto’ Picture Stylemakes fine adjustments to colours. Basic + settings change the mood to one of eight options, including ‘Warm’, ‘Cool’ or ‘Intense’.

Ideal for beginners, a Feature Guide has been added to the EOS 600D’s menu system, offering a brief description of each key setting and its effect.

A Vari-angle 7.7cm (3-inch) 3:2 ratio ClearView LCD enables overhead or ground-level shooting. Rich on-screen detail is provided in 1.04 million-dot resolution and the side-mounted hinge allows users to comfortably and creatively shoot from a range of unusual angles, or when using a tripod. A smudge-resistant fluorine coating and three anti-reflection coatings also ensures clear detail in a wide range of situations.

The EOS 600D offers several Creative Filters. Fish-eye-Effect creates a barrel-shaped distortion similar to a fish-eye lens, and you can instantly turn a scene into a small-scale model with Miniature Effect. Toy Camera Effect, Grainy B/W and Soft Focus offer additional options.

EOS movie mode

The EOS 600D includes a Full HD (1080p) movie mode, while a dedicated movie shooting mode means you can switch between stills and HD video instantly. Distant subjects can be reached using a new Movie Digital Zoom function which crops the centre of the sensor from 3x to 10x while still maintaining Full HD quality.

Video Snapshot mode shoots video in two, four, or eight second segments, creating clips that are short, easy to edit and of similar lengths to clips used in most TV programmes. As they are recorded, the clips are saved to a Video Snapshot Album and combined into one movie. A soundtrack can be added by choosing from tracks uploaded to the camera and the result viewed on the camera’s LCD, or on an HDTV via the built-in mini HDMI connection.

New EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II

Launching with the EOS 600D is the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II – a new kit lens that provides excellent performance for beginners. A lightweight construction makes it easy to carry; optical Image Stabilization allows photographers to use shutter speeds 4 stops slower while still maintaining a blur-free shot. The EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II will succeed the existing EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS in Canon’s lens line-up.

Pricing and availability

• The EOS 600D (body only): £679.00/€819.00 RRP incl. VAT.

• The EOS 600D with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II: £769.00/€929.00 RRP incl. VAT.

• The EOS 600D with EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS: £949.00/€1,149.00 RRP incl. VAT.

All available from early April 2011.