New Canon 60D is Announced

Yesterday afternoon Canon announced the new 60D camera, the replacement for the 50D.  The suggested retail price is $1,099 without a kit lens and $1,399 with the 18-55mm kit lens.  The features include:

• 18.0 Megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor for high image quality and speed.
• ISO 100 - 6400 (expandable to 12800) for shooting from bright to dim light.
• Improved EOS HD Video mode with manual exposure control, expanded recording, Movie Crop recording in 640 x 480, sound recording level adjustment and an external microphone IN terminal for access to improved sound quality.
• Vari-angle 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor for shooting at low angles and 1,040,000-dot VGA with reflection reduction using multi coating and high-transparency materials for bright and clear viewing.
• 5.3 fps continuous shooting up to approx. 58 Large/JPEGs and 16 RAW.
• 96% viewfinder coverage allowing you to see more of your image in the viewfinder.
• Enhanced iFCL 63-zone, Dual-layer metering system; and 9-point AF system utilizing a high-precision, f/2.8 cross-type center point.
• New convenient in-camera features allow you to convert RAW images into JPEGs and set the images to a 3:2 aspect ratio.
• Compatibility with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards.
• Compatible with the full line of Canon EF and EF-S lenses.

Along with the 60D Canon announced a new 70-300 f4-5.6L lens and a new  8-15mm f/4L fisheye lens.  Prices have not been mentioned for these new lenses as of this writing.

The specs on the new 60D seem a bit strange to me.  It is more Rebel like than xxD like.  First, they've done away with the CF cards and gone to SD cards.  This will prevent existing 50D owners from upgrading (if you can call it that).  They've also gone from a metal framed body to a Rebel like plastic body.  I'll have to wait for a few full reviews before passing judgment, but right now I can't say I'm all that excited about this new body.