Nikon D60 review

For the opportunity Nikon D60 body review Many thanks to Olga Goncharova.

Nikon D60 review

Nikon D60 review

Ergonomics, display

The camera is very compact, small and lightweight. This is exactly what an amateur needs. The smaller the camera, the more likely you can take it somewhere and take good pictures. The display of the camera is of medium size, at 2.5 inches. The D60 is Nikon's latest camera with a 2.5-inch display. All cameras after her, as well D3, D300coming to her, use a display with a larger diagonal.

Usually the camera comes with a whale lens. Nikon 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor or one of its versions.

Matrix

To date, the Nikon D60 cannot boast a good range of ISO values, which is 100-1600 and can be expanded to ISO 3200 (HI1 mode). The ISO value depends on the camera matrix, Nikon D60 uses the old 10.2MP CCD matrix. The same matrix uses a number of cameras: Nikon D40x, D80, D3000, D200, though in the latter there is a double kit for reading the signal, because it is often said that D200 another matrix. Roughly speaking, the quality of images on the Nikon D60 will not be any different from Nikon D80 or Nikon D3000.

Speed

The camera can shoot at a speed of 3 fps. This is not much, but the huge shooting speed is important only for a number of cases. The camera can produce pictures of 3872 x 2592 pixels, while frame buffer can accommodate:

  • 6 RAW format shots with disabled features ADL, Noise reduction, Auto ISO
  • 9 JPEG L, Fine shots with features disabled ADL, Noise reduction, Auto ISO
  • 51 JPEG S, Basic

To increase the buffer, you need to disable additional functions, such as ADL, noise reduction, Auto ISO, and shoot at low ISO. At high ISOs, the camera automatically tries to suppress noise, regardless of the settings. Sorry, the RAW + JPEG format is only available in JPEG Basic mode.

Focus system

The Nikon D60 uses the most primitive focusing system, which includes just three focus points. The module is used for focusing. Nikon Multi-CAM530same as cameras Nikon D40, D40x. If the first Nikon D40 Since you could come to terms with 3 focus points, then in the updated Nikon D60, three focus points are not enough.

Attention: the camera does not have a focus motor and cannot automatically focus when working with lenses Nikon AF. Camera needs lenses Nikon AF-S, AF-I.

Metering

For measuring exposure used 420 segment RGB sensor '3D Color Matrix Metering II'. Same metering sensor exposure can be found in cameras D50, D40, D40x, D80, D3000, D90, D5000, D3100, D5100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D3500. As you can see from the list, almost whole amateur lineup uses this sensor. You just need to get used to the work of the exposure meter.

Nikon D60 has an interesting display off functionWhen the camera is brought up to your face, the display backlight turns off. The function is activated via the 'Auto off. eat. inf '. Also, the display turns off by itself after a certain time.

Unlike cameras Nikon D40, D40x, at the Nikon D60 camera INFO button is replaced by a button 'Active D-Lighting'. Otherwise, all three cameras Nikon D40, D40x have same body and controls. On cameras D40, D40x also have a function D-lighting, but it only applies to captured images.

In Auto ISO, the minimum excerpts can take a value of only 1 second to 1 \ 125s. For example, for working with telephoto lenses, it is highly desirable to use shorter excerpts. For example, advanced camera Nikon D200 has a minimum shutter speed in the 'Auto ISO' menu equal to 1 \ 250s, and Nikon D700 1 \ 4000s.

Also, the D60 has a function date imprinting, which can be very rarely seen on the Nikon Central Control Hall. You can customize imprinting:

  • Dates
  • Dates and times
  • Frame counter

This function works only in JPEG image quality mode.

Nikon D60 also has a function electronic rangefinder, which allows you to more quickly and accurately focus manually. The range finder tells you which way you should turn the focus ring on the lens. True, the function is quite unusual, it does not work with manual non-chip lenses. AI-S in manual camera control mode, though, this particular function would be very useful for manual optics. And on the other hand, if you install an old lens without processor contacts, the function works in any mode other than M, but in these modes the camera cannot take pictures. It turns out that in order to conveniently focus on sharpness, for example, using the Helios-81N lens, you need to use any mode except M, and take a picture by switching the camera to mode M.

Programmable FN Button can be configured to one of the functions:

  1. Self-timer
  2. Shooting mode
  3. Image quality
  4. ISO sensitivity (I always program this button to switch the ISO value)
  5. White balance

Despite the fact that the camera cannot boast of good performance at high ISOs, a good dynamic range and vignetting correction and HAThe Nikon D60 is a large-matrix digital SLR camera. Physical matrix size plays a very important role, and matrix size Nikon D60 is the same size as Nikon cameras D500, D7500, D5600, D3500 etc. This means that when using good optics, you can squeeze a lot out of the camera. For example, I shot for a review of the Nikon D60 using a lens Nikon 50mm f / 1.4G AF-S Nikkorwhich allows excellent control depth of field and has a nice bokeh.

Active d-lighting

One of the new features in the Nikon D60 is Active D-lighting, which allows you to better transmit details in the light and dark areas of the image (it works on lights and shadows). Roughly speaking, this is partly a software implementation of expanding the dynamic range. This feature was first used on cameras. Nikon D3 и Nikon D300 and was subsequently used on all subsequent Nikon Central Control Units. Unlike D3 и D300 Nikon D60 cannot select the level with which this function will work. For example, at the camera Nikon D90, which is the next cropped camera after the Nikon D60, you can choose from 5 levels of work: Auto, Extra Strong, Strong, Normal, Moderate. In the future, all subsequent cameras from the line in which the Nikon D60 is located, just did not have advanced settings for Active D-lighting.

It's important: when you turn on Active D-lighting the camera buffer is significantly reduced, and the burst speed after filling the buffer drops to 1 frame in 4 seconds. Unfortunately, the Nikon D60 is very difficult to tolerate the inclusion of Active D-Lighting. By the way, the same Nikon D90 the inclusion of Active D-Lighting has almost no effect on rate of fire, on the frame buffer. Most likely, the problem here is not in the buffer volume, but in the camera processor, which does not have time to process the data.

Big bets were apparently made to work with Active D-Lighting, since they even allocated a separate button for it, located next to the shutter button. Only the Nikon D60 has a separate button responsible for Active D-Lighting in subsequent models, such as Nikon D3000, D5000, this button has been reassigned to another function. Unfortunately, the Nikon D60's Active D-Lighting button cannot be reprogrammed.

Also, this function can be enabled by pressing the 'i' button and navigating to the corresponding icon. It can also be enabled from the 'Active D-Lighting' shooting menu.

EXPEED processor

This processor was first installed in cameras Nikon D3 и Nikon D300that were presented at the same time. Nikon D60 is the third camera with this processor. Subsequently, this processor was also used on Nikon D3x models, D3s, D300s, D700, D90, D5000 and D3000.

Unfortunately, the processor power is not enough to quickly work with Active D-Lighting. The same function with the same processor on other cameras works with virtually no loss in burst speed. I assume that the Nikon D60 still does not use the full Nikon EXPEED. In any case, it is unfortunate that despite the praised Nikon EXPEED, the usual Active D-Lighting makes the camera slow and thoughtful.

The speed of the camera as a whole is only slightly higher than that of the models Nikon D40, D40xthat did well without this processor. Also, this processor did not help in using the camera at high ISO values. Noise level on Nikon D60 practically does not differ from Nikon D40x и Nikon D80.

My the investigation revealedthat the Nikon D60 is cunning and doesn’t actually use the EXPEED 3 processor. After that, it immediately became clear why the camera is so difficult to digest Active D-Lighting.

Sensor Cleaning

The Nikon D60 is Nikon's second DSLR camera with a sensor wipe function. This feature was first introduced to the camera Nikon D300, and later it was installed on almost all Nikon cameras (again removed on Nikon D3400).

The cleaning function can be turned off, or set to run while the camera is turned on and / or off.

The photos in the gallery below are shown without processing, the conversion of the source RAW files by the original Capture NX-D converter or on-camera JPEG without any additional adjustments. Lens used Yongnuo YN 85mm F1.8N.

Personal experience

In the hands of the D60 is no different from D40. The D60 is sorely lacking in focus points. I believe that the Nikon D60 is very slightly different from the Nikon D40x and is of no interest, especially now, when there are more advanced Nikon D3000, D3100, D3200. Nikon D3000 already has 11 focus points, which greatly simplifies the shooting process. I do not recommend the D60 camera, although, even with such an old woman of 2008, you can squeeze out wonderful photos, important how to take pictures.

Prices for modern Nikon cameras in popular stores can look at this link.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Conclusions

Nikon D60 is now an obsolete camera. It was replaced by more modern Nikon D3000, D3100 и Nikon D3200, which for an amateur can be much more interesting. In any case, Nikon D60 even now you can get great photos.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment:

 

 

Comments: 53, on the topic: Review of Nikon D60

  • Vladimir

    Tell me the rangefinder works with manual optics, otherwise the review says that in M ​​mode the rangefinder works for me

    • Arkady Shapoval

      It does not work with manuals (but the green dot-confirmation of focusing works)

  • Igor

    D 200 had a different matrix!

    • B. R. P.

      Quote: “Nikon D60 uses an old 10.2MP CCD sensor. The same matrix is ​​used by a number of cameras: Nikon D40x, D80, D3000, D200, although the latter has a double body for reading the signal, that's why they often say that the D200 has a different matrix. "

    • Arkady Shapoval

      yes, it seems to be written there :) here in more detail https://radojuva.com/2015/11/sensor-nikon-matrix/

  • Volodimir

    My persha camera. Kupuvav in leaf fall 2008 and actively koristuvavavsya until sickle 2014.

  • Azizbek

    Nikon d60 firmware kerak, hech yuklab ololmadim.

    • B. R. P.

      We didn't understand you.

  • Dmitry Kostin

    Interesting fact:
    The D60 had a rare version.
    Nikon D60 Black Gold Special Edition, which featured a strap and "gold" on the model name (on the body), and all chrome parts.

    • Dmitry Kostin

      Here she is:

      • Dmitry Kostin

        Here is another photo:
        Asked for this splendor $ 50 to the price of a conventional camera.

Add a comment

Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2012/10/obzor-nikon-d60/

Version en español de este artículo https://radojuva.com/es/2012/10/obzor-nikon-d60/