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 D60 Camera |
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| Nikon D60 Camera |
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| Nikon D60 Camera |
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| Nikon D60 Camera |
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| Nikon D60 Camera |
The D60 is compatible with Nikon F mount lenses. With AF-S and AF-I NIKKOR lenses - all functions are supported; type G or D AF NIKKOR not equipped with an autofocus motor - all functions are supported except autofocus. Type G or D AF NIKKOR not equipped with an autofocus motor - all functions supported except autofocus. Type D PC NIKKOR - all functions supported except some shooting modes. IX-NIKKOR and AF-NIKKOR for F3AF are not supported.
Here's a close-up of the all-metal Nikon-F lens mount. On the upper left is the focus-assist illuminator lamp, also used for red-eye reduction flash mode, and on the right side is the lens release lock button.
The D60 does not have a focus mode selector switch on the body, it's on the lens of the newer AF-S or AF-I CPU type lenses. The D60 employs a 3-area TTL phase detection AF system using Nikon's Multi-CAM530 module with an AF- assist illuminator for low-light situations.
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| Nikon D60 Camera |
The AF-S DX Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G VG lens is compatible with all Nikon D-series digital SLRs. With an equivalent coverage of 27-202.5mm in 35mm photography, it employs Nikon's Silent Wave motor (AF-S) for fast and quiet autofocus, Extra-Low Dispersion glass (ED) for minimized chromatic aberrations, and Nikon’s proprietary Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, that allows you to take pictures at shutter speeds up to three stops slower than possible without the VR. It also incorporates a reliable metal lens mount for years of durability.
The AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED is another new lens for Nikon D-series digital SLRs. With an equivalent coverage of 82-300mm in 35mm photography, it employs Nikon's enhanced Vibration Reduction (VR) technology for steady shots as well as Silent Wave motor (AF-S) for fast and quiet autofocus, Extra- Low Dispersion glass (ED) for minimized chromatic aberrations, and Internal Focusing (IF) for convenient and balanced handling. Other features include a reliable metal lens mount for years of durability and a M/A mode for seamless switching between autofocus and manual modes.
Designed exclusively for use with Nikon digital SLR cameras, DX Nikkor lenses deliver a versatile range of angle-of-view, higher performance, and outstanding center-to-edge-to-corner image quality, while realizing smaller and lighter designs.
The current lineup of DX Nikkor lenses includes:
* AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G ED-IF
* AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G ED
* AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
* AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II
* AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 ED-IF
* AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF
* AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF
* AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF
* AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED
* AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF
When used with a Nikon digital SLR camera and optional Nikon Capture NX software, images shot with the AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm lens can be transformed into ultra-wide angle rectilinear images with a choice of 100° and 130° horizontal angles of view.
i-TTL Flash
The built-in speedlight automatically pops up and fires when natural lighting is inadequate or to add balanced fill-flash when there is strong backlighting (Auto and Digital Vari-Program modes only). Nikon i-TTL technology improves the accuracy of fill-flash exposure and white balance by seamlessly integrating color information from the speedlight's monitor pre-flash with information from the 420-pixel RGB sensor. This has been improved to provide coverage for up to 18mm wide angle lenses. You can shoot at synchronized speeds up to 1/200 second.
The built-in flash has a Guide Number of 13/43 (ISO 100, m/ft., 20° C/68° F)
The "hot shoe" allows the use of SB-series Speedlights (like the SB-600 shown here mounted on the D40x) without a sync cable. It includes a safety lock for units with a locking pin, such as the SB-600 and SB-800. When used with compatible flash units or SB-R200 wireless remote Speedlight, the D60 supports the advanced Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS), including i-TTL flash control and Flash Color Information Communication. The SU-800 wireless Speedlight commander can also be used to control remote SB-800, 600 or R200 flash units.
The D60 controls the SB-600 or SB-800's motorized zoom head and makes use of its more powerful AF-assist beam. The output of the flash is controlled precisely thanks to the i-TTL flash exposure control system. And nothing beats the natural look of bounce flash.
The D60 does not have a PC sync port so you need to use the optional Nikon AS-15 Sync Terminal Adapter to connect to external studio flash units (shown here mounted on the D100.) It slides on the flash hot shoe and gives you a standard PC sync connector. Note that the AS-15 does not contain an isolation circuit so be careful of strobes that use high trigger voltages.
The eye-level penta-Dach Mirror type viewfinder shows approximately 95% of the captured frame. It has dioptric adjustment (-1.7 to +0.5m-1) and a comfortable 18mm (-1.0m-1) eye relief with a fairly wide viewing angle. It employs a fixed Type B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets.
The D60 viewfinder display:
1 - Focus brackets (focus areas)
2 - Focus indicator
3 - Focus point display, AF-area mode
4 - Auto exposure (AE) lock
5 - Flexible program indicator
6 - Shutter speed
7 - Aperture (f/-number), Noise reduction indicator
8 - Flash compensation indicator
9 - Exposure compensation indicator
10 - Number of exposures remaining, Number of shots remaining before memory buffer is full, Preset white balance indicator, EV Compensation value, Flash compensation value, Active D-Lighting indicator, PC connection indicator, Dust off ref photo mode indicator
11 - Flash ready indicator
12 - Battery indicator
13 - Electronic analog exposure display, Exposure compensation, Rangefinder
14 - ISO AUTO indicator
15 - "K" appears when memory remains for over 1000 exposures
16 - Warning indicator
Features & Controls (cont.)
Controls on the grip include the shutter release with the main power switch mounted around it. Next are the Active D-Lighting and Exposure Compensation buttons. Last we have the Mode dial used for selecting the desired exposure mode.
Novice photographers will love the convenience of the Mode Dial. It has the usual positions for AUTO, P (Program AE), S (Shutter speed priority), A (Aperture priority) and M (Manual) exposure modes as well as the Digital Vari-Program modes for Flash Off, Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-up and Night Portrait.
Nikon's Digital Vari-Program modes automatically optimize white balance, sharpening, tone (contrast), color, saturation and hue for optimal results according to the type of picture you're taking. For example, select Portrait mode on the dial and the camera will automatically enhance the image with beautiful skin tones, complimentary edge sharpening and soft background focus that highlights your subject.
On the back is a 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD with a 70-degree wide-angle viewing and brightness adjustment. The graphical menu system uses a larger typeface for easy navigation.
Controls on the Back
When the camera is turned on you will see the Shooting Information Display on the LCD. This acts much like the small data LCDs on many dSLRs, displaying values for focus area, AF-area mode, shutter speed, aperture, EV compensation, Flash compensation, shooting mode, ISO sensitivity, White balance, metering mode, etc. You can also see the "Shutter-speed and aperture display" (large iris on the left of the screen) that provides a visual indication of the shutter speed and aperture being used.
The Info display can also be activated by pressing the Zoom button located on the back of the D60. Pressing the Zoom button a second time calls up the Quick Settings display (seen below) and pressing the button again turns the LCD display off.
Secure Digital Storage
The D60 is equipped with a Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot and is compatible with any capacity SD or SDHC card. Shown here with Kingston's High-speed, 4GB SDHC memory card.
I/O Interfaces
The I/O ports are on the left side, on the top is the Video-OUT port that is user-selectable (NTSC or PAL) for output to a TV monitor. Next is the USB 2.0 (high-speed) port for transferring image data to the host computer. The small rectangular hole in between is the Reset camera button.
The D60 does not have a dedicated DC IN port for connecting an external power supply. However, you can use the optional EP-5 AC Adapter Connector, and EH-5 AC Adapter if you needed an external power source.
Power Source
The D60 uses the Nikon EN-EL9 7.4V 1000m Ah Li-ion rechargeable battery pack. It is recharged with the supplied MH-23 Quick Charger. Charging time is approx. 90 minutes when the battery is fully discharged. Nikon claims the battery life is sufficient for capturing 520 shots in single-frame mode (using CIPA Standards) or up to 2,000 shots in continuous shooting mode, per charge.
