Movie/video mode

Canon EOS 600D review – Movie/Video Mode

Canon EOS 600D review – Quality

The quality of footage achievable from the Canon EOS 600D is good and like a host of other Canon DSLRs before it, the EOS 600D outputs videos straight from the camera as MOV files, allowing you to have useable files straight away without the need to process them. Footage is captured at full HD 1920×1080, while there’s the choice of shooting at either 24, 25 or 30fps, as well as the option to flick between either PAL (UK) and NTSC (USA).

Canon EOS 600D review – Record Time

The maximum quoted duration for the Canon EOS 600D is 29mins 59secs, with a 4GB limit. Canon has also incorporated their Video Snapshot technology, first seen on their camcorders, that allows you to shoot short clips of either 2, 4, 8secs, with a series that can then be merged into a single clip.

Canon EOS 600D review – Focusing Modes

Autofocus is possible during video capture, but this has to be enabled via the main menu. Just as you had in Live View, you have the choice of either Live mode (and Face detection Live mode) or Quick mode – the later is only possible before filming commences, but Live mode is possible during recording. That said, it’s advisable to use manual focus during filming as the sluggish AF system can result in unwanted shifts in focus in your video, while the noise from the motor in the lens will be picked up by the microphone in the camera.

Canon EOS 600D review – Manual Control

There’s a dedicated Movie mode on the Mode dial, but exposure can be set to be controlled manually if you wish as well that’s selected via the menu. There’s a Quick menu (activated by the Quick menu button) that allows you to set White Balance, Picture Styles, Video Snapshot, Movie size and Auto Lighting O

ptimizer (as well as Low, Standard and Strong, it can also be disabled).

Canon EOS 600D review – Sound

Sound is linear PCM, which will probably suffice for family videos, but as mentioned, be aware of the AF noise generated from the kit lens that will be picked up if you decide to use autofocus while recording. If you want to get a bit more serious, there’s a 3.5in mic socket, so an additional on or off-camera directional microphone can be called into action for professional sound recording.