Canon’s newest addition will sit at the "top of Canon’s entry-level EOS line-up, above the EOS 550D and the new EOS 1100D," also announced today.

The 600D uses the same 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor as the professional EOS 7D as well as the DIGIC 4 processing engine. It offers an expanded ISO range of 100 to 12,800, can shoot images at 3.7fps and has a nine-point auto-focus system.

Also borrowing from the more-advanced 7D camera, the 600D uses the same iFCL Metering system, which has a 63-zone Dual-layer metering sensor "helping you to ensure your shot is correctly exposed, even in difficult lighting conditions," claims Canon.

The 600D also comes with a three-inch, vari-angle ClearView LCD screen with a resolution of 1.04 million dots.

As for filming capabilities, Canon continues to bring Full HD features to its entry-level models with the 600D offering resolution of up to 1080p at a variety of frame rates – 29.97, 25 and 23.976 at full resolution, and 59.94 at 720p. It also has a HDMI mini-output and an external microphone jack.

However, for the first time in Canon’s range of DSLRs, the 600D features a new Movie Digital Zoom function, which, claims Canon, crops the centre of the sensor from 3x to 10x while still maintaining Full HD quality.

The 600D will retail from April at £679/€819 body-only, or £769/€929 with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II lens, also announced this week.

While the 600D will be sold alongside its predecessor, the 550D, the camera will replace the 500D that has now been discontinued, BJP understands. Similarly, the newly-announced EOS 1100D will replace the 1000D Canon launched in 2009.

The 1100D has a 12-megapixel sensor, a sensibility range of ISO100 to ISO6400 and 720p high-definition video capture capabilities. The camera has been designed for 25-to-35-year-old women, who, says Canon, are buying "more and more entry-level DSLRs," according to a report by Amateur Photographer.

Features

18-megapixel CMOS sensor

Scene Intelligent Auto mode

Full-HD EOS Movie

On-screen Feature Guide

3.7fps continuous shooting

Wide-area 9-point AF

1,040k-dot vari-angle 7.7cm (3.0") screen

Basic+ and Creative Filters

Built-in wireless flash control

Your EOS adventure starts here

18 MP APS-C CMOS sensor

An APS-C sized, 18-megapixel CMOS sensor captures images that are packed with detail and clarity. Such high-resolution allows large print sizes and the flexibility to crop pictures for alternative compositions.

ISO 100-6400 sensitivity

An ISO range of 100-6400, extendable to ISO 12,800, enables high-quality hand-held shooting in low-light conditions, without the need for flash.

14-bit image processing

At the heart of the Canon EOS 600D is a 14-bit DIGIC 4 image processor that provides exceptional colour reproduction, smooth tonal gradation and tight control over noise.

Scene Intelligent Auto mode

Scene Intelligent Auto analyzes each scene in detail and picks the right camera settings each and every time, leaving you free to concentrate on what’s important – your photography.

On-screen Feature Guide

The EOS 600D’s on-screen Feature Guide provides descriptions of many of the camera’s functions, as well as advice on how to use them.

Full-HD EOS Movie

Shoot Full-HD video with manual control over frame rate, exposure and sound. Video Snapshot technology allows short clips of 2, 4 or 8 sec to be merged into a single movie file, for footage that looks like it was edited professionally, while Movie Digital Zoom permits 3-10x magnification while retaining Full-HD quality.

9-point wide-area AF and iFCL metering

Nine AF points, including one central cross-type sensor, spread out across the frame for swift, accurate focusing, even with off-centre subjects. 63-zone iFCL metering ensures accurate exposures time after time.

1,040k-dot vari-angle 7.7cm (3.0") screen

Shoot from unique angles with a 7.7cm (3.0") 3:2 Clear View LCD screen, containing 1,040,000 dots for increased clarity.

Basic+

Basic+ technology allows photographers to customize basic auto settings according to lighting conditions or ambience.

Creative Filter Effects

Creative Filter Effects can be applied to Raw and JPEG files post capture, including Toy Camera, Soft Focus, Miniature, Grainy Black & White and Fish Eye simulations.

Built-in wireless flash control

An integrated wireless Speedlite flash controller and Easy Wireless technology allow off-camera TTL flash without the need for extra accessories.

Use with all EF and EF-S lenses

The EOS 600D is supported by the complete system: flashguns, remote releases and over 60 lenses trusted by professional photographers the world over.

The EOS 1100D will retail from £419/€499 and will be available in April.