The Nikon D60 is a 10.2 megapixel
DSLR with an APS-C sensor which measures 23.6 x 15.8 millimeters. By comparison,
a frame of 35mm film measures 36 x 24mm.
The unit incorporates Nikon's EXPEED image processing system. The system
is used across Nikon's DSLR lines, but its implementation varies from
model to model. In the D60, the system contributes to the excellent quality
of the camera's pics.
With the image sensor cleaning system on, the D60's start-up time was
in the two second range, not a speed demon by any means. Shot-to-shot
times were nearly instantaneous, but the time it took the camera to write
a large image at best quality to the memory card was around five seconds.
Flash recycle times were around four seconds.
Three image sizes can be corralled by the DSC--large (3872 x 2592 pixels),
medium (2896 x 1944) and small (1936 x 1296)--and three compression levels
are available--fine, normal and basic.
Nikon 60D
File Compression
Image Size
(pixels)
Quality
MP
File Size (MP)
Ratio/1
3872
x
2592
Large/Fine
10.04
3.37
3.0
3872
x
2592
Large/Normal
10.04
2.33
4.3
3872
x
2592
Large/Basic
10.04
0.658
15.3
2896
x
1944
Medium/Fine
5.63
1.92
2.9
2896
x
1944
Medium/Normal
5.63
1.39
4.1
2896
x
1944
Medium/Basic
5.63
0.393
14.3
1936
x
1296
Small/Fine
2.51
1.01
2.5
1936
x
1296
Small/Normal
2.51
0.71
3.5
1936
x
1296
Small/Basic
2.51
0.213
11.8
RAW
3872
x
2592
10.04
7.79
1.3
Pictures can be stored as RAW or JPEG files. RAW files
are in Nikon's proprietary format (NEF) and are slightly smaller than
the camera's maximum 10.2MP (see compression table above). Compression
ratios for large JPEG files range from 3:1 to 15.3:1; for medium files,
from 2.9:1 to 14.3:1; and for small files, from 2.5:1 to 11.8:1.
Images are stored on SD or SDHC media cards. The unit will also work
with EyeFi wireless cards, which allow you to transfer photos to the Internet
or a computer via a wireless network. On a one gigabyte SD card, about
79 RAW images can be stored; 129-487 large pictures; 251-888 medium pics;
or 487-1500 small ones.
As with most DSLRs, the D60 does not capture video. Stills can be displayed
on a TV, but it requires the acquisition of an optional video cable. That
cable is standard fare with most digital cameras.
The D60's LCD displays vivid colors and sharp
text. To save power, the monitor will automatically turn off when you place
your eye in the viewfinder. When taking a vertical shot with the camera,
the information shooting display will automatically reconfigure itself into
a vertical orientation.
This DSC does not have
a "Live View" mode to frame and shoot pictures from the LCD,
nor does it have a monochrome LCD for displaying shooting information.
What it does have is a mQuick settings view. It's accessed by pressing
the information button twice and it allows you to change key camera settings
on the fly--settings such as:
Additional information displayed in Quick settings includes shutter speed,
aperture, remaining exposures, beep indicator and battery level.
When displaying information on the LCD, three
styles are available. There's a Classic style that's similar to the Quick
settings screen; a Wallpaper style that uses a photo of your choice as background
for the information screen and a Graphics style. That style includes the
graphic of an aperture diaphragm that mirrors what's going on in the camera.
As the F number for a shot increases, the diaphragm opening on the screen
gets smaller; as it decreases, the diaphragm gets larger.
Shooting information can also be seen in the
viewfinder before snapping a photo. Among the information items available
in the finder are
· Focus points
· Focus indicator
· AF area mode
· Auto exposure lock
· Flexible program indicator
· Shutter speed
· Aperture
· Noise reduction indicator
· Flash compensation indicator
· Exposure compensation indicator
· Exposure/Flash compensation value
· Flash-ready indicator
· Battery indicator
· Exposure compensation
· ISO auto indicator
· Warning indicator
Light sensitivity settings for the D60 range from ISO 100 to 1600. There's
also a Hi1 sensitivity setting that emulates ISO 3200. In Auto and Scene
modes, ISO is determined automatically by the camera. In Program, Aperture
Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual. modes, ISO is user selectable.
The D60 uses Nikkor G-type AF-S DX lenses. The lens we received with
our review unit performed well. It produced sharp, distortion-free images.
Four focus modes are available with the D60.
AF-A (Auto-servo AF) focuses on either moving or still subjects. The camera
determines which mode is appropriate. AF-S (single servo AF) can be used
for still subjects; AF-C (continuous servo AF) for moving subjects. MF (manual
focus) turns off the auto focusing system and lets you focus on a subject
by hand. It may be useful in low-light situations where the AF system, even
with he aid of the focus assist light in front of the camera, can't get
a bead on a subject. However, if there isn't enough light for the AF system
to work properly, there usually isn't enough light for the human eyeball
to do much better in the situation.
Overall, the AF system works well and is relatively
quick in obtaining the proper focus for a shot. Low light conditions coupled
with low light sensitivity settings, though, can result in delays as the
AF system hunts for the right focus for a shot.
Focus is "locked" on a subject by partially depressing the
shutter button. If you hold the button in that position, you can recompose
the shot in the viewfinder and your original subject will remain in focus
regardless of where it is in the frame. You can also lock the focus by
partially depressing the shutter button and pressing the AF-L/AE-L button
located on the right side of the viewfinder. If you do that, you can lift
your finger off the shutter button and your subject will remain in focus.
That technique prevents you from accidently snapping a picture while you're
trying to recompose it in the viewfinder.
Three exposure modes are available in the D60.
The default exposure setting is Matrix. It analyzes the scene in the viewfinder
and sets the exposure for it based on factors such as brightness and color.
This mode works well in many situations. There's also a Center-weighted
exposure mode, which analyzes an entire scene but emphasizes readings taken
at the center of the shot, and Spot metering, which chooses an exposure
setting based on the active focus point in the shot.
Exposure settings chosen by the camera can be
tweaked with its exposure compensation feature. It allows you to under-
or over-expose a shot by ±5 stops in 1/3 increments. Automatic exposure
bracketing is not supported by the camera.
For shutterbugs less inclined to fiddle with camera settings, the DSC
has eight "point-and-shoot" modes which will automatically choose
a basket of settings for a shot based on its nature. For general purpose
snapping, there's Auto and Auto Without Flash. For scene specific shooting,
there are modes for portraits, landscapes, children, sports, close-ups
and night portraits.
Images can be captured one at a time with the D60 or continuously. Maximum
speed for continuous shooting is three frames per second at maximum JPEG
resolution. In addition, the unit has two self-timer settings--two or
10 seconds--and a "release mode" for operating with an optional
remote control unit.
White balance settings for a shot can be chosen from the Quick settings
screen or through the menu system. For the digcam's point-and-shoot modes,
white balance is set automatically. In its customizable shooting modes,
it can be set to accommodate incandescent and fluorescent lighting, sunlight
and clouds, shade and the unit's flash.
The D60 has a pop-up flash, but also has a hotshoe
for supporting an external flash. The pop-up flash can be activated manually,
by pressing a button on the left side of the viewfinder housing. When in
Auto mode, the flash will pop-up as needed.
Just as you can tweak exposures with exposure compensation, the D60 allows
you to tweak flash output, too. You can increase or decrease the flash
output for a shot up to ±3 EV in 1/3 increments.
The flash can be set for red-eye reduction and has both slow-sync and
rear-sync functions. Slow-sync can be used to capture background lighting
when taking night portraits. Rear-sync can be used to create a stream
of light behind moving objects.
Power for the D60 is supplied
by a rechargeable lithium ion battery. A charger for the battery is included
with the camera. Battery life was good. A charge lasted more than 10 days
with daily shooting.
Standards supported by the D60 are DCF 2.0, DPOF, EXIF 2.21, PictBridge,
PAL and NTSC.
Characteristics
