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Nikon D60 Preview

by Bob Atkins; created January 2008

Nikon's new D60 appears to be a replacement for the D40X, though Nikon doesn't explicitly say that. The cameras seem very similar indeed, with what seems to be an identical body and mostly identical specifications. The D60 adds "active d-lighting", which helps to maximize dynamic range, an improved system to keep the sensor free of dust, an eye sensor function, which turns off the LCD when the user looks through the viewfinder, and an electronic rangefinder display, which indicates the deviation from the in-focus point when using manual focus mode. Also new on the D60 is a new Stop-motion feature - a stop-motion animation. This is essentially a consecutive playback of still images, which can be created from a sequence of JPEG images.

The standard Nikon D60 kit will include the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens, and should be available in early March 2008. No word on pricing yet, but it seems reasonable to assume it will be priced a little higher than the current $650 price tag on the D40x kit with the non-VR 18-55 lens.

Here's the official press release from Nikon:

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the D60, one of the smallest Nikon digital SLRs ever. The D60 makes it fun and easy to take breathtaking pictures while also offering plenty of features for those who want to deepen their interest in creative shooting.

With a split-second shutter response, the D60 captures pictures that cameras with longer time lags miss. Ease of use and creative options both come standard with the D60, whose exclusive Nikon technologies help deliver high-quality pictures with vibrant color and stunning, edge-to-edge detail. Such superior results are achieved through a high-resolution image sensor utilizing 10.2 megapixels, world-famous NIKKOR lenses delivering razor-sharp pictures, and many cutting-edge Nikon features to further enhance your picture-taking experience. Nikon’s advanced 3D Color Matrix Metering II ensures consistently balanced exposures for images with natural color and contrast, while Nikon’s new digital image processing concept, EXPEED, makes it possible to deliver smoother tones and more accurate colors. Nikon’s fast, quiet and precise autofocus system adds significantly to the performance of the D60, capturing exact moments with astounding clarity.

Such clarity is reinforced by Nikon’s dust reduction countermeasures. To avoid picture-degrading dust particles accumulating near the imaging sensor, the D60 comes equipped with the innovative Image Sensor Cleaning function and Nikon’s exclusive Airflow Control System. These functions both reduce dust accumulation to give you even better picture quality.

In addition to new dust reduction features, the D60 offers a variety of ways to experience more fun and creativity when taking pictures. Users can easily capture dynamic images in different shooting situations with a simple turn of the mode dial. The Retouch Menu offers even more creative excitement, letting you change your pictures into even more striking images – all fast, all simple and all without the need for a computer.

Compact and comfortable, the D60 has so much to offer: amazing picture quality, simple operation, an Integrated Dust Reduction System for clearer pictures and an extensive selection of creative features. The result: fun, fantastic and inspired pictures. The world of stunning photography is just a step away, with the Nikon D60.

Superior image quality and resolution
The D60’s image sensor utilizes 10.2 megapixels to produce superb, high-quality images with incredible resolution, allowing you to make large prints, even if you only use part of an image. And thanks to EXPEED, Nikon’s unique digital image processing concept, your pictures will contain fine detail and smooth, natural tonal reproduction.

Integrated Dust Reduction System
The Airflow Control System used in the D60 leads air within the mirror box towards small ducts near the base, directing dust away from the image sensor. The Image Sensor Cleaning function also reduces dust accumulation near the sensor using specifically determined vibrations, which activate automatically or whenever the user chooses. This team of dust reduction countermeasures lets the user switch lenses confidently, taking advantage of the extensive lineup of NIKKOR interchangeable optics while worrying less about the effects of dust in the camera.

Active D-Lighting for smoother gradation
The D60’s new Active D-Lighting feature can adjust the look of the final image while you shoot. This automatic process works in the highlight and shadow areas, compensating for difficult lighting conditions and producing optimized exposures with rich, smooth detail.

Intuitive, simple operation within a compact body
The D60 is not just compact; its shape is ergonomically designed to fit in your hand naturally and comfortably. The body design is inherited from the highly regarded Nikon D40 series. The bright and clear viewfinder ensures precise composition, while the large, 2.5-in. LCD monitor displays an easy-to-use menu system with a wide viewing angle so that anyone can navigate the settings and view images with ease. The new Eye Sensor function turns off the LCD monitor when the viewfinder is used. When the user moves away from the viewfinder, the LCD monitor turns on again automatically.

Retouch Menu
The D60’s Retouch Menu offers many exclusive in-camera editing features to choose from. Use the Filter Effects option to intensify a color (Red/Green/Blue) of your choice, or try the Cross Screen feature to produce star-like lines radiating from brightly lit objects in the image. In-camera NEF (RAW) processing is also available. RAW format images are “developed” within the camera after shooting, allowing you to control specific aspects of your pictures, such as image quality, image size and white balance. With the new Stop-motion feature, a stop-motion animation (the consecutive playback of still images) can be created from a sequence of images (in JPEG format). Also included is a convenient Quick Retouch option, which enhances contrast and saturation, to improve images without using a computer. The D60’s extensive Retouch Menu increases the fun and creative freedom of using a digital SLR.

Nikon D60 Other Features

  • Fast, 0.19-second power-up to respond to every photographic opportunity
  • Split-second shutter response eliminates the annoyance of shooting lag
  • Fast continuous shooting mode enables up to 100 JPEG images (FINE L-size or smaller) at 3 frames* per second
    *Fastest frame rates achieved by choosing manual focus, rotating the mode dial to S or M and selecting a shutter speed of 1/250s or faster, using defaults for all other settings
  • Advanced three-point AF system offers fast, efficient and precise autofocus
  • Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II for ideal exposures in almost any lighting situation
  • Bright and clear viewfinder with 0.8x magnification for precise composition
  • Long-life rechargeable lithium-ion battery that allows up to 500 images* with the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR on a single charge (*CIPA standards)
  • Digital Vari-Programs that adjust camera settings automatically for scene-specific pictures – selections include Auto, Auto (Flash Off), Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, and Night Portrait
  • Manual control over shutter speed and aperture: P (Programmed Auto), S (Shutter-priority Auto), A (Aperture-priority Auto) and M (Manual)
  • Built-in flash with Nikon’s dependable i-TTL flash control, supporting Auto flash, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Rear curtain sync and Flash exposure compensation
  • Simultaneous recording of NEF (RAW) and JPEG basic data of the same image
  • Camera setting menus can be customized to suit individual preferences
  • Imprint date function prints the date of capture directly on the picture
  • Electronic rangefinder display indicates the deviation from the in-focus point when using manual focus mode
  • Fully compatible with AF-S and AF-I Nikkor lenses, that are equipped with an autofocus motor (Autofocus supported. Also compatible with most F-mount NIKKOR lenses when using manual focus mode)
  • Supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System when using the SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-R200 or the Wireless Close-Up Speedlight system R1C1. Offers accurate exposures via i-TTL flash
  • Optional Wireless Remote Control ML-L3 for easy remote shutter release
  • Included Nikon ViewNX software lets you share, organize and edit pictures with ease

Original Text ©2008 Bob Atkins

Readers' Comments


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John Schroeder , January 29, 2008; 08:30 P.M.

With the D40 and D40x cameras selling so well I really wonder why Nikon would bother releasing a new model so soon. It seems Nikon might be pushing for shelf saturation in the SLR market.

Mark Onat , January 30, 2008; 06:19 A.M.

Same number of megapixels and same number of focussing points...hmmm. As a D40x user, I'm generally happy with the camera, although what's coming out of the D300 seems to be a step up in picture quality and reduction of chromatic aberration, and it would be nice tosee that from this camera. What I don't get is why a million pros say they love the portability of the D40x/D60 size, but Nikon insists on neutering it in other ways, most notably its AF system. I was a sure buyer for this model, but after seeing these updated specs, I'm not quite sure why I would, because, sorry, Nikon, my AF has gone seriously downhill in the last few months. As in sending it in for repair before the warranty expires downhill...

Galen Anderson , February 05, 2008; 04:45 P.M.

D80 Lite. In my oppinion, Nikon built this camera simply to build a new camera. It is obviously better than the D40x because of the better processor, but isnt realy much of an upgrade. I think that they did it to stay ahead of Canon on the entry level front, and again, just because they can.

William Pahnelas , February 07, 2008; 12:49 P.M.

the digital SLR really grabbed me when i started using the D40 last summer, but within a couple of months i was sorry i hadn't opted for a D80 or better... something about lenses -- as in, they must be AF-S type in order to be capable of autofocus. so i obtained the D80, and i've never looked back, even though my preference is not so much driven by autofocus as by the general feel of the instrument in my hands, as well as the versatility in configuring it to my own personal style. i like the idea of the sensor cleaner, as that's as issue that heavy use will force you to confront sooner rather than later. the D60 sounds like it incorporates some nice incremental changes. but aside from whatever benefits accrue from the smaller form factor of nikon's lightest DSLRs, i prefer the functionality, versatility and more substantial feel of the more robust models.

Karl Feltig , March 05, 2008; 08:54 A.M.

Considering how little hype the D60 is making... do you think Nikon may be readying to play their trump up the sleeve as they did with D40?? If they have a D60x in the pipelines as they did with the D40, then we should be seeing a new baby soon... probably shortly after the release of the D90... Otherwise here are some video reviews about Nikon D60. Any opinions?

John Robinson , March 09, 2008; 01:40 A.M.

I recently bought a D60 and I am quite happy with it. I bought it as a replacement for my FE-2 manual camera. Or, you might say (ala John Shaw), as a mini-view camera. In other words, I have a preponderance of manual lenses and will use it with those.

Why anyone with lots of old AF lenses would buy a D60 is beyond me.

As it happens, this camera is ergonomically and photographically excellent. The rear screen is viewable from above, even when nearly vertical, adequately replacing the top-deck display. And 10MP really does make a difference compared to, say, my old D50, which it also replaces. Not to mention the D300-quality image processor.

Also, because I don't have any modern AF zooms (except the Sigma 10-20mm I bought for my D50), I will now finally buy some...and they will AF with the D60 because they are fully modern.

Basically, with regard to lenses, the D60 has two strong areas and one weak area: Strong: 1. manual focus lenses new or old 2. new, fully modern AF lenses. Weak: 1. older-style AF lenses.

So, if you happen to have lenses which are old (but not old enough) or new (but not new enough) then you are out of luck. You just happened to hit the one weak area in the middle, as it were.

For me, though, the camera is perfect. My 50-135mm f3.5 is great. My 18mm f4 is great. My 105 f2.5 is great. My 200mm f4 is great. My 75-150 f3.5 is acceptable (lens issue, not camera).

My Sigma 10-20mm is great with HSM auto-focus.

Next: Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (version II has internal auto-focus motor), and I will be all set, except for long telephoto. This lens will supplement my 24mm f2.8, 50mm f1.8, and 85mm f1.8, which I will use as view-camera lenses when shooting landscapes and architecture, etc.

And it's so small, it's a no-brainer to take it everywhere! Major advantage.

john

John Robinson , March 10, 2008; 04:43 A.M.

One comment regarding "Why did Nikon bother to make this camera now?" or words to that effect.

The old days of film are over. We can no longer take a 20-year-old camera and, with modern film, get pro-quality results out of it. The camera *is* the film. This is obvious.

What may not be obvious to some posters is that this simply changes everything regarding marketing. The slow pulse of analog is replaced by the mad rush of digital.

We are shooting with computers now. Small computers with imaging sensors built in, but computers nevertheless. Ya gotta wrap your mind around that.

And we all know the pace of computer evolution: FAST. Hit the shelves with updated, tweaked products and keep them coming.

And it works: I scorned the D40/D40x. It just didn't have enough for me.

But, I love the D60: the imaging processor, sensor cleaner, and other tweaks just managed to tip the balance...for ME. Everybody is different.

adrian macias , April 20, 2008; 08:07 P.M.

I just bought this camera today. It is my first DSLR and my short term objective is to get a good quality learning camera and long term objectives are to shoot macro and underwater macro.

I had been shooting a P&S Canon underwater for about 2 years so I initially considered the Canon Rebel XTI. I went back and forth, but ultimately I looked to the Nikon series because I liked the feel it more. But when I found out that the D40x did not have Mirror Lock function and did not have an Auto Focus Macro lens available, that pushed me to the D60. That and it was only about a $50-$100 upgrade and it came with a VR 18-55mm lens.

Is my logic sound? Well, I'll find out when I start shooting.

-A

Victor Wei , June 25, 2008; 10:37 P.M.

I decided to settle with the D60 as my first DSLR before it arrived at the stores in April, 2008. My research had concluded that this camera would be my best choice within my budget. My choice was between the D60 and the D80 but I found the D40/D40X/D60 generated better similar comparable images on the web overall than the D80.

With EXPEED image processing (found in D300), Active D-Lighting (taming the highlights while lightening up the shadows), auto dust reduction (every time you turn the camera on and/or off), compact design (great for packing to travel), and in-view range finder for MF (non-DX lenses), the D60 is worth every dollar I traded with Nikon.

The downsides of the D60 for me would be: smaller viewfinder (than the D80), incompatibility with many non-DX lenses, small body grab (my baby finger is left dangling at the bottom), and the lack of tilting LCD live view (convenient for ground level shots). But for $600, one can't expect everything.

Overall, if you are a DSLR beginner with a limited budget, the D60 would be a serious choice. I imagine that this camera would also make a great back-up body for others who already have the D300 (my next goal) or higher models.


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