Canon 600D testreport: measurements

8 July 2012

The measurements were carried out with the aid of Imatest. For the test method and explanation of terms, see FAQ. Conclusion and sample images are shown in our Canon 600D review.

Resolution Canon 600D

We have the resolution of the Canon 600D was tested in combination with the Canon 100 mm 2.8 Macro, an expensive but very good professional lens. This provides almost identical performance in comparison to the Canon 60D. Here you see a picture cropped from a Canon 600D ISO 200 shot jpg in Photoshop has increased to 16 megapixels, next to an image area of a recording made with the Canon 7D.

With a standard processing of RAW files in Lightroom is a higher resolution achieved, as with the Canon 60D and the Canon 7D.

Click on the image to the images at 100% view.

Dynamic range Canon 600D

The total dynamic range of the RAW files is on average 9 stops. More important than the overall dynamic range, the usable dynamic range: jpg files from ISO 100 to ISO 1600 have a usable dynamic range of 6 stops, then the usable dynamic range is reduced to 4 stops at ISO 6400.
The dynamic range of jpg files is seemingly better than the RAW files. Yet that is not so. We test RAW files without noise reduction. If you carefully contrast, sharpening and noise reduction optimizes RAW files, RAW files provide a useful dynamic range that is better or equal to that of jpg files.

The noise not to use a RAW file, you get an idea of the quality of the sensor. The usable dynamic range of Canon cameras avoids much as you do not RAW files without NR comparing: The somewhat older Canon 5D MK2 with a full-format sensor scores slightly better than the Canon 60D, Canon 7D and Canon 600D. Jpg files, the noise is suppressed by the camera, and especially at higher ISO settings a higher dynamic range is measured. On average, all Canon SLRs than matched.

Noise

Comparison of the noise in jpg files with the measured noise in RAW files without noise reduction, shows that when the noise occurs jpg files at all ISO settings. We know from experience that if the noise is less than 2.5%, a photo on A3 + size prints can be without the noise is as disturbing.

Due to an increasing degree of noise reduction to apply at high ISO settings, the Canon 600D jpg files from ISO 100 to 6400 ISO, low noise show. By applying noise reduction, for RAW files to achieve even better results.

jpg-noise-Canon-600D-review

Color accuracy @ daylight

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The Canon 600D RAW files provide good color rendering (picture style: faithful). The performance of all Canon SLRs at this point are close together, but the Canon 600D performed in our test in daylight even better than the Canon 60D or the Canon 7D. The reds are slightly more saturated than the ideal values, but that looks very nice. Portraits are a tad warmer. The left illustration shows the errors of an ISO 100 color jpg image was shot in daylight. The further the ideal color (square) is removed from the color of the camera (round), the greater the color difference. For the test method and explanation of terms, see FAQ.

Hold your mouse over the left image for a larger version.

Color accuracy @ tungsten

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The color of the Canon 600D in artificial light is as good as more expensive cameras. By retrospectively correct the white balance, the orange color cast removal easy.

Read the conclusion and our practical experiences in our review of the Canon 600D.