Nikon D60 (with 18mm-55mm lens)
Manufacturer: Nikon Inc. Part number: 25438
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- Editors' review
- User reviews
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- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Despite modest improvements in performance and a couple of new features, Nikon's D60 fails to impress and costs more than some competing models.
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Where to buy
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| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/02/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Nikon D60 (with 18mm-55mm lens) price range: $639.95
- Reviewed by: Philip Ryan
- Reviewed on: 03/24/2008
The good: Optically stabilized kit lens; convenient onscreen user interface; compatible with a wide variety of lenses and accessories.
The bad: Pricey for what it offers; lens-based image stabilization is less flexible than sensor-shift offered by some competitors.
The bottom line: Despite modest improvements in performance and a couple of new features, Nikon's D60 fails to impress and costs more than some competing models.
Editor's note: Upon further analysis and comparison with competitive models that we didn't have at the time of this review, we have lowered the D60's image quality score from an 8 to a 7 to better place it among the field of entry level dSLRs. This lowered the camera's overall rating to a 7.2
There was a time when the idea of an entry-level dSLR was a bit of an oxymoron. Even the least expensive SLR was a large step up from the digital compacts at the time, but these days entry-level SLRs are being made to be entry level, and their prices line up closely with the most expensive compact cameras. Nikon's D60 is a good example of the current breed of these dSLRs. It checks in with a healthy 10.2-megapixel CCD sensor, a slightly small-by-comparison 2.5-inch LCD, and an upgraded, optically stabilized kit lens. While those features are nice, the D60 falls behind the competition in several areas in terms of its specifications. For instance, Sony's DSLR-A200 also sports 10.2-megapixels, but has a slightly larger 2.7-inch screen, body-based image stabilization, similar in-camera editing and dynamic-range optimization features, and costs less than this Nikon. Its performance numbers were slightly worse than the D60, but not by very much. Meanwhile Canon's Rebel XSi, which we haven't reviewed as of this writing, offers 12.2-megapixels, a 3-inch LCD, 14-bit digital-to-analog conversion, and also comes with an optically stabilized lens, though its list price is higher than the D60. The main issue with this Nikon is that it doesn't feel like a major upgrade over the D40x, while Sony's and Canon's upgrades over their predecessors are easy for consumers to understand, such as the Rebel's shift from 10.1MP to 12.2MP.
The fact that the D60 looks almost exactly like the D40x probably doesn't help Nikon's public perception on this model. In our first briefing on this camera, Nikon even said that it has the exact same form factor as the D40x. Of course, that's not a bad thing, since the design is good. At 19.4 ounces with a battery and an SD card, and without a lens, it's lightweight enough to shoot comfortably for a day, and the kit lens is one of the lightest Nikon lenses I've worked with, so it doesn't add much weight. The body is also quite small and will fit well into smaller camera bags, though the grip will leave your pinky finger dangling off the bottom of the body--something that tends to bother me, but doesn't bother most people. As has become the trend, many of the camera's controls are accessed through a virtual control system on the LCD instead of physical buttons on the camera body.
When Nikon first switched to this system, I was a bit hesitant, but I am now pretty quick with it. I can see why users that are used to a compact camera might find this system more familiar than trying to learn the layout of a hard-button-based system. Nikon also includes a nice visual representation of aperture and shutter speed to underscore the fact that the aperture blades make a smaller opening for light in the lens as you make the f/stop a higher number, while showing bars that wrap around those virtual aperture blades as you make the shutter speed faster. They still make you press the "i" button to get into the control system, which wasn't intuitive to me the first time I encountered it, though there's so little space on the camera back, and the button doubles as a zoom control in playback mode. That double functionality was my biggest gripe about this system though, since I ended up zooming in during the automatic image review quite a bit and had to first press the shutter button halfway to exit that before getting into the control system. I could have turned the automatic image review off in the custom function menu, but I don't think that is an adequate solution to this issue. One thing Nikon could do is relocate the playback button above where it is now, to the left shoulder of the camera, behind the lug for the strap. Then they could shift the other three buttons up one and give the control system its own button.
Given that Nikon prices the D60 higher than some competitors, notably Olympus's Evolt E-510, Pentax's K200D, and the aforementioned Sony A200, you'd think that they would include more than this camera's three autofocus points. Even more so since the Pentax and Sony offer 11- and 9-AF points respectively and, along with the Olympus, offer sensor-shift image stabilization systems that work with all lenses for their respective mounts. Of course, the big benefit of optical image stabilization is that you'll see the stabilizing effect while you frame your shot, which becomes more useful when your lens' focal length becomes longer. However, this shouldn't be a major issue until you reach focal lengths in the range of 300mm and higher, so if you don't plan to get a very long lens, the edge provided by lens-based stabilization may be moot compared with the sensor-shift alternatives.
Nikon's menu system in the D60 hasn't changed much from the D40x, but it now includes a retouch menu, so you can tweak your images in the camera after you shoot them. In addition to the tweaks included in the D40x, such as D-Lighting (to fix minor exposure issues and bring detail out of shadow areas all in one-step), red-eye reduction, and cropping, Nikon has added a couple of new filter effects with the D60. Red, green, and blue Intensifiers let you add some saturation to those colors, while the Cross Screen filter mimics a traditional Cross Star lens filter, adding a twinkle to small light sources and highlights in an image. The Cross Screen can look cool, and Nikon includes controls for the angle, length, and number (4, 6, or 8) of points, as well as the intensity of the effect. Be careful to use this filter in moderation though--it can have a digitally enhanced look to it if taken too far.
Nikon has also built an NEF (Nikon's RAW image file type) to JPEG converter. While this makes up a little bit for the fact that you're limited to shooting basic (highly compressed) JPEGs when shooting RAW+JPEG with the D60, I'd rather Nikon include this and let me shoot fine (lowest compression) JPEGs in RAW+JPEG mode. Still, it's nice to be able to do a basic conversion on the fly if needed.
More fun than the RAW conversion is the D60's Stop Motion Movie mode, which lets you convert a series of JPEG files into an AVI movie up to 640x480 pixels at a frame rate of up to 15 frames per second. The process is really easy, and you can even change the start and end points, remove specific frames from the middle, and change the frame rate before finalizing. A preview option lets you confirm you've got it right before committing. I made a short clip of a couple of subway trains moving through Penn Station, but I got conversion errors whenever I tried to upload it to YouTube.
Another nifty new feature is the Rangefinder function. The feature converts the exposure/exposure compensation scale to a distance-based focus assist when you're in manual focus mode and not shooting in full manual exposure mode. Since the D60, like the D40 and D40x before it, can only autofocus with Nikon's AF-S and AF-I lenses, the Rangefinder feature offers a nice bit of help when focusing with a non-AF-S or AF-I lens, such as Nikon's relatively inexpensive AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D prime lens. That 50mm Nikkor uses a coupling pin to rely on the AF motor built into Nikon's more expensive SLR bodies. Be warned though, in low light, the Rangefinder function may get a bit confused, just as the camera's AF system tends to.
I'm not entirely certain why, but while the D40 had a flash sync speed of 1/500 second, the D40x and now the D60 have a sync speed of 1/200 second, as does the Canon Rebel XSi. Both the Pentax K200D and the Olympus E-510 sync at 1/180 second, while the Sony A200 and Panasonic Lumix L10 have sync speeds of 1/160 second. If you don't know what a sync speed is, it's the fastest shutter speed you can use with the camera's built-in flash. Since there are times when you need a fast shutter speed to stop the motion of a subject, but still might need to use the flash as fill flash (perhaps for a backlit subject in motion, such as a soccer player running toward you down the field), the general rule is that a faster sync speed is better. As such, the Nikons' and Canon's sync of 1/200 second is the best of the budget bunch, but it would've been even nicer if Nikon would've kept the 1/500 second speed of the D40.
The D60 performed well in our lab tests, showing a slight improvement over the D40x in its low-light shutter lag and RAW shot-to-shot times, but was a tad slower on start up, though it's still plenty fast. The camera took 0.4 second to start up and capture its first JPEG and took 0.5 second between subsequent JPEGs with the flash turned off. With the flash turned on, that stretched to 0.8 second, while the camera took 0.5 second between shots when shooting RAW. Shutter lag measured an impressive 0.4 second in our high contrast test and 0.7 second in our low contrast test, which respectively mimic bright and dim shooting conditions. However, in my field tests, the camera did get confused on several occasions when shooting in dim light. Sometimes, it would fail to achieve focus in situations where a lot of cameras were able to achieve focus. When it was able to focus in dim situations, it locks rather quickly, but it just isn't quite as reliable as some more expensive Nikons, or as reliable as I remember the D40x to be. In our continuous-shooting test, the D60 was able to capture an average of 2.8 frames per second (fps), putting it extremely close to Nikon's claim of 3 fps.
Image quality from the Nikon D60 is very nice, though our numerically based color accuracy test, and close side-by-side scrutiny with images from other very accurate (and more expensive) models, showed that its images aren't quite as color accurate as competitive cameras we have tested so far. However, most people won't be able to tell a major difference in this area. Unless you're completely fanatical about colors being represented absolutely exactly as they exist (something most consumer-oriented film rarely did back in the day), then it shouldn't be a major issue for you. This is especially true since the D60 turned in pleasing, if slightly oversaturated, colors and in other ways its image quality is nice for a camera of its class.
The D60 includes Nikon's 3D Matrix Metering II to determine exposure when not using center-weighted, or spot metering. Nikon's Matrix mode does a very good job of determining the best exposure for a given scene. Generally, it seems to make the most logical compromise between preserving highlight or shadow detail. For example, if faced with a high contrast scene and the area of highlight detail is significantly smaller than the main area of shadow detail, the camera will likely sacrifice the highlights to hold onto the shadows. However, since the system also compares the given scene with a database of images, the camera should notice if you're shooting a portrait, or other scene, in which a simple compromise wouldn't be best. I have to say that I am impressed with the camera's metering.
As has been the case with other Nikon SLRs recently, the D60 does a very good job of keeping noise in check. At ISO 100 and ISO 200, noise is virtually nonexistent and only starts to creep in at ISO 400, though it doesn't take away any significant amount of sharpness or shadow detail. By ISO 800 a minor amount of grain is present, a very minor amount of sharpness becomes softened, and an equally small amount of shadow detail falls away. Even at ISO 1,600 there is a decent amount of shadow detail and a ton of sharpness given such a high sensitivity in an entry-level SLR. At ISO 3,200, which Nikon calls Hi1, noise is quite heavy, a large amount of shadow detail is lost, and while noise obscures a lot of sharpness, there's still quite a bit. Still, I suggest sticking with ISO 1,600 and below whenever possible.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
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Time to first shot | |
Raw shot-to-shot time | |
Shutter lag (dim light) | |
Shutter lag (typical) |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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Typical continuous-shooting speed |
Find out more about how we test digital cameras.
User reviews
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The D60 is a great camera
by LaJan7 on April 1, 2008
Pros: Fast, lightweight, intuative, very good quality shots, reasonable price, VR lens STANDARD!
Cons: Small body, lack of bracketing, doesn't support some legacy lenses
Summary: This camera is a great camera as a 2nd for a professional and a perfect camera as a 1st for a prosumer. The price isn't unreasonable like the C/...
Summary: This camera is a great camera as a 2nd for a professional and a perfect camera as a 1st for a prosumer. The price isn't unreasonable like the C/net review alluded to since the better performance (which the reviewer did acknowledge) is worth the extra bucks.
One extremely important note tho: you MUST test your individual camera in the store before purchasing it! I own a D80 that was defective from day one, with a seriously slower curtain assembly making for much fewer shots per second. Unless you KNOW your camera is perfectly manufactured before purchase, you need to have someone else do a 'road test' on it in the store and not be slammed like I was!
The D60's buffer isn't anything like the reviewer's performance and the camera used for the review may have been slightly less well manufactured. I get better than 3.1 frames per second and in good light with ISO at 100, I can run up 100 frames at FINE quality and LARGE size and NEVER use up the buffer! This is completely amazing to me because my D80 with almost identical resolution will max out after about 30 seconds.
Something incredibly useful and completely ignored in the review is the face sensor. This has nothing to do with "face recognition" in some cameras. This is the camera recognizing your face is at the camera and it turns off the display automatically. For people just learning to use a DSLR camera, this is a huge feature for saving time, battery life, and annoyance. Gone is the need to depress the shutter release halfway to darken the display when you still want to see it when not shooting. There's also a very convenient way to KEEP the display off if you're a more experience shooter and don't care to see the thing light up with either a set of handy setting monitors or a review of the last shot.
And speaking of that display... The reviewer didn't mention that there IS a cover for this display included, whereas some Canon's that cost $1000 more don't have one. And the display is also split into two sections: the first for seeing all the main functions and settings of the camera, and; the second for editing the most important ones 'on the fly'. Even the D80 isn't that easy to change and the display, while it may appear childish to some experienced users, is a blessing to inexperienced ones or people who first pick up the camera.
The focusing is as fast as my D80 but it does get confused in some situations, as the reviewer noted and that's a pain. Also, my 70 - 300 Nikkor lens won't autofocus and that really annoyed me since I wasn't aware of this fact before purchasing the camera. Had I known, I may have downgraded to the last D40 to be released. And that's another note missing from the review: Nikon has dumped the D40 line and will go with the D60 instead. So, this isn't just a "step up" for the D40; it's an entirely new lifeform and at 10.1 megapixels, this step up is considerable for the quality of shots.
Yes, the option of JPG settings with the RAW shooting option isn't as good as it could be. That's a big issue for me when reviewing shots on the computer before opening them for editing or deletion. When looking at a sub-standard JPG you really don't know if the RAW is usable or not. And the lack of bracketing for ANYTHING is just a nightmare. When you don't know how to get a shot to work in the field and you HAVE to move on, bracketing can save your bacon, whether it?s for exposure or anything else. With the D60 you can rotate the command dials and scroll thru the same options as automatic bracketing, but you need to know how to do this, have the camera set to do it, and be fast enough to make it practical. 80,000 shots later, I can't do it on the D80 with the same control options.
On a purely personal note, I can't fathom why anyone would want to do extensive editing inside a camera when even the biggest screens are less than 5 inches across. I don't need HD 72" flat screen display with surround sound to know if the shot is washed out or not but I can't possibly tell if the focus is ?the best of the burst?. I can't tell if everyone in a shot has their eyes open without scrolling on some ridiculously high zoom setting and jockeying around up and down to even FIND all the eyes in the shot if there are 20 people. LOL! And how can you tell if your creative editing looks like a 4-year old did it or if you got the nuances just right? I guess you can get to that aforementioned TV and hook the camera into it to do the editing without a computer. But in the age of laptops, playing around with a good shot in the less than good setting of a camera's view screen just isn't prudent.
Want a good camera for a beginner? The D60 excels with the large customizable graphic display. Want a second Nikon for very good digital shots as a prosumer? The D60 is your inexpensive best choice. Want a step up from your pocket rocket compact for macro (usually seriously expensive because of the need for expensive glass)? The D60 can slap on a couple of the inexpensive magnifying lenses (think infrared type screw-ons) and you'll be taking macros with a full-sized DSLR and faster than you can even turn on a compact. And know what? The D60 WILL autofocus thru the three I attached but will also display a circle telling you that the subject is in focus when you manually focus too. No, the quality of the shots you'll get from using this admittedly less-than-great way to get a macro isn't stellar and you shouldn't expect that. But for $10 you can get some macro from the same DSLR you're using for all the rest of your shots instead of fishing around for your trusty old snap-shooter.
Oh. The D60 comes with a flash. Some of the Canons that cost $2500 don't. Maybe you don't mind buying speedlights, extra batteries, cables, and other assorted necessities to take a simple flash shot. Gee, if you're spending thousands to buy a camera, throwing money at gear must be second nature - to take a quick and priceless picture of your dog in the house.
As an option, try this one: infrared remote controlled shutter release. The super-expensive but non-professional Canons have wired remotes and ports like your old BetaMax had for watching crummy videos. This camera that costs 1/4 the Canon price can get you snapping shots of yourself or even shooting things in the wild that wouldn't come near you if they saw you but don't know a camera from a rock. And what does a universal remote for your TV/VCR/DVD/DV/cable system sell for these days? How about just for your TV??? The D60's remote sells for $10 and come with a handy Velcro pouch that attaches firmly (thru holes) to your camera strap. As a bonus, it works for the D80 and who know how many other Nikons as well.
Bottom line: if you have a need for high quality digital images but limited cash an want to get the biggest bang for your buck, check out the Nikon D60 side-by-side with the Canon of your choice. If you don't leave with the Nikon, you aren't leaving with your money's worth.
LaJan
PS One of the features one salesman used to try to get me to go Canon before even trying the D80 was the self-cleaning the Canons offer. Not only can you automatically have the D60 clean itself upon every shut down cycle, you can trigger it manually in a pinch. This may sound like hokum to purists and experienced DSLS users but if you're like me and LOATH finding a goobered spot on a great image but can't afford the time to clean out the body every single time you change lenses, this will make your day and sell the camera - hands down.
LJ14 out of 14 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great for modest shooters...Love the quality
by jchoi721 on April 7, 2008
Pros: Price, light weight, easy interface, great quality
Cons: Does not include the capture NX software. Need to purchase separately.
Summary: I dont really agree with the Cnet review of this Camara. Although there is not a drastic change over the D40x, there are plenty of improvements (VR lens, faster performance, ...
Summary: I dont really agree with the Cnet review of this Camara. Although there is not a drastic change over the D40x, there are plenty of improvements (VR lens, faster performance, Dust reduction system, etc) Considering your only paying a $50-75 price (depending on where you purchase) difference between the two models you are getting alot. If your a beginner-intermediate shooter, this camara will not disappoint you.
7 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The D60 made me switch from Canon gear!!!
by gunfighter1948 on June 28, 2008
Pros: Very easy to use with buttons to get you to all the settings quickly. You don't have to go through a dozen menus to get to the settings you need.
Cons: None that I have found at this point.
Summary: I've used Canon gear for almost 40 years. I have also used Bronica 2 1/4 in cameras. I was a weekend Pro for about 10 years, mostly weddings, ...
Summary: I've used Canon gear for almost 40 years. I have also used Bronica 2 1/4 in cameras. I was a weekend Pro for about 10 years, mostly weddings, portraits, and model portfolios. But I sold all my gear 14 years ago to fund other interest.
I got the urge recently to get back into photography and did a lot of research into DSLRs. My research pointed me to Canon and Nikon, some surprise huh! I finally went with the Nikon D60. It has excellent features for the money and Nikon lenses have always had a great reputation. My lenses have proved that it's still true with the 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR lenses. They're very sharp and clear. The VR does a great job an helps provide great results at shutter speeds that used to require a tripod!
While most people consider this a beginner camera; I would say while it's easy enough for a beginner to use, it's definitely more than that. It can do things we could only dream about with 35mm film cameras. This camera will make any advanced amateur or pro photographer very happy. It's light weight, easy to carry all day. It's built very sturdy and feels very solid.
The two VR lenses I have, focus precisely, fast, and silently. They are very sharp and clear when stopped down to F8 or so. The results at full aperture are slightly soft but not objectionable by any means. With the VR lenses I can now carry a light weight monopod instead of packing a heavy tripod.
It took a lot to get me to switch from my favorite, Canon, but the D60 made me do it!!4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent Consumer DSLR
by pda4you on April 12, 2008
Pros: Image quality, Dust Reduction and VR Kit Lens Rock
Cons: A touch pricy
Summary: Image quality, Dust Reduction and VR Kit Lens Rock!
The camera is light and very easy to handle - I could not be happier coming from the consumer point and ...Summary: Image quality, Dust Reduction and VR Kit Lens Rock!
The camera is light and very easy to handle - I could not be happier coming from the consumer point and shoot digitals I can say this is a welcome upgrade. VR in the kit lens has been fantastic - allowing me an honest three full stops for great low light hand held .
I also like that it uses SD memory so I can use my old cards but if you want anywhere near 3 frame/sec you will need FAST cards.
I was surprised to see the C-Net professional review not mention the dust reduction system on this camera - a great sales feature for me.
I am VERY happy with this camera and the kit lens is FAR superior to the Canon - my next choice.
Can't wait to pick up the 80-200 VR zoom for this.
Very satisfied user!4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Superb SLR for beginers as well as advanced users!
by opopo100 on March 24, 2008
Pros: Fast performance, great picture quality, nice ergonomics, nifty features
Cons: More expensive than the competing models from Sony and Canon
Summary: If you can spend the extra 50 dollars, you will be pleased. The kit lens that comes with it is great- lightweight and high-performance. Nikon is a clear competitor with ...
Summary: If you can spend the extra 50 dollars, you will be pleased. The kit lens that comes with it is great- lightweight and high-performance. Nikon is a clear competitor with Canon for the manufacturers of the best SLRs. The resolution is great for display on full HD 1080p TVs as well as large prints. The menu is easy to read, so beginners don't get confused. This camera has some new features like an eye sensor that closes the LCD when you put it to your eye and a movie mode that sticks 100 high-quality photos together to make a little animation. This is one of the greatest sub-1000$ SLRs out there.
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great entry-level DSLR Camera
by dvdirv on May 17, 2008
Pros: Sharp photos, no shutter lag, sensor cleaning & in-camera retouching & editing
Cons: Pricey, only 10.2 MP
Summary: If you are used to a compact point-and-shoot and want to overcome the shortcomings of these cameras, then consider the Nikon D60.
This camera is designed for newcomers to DSLRs ...Summary: If you are used to a compact point-and-shoot and want to overcome the shortcomings of these cameras, then consider the Nikon D60.
This camera is designed for newcomers to DSLRs and Nikon wants you to feel at home with this camera. The size and weight is just slightly more than a deluxe point-and-shoot with lots more options for those who want to take photography more seriously.
Among the major reasons for buying this camera is its sharp pictures due to Nikon's lens technology which now includes a vibration reduction lens to keep your photos steady. The sensor cleaner is a big plus to keep those images clear. You have the option of using the camera on automatic or trying out many of Nikon's built-in options for editing your shots.
There are very few negatives. If you are used to the pricing with a point-and-shoot, a DSLR camera looks like sticker shock. But when you realize all the benefits you are getting, it makes sense. Only other negative is that with more and more cameras raising the bar with mega-pixels, one wonders why Nikon couldn't have gone to a 12MP resolution in the D60. But for most of us, 10MP should be fine.
All-in-all this is one great camera value. You get the lightweight small configuration of a point-and-shoot in a DSLR with all the benefits that the D60 offers.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Easy entry in to D-SLRs.
by nebergd on April 21, 2008
Pros: It's a Nikon; Images are great right out of the camera; Good price point; Small and easy to use.
Cons: Only 3 AF points (although it really hasn't been a problem yet...), built-in flash is a bit weak.
Summary: The Nikon D60 is my first D-SLR, so in reality, I don't have a lot to compare it with. But being that Nikon is marketing this as an entry-level ...
Summary: The Nikon D60 is my first D-SLR, so in reality, I don't have a lot to compare it with. But being that Nikon is marketing this as an entry-level model, then I guess that makes me part of their target audience.
Right out of the box, I was able to shoot some good snaps. The camera's buttons and menus are fairly intuitive, and there is always the "help" button if you aren't sure what a button does. The included kit lens is fine and the auto-focus is quick and usually accurate. The body is small compared to some other models, but I like that for portability when traveling.
Now that I have been using it for a few weeks, I am learning more about the camera's advanced features and getting out of the automatic modes. The buttons locations and their use is becoming second-nature and the pictures are looking great! If you're like me, you'll be wanting more: I'm already looking to buy a longer zoom lens and an external flash for more versatility.
My advice for buyers: this is a great camera, but make sure that whatever you buy is right for you. Go to your local camera store and try it out, see how it feels, take some shots in the store. Look online for images made with the camera you're looking for and see if you like the colors, exposure and overall image quality, since it can be a personal preference sort of thing.
If you are looking for your first D-SLR or you want something smaller than your D300 for traveling, the D60 is a great, easy to use and learn D-SLR and you won't be disappointed.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Perfect in everyway
by border patrol on April 9, 2008
Pros: shutter speed was faster than expected
Cons: changing from Canon to Nikon and relearning menus
Summary: I actually went into buy a Canon and got talked into buying the D60. The D60 is smaller and feels stronger mechanically. I really don't know much more I ...
Summary: I actually went into buy a Canon and got talked into buying the D60. The D60 is smaller and feels stronger mechanically. I really don't know much more I could need in a camera.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I like it!
by awakinAZ on March 14, 2008
Pros: Easy menu - fast focus
Cons: a tad heavy
Summary: I have had the camera combo about a week. It's my first digital SLR. I purchased it online and was surprised to see 98% of the entire unit (lens ...
Summary: I have had the camera combo about a week. It's my first digital SLR. I purchased it online and was surprised to see 98% of the entire unit (lens included) was plastic or composite.
Camera takes great pics, even indoors at night with the standard flash. Focus time is fast and great picture quality. Looking forward to great shots in the future. Highly reccomend for beginner. I had it up and running quickly.3 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Def a Nikon.
by gdrags on December 16, 2008
Pros: great quality pictures,
punchy colors
amazing speed and quality of shots if used properly
self cleaning options
menus seem to be clear and to the point.
appearance is excellent.
battery life is impressive.Cons: could have a bigger LCD
no LCD protector
AF points.(has 3 could use more for the price)Summary: Got this camera on Nov of this year, excellent quality. Everything you'd expect from a nikon. impressive photo finish and color rendition. love the in camera RAW editing features ...
Summary: Got this camera on Nov of this year, excellent quality. Everything you'd expect from a nikon. impressive photo finish and color rendition. love the in camera RAW editing features and the filters. i prefer photoshop but its always good to have the options there. portability is a max and size is maybe the best of its features. like ive said before im all about brands and well i dont like canon it seems overrated to me. i would have liked to get a higher end model but for a bday present it was def a great addition.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
- Part number: 25438
- Description: The compact 10.2-MP D60 delivers breathtaking picture quality and the versatile handling of a D-SLR, yet is incredibly compact, easy and fun to use. Nikon's high-performance, 10.2-megapixel DX-format CCD imaging sensor and exclusive EXPEED image processing concept provide added cropping freedom and the ability to make larger prints. With fast startup and split-second shutter response, the D60 eliminates the frustration of shutter delay, capturing moments that other cameras miss. Capture sports action, precious moments and fleeting expressions at up to 3 frames per second, for as many as 100 consecutive JPEG images. Nikon's Active Dust Reduction System activates automatically, along with Airflow Control technology to reduce the amount of dust that reaches the sensor. Intuitive controls and an onboard HELP Menu System with Assist Images make the D60 truly easy to use, enabling everyone to capture beautiful memories perfectly. Nikon's original digital image processing concept, EXPEED, comprehensively optimizes pictures, shot after shot. Beautifully styled, the D60 makes high-performance digital SLR photography easier and more convenient than ever. You'll be amazed at the power packed into a camera that weighs just over 16 ounces. Playback images are easy to see and function menus are easier to use with a larger and brighter color LCD monitor. The large 2.5-inch LCD monitor enables image preview at up to 19 times magnification and has large type fonts with easy-to-view menus. Auto rotating LCD display provides automatic horizontal and vertical graphic display orientation. The D60's Assist Images help you select the appropriate settings for many camera features by showing an example image typical of that setting, as well as an advanced HELP Menu for the current item selected. The D60's Question Mark icon (?) indicates that help is available for the currently selected item; just press the HELP button beside the LCD monitor to see a context-sensitive HELP page. The D60's 3D Color Matrix Metering II evaluates each scene for brightness, color, contrast, size and position of shadows and highlights, selected focus area and camera-to-subject distance, comparing that information against an onboard database of more than 30,000 actual photographic scenes. The result delivers instantly and precisely determined exposures for each scene, even in challenging lighting conditions. The D60's Optimize Image setting lets photographers adjust color, contrast and sharpening, as well as other image settings, according to the type of scene or output desired. Settings include: Normal, Softer, Vivid, More Vivid, Portrait, Custom and Black and White, each of which are automatically adjusted based on sophisticated Nikon algorithms or user-selected settings for optimum results. Nikon's innovative i-TTL flash control evaluates flash exposure with incredible precision to achieve better automatic flash balance and deliver outstanding results. The built-in Speedlight is always readyto bring beautiful exposuresto darkened conditions, as well as add sparkle for fill flash in outdoor situations for enhanced twilight shots or an added impact to daylight images. In low-light or back-light situations, added illumination from the built-in Speedlight can make the difference between an average snapshot and a dazzling picture. The D60's advanced 3-Area AF system and the refined algorithms inherited from more advanced Nikon digital SLR cameras deliver fast, efficient and precise Autofocus. AF refinements deliver greater precision with fast, more consistent subject acquisition and improved focus tracking for consistently sharper pictures.
General
- Product Type Digital camera - SLR
- Width 5 in
- Depth 2.5 in
- Height 3.7 in
- Weight 17.5 oz
Main Features
- Resolution 10.2 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Optical Sensor Type CCD
- Total Pixels 10,750,000 pixels
- Effective Sensor Resolution 10,200,000 pixels
- Field of View Crop Factor 1.5
- Sensor Dust Reduction Yes
- Light Sensitivity ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO 3200
- Shooting Programs Children, Close-up, Landscape, Sports mode, Portrait mode, Night portrait
- Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec
- Min Shutter Speed 30 sec
- X-sync Speed 1/200 sec
- Exposure Metering Spot, Center-weighted, 3D color matrix II
- Exposure Modes Bulb, Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority, I-TTL program flash
- Exposure Range EV 0-20 ( ISO 100 )
- Exposure Compensation ±5 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
- Exposure Metering Zones 420
- White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
- Still Image Format JPEG, NEF (RAW), RAW + JPEG
- Remote Control Optional
- TV Tuner None
Memory / Storage
- Supported Flash Memory MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card
- Floppy Drive None
- Digital Storage Media None
- Image Storage RAW 3872 x 2592, JPEG 3872 x 2592, JPEG 2896 x 1944, JPEG 1936 x 1296
Camera Flash
- Camera Flash Pop-up flash
- Guide Number (m / ISO 100) 12
- Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Slow synchro, Flash OFF mode, Rear curtain sync, Red-eye reduction
- Red Eye Reduction Yes
- Features AF illuminator, Flash +/- compensation
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 18 mm - 55 mm - F/3.5-5.6 G Nikon AF-S DX VR
- Focal Length 18 mm - 55 mm
- Focus Adjustment Manual, Automatic
- Auto Focus TTL phase detection
- Auto Focus Points (Zones) 3
- Min Focus Range 11 in
- Max View Angle 76 degrees
- Lens Aperture F/3.5-5.6
- Optical Zoom 3 x
- Zoom Adjustment Manual
- Lens Construction 8 group(s) / 11 element(s)
- Filter Size 52 mm
- Lens System Mounting Nikon F
- Lens Manufacturer Nikkor
- Features Aspherical lens, Silent Wave Motor (SWM), VR (Vibration Reduction)
Additional Features
- Self Timer Yes
- Self Timer Delay 2 sec, 5 sec, 10 sec, 20 sec
- Flash Terminal Hot shoe
- Additional Features DPOF support, Direct print, Date/time stamp, Histogram display, PictBridge support, USB 2.0 compatibility, Digital image rotation, Highlight point display, Text input to Exif header, Display brightness control, Camera orientation detection
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type Optical - Eye-level penta-dach mirror
- Field Coverage 95%
- Magnification 0.8x
- Dioptric Correction Range -1.7 to +0.5
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.5 in - Color
- Display Form Factor Built-in
- Display Format 230,000 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Composite video output, 1 x USB
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x SD Memory Card
Software
- Software Drivers & Utilities
Miscellaneous
- Microsoft Certifications Certified for Windows Vista
- Included Accessories Eyecup, Body cap, Dust cap, Lens cap, Shoe cap, Neck strap, Eyepiece cover
- Cables Included USB cable
Power
- Power Device Battery charger - External
Battery
- Supported Battery Nikon EN-EL9
- Supported Battery 1 x Nikon EN-EL9 Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Product series
-
Nikon D60 (with 18mm-55mm lens)
Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 3 x, 2.5 in LCD display
-
Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 2.5 in LCD display
-
Nikon D60 (with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens)
Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 3 x, 2.5 in LCD display
-
Nikon D60 Black Gold Special Edition (body only)
Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 2.5 in LCD display, 1 GB - SD Memory Card
-
Nikon D60 Black Gold Special Edition (with 18mm-55mm lens)
Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 3 x, 2.5 in LCD display
-
Nikon D60 Black Gold Special Edition (with 18mm-35mm lens)
Manufacturer: Nikon Inc.
Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 7.5 x, 2.5 in LCD display
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Nikon Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Nikon Inc. products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.nikonusa.com/
- Address:
1300 Walt Whitman Rd.
Melville, NY 11747 - Phone: 516/547-4200
- Fax: 631-547-4025
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