The Canon versus Nikon game has been going on since the establishment of the two brands and it has always been a bit of a see-saw performance. In more recent memory, Nikon went top dog with its Nikon D300 and D3 thanks to its super high ISO and beautiful high-res LCD amongst other features. However, Canon then managed to strike back with its Canon EOS 7D and 550D in a time when Nikon’s R&D seems to gone MIA (missing in action). Well, the Nikon D7000 and D3100 shows that Nikon have actually been busy in that time. So with the Nikon D90 traditionally competing with the Canon EOS 50D, it makes sense for us to take a look at the Nikon D7000 against the Canon EOS 60D.

Canon EOS 60D

APS-C CMOS sensor

18.0 megapixels

3-inch 3:2 (1040k dots) Clear View LCD

Live View

Pentaprism Viewfinder

Approx. 96% Viewfinder Coverage

Approx. 0.95x Viewfinder Magnification

Interchangeable (3 types, optional) Focusing Screen

1920×1080 (30, 25, 24fps), 1280×720 (60, 50fps) HD Movie

Maximum 5.3fps (58JPEG / 16RAW) Continuous Burst Speed

TTL full aperture metering with 63 zone Dual Layer SPC

9-point cross type AF System

AUTO ISO(100-3200), 100-6400 (Expandable to 12800)

Shutter Speed Range:30-1/8000 sec (1/2 or 1/3 stop increments), Bulb

1x SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card Slot

Built in Flash

Aluminium and polycarbonate resin with glass fibre Body

Approx. 755g Weight (Body Only)

Dimensions (W x H x D): 144.5 x 105.8 x 78.6mm

Nikon D7000

APS-C CMOS sensor

16.2 megapixels

3-inch (920k dots) LCD

Pentaprism Viewfinder Type

Approx. 100% Viewfinder Coverage

Approx. 0.94x Viewfinder Magnification

Type B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark II with AF area brackets (framing grid can be displayed)

1920×1080 (24fps), 1280×720 (30, 24, 25fps) HD Movie

AF During Movie Recordin

Maximum 6fps Continuous Burst Speed

TTL exposure metering using 2,016-pixel RGB sensor

39 focus points (including 9 cross-type sensors) AF System

AUTO ISO(100-3200), 100-6400 (Expandable to 25600)

Shutter Speed Range: 30-1/8000 sec (1/2 or 1/3 stop increments), Bulb

2x SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card Slots

Magnesium alloy chassis & ‘real’ rubber hand grip (as opposed to rubberized coating) Body

Approx. 690g Weight (Body Only)

Dimensions (W x H x D): 132 x 105 x 77mm

Canon EOS 60D versus Nikon D7000 C Key Differences

Movie Recording – While the Nikon D7000 may appear to have the trumps with its AF-F focusing mode which allows AF during movie recording, it still suffers from the Achilles Heels in that it only offers 24fps frame rate in full frame shooting.

Continuous Burst Speed – Traditionally one of the key attractions for buyers of the Canon XXD series, the Canon EOS 60D is actually slower than the Canon 50D and to add insult to injury, the Nikon D7000 now offers a higher speed of 6fps as opposed to the 5.3fps of the 60D. Still it’s not enough of a difference to really make a difference but you would have expected better from Canon.

Metering and Focusing System – Always a strength of the Nikon range, it’s no difference in this comparison. The Nikon D7000 offers us the Nikon Multi-CAM 4800DX focus system which offers 39 focus points including 9 cross-type sensors. With options to shoots with a single-point AF, 9-, 21- or 39-point dynamic-area AF, the D7000 appears more advanced that the more simple 9-point cross type AF System of the 60D. As far as metering is concerned, the answer will come after more testing but the new TTL exposure metering using 2,016-pixel RGB sensor of the Nikon D7000 will offer much food for thoughts.

LCD & Vari-angle shooting – It goes without saying that one of the main features of the Canon 60D will be its vari-angle LCD. For those who need to shoot frequently at awkward angles will find this extremely useful. However, that is not the only thing that is useful about the 60D’s display. Proportioned at 3:2, the Canon LCD is scaled to better display the images taken by the equally proportioned sensor. The extra bit of resolution at 1040k also makes it a slight touch better than the D7000.

Memory Card Slot – Considering how well received this feature is by the pros and semi-pros, it is not surprising that Nikon has introduced in the Nikon D7000. With two SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slots, the Nikon D7000 offers superior flexibility and management of images taken. This is really something that we should have seen from Canon by now.

Rugged Body- When Canon released the 7D, we thought that they were finally taking note of the demand for more rugged bodies. The Canon 550D was not too shabby for the positioning in the more entry-level arena but seeing a similar, slightly improved body on the 60D was disappointing. Mind you, the vari-angle LCD would not be tough by any standards and could easily get broken off if you were to drop it awkwardly. Furthermore, the lack of a magnesium alloy body has turned off many would be suitors and to make things worse, the Nikon D7000 is actually lighter.

My Verdict

For those who are already locked into a system of their choice should consider the following:

Get the Canon EOS 60D

- If you need a vari-angle LCD to shoot from different positions

- If you need to shoot Full HD at 25/30fps frame rates

Get the Nikon D7000

- If you need more flexibility in saving your images

- If you need a more rugged body to take knocks or rougher weather

Learn More about Nikon D7000
Learn More about Canon EOS 60D