Nikon D60 (2008)

A 10.2-megapixel DSLR introduced as an entry-level digital single-lens reflex camera with live view and sensor-based dust reduction.

Overview

The Nikon D60 is a digital single-lens reflex (D-SLR) camera announced by Nikon in January 2008. Designed for consumers upgrading from point-and-shoot models, it features a 10.2-megapixel DX-format CCD sensor and supports live view shooting. The D60 replaced the nearly identical D40x and shares the same core design as the D40 and D40x, differing mainly in internal electronics. Despite its consumer positioning, it includes advanced features like full manual exposure control, a 420-pixel RGB metering sensor, and Nikon's Creative Lighting System support.

Specifications

Resolution / Effective pixels	10.2 million
Total pixels	10.75 million
Sensor type	DX
Image sensor	23.6 x 15.8 mm Nikon DX Format RGB CCD sensor
Picture angle	Equivalent to approx. 1.5x the focal length of the lens in 35mm [135] format
Continuous shooting speed / Release mode (Continuous)	approx. 3 frames per second
Weight	Approx. 495 g/1.1 lb. without battery, memory card, or body cap
Dimensions (W x H x D)	Approx. 126 x 94 x 64 mm/5.0 x 3.7 x 2.5 in.
Viewfinder type	Eye-level pentamirror single-lens reflex viewfinder
Viewfinder coverage	Approx. 95% horizontal and 95% vertical
Viewfinder magnification	Approx. 0.8x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1
Eyepoint	18mm, at normal diopter setting
Dioptric adjustment	-1.7 to +0.5 m-1
Focusing screen	Type B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V
Reflex mirror	Quick-return type
Lens mount	Nikon F mount
Lens aperture	Instant-return type
Lens compatibility	Autofocuses only with AF-S lenses, and does not meter with manual lenses
Standard kit lens	AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
Shutter type	Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
Shutter speed	1/4000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3 EV, Bulb
Flash sync speed	X=1/200 s; synchronizes with shutter at 1/200 s or slower
Exposure metering	TTL full-aperture exposure metering system using 420-pixel RGB sensor
Metering method	3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-mm circle in center of frame, Spot: Meters 3.5-mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on selected focus area
Metering range (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F)	3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering: 0–20 EV, Spot metering: 2–20 EV
Exposure modes	Auto modes (Auto, Auto [Flash Off]), Digital Vari-Program modes (Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-up, Night Portrait), Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program, Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto [A], Manual [M]
Exposure compensation	±5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Exposure bracketing	2 or 3 frames in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV
Default/Base ISO	ISO 100
ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)	ISO 100–1600 in steps of 1 EV, plus HI 0.3, HI 0.7, HI 1 (equivalent to ISO 2000, 2500, and 3200)
Active D-Lighting	Can be selected from Auto, On, or Off
Autofocus	Nikon Multi-CAM 530 autofocus module
Autofocus detection	TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 530 autofocus module
Autofocus detection range	-1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F)
Lens servo	Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF [AF-S]; Continuous-servo AF [AF-C]; Auto AF-S/AF-C selection [AF-A]; Predictive focus tracking activated automatically according to subject status, Manual focus [M]
Focus area	3 focus areas
AF area mode	Single-point AF, Dynamic-area AF, Auto-area AF
Focus lock	Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
Built-in flash	Auto, Portrait, Child, Close-up, Night Portrait: Auto flash with auto pop-up, P, S, A, M: Manual pop-up with button release
Guide number (ISO 100, m/ft.)	Approx. 12/39, 13/43 with manual flash
Flash control	TTL: TTL flash control by 420-pixel RGB sensor, Built-in flash: i-TTL balanced fill-flash or standard i-TTL flash
Flash modes	Auto, Portrait, Child, Close-up, Night Portrait: Auto, Auto with red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Rear-curtain with slow sync
Flash compensation	-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Accessory shoe	ISO 518 hot-shoe contact with safety lock
Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)	Supported
White balance	Auto (TTL white-balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor), 7 manual modes with fine-tuning, Preset white balance, White balance bracketing
Live View	Yes
LCD monitor	2.5-in., 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
Playback function	Full-frame, Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments), Zoom, Slideshow, RGB histogram, Shooting data, Highlight point display, Auto image rotation
Delete function	Card format, All frames delete, Selected frames delete
Interface	Hi-Speed USB
Video output	Can be selected from NTSC and PAL
Power source	One rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL9
Battery life (shots per charge)	Approx. 500 shots with EN-EL9 battery at 20°C/68°F (CIPA standard)
Tripod socket	1/4 in. (ISO 1222)
Operating environment	Temperature: 0–40°C/32–104°F, Humidity: under 85% (no condensation)
Storage media	SD memory cards, SDHC compliant
File system	DCF 2.0, DPOF, Exif 2.21 compliant
File format	NEF (12-bit compressed RAW), JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic (approx. 1:16) compression, NEF (RAW)+JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats
Image size (pixels)	Large: [L] 3,872 x 2,592 (10.0M), Medium: [M] 2,896 x 1,944 (5.6M), Small: [S] 1,936 x 1,296 (2.5M)
Picture Control system	Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome
Retouch menu	D-Lighting, Red-eye correction, Trim, Monochrome, Filter effects, Small picture, Image overlay
Sensor cleaning / Dust reduction system	Image Sensor Cleaning, Airflow Control System, Image Dust Off reference data
Special feature	Adaptive dynamic range
Special feature / Stop-motion animation	Yes

Context

The Nikon D60 was positioned as an inexpensive DSLR and replaced the nearly identical D40x. It belongs to a trio of closely related models—the D60, D40x, and D40—which share the same physical design and differ only slightly in internal electronics. Despite being marketed as an upgrade, some reviewers noted it offered little advantage over the D40, even criticizing its higher price and slower flash sync performance outdoors.

Market

As of March 2024, a used Nikon D60 is valued at about $70 on its own or $125 when bundled with the standard AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens. Common user-reported issues include shutter errors, dark images, autofocus failure, onboard flash problems, and failure to display the info screen.