Nikon Announces D60 10MP dSLR
Budget dSLR packs stop motion mode and sensor cleaner.
(by Mike Slocombe for Digital Lifestyles, 29th Jan 2008)

Nikon have added the new D60 digital SLR camera to their range, boasting a 10.2 megapixel CCD sensor, backed by Nikon's advanced 3-D Colour Matrix Metering II and their ‘digital image processing concept', EXPEED.

Sharing a similar small form factor to the D40, the D60 offers the usual auto/scene modes, with an In-camera Retouch Menu offering D-lighting, Red-eye correction, Image Trim and, err, adjustable cross-screen star effects.

Nikon's new Stop-Motion Movie mode lets users to create stop-animation movie clips from up to 100 consecutive JPEG picture files and, more usefully, the camera can also shoot in the lossless NEF (RAW) format.

The camera also comes with an Image Sensor Cleaning function that shimmies and shakes and shuffles to dislodge specks of dust, while an intriguing Airflow Control System claims to "channel particles away from the sensor with every click of the shutter."



A new power conserving Eye Sensor automatically turns the 2.5-inch colour LCD monitor on and off as the user switches between taking pictures and reviewing camera settings. Sadly, there's no Live View mode on this one.

The wee beastie's a nippy starter, with a claimed 0.18-second start-up time and 'split-second shutter response' and the ability to shoot continuously at up to three pictures-per-second.

Here's Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR System Products at Nikon, to tell us how wonderful the camera is:
"This model, like the wildly popular Nikon D40, greatly simplifies use and builds confidence in the user. With a host of innovative features, such as a visually intuitive LCD information display, Nikon's highly regarded EXPEED image processing concept, new dual dust reduction countermeasures, in-camera editing tools and exciting creative options, the D60 enhances the picture-taking experience for picture-takers of all skill levels." Thanks for that, Eddy!

Bundled with the D60 is Nikon's new AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens employing Nikon's proprietary VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization technology.

Nikon's new snapper also supports Eye-Fi memory cards, with memory storage coming in the shape of SD and high-capacity SDHC cards.

The D60 plus 3x zoom AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens and will hurtling onto American shelves in February 2008, with full US/worldwide pricing and availability to be announced soon (it's priced at €749 in Germany)

Nikon D60 first look



Nikon D60 specs
Sensor 23.6 x 15.8 mm CCD sensor, Nikon DX format (1.5x FOV crop), 10.2 million effective pixels
RGB Colour Filter Array 12-bit A/D converter
Anti-dust measures Image sensor cleaning system, Airflow control system, Image dust off from reference frame (using optional Capture NX software)
Image sizes 3872 x 2592 (Large, 10.0 MP), 2896 x 1944 (Medium, 5.6 MP), 1936 x 1296 (Small, 2.5 MP)
Image quality NEF (12-bit compressed RAW)
JPEG fine (1:4)
JPEG normal (1:8)
JPEG basic (1:16)
NEF (RAW) + JPEG basic
Colour space IIIa (sRGB - more green for colourful landscapes) default
Ia (sRGB)
II (Adobe RGB)
Lens mount Nikon F mount (with AF contacts)
Autofocus Three area TTL phase detection
Nikon Multi-CAM530 autofocus module
Only with AF-S or AF-I lenses
Detection range: EV -1 to +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature)
Lens servo Single-servo AF (AF-S)
Continuous-servo AF (AF-C)
Automatic AF-S/AF-C (AF-A)
Manual focus (M)
AF Area mode Single Area AF, Dynamic Area AF, Closest Subject Priority Dynamic Area AF
Focus tracking Predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status in continuous-servo AF
Focus area One of three areas can be selected
Focus lock Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
AF Assist White light lamp
Exposure mode Digital Vari-program
- Auto
- Flash off
- Portrait
- Landscape
- Child
- Sports
- Close up
- Night portrait
Programmed auto (P) with flexible program
Shutter-priority auto (S)
Aperture priority auto (A)
Manual (M)
Metering TTL full-aperture exposure metering system
3D colour matrix metering II
420 segment RGB sensor
Centre-weighted: Weight of 75% given to a 8mm circle in centre of frame
Spot: Meters 3.5 mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centred on active focus area
Metering range EV 0 to 20 (3D colour matrix or centre-weighted metering)
EV 2 to 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20 °C)
Meter coupling CPU coupling
Exposure compen. +/- 5.0 EV
1/3 EV steps
AE Lock Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
AE Bracketing None
Sensitivity Auto, ISO 100-1600, ISO 3200 equiv. (HI 1)
Auto ISO options On/Off
Maximum ISO (200, 400, 800 or 1600)
Minimum shutter speed (1 to 1/125 sec)
Shutter Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter
30 to 1/4000 sec (1/3 EV steps)
Flash X-Sync: up to 1/200 sec
Bulb
White balance Auto (TTL white-balance with 420 pixels RGB sensor)
Six manual modes with fine-tuning
o Incandescent
o Fluorescent
o Direct sunlight
o Flash
o Cloudy
o Shade
Preset white balance (immediate or from photo)
WB fine tuning Yes
Image parameters Preset modes: Normal, Softer, Vivid, More Vivid, Portrait, B&W
Sharpening: Auto, 6 levels
Tone: Auto, 5 levels, Custom curve
Colour mode: Ia (sRGB), II (Adobe RGB), IIIa (sRGB)
Saturation: Auto, 3 levels
Hue: -9° to +9°
Viewfinder Optical fixed eye-level, Penta-mirror type
Built-in diopter adjustment (-1.7 to +0.5 m-1), Eyepoint: 18 mm (at -1.0 m-1)
Frame coverage 95% (approx.)
Viewfinder magnification approx. 0.8x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1
Focusing screen: Type B BriteView clear matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets
Viewfinder information
Focus indications, AE/FV lock indicator, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure/Exposure compensation indicator, Exposure mode, Flash output level compensation, Exposure compensation, Number of remaining exposures, Flash-ready indicator
LCD monitor 2.5? TFT LCD, 230,000 pixel
Features automatic defeat via Eye Sensor
Built-in flash Auto pop-up in Auto, Vari-program modes
Manual pop-up in P, S, A or M modes
Guide number approx. 12 at ISO 100
Sync contact X-contact only; flash synchronization at shutter speeds of up to 1/200 sec
Flash control
TTL flash control by 420-segment RGB sensor. i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR and standard i-TTL fill-flash for digital SLR available when CPU lens is used with built-in flash, SB-400, SB-800, and SB-600
Auto aperture with SB-800 and CPU lenses
Non-TTL auto with SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27 and 22s
Range-priority manual with SB-800
Flash mode Auto, Portrait, Child, Close-up: Auto, auto with red-eye reduction; fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight
Night portrait: Auto, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction; slow sync and slow sync with red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight
Landscape, Sports: Fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight
P, A modes: Fill flash, rear-curtain with slow sync, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction
S, M modes: Fill flash, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction
Flash compensation -3 to +1 EV, 1/3 steps
Nikon Creative Lighting system Supported with built-in flash, SB-400, SB-800, and SB-600; Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-800 or SU-800 as Commander.
Shooting modes Single frame shooting (S) mode
Continuous shooting (C) mode: approx. 3.0 frames per second (slower with NR)
Self-timer/remote control mode.
Continuous buffer JPEG: Limited only by storage
RAW: Approx. 9 frames (shooting continues at a slower rate)
Self-timer 2, 5, 10 or 20 sec, Remote Control ML-L3 (optional, Infrared)
Camera Control Pro software (optional)
Text input Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input is available with LCD monitor and multi-selector; stored in EXIF header
Playback functions Full frame
Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments)
Zoom (magnified)
Slideshow
Histogram indication
Shooting data
Highlight point display
Auto image rotation
Stop-motion movies created with D60
Orientation sensor Yes (Rotates user interface when using camera in portrait orientation)*
Storage Secure Digital / Secure Digital HC, FAT / FAT32, Supports firmware update via SD card
Video output NTSC or PAL selectable
Connectivity USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed)
Mass storage / PTP selectable
Video out
DC-IN (optional AC adapter and adapter connector)
Power Lithium-Ion battery pack EN-EL9 (7.4 V, 1000 mAh)
Working environment 0 to 40°C (32 to 104°F)
Less than 85% humidity
Dimensions 126 x 94 x 64 mm (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.5 in)
Weight (no batt) 471 g (1.0 lb), Weight (inc. batt) 522 g (1.2 lb)
Supplied accessories
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9, Quick Charger MH-23, USB Cable UC-E4, PictureProject, Rubber Eyecup DK-16, Camera Strap, Body Cap BF-1A, Eyepiece Cap DK-5, Accessory Shoe Cap BS-1
Optional accessories
Wireless Remote Control ML-L3, Capture NX, Camera Control Pro, AC Adapter Connector EP-5, AC Adapter EH-5, Video Cable EG-D100, Semi Soft-Case CF-DC1, Speedlight SB-800/600/T041/R1C1

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