Nikon D60

Description

Nikon D60 DX Review • Introduced January 28, 2008 - If you can afford it, get the D90 instead. For people looking for their first DSLR camera, the D60 is a great choice If you're looking the DSLR that can do many wonderful things but don't have a whole lot to spend, this is the camera to get. It is very easy to use and provides excellent images without requiring a lot of technical knowledge. Don't pass up the D60 just because it's called "entry level". This unassuming camera is very well made, doesn't cost a fortune, has a lot of features, and is capable of producing stunning photos, depending on the user.

Remember: it's not the camera, it's the photographer. Maybe, maybe a good fast lens would improve your style. Like most things in life, it doesn't really matter how "good" or how expensive the equipment is, it's really how "well" you can use it. You could own the best tennis racket in the world, but Roger Federer will still beat you with a wooden racket any day. To a great extent this is the argument for the D60. It has more than adequate attributes to produce impressive pictures. Take the time to learn all the functions, you'll find that for an entry level DSLR, it's a great camera. If you think about it, all you really need in a camera are controls for shutter speed, aperature, and focus. For most of the people looking at this camera, 95% of the time you'll be shooting in auto or aperature-priority mode. The only other settings you might touch from time to time are the ISO and white balance settings.

Features

The D60 is the third version of Nikon's compact, user-friendly entry-level SLR line that started back in 2006 with the D40 (which replaced the first Nikon 'starter' model, the D50). The original D40 was a hugely important camera for Nikon and can be given a lot of the credit for the resurgence in Nikon's fortunes at the volume end of the SLR market (which had been totally dominated by Canon since the launch of the EOS 300D / Digital Rebel).

The D40's success (which continued long after the D40X made its swift appearance only 6 months later) isn't hard to explain; it was keenly priced, nicely designed and built and capable of excellent results. It was also a camera that proved cameras do not sell on megapixels alone (even at launch its 6MP resolution was far from 'cutting edge').  You can get it here If you've  handled the D70 you will immediately see a strong resemblance in the D60, it's only when you start to examine the camera in a little more detail that you notice the differences. This camera can use all Nikon F-Mount Lenses, has an internal motor for A-I lenses.

The D60 succeeds the entry-level Nikon D40x and is succeeded by the D5000. The D60 features the Nikon EXPEED image processor introduced in the higher-end Nikon D3 and D300. The Nikon D60 is manufactured by Nikon factory in Ayuthaya, Thailand as well as most Nikon DSLRs.

The camera lacks a built in autofocus motor, which means that only Nikon lenses designated with AF-I and AF-S can be used in autofocus mode with the D40, D40X, D60, D3000, D3100 and D5000), and the lenses designated AF, AF-D, AF-G, or AF-N can only be used in manual focus mode. Many recent third-party lenses now support compatible integrated focusing motors.

Specifications

Camera Type	Single-lens reflex digital camera
Lens mount	Nikon F mount (with AF contacts)
Effective picture angle	Approx. 1.5 x lens focal length (Nikon DX format)
Effective pixels	10.2 million
Image sensor	23.6 x 15.8 mm CCD sensor
Total pixels	10.75 million
Dust-reduction system	Image Sensor Cleaning, Airflow Control System, Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX software required)
Image size (pixels)	3,872 x 2,592 [L], 2,896 x 1,944 [M], 1,936 x 1,296 [S]
File format	NEF (RAW): 12-bit compressed JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic (approx. 1:16) compression NEF (RAW)+JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats
Media	SD memory cards, SDHC compliant
File system	DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), Exif 2.21 (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras), PictBridge
Text input	Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available
Date imprint	Date, Date and Time, Date Counter, or Off selectable
Viewfinder	Eye-level penta-Dach mirror single-lens reflex viewfinder
Frame coverage	Approx. 95 % horizontal and 95 % vertical
Magnification	Approx. 0.8 x (50 mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1)
Eyepoint	18 mm (-1.0 m-1)
Diopter adjustment	-1.7 to +0.5 m-1
Focusing screen	Type B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V
Reflex mirror	Quick return
Lens aperture	Instant-return, electronically controlled
Shutter Type	Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
Shutter Speed	1/4,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3 EV; Bulb, Time (optional Wireless Remote Control ML-L3 required)
Flash sync speed	X=1/200 s; synchronizes with shutter at 1/200 s or slower
Release mode	Single frame, Continuous, Self-timer, Remote control (optional Wireless Remote Control ML-L3 required)
Frame advance rate	Up to 3 fps (by selecting manual focus mode, rotating the mode dial to S or M, selecting a shutter speed of 1/250 s or faster, and using defaults for all other settings)
Self-timer	Can be selected from 2, 5, 10 and 20 s duration
Exposure Metering	TTL exposure metering using 420-segment RGB sensor
Exposure Metering method	Matrix: 3D color matrix metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-mm circle in center of frame Spot: Meters 3.5-mm circle (about 2.5 % of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
Range	Matrix or center-weighted metering: 0 - 20 EV Spot metering: 2 - 20 EV (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F)
Exposure meter coupling	Combined CPU
Exposure mode	Digital Vari-program (Auto, Auto [fl ash off], Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night portrait), Programmed auto (P) with fl exible program, Shutter-priority auto (S), Aperture-priority auto (A), Manual (M)
Exposure compensation	-5 to +5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Exposure lock	Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
ISO sensitivity	ISO 100 - 1,600 in steps of 1 EV. Can also be set to approx. 1EV (ISO 3200 equivalent) above ISO 1600 (Recommended Exposure Index)
Active D-Lighting	Can be selected from on (auto) or off
Autofocus	Nikon Multi-CAM 530 autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, 3 focus points and AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5-3 m/1 ft. 8 in.-9 ft. 10 in.)
Detection range	-1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F)
Lens servo	Autofocus: Single-servo AF (S), Continuous-servo AF (C), Auto-servo AF (A), Predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status in single- and continuous-servo AF Manual focus: Electronic rangefinder can be used
Focus point	Selectable from three focus points
AF-area mode	Single-point AF, dynamic-area AF, Closest subject AF
Focus lock	Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
Built-in flash	Guide number of 12/39 (m/ft., ISO 100, 20°C/68°F) or 13/43 in manual mode (m/ft., ISO 100, 20°C/68°F) Auto, Portrait, Child, Close up, Night portrait modes: Auto fl ash with auto pop-up P, S, A, M: manual pop-up with button release
Flash control	TTL for digital SLR using 420-segment RGB sensor: i-TTL balanced fill-flash (with metering other than spot) and standard i-TTL fl ash (with spot metering) are available with built-in fl ash, SB-800, SB-600, or SB-400, and CPU lenses Auto aperture: Available with SB-800 and CPU lenses Non-TTL auto: Supported fl ash units include SB-800, SB-28, SB-27, SB-22S, SB-80DX and SB-28DX Range-priority manual: Available with SB-800
Flash mode	Front curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync
Flash compensation	-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Flash-ready indicator	Lights when built-in flash or Speedlight such as SB-800, SB-600, SB-400 is fully charged, blinks after flash is fired at full output
Accessory shoe	Standard ISO 518 hot-shoe contact with safety lock
Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)	Flash Color Information Communication supported with built-in fl ash and CLS compatible Speedlight Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-800, or SU-800 as commander
Sync terminal	Hot Shoe Sync Terminal Adapter AS-15 (Optional)
White balance	8 modes (when Auto is selected, TTL white-balance with main image sensor and 420-segment RGB sensor is available), fine-tuning possible
Monitor	2.5-in., approx. 230k-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD, brightness adjustment and with automatic defeat via Eye Sensor
Playback	Full frame and thumbnail (four or nine images) playback with playback zoom, stop-motion movies created with the D60, slide show, histogram display, highlights, and auto image rotation
USB	Hi-Speed USB Data transfer protocol: MTP, PTP
Video output	Can be selected from NTSC and PAL
Supported languages	Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Battery	One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9
AC adapter	AC Adapter EH-5a (optional, used with optional Power Connector EP-5)
Tripod socket	1/4 in. (ISO 1222)
Temperature	0-40°C (32-104°F)
Humidity	Less than 85% (non condensing)
Dimensions (W x H x D)	Approx. 126 x 94 x 64 mm (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.5 in.)
Weight Approx	495 g (1 lb. 1 oz.) without battery, memory card or body cap
Warranty	Nikon 1 year limited warranty

Item Includes

• Nikon D60 Digital SLR Camera Body Only
• EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
• MH-23 Quick Charger
• UC-E4 USB Cable
• DK-20 Rubber Eyecup
• AN-DC1 Camera Strap
• BF-1A Body Cap
• DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
• BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover
• Software Suite CD-ROM
• Nikon 1 Year Limited Warranty

Accessories

Memory Cards & Card Readers Batteries & Power Bags & Cases Flash & Flash Accessories Lenses

Remote Control & Cords Tripod & Support Books & Tutorials Sensor Cleaning LCD Screen Protector

Viewfinder Accessories Filters Teleconverters Software Nikon Field Guides

Reviews

Great camera! Great Price, August 21, 2009

By Andrew C. Heisig

This is an excellent camera. For the price, you get a camera that can do just about anything. It is fast and the pictures are spectacular. The only thing I wish it came with was a lense that had greater zoom capacity, but there are so many lenses made for this camera that I just plan to buy another. This will last us for a number of years. You can't go wrong with Nikon!

---

Nikon D60, Great Budget Camera, July 28, 2009

By Efrain Penagos

Review for the Nikon D60 with 18-55mm VR Nikkor lens

Cons:

-No live preview (fine if you were a film SLR user like I was, but not so fine for point and shoot step-ups)
-Lens must be AF-S to autofocus (Lens must have inner moter to autofocus)
-Autofocus is considerably slow
-Alot of grain present at 1600 ISO
-Only 3 Autofocus points
-Uses unique .NEF raw format (so not many programs can edit it)
-Included lens it not that high end, (it does not smoothly blend out the BG at times)

Pros:

-Very well priced on behalf of Amazon
-Excellent VR system
-Sensor Cleaning
-Ergonomic Design
-Ease of use ++
-Lightweight
-Sharp pictures
-In-camera Retouch
-Vibrant colors
-Simple GUI (Graphic User Interface)
-Its a NIKON!!!

I did my homework comparing this camera to its predecessor, the Nikon D40.

I took about 2 weeks going to local photo shops, comparing various cameras side by side, as well as quality, and for the price, the D60 took the gold

I heard alot of reviews recommending the D40 over the D60, but I decided to go against the flow and purchase the D60. Purchased it from Amazon for a staggering $517 (~125 $$ cheaper than a local photography store), very prompt shipping on their part FEDEX :)/USPS :(.

I got this camera today, and I am pleased to say this is an awesome camera for its price. First of all, you are going to get a quality product from Nikon, (in my opinion, one of the best camera brands), along with an excellent 18-55mm VR Nikkor lens. You also Best Prices for the nice camera neck strap (which was an extra back in the '70s :)).

This camera takes amazing pictures! I went outside to my garden and shot a couple of flower test shots, very satisfying! The quality is very sharp, even at a 100%. The colors are also very vibrant and lively. The camera is also relatively light, as compared to the Nikon FM-2 we already own. It is also nice to know that this camera comes with the VR lens, allowing you to take pictures with 3X slower shutter speed, as claimed by Nikon. Another plus of this camera is the fact that it has the sensor cleaning, which if you own 4 lens like I do, comes in very handy, to keep your pictures "dust free". It is also nice to know, it cleans the sensor everytime you turn it on and off. It also features an orientation sensative LCD screen, which if you rotate the camera, the screen rotates as well.

However, Nikon could have made more autofocus points (9 + would have been fine). They also could have added the shaft to the lens mount, to autofocus AF lenses.

I would definately recommend this camera to others for its simplicity of use. It has intuitive LCD menus, easy to navigate through, and perfect for the beginning DSLR user!

*Please do not base your purchase off of this sole review, as some of the above info may be slightly off. :)

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