Canon recently launched their EOS 60D that replaces the 50D, but is quite a different model.

Gone is the magnesium alloy body and in is a smaller and lighter model, which Canon told us today slotted neatly into their range, with three amateur models (EOS 1000D, EOS 500D, EOS 550D), three in the enthusiast range (EOS 60D, EOS 7D, EOS 5D Mk II) and finally those pro models the 1D and 1Ds.

Still, you have to negotiate the recommended retail price of £1099 body only, although by the time we hit Christmas, you can expect to see this heading south pretty quickly.

New to this level of camera is the vari-angle display on the rear – in fact the first EOS to feature this type of display. It is the stunning 1040k-dot display we saw on the 550D, and in-use feels really substantial as well as coping with some of the more advanced in-camera offerings, like RAW file editing.

A lock button now resides in the centre of the mode dial and the rear controls have been redesigned to make things easier to control, with Canon telling us today that some of the redesign was done considering use with the battery grip accessory - we tried it today and were surprised at just how well things fall under your fingers.

We grabbed a few shots of the camera for your delight whilst we await the arrival of a review model. All the details of the Canon 60D are in the news story if you want to know more, we're expecting to see it hit the shelves following Photokina.