For those who are serious about long-exposures and deep-sky astrophotography, but find that most cameras are ill-equipped for the task, there is a solution: the EOS 60Da DSLR Camera from Canon. This camera has been specifically redesigned for astrophotography right out of the box. So whether you want to use live preview on the pivoting display to get the composition of a constellation just right, or record the next meteor shower in stunning HD video, the EOS 60Da takes these fantastic features, among many others, and shoots for the stars.
With features like manual exposure control, the option to attach on any of the Canon EF or EF-S lenses, and various audio adjustments--including an external stereo mic connection, and both manual and auto gain control--the 60Da puts DSLR film-making at your fingertips. With the built-in 1920 x 1080 HD video resolution you'll be able to capture MOV video clips up to 4GB in size (time depends on resolution). Other noteworthy features of the video function include in-camera editing, a number of other recording resolutions to choose from, and an HDMI output for one-cable connection to your HDTV.
No matter if you're shooting HD video or digital stills the 60Da captures everything to convenient flash memory cards--including SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. Canon also gives you the option to use wireless USB 2.0 drives, or Eye-Fi cards for computer-free wireless transfer of your images.
The EOS 60Da still has the large 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor that packs in enough pixel-power to make those enlarged mural prints you've only been dreaming of, a reality. But even if you don't plan on making a wall-sized mural of the Pleiades to hang in your living room, an 18MP sensor provides other advantages. Sharpness, clear details, a lack of image-destroying noise, and true-to-life colors are all examples of how more pixels will make your images pop!
The 60Da also features Canon's DIGIC 4 Image Processor. With DIGIC 4 you'll enjoy the benefits of fast shooting speeds, in-camera RAW image processing, creative filters, image resizing, and other exciting in-camera features. Enhanced Face Detection Live Mode, Full HD video recording, Auto Lighting Optimizer, and Lens Peripheral Optimization are additional features also enabled by DIGIC 4.
Another high-point of the 60Da is the fully articulated (meaning: flip out and/or swivel) 3" rear LCD screen. That's right; this LCD opens away from the camera and articulates for viewing from multiple angles. You can, of course, choose to leave the LCD in the traditional back of the camera position, but the option to change the angle of the screen without having to move or alter composition is a welcome addition. When you're done shooting, turn the LCD facing inward, and its back cover will even protect the display from damage.
When it comes to low light, or shooting after dark, you want the option to shoot without a flash. Especially because no flash exists to brighten up the Milky Way galaxy, no matter how high you turn it up. Canon gave the 60Da ISO settings from 100-6400, and the option to go up to a stellar 12800 using the custom function. You have more options to choose from, and more opportunity to capture stunningly clear images, even in the low light of night shooting.
What else could Canon fit into this cosmically inspired camera? A short overview includes 5.3 frames per second (fps) of continuous shooting, a 96% coverage viewfinder, a multi-control dial, a 63-zone dual-layer metering system, and a 9-point AF system.
In addition to these user-friendly features, the camera also boasts in-camera photo editing technologies. You'll be able to process RAW files entirely in the camera to produce a separate JPEG file - without a computer or external software. Filters like "Grainy Black-and-White" and "Soft Focus Effect" also allow you to add an artistic touch to your images, sans post-production. Throw in compatibility with Mac and PC, along with a myriad of bundled software options, and the 60Da is one camera that packs a super massive punch.
Luckily, for those astrophotographers who seek to capture the elusive red emission nebulae, there is a solution to this problem: the Canon EOS 60Da--which has been specifically redesigned with a modified filter that provides increased infrared (IR) sensitivity for astrophotography allowing crisp, clear images of red, diffuse nebulae. This IR cut filter is modified to achieve a hydrogen-alpha (Hα) light (656nm) transparency approximately three times higher than the EOS 60D camera. Made for astrophotography right out of the box, there is no need to modify the camera or filter as is required with other DSLR cameras
The improved DIGIC 4 Image Processor ensures that images are captured, processed and saved with remarkable speed. The EOS 60Da DSLR's 3:2 multiple aspect ratio, in-camera RAW image processing, creative filters, image resizing, and provided S2 and S3 image-recording quality are all possible thanks to the DIGIC 4 Image Processor. With dazzling results, the DIGIC 4 Image Processor also works to capture and process data of images shot at 18MP at 5.3 fps, as well as 14-bit signal processing for excellent image gradation, enhanced Face Detection Live View mode, Full HD video recording, Auto Lighting Optimizer and Lens Peripheral Optimization
With 1,040,000 (dots/VGA) pixels for spectacular detail, the advanced, smudge-resistant monitor includes high transparency materials plus anti-reflective and water-repellent coatings to provide clear and bright viewing. Superb for reviewing, editing and deleting photos or composing new images in Live View mode, the Vari-angle Clear View LCD monitor also allows access to camera settings like ISO, metering modes, AF Point selection, the horizontal Electronic Level and flash options
The audio input level feature offers both manual and auto gain control, up to 64 levels, and a wind filter minimizes unwanted background noise. By pressing the Quick Control button, a simple graphic user interface for adjusting image quality, white balance, image creation and other settings appears on the LCD. The EOS 60Da even lets users edit video in-camera: On-site or off, unnecessary scenes can be deleted and the start/end points of video footage can be designated via in-camera editing functions without the need of a separate computer
Video can be captured at a number of resolutions and frame rates for numerous applications. It can capture 1920 x 1080 Full HD video at frame rates of 30 (29.97 fps), 24 (23.976 fps) and 25 frames per second, for up to 4GB per clip. Video footage is saved as MOV files and can be viewed in Full HD through the EOS 60Da DSLR's HDMI output. Other recording sizes include HD at 1280 x 720 (50/60 fps) or SD/VGA at 640 x 480 (50/60 fps) -24/30 fps delivers cinema-like motion, while 60 fps is perfect for footage being uploaded to video-sharing websites. The EOS 60Da also has a built-in microphone for simple mono recording, and stereo sound can be recorded through a self-powered external microphone. (1/8" mini jack)
The EOS 60Da also features a horizontal Electronic Level, that, when activated, is superimposed on the LCD monitor to aid in achieving evenly leveled shots by indicating the horizontal tilt up to approximately 9°, in 1° increments
This makes the EOS 60Da ideal for scenes with extreme difference in brightness such as brightly lit or backlit scenes; the camera balances exposure of the main subject at the background, and exposures are not overly influenced by bright areas in the shot. Since the EOS 60Da provides high-speed X-sync ("X-sync" means the fastest shutter speed that can synchronize with a flash burst at the moment the shutter is fully released) up to 1/250 sec., the range of photographic expression is dramatically increased, allowing the EOS 60Da to be used with confidence in bright scenes or dim
Additionally, once you capture an image with the EOS 60Da, you can digitally manipulate it in-camera with a number of creative filters for artistic and dramatic effect. Options include Soft Focus Effect to convey dreamy tableaus; Grainy Black-and-White Effect for a gritty, hard-bitten look; Toy Camera Effect - the deliberate vignetting and color shift technique popular in art photography - and Miniature Effect, which blurs the top and bottom edges of the image to emphasize perspective and conveys a miniaturized look of the scene
The 60Da also gives you the option to store recordings to external media sources like USB 2.0 or Wireless LAN/Eye-Fi card--though Canon cameras are not guaranteed to support Eye-Fi card functions, including wireless transfer
Special optical technologies, such as aspherical, ultra-low dispersion, or fluorite elements are featured in the universally acclaimed L-series lenses. And Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer technology is featured in select lenses to minimize the effect of camera shake. Additionally, photographers can use the same lenses they do for still photography, for video recording; Canon wide-angle, macro, super-telephoto, tilt-shift and fisheye lenses provide a wealth of focal lengths, depth-of-field ranges and other creative shooting options once reserved for stills
If you prefer a broader area for flash metering, there's a menu setting to change to "Average" flash metering - where the entire 35-zone area is measured evenly for flash exposure. Additionally, the EOS 60Da has a Speedlite transmitter built-in for convenient, full-featured wireless control of EX-series Speedlite flashes set as slave units