Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens by Nikon
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Digital camera reviews of Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
Digital camera Review: DSLR for Entry Level
Summary: 5 Stars
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.Digital camera Review: Decent camera, but 3 AF points is a major issue
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased a Nikon D60, and ended up returning to to the store for a D5000. (Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD) I used to use film SLRs extensively, but have been away from photography for some time and have been wanting a dSLR forever. Now is the perfect time. I am taking a major vacation where I will be shooting some shots in the jungle, so I wanted an improvement over my point-and-shoot camera in low light and other scenarios. Although the D60 is definitely such an improvement, after playing around with this camera in low light, I just decided it would not do the trick.
Let me start by listing the things that I do like about this camera, because there were many (these also apply to the D5000):
-Takes good pictures in bright light
-I like Nikon's menu systems. Although it takes some learning and some menu options require multiple "clicks," I found it intuitive and straight-forward. You also can set-up "my menu" where you have fast access to your most-used features. I recommend utilizing this feature.
-The on-board help button that explains the features to you
-The vibration reduction lenses really are helpful in reducing camera shake. Out of the box, I didn't realize VR was automatically set to off on the lens, and turning it on really did make a difference in low light.
-Definitely is an upgrade over a point-and-shoot. Also with the lens kits, appears to be a fairly good value.
Despite these positives, the D60 was not the camera for me. First, when taking photos indoors (even the lights on), I found that I typically had to manually focus the camera because it would not find the correct focus. Even then, the quality of the low-light photos is not great. (Although it is an improvement over my canon point-and-shoot.) I'm sure this is in part due to its processor and in part due to the fact that it only has 3 Auto-focus points. Whatever the cause, the mediocre quality of low-light photos is something you'll want to seriously consider if you'll be shooting indoors.
If you'd like to see the comparison yourself, you can view images I have posted for both cameras in the customer image galleries for the D60 (Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens) and D5000 (Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD)
The 3 autofocus points is also just a general concern overall. Even in the short time I had the camera, I found that the lack of auto-focus points affected my photo composition capabilities. I do not like to have to hold the button half-way down to focus and then move my desired subject to a different part of the frame. Plus, it makes it extremely difficult to shoot moving subjects. For a bit more money, the D5000 has 11 autofocus points which adds many more possibilities in terms of composing the photo in the viewfinder. It also has a 3-D auto-focus mode, which allows you to focus on a subject, and then keeps the focus on that subject when it moves by choosing a new focus point. The D5000 is more expensive, but the upgrade from 3 to 11 focus points is an extreme improvement that I think will make a difference for even amateur photographers. (Perhaps it doesn't make much of a difference for simple point and click, but if you are shopping for a dSLR, I doubt that is all you are planning to do.)
In the few hours since I exchanged this for the D5000, I know that I have made the right choice. I have noticed a dramatic improvement in the quality of the photos I have taken over the D60. I have also discovered a number of additional features lacking in the D60 that are very useful. Specifically, bracketing. With bracketing, you can set the camera to automatically take multiple shots using different settings. For example, you can use exposure bracketing, and it will take one shot at the normal exposure, one under-exposed, and one over-exposed. This is extremely useful in difficult lighting settings where you may not have the time to fiddle with exposure compensation. (There are other bracketing options as well.) According to some things I've read, Nikon removed this feature from the D40 series and D60 to "dumb it down," but I really don't understand that at all. This isn't a difficult feature to grasp, and it seems like it would be extraordinarily useful for novice photographers (like me) who haven't completely mastered getting the perfect shot, but who might face situations where they don't have time to fiddle through the menus.
Overall, the things that this camera (D60) is missing that I already love about about my D5000 are:
-11 auto-focus points(this has only 3. I think this will affect most users' capabilities with the camera)
-An improved processor and better image quality, especially in low light
-Bracketing (missing from this camera)
-Numerous additional Scene modes (in addition to those this one provides)
-More choices for Active D-Lighting (Ultra-high, High, low, etc. as opposed to just on/off in D60)
-3-D Tracking Mode for auto-focus (which allows you to choose a focus point, and if the subject moves, the camera keeps focus on that subject... haven't tried this yet, but I'm anxious to.)
-More on-camera retouching options
-Higher resolution (although I'm not sure this will make a difference unless you're planning to blow up photos)
(Some of these things may sound technical, but I didn't know what they were yesterday either! You'll be amazed at how fast you'll learn by reading the manual and doing a little playing around.)
It is up to you whether these improvements are worth the extra several hundred dollars. For me, they were. I simply don't want to be disappointed and end up buying a new dSLR in a few years.
I also would like to briefly mention the fact that this camera is missing a live view, which is present on the D5000. Personally, I would not use this as a deciding factor in your camera choice. Although you are probably used to live view from your point-and-shoot, I think if you can manage to go back to a viewfinder for awhile, you'll actually like it. It gives you a better eye for composition, and you don't have to mess with covering up the eyepiece to avoid light leaking in. Plus, keep in mind that even in the D5000, the liveview is probably not what you're accustomed to from point-and-shoots. Liveview systems in SLRs tend to be slow have have difficulty focusing, so if you switch solely for the liveview, you may be disappointed. So give the lack of live view a shot and practice composing your photos in the viewfinder. I think you'll be pleased once you get used to it.
On that note, the D60 may lack video, which is present on more expensive models, but you should never, ever buy a dSLR because you want to take videos. It may be a perk, but if your hope is to shoot amazing video, you will surely be disappointed. Get an HD-camcorder instead.
In sum, this is a decent camera, but only having 3 autofocus points makes it not worth its price, even though that price is quite reasonable. The D5000 is a few hundred dollars more, but its capabilities and quality are vastly improved. (Note that you could go even further upscale for just a bit more to the D90, although that is a bigger, bulkier camera, which may not be as good for travel.) If you're going to spend the money to spring for a dSLR, you might as well get something that you'll be happy with for a long time.
If, on the other hand, you'll be photographing primarily outdoors, and you really don't think you need the D5000, the D60 is a perfectly acceptable camera. Although, if that's the case, you may also consider the cheaper D40. I have never tested one and cannot speak to the differences between the D40 and D60, but with only 3 Auto-focus points, I wonder what the D60 really adds. (I know it has a cleaning system and D-Lighting, but I'm not sure those features are worth the price difference.)
Good luck!
Digital camera Review: Don't know what the problem is.
Summary: 3 Stars
When I got the camera it seemed to be working fine. Not long after I had it I would take the picture review it, but then when I would go to put it on the computer there were no pictures in the camera. I bought this as reconditioned and I'm wondering if this has something to do with it. I will now have to take it in and find out what's wrong with the camera. I paid, I think, a lot of money for the reconditioned camera, but considering of not buying another reconditioned one. I will buy closer to home so that if a problem arises I will go back where I bought it. Thank you for my opinion.Digital camera Review: Easy to use
Summary: 5 Stars
This camera is great. Easy to use and beautiful picture quality. Light and easy to carry. I recommend it highly.Digital camera Review: Excellent Camera
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought the D60 about two months ago in part because of old Nikon lenses I had from film photography days. The camera works fine in manual mode with old non-auto focus lenses. Exposure is set manually and for still life/scenic shots it is quite easy to shoot few test shots to dial in the exposure. The old f/2.8 macro lens produces some great color and contrast. For action shots, the almost instant focus of the new lenses and VR is hard to beat. The 18-55 sharpens up between f/8-f/11 and is quite acceptable wide open, but not really impressive. For a good telephoto, I've invested in the 70-300mm VR lens. For about $500, it's probably the last tele I'll need, and will work with full frame sensors.
For those new to the D60, I'd recommend a -1/3 exposure compensation in bright outdoor conditions until you get the hang of setting the exposure. Also, if shooting indoors, learn to set the white balance by shooting a white card or wall as reference. Indoor lighting varies widely these days with so many light sources available. And shoot and review in a variety of conditions until you can access those menus and adjust your exposures without thinking. Have fun !