Customer Reviews

Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens

5 star:		(128)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been using Canon PowerShot point-and-shoot digital cameras for the past 6 years, and because they're so small, portable, and unobtrusive, I've ended up taking a lot more photos that I ever did, because I had my camera with me. The good thing is that I've taken a lot more pictures, and most of them have been very good (the camera gets much of the credit here). But the bad thing is that I started to reach the limits of what a point-and-shoot camera can do.

The biggest problems I had with my compact point-and-shoot camera was the lag between shots and the generally poor performance in low-light settings. For most shots, these weren't big problems, but when they were a problem, they were a huge problem, and there's not much you can to solve it without moving to a better camera. I don't think I'm the first person to reach a brick wall when using compact digital cameras, which is why there are now some excellent options that don't cost a fortune.

After reading a lot of reviews for digital SLR cameras online, I narrowed it down to two choices: the Sony A300 or the Nikon D60. I love my compact Canon, but I wasn't all that impressed with the Canon dSLR's that I looked at, either in terms of price or features.

The Sony is priced very competitively and offers some great features, such as auto-focus and image stabilization built into the camera itself, not relying on the lens. The A300 also has live preview on the LCD screen, which the D60 doesn't offer (live preview is what you get on a compact camera: you see what you are shooting as you take the picture). Finally, the A300 has more focus points than the Nikon. I spent a long time in several stores doing side-by-side comparisons of these two cameras. After many test shots, I finally chose the D60 for the following reasons: it felt more compact and less heavy than the Sony, I liked the way the lens felt when I was zooming, its LCD menu system was much clearer and more intuitive, and the Nikkor family of lenses is unbeatable. With a dSLR, it really gets down to which line you want to commit to for future lens purchases. I wasn't sure I wanted to go with Sony, when Nikon is well-known for quality optics.

I ordered the D60 from Amazon and I'm glad I did, since they have a 30-day price match policy. If the price of the camera decreases within 30 days of your purchase, all you have to do is email Amazon, and they'll credit you with the difference. The price of the D60 went down three times after my purchase (it's even lower now, but I've passed my 30 days), and Amazon was fast to process the refund for each decrease. Please note that it's your responsibility to check on the current price. Amazon will not notify you that the price has gone down, and why should they? So if you do buy this from Amazon, be sure to check every couple of days to see what the current price is.

As for the camera and the lens, I couldn't be happier. I love how it feels and how easy it is to use, at least for basic shots. Of course it won't fit in my pocket the way my point-and-shoot did, but it's not nearly as huge or heavy as I'd expected. The kit lens has VR (vibration reduction) which is a good thing to have, and it's well balanced with the compact body of this camera. In other words, the camera doesn't point down under the weight of the lens. Everyone who has tried out my new camera has commented on how compact and ergonomic it feels.

The camera works extremely well in low-light settings, with or without flash (you can defeat the flash if you want, and I find that in many situations, I get better results that way). The flash is a lot more powerful than what you get on a compact camera, and the coverage is more even.

So far, I've mainly used the "auto" mode, but I've taken some pictures in macro mode. It's graat to be able to take pictures in rapid succession, without having to wait the way you do with a point-and-shoot. Most important of all, the image quality is outstanding. The difference is noticeable and consistently better than what I was getting with my point-and-shoot.

The LCD menu is intuitive and visually appealing. That was one of the reasons I went with the Nikon in the first place, and I haven't been disappointed. By pressing the right button as you move the mode dial, you can see a description of what each mode does, which is very helpful. It's sort of like having a "help" system built into the camera, without having to carry around the instructions. Having said that, the instruction manual is really quite good. It won't teach you everything you need to know about digital SLRs, but it does a good job of explaining the camera's features. Nevertheless, I recommend buying a more extensive guide book which is specific to the Nikon D60 (there is one by David Busch which is currently available, and several more are scheduled to appear within the next couple of months).

So, I love this camera, especially at the very reasonable price point. However, there are some things that you should consider before making a final decision. First, the D60 will only provide auto-focus with Nikkor AF-S lenses. That means that most Nikon "prime" lenses will require manual focusing. That wasn't a big deal for me, but it is a limitation. Second, the D60's 3 focus points put it at the low end for this feature. Third, the D60 uses SD cards, while the Sony uses Compact Flash cards, as do many higher-end dSLRS. This isn't really a plus or minus, since SD cards are generally less expensive than Compact Flash, but some users say that Compact Flash cards may be more durable in the long run (they're larger and thicker). Finally, unlike the Sony, the D60 does not provide live preview. In other words, you don't see the image on the LCD until after you have taken it.

With all of that, I'm very pleased with my decision and I am having a lot of fun with my Nikon D60. If you're ready to move up from your point-and-shoot to a dSLR, you cannot go wrong with the D60.

D60 is the upgrade for D40x which I owned previously. The differences between two are too small to justify upgrading from D40x. If you own D40 and would like more resolution then D60 may fit the bill. For D40x owners only real advantage is the VR lens which is probably only slightly better than the non-VR one that comes with D40x (for the zoom range of 18-55mm). Off course I am not forgetting D-Lighting which is a much touted feature but I didn't see noticeable difference in quality. Using Active D-Lighting makes the camera take longer to save pictures. It could take a few seconds before you can review the photo on LCD.

For people looking for their first DSLR camera, D60 is a great choice. It is very easy to use and provides excellent images without requiring a lot of technical knowledge. Actually the images I produced with my D60 (and D40x) were better and sharper than everybody else in my photography class (with students using anything from compact and semi-pro point and shoot cameras, Canon XT and XTi and Olympus E-510). It doesn't have live view which I would've liked because I plan to use tripod for a lot of my shots. Like its predecessors, it doesn't have an auto-focus motor in the body so your lens selection is limited but for a beginner that shouldn't be an issue. It would've been nice to have higher flash sync speed but hey you can't have it all. I have no regrets about buying D60 (I had a bunch of unused gift cards from Christmas so I didn't have to pay a lot from my pocket).

Here is my advice for you: If you are looking for an easy to use DSLR which take excellent photos and can afford it then buy it. I would definitely recommend D60 over D40x (unless you are saving a couple of hundred dollars or more). If you are on a budget then go with D40 which is an excellent camera and should now be even cheaper.

If you are buying this camera (or D40), I highly recommend getting 55-200 VR lens which is around $200. Add that to the kit lens and throw in an SB-400 or SB-600 flash and you'll have a set up that is hard to beat for about a grand. D60 is a lot of camera in a small body.

After having the camera for a few months, I still love it. It produces pictures as good as or better than Canon's new Xsi and for a lot less. At around $630 for the kit, it is a great deal.

*** Updated 4/9/08 ***

Here's the quick reminder: it's not the camera, it's the photographer. Maybe, maybe a nice fast lens would help.

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 can own the best racket in the world, but Roger Federer will still beat you with a wooden racket any day.

Such is the case for the D60. It has more than enough features to produce great pictures. If you take the time to learn all its 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 me (pure amateur), 95% of the time I'm shooting in Aperature-priority mode. The only other settings I might touch from time to time are the ISO and white balance settings. Most likely you'll do the same.

Pluses:
- light & compact
- ultrasonic sensor cleaner, matched with a airflow control system (keeps the sensor dust free!)
- 420-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II (compares against over 30,000 pics stored in database to achieve best exposure, available only with Nikon D or G type lenses)
- pretty good performance from built-in flash
- ISO 3200 available
- ISO 100 available (this is becoming a rarity)
- Active D-Lighting (automatically compensates over or under exposed areas in a high contrast scene)
- LCD screen shuts off when eye is close to viewfinder (saves power)
- very quick startup, you can take a picture as soon as you turn the camera on, even if flash is needed
- SDHC compatible (I use an 8GB card!)

Minuses:
- not so great focusing in poor lighting, only 3 focus points, sometimes wrong objects are focused on
- Auto ISO doesn't always choose the right ISO
- the all "Auto" mode produces slightly oversaturated pictures
- slightly "noisy" from ISO 800 and above, but noise reduction is available
- no built-in auto focus motor, Nikon AF-S/AF-I lenses or third party lenses with built-in focus motor are necessary, unless you like to manually focus

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 may not have as many pixels (who really needs more than 10mp?), nor does it have the large 3" LCD screen like the D300 or D3, but for a fraction of the price, you can take just as good pictures. Point is, rather than spending $1000 more on a D300, you're much better off getting the D60 and spending the $1000 on a nice fast lens.

The only reason I'm giving this camera 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the average focusing performance. 3 focus points are adequate, but having more focus points and a faster focus system would speed up overall focusing and wouldn't have as much trouble in poor lit conditions.

And don't buy into all that hoopla about the D60 not having VR (Vibration Reduction) built-in. First off, there are plenty of new lenses coming out with VR built-in. Second, I'd trade VR for a 2.8 lens ANYDAY!

So, unless you have a need to shoot fast actions in poor lighting conditions, get the D60. It's SO worth the money. And remember, it's not about the megapixels or the size of the LCD screen, or the VR, or whatever, it's about YOU, the photographer!!!

This is My first Nikon. I have been a fan of Canon and Olympus for many years. Previous to this camera, I was using an Olympus Evolt 500. The E-500 is a good camera. However, it is older and some aspects of the 500 bugged me. The view finder could have been a little clearer, the focus could have been faster and although the picture quality was good, it still wasn't quite at the level I wanted. I was on the verge of buying two new lenses, which were better and more expensive than the two kit lenses, and a external flash. Then one day while I was out at the big Warehouse Store shopping, I saw the Nikon D60 kit with camera bag and two lenses and for about the same cost as I was ready to spend on my 500. I knew this camera had great reviews and was one of the top 10 recommended digital SLR's on one of my favorite camera review sites. So I bought it and put my 500 up for sale and am happy I did. The quality is very good. Colors are great and so is detail. Overall the D60 is easier to use. I can figure out settings very quickly. The D60 is also fast. Much faster than my 500 when it comes to quick pictures in succession. The D60 also has a very nice shutter click that I like. One thing I noticed about the eye piece cover is that it was tough to put on. Once I finally got it on fully, with a click, I couldn't take it off too easily. In my attempt to remove it, one side broke, but only a piece of it. It came off then and since it is only a cover for when your not actually looking through the eyepiece to take a picture, it now fits on and off nicely! A happy accident. Battery life was quite good. Another good thing is that the 18mm - 55mm zoom lens gets me closer for macro shots better than the kit lenses for the 500. Good enough that I don't feel compelled to get a dedicated macro lens at this time. All in all the D60 is great. I am very satisfied with it. I highly recommend it if you are one of those getting into digital SLR's for the first time. You won't be disappointed.

This is the 2008 upgraded version of the D40x.

First, if you are new to DSLR Photography and you wish to buy a new camera, then you are spot-on and I won't repeat the wealth of information the other kind reviewers have already given. I'll just focus on why D40 users need to upgrade.

Second, I dont recommend D40x users to upgrade to this model! true the new futures are a plus however, personally I find it not a big difference. unless you like to keep up with latest technology releases and don't mind paying the extra dollars :)

If you wish to upgrade from the D40 (as I am) you need to consider the reason for your upgrade.

Reason 1- Is it for taking better quality photos or your current camera is old?
Reason 2- Or, found out you are stepping to the advance photography level and you want to upgrade from your D40? (becoming an obsessed amature)

Answering reason 1:
If you are happy with your current D40 but you need to upgrade because its old or you need higher Mega Pixels or you want more (a bit) better images? then this D60 is a perfect upgrade why because the D60 on the auto-settings takes much crispier spot-on shots than the D40 just by doing a shot by shot comparison you will find the D60 have the upper hand due to some of the following new features;
- Active D-lightning (No more underexposed photos).
- The new Expeed sensor (as in the D300, reduced ISO noise)
- The new VR Lens which produce sharper images.
- The Dust reduction is a big plus
- supporting 4GB SDHC cards.

Answering reason 2:
The D60 camera does not have the following:
- No DOF preview
- No Bracketing
- Does not trigger speed-flash remotely such as SB-600/800
- Mirror Lock-up (for taking super steady shots)
- only three active focus points.
- only one Command dial
- No Build in AF motor (limiting the amount of lenses you use)
It is not necessarily to have any of the above (specially to amatures and beginners) and you can always have a work around those features. however, when you start attending advanced photography courses or workshops with top National Geography Photographers you will find yourself looking handicap because you lack the functions whom my other fellow photographers have... or specially when you get to a level that you work in a pro environment and you need least fail factor while taking shots or the ability to work within a studio environment. then yes, you need the above features even more (which i did not mention). and this D60 is not the right upgrade for you.

I just want to make it clear for those who want to upgrade or before buying a new DSLR. because if you are new, and you feel one day you will get to the advance level (or, least becoming an obsessed amature) I prefer you invest on a D300 or atleast a D80.

other than that, this camera is the best DSLR I ever saw targeting the entry level photographers.

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. Here's my overview of what you're getting, what you're not, and why I bought it.

What you're getting is Nikon engineering in a compact body with very good ergonomics and all the necessary features you need to shoot in most situations -that is, for people who enjoy photography as a creative hobby, not a profession. If you're an average person, like me, who does occasional shooting, likes creativity and demands quality results, the D60 is a good camera to work with. It's light and comfortable without being flimsy. That means you're more likely to take it with you, rather than debating whether to carry around a heavy semi-pro beast.

You also get the latest technology such as the Expeed processor, in-camera Raw Conversion and Active D-lighting. And you get the 18-55VR lens. I added the 55-200VR. Both lenses are lightweight and capable. Between the lens and the lightmeter, I've taken some really stunning photos in varied situations. The lenses are not optically fast, but VR works well to steady the camera when needed. I plan on adding a fast prime for lowlight and everyday use.

Here's what you're not getting:
-Live View mode. I really liked this on my P&S and I'll miss it, but I remember this feature really drains battery life, which was really annoying (and they haven't perfected it in SLRs yet).
-No Auto Focus with older Nikon AF lenses, but the D60 has a rangefinder feature which allows you to pull up an analog focusing meter in the viewfinder.
-You don't get a lot of direct access buttons on the body. There are some, but most picture settings have to be made on a grid on the LCD screen. It's pretty easy to do and it keeps the D60 uncluttered, but I'd much rather have the buttons.
-Lastly, higher-end models generally give you a stronger build quality, a bigger, brighter viewfinder and a more enhanced AF system with more AF points. Still, the D60 is no slouch in these areas. Its viewfinder is bright and its 3-point AF seems fast enough for me.

I have to say though, I really liked handling the other strong, ruggedly-built SLRs, like the Nikon D300 and Canon 40D, but when the chips are down, I just don't want to carry all that weight around, especially on vacation. You would have to decide if you really want all the features of a higher end camera because it really adds to the size, weight and especially COST. Everything's a tradeoff.

My main reason for choosing Nikon over Canon and Olympus was because they use the largest image sensor, followed by Canon; Olympus was just too small. I took the measurements of these sensors, drew each of them on a grid next to each other and the actual size difference really became apparent. And even though the other brands still do a great job with image quality and some reviewers try to explain away the size issue, I still believe that EVERY little bit of sensor real estate helps with image quality. But, hey that's just me.

As for ergonomics, I considered some Canons, but they felt rather boxy and cramped to me, and they all use that obnoxious pop-up strobing flash as an AF assist light. Nikon uses a steady lamp. I loved the Olympus 420, but it was so compact that the metal strap holder constantly dug into my middle finger. Mounting a heavy lens made it feel oddly unbalanced. The E510 was very comfortable, even more so than the D60. It really helps to pick up these models and handle them.

Buying a digital SLR body is like buying a computer. The sensor is the heart of the camera, so I looked for the latest model with the newest processor. I REALLY liked the D80, but even though it's a great body, I couldn't see spending hundreds more on what I consider a "2 year old computer" that may be discontinued soon. Unless you're a pro, you're probably going to purchase just one DSLR body, so I'd say invest in one with enough current technology to last for a while along with most of the features you think you need.

That's where the D60 comes in. It's a nice balance of current technology at a reasonable price. The fact that you're even considering this model means that value is of some concern to you, so striking that balance is important. Yes, it may be missing a bell here or a whistle there, but overall it's a great little camera. The lightmeter works extremely well, the processor is fast, the lenses are sharp, the images are excellent. And the price is right.

UPDATE 8/29/08: Just 2 months after I passed on the aging D80, it was replaced by the D90, which is more in line with what I want in a DSLR . But I still love the D60 and how affordable it is for the results you get. Occasionally, I toss it into my bag on the way to work in NY. I stop at various locations around the city and really enjoy using it. What surprised me most, is that when it's in my bag I BARELY notice the extra weight. It's just not a problem at all. It proves how good a walkaround camera this one is. Makes me want to go out and shoot even more.

This is a great camera, and don't let anyone tell you it's only for beginners. The images that the D60 produces easily rival that of more expensive cameras. When you spend less money on the D60, you are sacrificing a few bells & whistles but not necessarily image quality.

It has all the manual settings you'd expect in an SLR and a very easy-to-navigate (and nice-looking) menu system. The LCD screen is big and bright, and the viewfinder is great as well.

What it's missing (at least when compared to higher end models) and why you don't necessarily need those things:

- No auto-focus on non-AF-S/AF-I lenses. Unless you already have a bunch of old Nikon lenses, this shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure any lens you buy in the future is an AF-S or AF-I.

- No Live View. This is only just becoming standard on higher end cameras and on the ones I have tried I have found it very "clunky" anyway. "Live View" is a hallmark of compact point & shoot cameras, and I think that's where it belongs... at least for now. SLRs are just made for shooting with the viewfinder. It just feels better on a camera like this. If you *need* Live View, look at the Sony SLRs. They seem to implement that feature best.

- Only 3 auto focus points. The D80 has 11, the Canon XSi has 9, blah, blah, blah. Three is enough for most people... heck, one is enough for most people. Yes, having more is nice, but honestly if you are a beginner and don't understand what the benefit of more AF points might even be, you don't need them.

- No exposure bracketing. A helpful feature for making HDR images, but even then it is not necessary.

Those are the biggies. I have my own little nit picks, like:

- No dedicated buttons for ISO or white balance (you can program the Fn button to do it, but it's nice to have a seperate button).

- RAW+JPEG setting only allows you to record a "basic" quality JPEG.

- The ViewNX software supplied with the camera sucks for processing RAW images. If you are going to shoot RAW, get something better like Nikon's CaptureNX, Adobe Camera Raw for Photoshop or Lightroom, or something similar. If those aren't in your budget, RAW Therapee is a great open source RAW processing application. It's light years better than ViewNX in this regard, and it is 100% free of charge!

Now for the major perks:

- The D60 inherits features like Active D-Lighting and Expeed processing from the (much more expensive) D3 and D300 pro SLRs, which the D40 and D40x do not have. Look those things up to see what the benefits are. D-Lighting is subtle, but effective.

- The new kit lens with VR (vibration reduction, Nikon's term for image stabilization) which allows for sharp pictures in lower light conditions when using slower shutter speeds. The D40/D40x have a non-VR version of the same lens. In my opinion, this is the best "kit" lens when compared to what the competition is currently offering (in terms of overall image quality).

- Auto focus assist lamp. Trust me, it's a simple little thing but you'll love having it.

- FAST auto focus (even with those three piddly AF points =)

- Big, bright LCD and viewfinder.

- Superb build quality. Feels much more "pro" in your hand than it's plastic-y competitors.

- Great high ISO performance. Perfectly usable shots at ISO 1600. ISO 3200 is worse, but you could still use it in a pinch and get decent results and small prints. I've printed a couple 8x10s from ISO 1600 shots that look fantastic.

- Which brings me to the most important feature: stellar image quality. Go find sample images online and see for yourself. Forget those chart & graph test shots. Look for real-world samples of real people/things -- that's where you'll really be able to see the D60 shine!

I love my D60. I have been shooting with it every day since I bought it a month ago and have no regrets. It truly is a great camera to learn on for the SLR beginner, but is just as good for those of us with a little experience who are on a budget and don't see the above "cons" as deal breakers. Just buy the thing and go make some beautiful photos!

After using the Nikon D60 for a week or so, I thought I was ready to return it. It captured the images so slowly that I thought I was going to throw it out the window. But it turned out that the Adaptive Dynamic Range (ADR) setting was "ON" (which I had turned on immediately upon buying the camera) and after re-reading the owner's manual saw where it says "Using this setting will result in longer image recording time". I turned it off and it records as fast as my prior camera (the Nikon D40x).

The camera produces great images and with the SB400 or SB600 flash attachment, those images are even better.

If you are producing 4x6 or 5x7 with the occasional 8x10 pints, then get the D40 for about $200 or $300 less. If money isn't important, I'd suggest getting the D40 as well. But if the Active Dynamic Range is important and money isn't an issue, get this camera. You'll love it.

Upsides: Up to 30 minute timed exposures. Adaptive-dynamic-range ("Active D-Lighting" in the Nikon manual). 3 photos/second recording. VR lens included in the base kit. 4GB SDHC cards are supported. Point-and-shoot mode is foolproof. Battery seems to last forever. Eyepiece is a step up from the 40 and 40x models.


Downsides: Can't seem to get it to auto-rotate images in review mode based on the camera orientation (they always show them upright even if I turn the camera 90%.

Images taken when ADR is turned on take "centuries" to record. Doesn't seem to be any way to adjust the autofocus on a picture by picture basis using the 3-AF areas; but that could just be me. Camera is half the light-sensitivity as the D40 (200 ISO vs the 100 ISO of the D40). This means the built-in flash is almost always firing on indoor pictures.

I own a D40 that I am happy with, so I decided to upgrade to D60 for the few extra megapixels and a couple of other new features. I think D40's 6.1MP is a bit too low, 8-10 would have been ideal. Anyway, I had the D60 for a week and did not like it at all.

Pros
10MP
Kit lens now has VR
Same small, durable body as D40
Sensor cleaning - not a huge deal, but a plus

Cons
AF is considerably slower than D40, the camera often fails to focus at all indoors where D40 had no problem - this is a huge issue
AutoISO selects ISO much higher than my D40. Indoors, where the D40 shot below 400, the D60 never went below 1600. The camera just does not appear to be as sensitive as the D40.
Images are considerably noiser due to more megapixels and high ISO.
Any minor issues D40 had (WB, etc) are still present.
D-Lighting is a useless gimmick

If you have a D40/D40x, stick with that and wait for whatever is going to replace D80. If you are looking to buy a camera, I would still go with the D40 and save a few hundred. D40 is cheaper and faster.

First off, if you have the d40x, don't rush out to buy this. Nikon is merely keeping competitive in the entry-level market. However, if you don't own a DSLR this is the ticket. I am completely new to digital photography and DSLR's. I decided that I needed a hobby and this camera fit the bill. I shopped between Cannon and Nikon and finally decided on Nikon because Nikon owners are pretty proud of their stuff. Seems everybody else shoots cannon these days. Plus, the online communities that support Nikon cameras were an instant fit for my goals with this camera. I wanted to be able to shoot manually and within three weeks, I can easily navigate the d60 thanks to the help I recieved from the Nikon community. Enjoy this camera.