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We clicked with:
Easy to use
Good price
Clever dust reduction
Notable image noise improvements
Small & Light
Shots in the dark:
Shadow noise still an issue
Macro and low light focus issues
Plastic construction
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Nikon's D60 DSLR (not to be confused with Canon's classic EOS-D60) follows hot on the heels of yesteryear's Nikon D40x. It seems to be becoming tradition for new entry-level DSLRs to update at record speed, but is it worth you waving goodbye to your hard earned cash to upgrade as quickly as each model hits the shelf...?
Features & Operation
Replacing the D40x, the Nikon D60 continues to follow the furrow ploughed by its predecessor, but also successfully fuses that design with recent Nikon technology. The most obvious aspect of this is the D60's use of Nikon's new EXPEED digital image processing concept, which slots into the familiar small 10.2 megapixel body.
For those unfamiliar with EXPEED, it is not a specific engine or system, but a concept or promise from Nikon. This may sound unconvincingly vague, but it's Nikon's way of saying “when it comes to digital imaging, we know what we're doing.” How much EXPEED raises the bar above and beyond the previous D40x is for debate, but as part of the Nikon D60 package there's certainly a handful of “small change, big difference” (Nikon's tag line for the D60) features and functions: Active D-lighting is an optional one touch pre-shoot process (as per the D3 or D300) that compensates for difficult lighting conditions by producing optimised exposures. The user-interface menu has been modified to be more user friendly, now including in-camera quick retouch options. Other 'fun' options are available too, including a stop motion animation feature - take a series of snaps and you can process them together.
Perhaps the strongest Nikon D60 feature-set bought to the fore are both the Image Sensor Cleaning (sensor-shift) and Airflow Control Systems. The latter system cleverly benefits from the direction of airflow caused by the shutter in the mirror box of the camera - where small ducts near the base then capture any dust.
The most controversial aspect of the D40/D40x design remains though; it lacks the 'screwdrive' in-body motors needed to drive older autofocus lenses, restricting options to Nikon AF-S or ultrasonic/hypersonic third-party lenses. This means many older AF-D lenses still in the Nikon catalogue (including relatively popular designs, such as every Nikon 35mm, 50mm and 85mm prime lens) cannot autofocus with the Nikon D60. This is not a problem for many prospective buyers (especially newcomers to SLR photography), but those with a lens farm of classic autofocus lenses might not agree.
Using the Nikon D60 - whether you be a seasoned professional, familiar with previous D-range cameras, or a newcomer - is simple and intuitive. The menus are easy to guide through and well illustrated. Exposure compensation and Active D-lighting have quick access buttons next to the shutter button; a standard thumbwheel selects your mode with ease, whilst a directional pad has multifaceted uses when in playback mode. Playback now auto-rotates images to be 'the right way up' (portrait shots show themselves as such on the landscape screen) and it's easy to zoom in and out to check for details. When shooting, the screen display rotates dependant on the camera's orientation too, meaning you'll always have the information you need the right way up - very clever (with bells on!).
Picture Quality
It's commonplace to find lack of detail and noise in the shadowed and darker areas of a digital image (known as shadow noise), and this is obviously a frustration to those looking to get smooth gradations in the darker areas of preciously exposed images. The recent Nikon D3 proved just how glorious and noise-free images can be, even at high ISO. The Nikon D60 doesn't boast results in the same league, but it does hold up well - all the available ISO settings are perfectly useable and high quality (although 'HI ISO' - ISO3200 - is at the limits of usability).
ISO: 100
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200
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400
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800
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1600
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HI (3200)
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Shadow noise does appear frequently however, and although not overly pronounced, is an annoyance. Images straight from the Nikon D60 are not particularly vivid, so any post-production or levels tweaking is likely to provoke banding or damage upon those darker image areas. Less so when direct from camera, but these days post-production can tend to be held with as high a regard as the original capture.
The Nikon D60 comes bundled with a Nikon VR AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 G lens. In terms of quality, it's not the best and is a little soft. There are issues with barrel distortion at the wide focal range, too - but the VR works a treat:
VR: on
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off
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However the real benefit can be found when considering the recent £40 cashback offer from Nikon (until 30th June 2008). Bottom line means you can pick up a full DSLR with Vibration Reduction kit lens for less than 500 quid. That's a pretty mean feat, to say the least.
Active D-Lighting, which has been raved about across many other Nikon products, is equally as beneficial for the Nikon D60. As digital imaging continues to progress, the onus on higher dynamic range is, er, dynamically increasing - irrelevant to the true 'original' capture, more and more of us are looking to balance out highlights and shadows within an image. A bit like making details more pronounced in areas where they otherwise wouldn't be, and D-Lighting gives a very immediate way to action this:
Active D-Lighting: On
Active D-Lighting: Off
There's potential to work a whole host of 'fun' filter effects in-camera too. Ranging from the more standard black & white, sepia and cyanotype conversions through to quirkier settings such as Cross Screen that offers a starburst effect (not the sweets):
There's even a stop motion animated movie mode, where you can select up to 100 frames (at 3/6/10/15fps) and generate a mini-movie… Nick Park, beware. Among the green/red/blue intensifier options there's a gem in the form of 'quick retouch' - an in-camera (low-normal-high) levels retouch. No need to fear 'messing up' a favourite image either as each effect renders as a new image.
Conclusion
Those looking to make a first class entry level DSLR purchase need only know that the Nikon D60 is an excellent choice - it's small, light, affordable, easy to use and has enough solid and fun features to get any enthusiast going. Although current Nikon D40x users will probably not feel the need to upgrade, taken on its own merit, Nikon D60 is up there with the best entry level DSLR, if not the best.
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Sensor
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10.2 Megapixel CCD sensor (23.6 x 15.8 mm)
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LCD monitor
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2.5"
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Sensitivity
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ISO 100-1600
"Hi" option ISO 3200 equivalent
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Auto Focus Points
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3-point
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White balance
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Auto, 6 modes, manual fine tuning.
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On board flash
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Built in pop up, GN12
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Shutter speed and flash sync
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30seconds (or Bulb) - 1/4000th second
X-sync to 1/200 sec
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Continuous shooting
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3fps
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Storage
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SD / SDHC
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Battery
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Rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL9
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Lens type / fitting
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AF-S, AF-I with full functionality
Other AF Nikkor lenses will fit, but autofocus will not function
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Other / Key features
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In camera quick retouch mode
Stop motion animation option
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Main differences to D40x:
Orientation sensor
Stop-motion movies
LCD Features automatic defeat
Anti dust: Image sensor cleaning system, Airflow control system
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