Master class in the middle class

Preface:
The Canon EOS 600D is now my third DSLR. My entry camera was the Olympus E-420, which I like excellent. Then came a Systemkerama that Samsung NX 5 also very good, but the electronic viewfinder has me then but not so very much and also the very, very small lens choice was suboptimal. All in all I would classify still as a beginner with relatively little experience but lots of interest. Especially night shots and HDR have it done to me, just like the game with the depth of field. Therefore, my review can not be seen as exhaustive professinelle assessment, but rather the well should pretty much fall into the target group the camera as usability impression of someone.

General:
And thus I am now arrived at the Canon EOS 600D. The problem with the lens does not arise here, in addition to Canon, there are many third-party manufacture the lenses for the bayonet of the camera. The 600D is not a pure amateur camera, but Canon has the four-digit series in the program, which cost just under half; but they nevertheless clearly aimed at beginners. Most menu items are explained by a short help text. A function that may safely be quite useful for beginners at first, for advanced users it is rather annoying - luckily they can be switched off.

Body:
The body is surprisingly light and easy. A mere 500g without lens he brings on the scales for a DSLR that's almost a lightweight. The proportions are more likely to be classified as compact (for a DSLR). In exactly two meters tall, I naturally pretty big hands, but with the EOS 600D is not an issue. The fingers always know exactly where to go. I never felt my fingers his too large or the camera to be too small.
What stands out most positively on Body is the swiveling display. That was what I missed on my Samsung after Olympus most. Especially when working with the tripod so is an aid not to be underestimated. You want the camera not always necessarily be positioned at eye level but sometimes at angles where it is not possible to a direct view through the viewfinder without craning or break the bone. Well, that Canon has this feature now also installed in this price range. The display has a resolution of 1.04 million pixels, making it very fine sharp and contrasty.

Nice touches:
With long exposures, it may happen in SLR, the light falls through the viewfinder on the sensor and thereby influences the result of exposure negative. Here, Canon has come up with something clever: the strap there is a small rubber cover. You can remove the eye cup on Body and terminals this cover in its place, so that can come through the viewfinder no light and you get the best shot. Although you will certainly use this feature rarely, it is still a nice little feature.

Video feature:
This feature I use hardly ever, so only a small summary of the possibilities of the EOS 600D in this area. Full HD is part of its program to the range of functions is similarly high as in the more expensive EOS 60D. Everything possible can be adjusted manually even zooming while filming works - the automatic sharpening, unfortunately not. The integrated Video Snapshot function when you record directly by the camera a clip with 2, 4 or 8 seconds and can compose a film is more of a gimmick.

HDR Photography:
HDR images are created from bracketing, within which the same subject is photographed at different exposure levels. Importantly the all settings except for the shutter speed is remain the same, so both the exaktibe picture, and aperture, ISO speed, white balance and focus. Ideally, you can set exactly how many shots you want to create and what exposure intervals. Here, the Canon is weakening unfortunately something. It is limited to three shots with a resolution and a maximum of 2EV can over- and underexposure. At least 3EV are today really standard, more would also not hurt. Here Canon repaired after hopefully not until the next model but already the next firmware update.
While there is the possibility of the camera via laptop / PC via the EOS Utility software to remotely control and thus be able to make all the necessary settings without the camera to handle themselves and thus possibly to composing a shot, but that is too much effort for something you also quite easily could have realized. Especially as the HDR Photography find more and more and is becoming increasingly popular.

Crop Factor: The camera has a crop factor of 1.6. If that does not say anything, I will spare the technical fuss behind, ultimately there is nothing that one with which you shoot with 1.6 malnehmen needs to get the focal length to the actual focal length. Man photographing with a 50mm lens equivalent to the actual 80mm, a telephoto 55-200mm equivalent 88-320mm and 18-55mm photographed basically with 28.8-88mm. This has technical reasons and is due to the gauge of no full-format sensor. Ultimately, nothing earth-shattering, I just wanted to have mentioned it :)

Image Quality:
As shown by the test of various journals, Canon does not disappoint here. The 600D delivers excellent photos. Even higher ISO values ​​still provide good photos and have my own practice experience to very good use.

Negatives:
Unfortunately, there are some features that I have met in other camera manufacturers in a favorable price range that I miss in the Canon EOS 600D. There's the delete function as the very first. In the Canon you have for each image and press Delete then confirm the whole laboriously on. Just when you want to delete multiple images of a continuous shooting an annoying task. For example, Samsung you have at each picture even put a hook with OK if you want to delete it and confirmed at the end of the selection process to delete all selected images.
Very sad I find also that the camera as apparently at Canon usual, comes with no hot shoe. On top of the camera there is a small bar where all kinds of accessories can be plugged - mostly lightning, so called Blitschuh. In my last two DSLR (Samsung / Olympus), a cover was directly included here which protects the contacts. Too bad that Canon saves here as a part would cost little more than his pennies.

Too bad, I also think that a GPS receiver has been installed. Sony has already introduced such a thing in this price range, Canon seems to be can be personalized with innovations time.
Another major point of criticism is the speed of the autofocus in Live View. Here the AF works so slowly that it about 3 seconds by pressing the shutter button to take photo, depending on the situation itself. This is for everything to go towards Snapshot absolutely useless. Even in LiveView Quick mode lasts all about one second. While the 'right' DSLR photographer looks through the viewfinder anyway mostly, but just transfer passengers use but very often the display, as you are used to it from the compact ago. Well maybe Canon thus helps the traditional look through the viewfinder again slightly below the arms.

Conclusion:
Anyone who has read the review and not only starts the conclusion might now think I would not like the camera because I had quite a lot to complain about. The opposite is the case. While there are numerous things that could be improved, but they are basically just little things. When it comes to the picture itself provides the EOS 600D outstanding results. The pictures are great, sharp, true-color, high contrast and low noise. With better lenses than the kit lens you can still get out of the camera much more. I can only recommend the 50mm prime lens with a maximum aperture of 1.8 try. When you get used to it that you have to use for zooming the feet part is simply a dream. I think for the target group the camera is absolutely ideal. Who will ascend from beginner to ambitious photographers anyway sooner or later change the body, but that's really only necessary if one performs even the camera to its limits. Until the entry of the case, it will take a very long time safely. From my side, the camera thus gets a clear recommendation.