Nikon D60 SLR Review


Nikon D60


Review posted 4/18/2008

Click to take a QuickTime tour of the Nikon D60SLR
Click to take a QuickTime tour of the D60


The Nikon D60 is a dSRL for the novice photographer. It is lightweight with elegantly simple controls yet it includes many advanced technologies from Nikon's professional models.The D60 echoes the design of the D40x, and adds some new features such as an Image Sensor Cleaning system, a motion sensor that tells the display which way to orient itself when the camera is turned, a "Stop Motion" video option and an onboard HELP Menu System. Nikon delivers the cutting-edge technology you expect from a digital SLR - fast response, creative versatility, superb image quality - while making the camera easier to use than professional dSLRs. They do this primarily by reducing the size of the camera and moving camera controls from a myriad of buttons on the body to an LCD menu system.

A 10.2 megapixel CCD imaging sensor has been combined with Nikon's exclusive EXPEED process that automatically optimizes your pictures, enhancing fine detail and providing smooth tonal reproduction. Active D-Lighting automatically compensates highlighted or shadowy areas creating images with natural contrast- even in difficult lighting. Nikon's three-point AF system offers fast, efficient and precise autofocus while 3D Color Matrix Metering II works to provide ideal exposures in almost any lighting situation.

Nikon's exclusive Airflow Control System protects against dust on your sensor that will ruin a good shot. This system moves air within the mirror box towards small ducts near the base, preventing internal dust from settling in front of the image sensor. The D60 also has an Imaging Sensor Cleaning function - every time you turn the camera on or off, the D60 uses vibrations to loosen dust from the optical low-pass filter in front of the sensor.

A 2.5-in. color LCD monitor lets you check essential camera information quickly and easily. Choose whatever display format fits your taste best: each of the Graphic and Classic formats have three color variations to suit your personal preferences, while the Wallpaper option lets you use one of your own pictures for the menu background. An Eye Sensor activates every time you look through the viewfinder, turning off the information display on the LCD - and saving power.

With fast startup and split-second shutter response, the D60 reduces the frustration of shutter delay, capturing moments that other cameras may miss.The D60 boasts a fast 0.19-second startup, short shooting time lag and fast, accurate autofocus. The camera's high-speed continuous shooting also helps capture fast-moving action at up to 3 pictures per second for as many as 100 (JPEG) pictures.

Camera shake can blur your images, thankfully the D60 supports lenses with shake reduction features. With Nikon's VR (Vibration Reduction) lenses you can be confident that your pictures will be sharper than ever before. Every VR NIKKOR lens has its own specialized Vibration Reduction system built right inside. Unlike similar systems that are built into the camera body, each of NIKKOR's lens integrated systems uses specialized technologies that are optimized to match the optical design for that specific lens.

The D60 18-55 VR Kit we reviewed is packaged with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Zoom-Nikkor lens that assures superb picture sharpness and optimum contrast, along with the versatility to capture everything from candid portraits to wide-angle landscapes. The extensive selection of AF-S and AF-I NIKKOR lenses are engineered to make the most out of the D60's exceptional performance.



Nikon D60 Features:

  • 10.2 megapixel imager
  • Compact, ergonomically designed body
  • Nikon Integrated Dust Reduction System
  • Active D-Lighting optimization
  • Three-point AF system
  • Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II
  • Quick 0.19-second power-up
  • Fast continuous shooting mode enables up to 100 JPEG images at 3 frames per second
  • Retouch Menus, including Quick Retouch, Stop-motion Movie and NEF (RAW) Processing
  • 2.5-in. LCD monitor with viewing angle of approx. 170 degrees in all directions
  • Information display in three formats: Classic, Graphic and Wallpaper
  • Eye Sensor turns off the LCD monitor automatically when you look through the viewfinder
  • Rechargeable lithium-ion battery - up to 500 images on a single charge
  • Eight Digital Vari-Programs for scene-specific pictures
  • Built-in flash with Nikon's i-TTL flash control
  • Supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System
  • Nikon ViewNX PC software included
  • Accepts Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts Type G or D AF
  • Optional remote control
The D60 Camera Kit is available for an estimated price of $749.95 US

In the box:

  • 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor Lens
  • Front & Rear Lens Caps
  • EN-EL9 Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery
  • MH-23 Quick Charger
  • UC-E4 USB Cable
  • DK-6 Rubber Eyecup
  • AN-DC1 Camera Strap
  • BF-1A Body Cap
  • DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
  • BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cap
  • Software CD-ROM
  • User Guide
  • 1-Year Nikon U.S.A. Limited Warranty

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Nikon D60SLR

Nikon D60SLR

Nikon D60SLR Nikon D60SLR

Nikon D60SLR

Nikon D60SLR




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Nikon D60 Specifications

Type of Camera Single-lens reflex, interchangeable lens digital camera
Effective pixels 10.2 million
Image Sensor RGB CCD, 23.6 x 15.8 mm; total pixels: 10.75 million, Nikon DX format
Image size (pixels) 3,872 x 2,592 [L], 2,896 x 1,944 [M], 1,936 x 1,296 [S]
Sensitivity 100 to 1600 in steps of 1 EV with additional setting one step over 1600
Storage Media SD memory card, SDHC compliant
Storage System Compressed NEF (RAW): 12-bit compression,
JPEG: JPEG baseline-compliant
File System Exif 2.21, Compliant DCF 2.0 and DPOF
White Balance
 Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor);
six manual modes with fine tuning and preset white balance
LCD Monitor 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with 170-degree wide-angle viewing and brightness adjustment
Playback Function 1 frame; thumbnail (4 or 9 segments); magnifying playback; slide show; histogram indication; highlight point display; auto image rotation
Delete Function Card format, All frames delete, Selected frames delete
Video Output NTSC or PAL
Interface High-speed USB: Mass Storage and MTP/PTP selectable
Text Input Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available with LCD monitor and multi selector; stored in Exif header
Compatible Lenses Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts Type G or D AF Nikkor:
1) AF-S, AF-I: All functions supported;
2) Other Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus
3) PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D: Can only be used in mode M; all other functions supported except autofocus
4) Other AF Nikkor*�¹/AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
5) Non-CPU: Can be used in mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster
6) IX Nikkor lenses cannot be used
*�¹ Excluding lenses for F3AF
Picture Angle Equivalent in 35 mm [135] format is approx. 1.5 times lens focal length
Viewfinder Fixed eye-level penta-Dach mirror type; built-in diopter adjustment (-1.7 to +0.5m-1)
Eye point 18mm (-1.0m-1)
Focusing Screen Type B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets
Viewfinder Frame Coverage Approx. 95% (vertical/horizontal)
Viewfinder Magnification Approx. 0.8x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1
Viewfinder Information Focus indications, AE/FV lock indicator, shutter speed, aperture value, exposure/exposure compensation indicator, exposure mode, flash output level compensation, exposure compensation, number of remaining exposures, flash-ready indicator
Autofocus TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM530 autofocus module with AF-assist (range approximately 0.5-3.0m/1ft. 8in.-9ft. 10in.); Detection range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20 degrees C/68 degrees F)
Lens Servo 1) Autofocus (AF): Instant single-servo AF (AF-S); continuous servo AF (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status 2) Manual focus (M)
Focus Area Can be selected from 3 focus areas
AF Area Mode 1) Single Area AF; 2) Dynamic Area AF; 3) Dynamic Area AF with Closest Subject Priority
Focus Lock Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
Exposure Metering System TTL full-aperture exposure metering system:
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 420-segment RGB sensor;
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8mm circle in center of frame
3) Spot: Meters 3.5mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area
Exposure Metering Range 1) 0 to 20 EV (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering); 2) 2 to 20 EV (spot metering)
Exposure Mode Digital Vari-program (Auto, Auto [Flash Off], Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, Night Portrait), Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto (S); Aperture Priority Auto (A); Manual (M)
Exposure Compensation ±5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Exposure Lock Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
Shooting Modes 1) Single frame shooting mode,
2) Continuous shooting mode: approx. 3 frames per second (The fastest frame rates can be achieved by choosing manual focus, rotating the mode dial to S or M and selecting a shutter speed of 1/250 s. or faster, using defaults for all other settings.),
3) Self-timer mode,
4) Delayed remote mode: 2 s. delay,
5) Quick-response remote mode.
Shutter Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter, 30 to 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3, bulb
Sync Contact X-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/200 sec.
Flash Control 1) TTL: TTL flash control by 420-segment RGB sensor, i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR and standard i-TTL fill-flash for digital SLR available when CPU lens is used with built-in flash, SB-800, SB-600 and T041
2) Auto aperture: Available with SB-800 with CPU lens
3) Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27 and 22s
4) Range-priority manual available with SB-800
Flash Sync Mode Auto, Portrait, Child and Close Up modes:
1) Auto, auto with red-eye reduction; fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight
2) Night portrait mode: Auto, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction; slow sync and slow sync with red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight
3) Landscape, Sport mode: Fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight
4) P, A: Fill flash, rear-curtain with slow sync, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction
5) S, M: Fill flash, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction
Built-in Speedlight Auto, Portrait, Child, Close Up, Night Portrait mode: Auto flash with auto pop-up P/S/A/M: Manual pop-up with button release
Guide number (ISO 200/ISO 100, m [ft.]): approx.17 [55]/12 [39] (manual full 18 [59]/13 [42])
Flash compensation -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3EV
Accessory Shoe Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with sync, signal and ground contacts and safety lock
Self-timer Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2,5,10 or 20 seconds
Remote Control Via optional ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control
Power Source One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9; charging voltage (MH-23 quick charger): 7.4V DC, EH-5 AC Adapter (available separately; requires optional EP-5 AC Adapter Connector)
Tripod Socket 1/4 In. (ISO1222)
Dimensions (W x D x H) Approx. 5.0 x 2.5 x 3.7 in. (127 x 63.5 x 93.98mm)
Weight Approx. 1 lb 1 oz without battery, memory card or body cap
Supplied Accessories* EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, MH-23 Quick Charger, UC-E4 USB Cable, Nikon ViewNX software, DK-16 Rubber Eyecup, Camera Strap, BF-1A Body Cap, DK-5 Eyepiece Cap, BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cap.
*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.
Optional Accessories ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control, Capture NX software, Camera Control Pro, EH-5 AC Adapter, EP-5 AC Adapter Connector, EG-D100Video Cable, Semi Soft-Case CF-DC1, Speedlight SB-800/SB-600/SB-400/R1C1
OS Certified for Windows Vista(TM); Mac OS X

Specifications are as represented by the manufacturer.


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