Nikon D60 Review

CONCLUSIONS
For more than a decade, point-and-shoot digicams dominated the digital imaging revolution, but in recent years entry-level digital SLRs have become one of the most popular products available in the digital camera marketplace. Canon got the jump on Nikon in the entry-level DSLR wars with the introduction of the the Digital Rebel, but since the introduction of the pioneering little D40, Nikon has been back in the game. The D60 capitalizes on the strengths of the D40 and adds a few innovative and useful improvements without tampering too much with the basic formula. The D60 (like the D40 and the D40x) is reasonably priced, robustly constructed, incredibly easy to use, and most important of all produces great images, even for absolute beginners.

For the naysayers: the D60 was designed specifically for those graduating from compact digicams to their first DSLR, budget constrained photography enthusiasts, photography students, and more demanding casual photographers. It was never meant to be used by pros or semi-pros, and thus its Nikon/Nikkor system limitations are not genuinely relevant for its target audience. D80/D70 owners looking for a cheap back-up body can focus accurately with their non AF-S/AF-I Nikkors in MF mode with the D60's new digital rangefinder.

The question potential purchasers want answered is, "how does the D60 stack up against the Digital Rebel XSi?" Overall, the D60 should hold up nicely (if the lack of a Live-View LCD and three-point AF aren't deal breakers) when compared to the XSi. I've never been a fan of LCD viewfinders (or arm's length composition), so the lack of a live view LCD isn't a major omission in my opinion. The D60's AF is adequate, the kit zoom is a solid performer that should go head to head with Canon's new kit offering at the very least, and the D60's hand-grip is more comfortable. Nikon plans to continue selling the groundbreaking little D40 as their bargain priced entry-level DSLR, so shooters who don't want/need 10 megapixels and the D60's other more advanced features can save enough by purchasing the D40 (with the standard kit lens) to buy a nice quality second zoom.

Howard Creech

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