Canon today introduced the EOS 60Da Digital SLR Camera, a
successor to the EOS 20Da that is optimized for
astrophotography.
This DSLR caters to astronomers and hobbyists who enjoy
capturing the beauty of the night sky by offering a
modified infrared filter and a low-noise sensor with
heightened hydrogen-alpha sensitivity. These
modifications allow the camera to capture photographs of
"red hydrogen emission" nebulae and other cosmic
phenomena.
The Canon EOS 60Da camera packs an 18-megapixel CMOS
sensor (APS-C), an enhancement over the EOS 20Da model's
8.2-megapixel sensor. The improved infrared-blocking
filter is a modification suited specifically toward
astronomy enthusiasts to achieve a hydrogen-alpha light
sensitivity that is approximately three times higher than
that of a normal Canon DSLR camera. This produces a
20-percent higher transmittance of Hydrogen Alpha line,
allowing astronomers to capture clear images of reddish,
diffuse nebulae.
Images can be viewed on the EOS 60Da's improved 3.0-inch
Clear View LCD screen with 1,040,000 dots. The flip-out
Vari-angle screen allows photographers to adjust the
screen for easy viewing without straining even while the
camera is mounted to a telescope via a third-party T-ring
adapter. Astronomy enthusiasts can connect the camera to
a TV with the provided AVC-DC400ST Stereo AV Video Cable
and display the night sky on a TV monitor using the
camera's Live View mode. Moreover, the EOS 60Da's Live
View mode is equipped with a Silent Shooting feature that
eliminates shutter-induced vibration for maximum camera
stability when the camera is mounted to a telescope or
super-telephoto EF lens.
Noise reduction on the EOS 60Da sensor offers
photographers the ability to experiment with the wide
array of ISO settings and increased ISO speeds up to 6400
expandable to 12800. Other features include an
intelligent nine-point autofocus system, full manual
controls, and RAW, JPEG, and RAW+JPEG image recording
capabilities.
Accessories
The EOS 60Da helps capture the wonders of the night sky
with its use of Canon's EF and EF-S lenses along with
other EOS accessories. Additionally, the EOS 60Da is
packaged with Canon's RA-E3 Remote Controller Adapter,
providing the ability to connect a Canon Timer Remote
Control such as the TC-80N3 (optional accessory).
Canon has also included an AC adapter kit with the EOS
60Da, allowing the camera to be powered through an AC
wall outlet or a battery-powered inverter.
The EOS 60Da is only available to order from select
authorized Canon dealers. The estimated retail price is
$1,499.00 and it is expected to be available this month.