Canon announces 60Da for astrophotographers

In a surprising ninja-like announcement, Canon has outed the Canon 60Da, the LONG awaited successor to the Canon 20Da. The 20Da was designed specifically to cater to the astro-photography enthusiasts, but the 8 megapixel sensor couldn't keep up with the forever expanding needs.

To address several image quality based concerns, Canon has developed the 60Da with an 18 megapixel sensor. The ISO has been capped at 6400 for quality purposes (though it can be expanded to 12,800).

The infra-red filter is the one area that has received considerable rework. The new filter has been designed to be almost 3 times more sensitive to Hydrogen-alpha wavelength than a regular DSLR. Hydrogen-alpha wavelength is the kind of light emitted by glowing hydrogen that give, for example, nebulae their distinct red glow.

With an increased sensitivity to the H-alpha wavelength, it would become a lot easier to shoot better quality images of celestial bodies that emit light in the H-alpha spectrum. Viewing these images is made easier thanks to the 1.4 million dot LCD screen and the TV out option.

Other than a refined sensor and a modified IR filter, the 60Da resembles its 60D counterpart in almost every respect. Canon has bundled the RA-E3 remote controller adapter along with an AC adapter kit for those looking to shoot exposures that last hours.

The Canon 60Da is a specialty product and is therefore only available through select authorized dealers for a US price of $1,499.00 later this month.