Camera Test: Nikon D60

	Click photo to see more images of the Nikon D60.

Nikon hit the bull's-eye with its entry-level 6.1MP Nikon D40 and 10.2MP D40x DSLRs. The low price and high performance of both cameras lured scores of compact-shooters into the Nikon DSLR fold. Now, Nikon is predicting that its latest model, the 10.2MP D60 ($749, street, with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G Vibration Reduction AF-S DX Nikkor lens), will be an even bigger hit.

The D60 looks just like the D40x, it has the same-megapixel sensor, and the two share an autofocus system, LCD monitor, and battery. Is there enough that's new to justify the upgraded moniker?

Yes. But considering the heated competition in this category from Canon, Olympus, Pentax, and Sony, it's too soon to say whether the D60 will become the new entry-level leader. One thing's for sure -- now that Nikon has joined the ranks of shake-beating DSLRs by making the VR lens standard, and priced the kit for less than the D40x body alone, the D60 will be a strong contender.

After running a D60 through our battery of tests in the Pop Photo Lab, we noticed several performance improvements over the D40x. (See our test of the earlier camera). Nikon didn't gut the D40x; instead, it improved it and added new components.

For starters, the D60's new EXPEED processor is a close cousin of the one in the Nikon D300, Popular Photography's 2007 Camera of the Year. According to Nikon, this provides a startup time of only 0.18 sec, more sophisticated image-quality controls (including Active D-Lighting to bring out detail in dark shadows), advanced JPEG compression algorithms, and a speedy 3 frame-per-second continuous burst capability (when used with a fast SDHC card).

Higher powers

With an Excellent rating on JPEGs from ISO 100 to 1600, the D60's image quality tested slightly better than the D40x's. That's impressive, since the D40x also had Excellent image quality up to ISO 1600.

Both models capture Excellent resolution -- the D60 delivered 2050 lines at ISO 100, typical for a 10.2MP sensor and sharp lens, while the D40x showed 2075 lines. Color accuracy: Excellent.

The D60 steals the low-noise award from the D40x (again, on JPEGs for both). At ISO 100, noise was nearly invisible (Extremely Low, our best rating). By ISO 800, noise crept up to Very Low. Built-in noise reduction dampened resolution by just 5 percent: It hit 2050 lines at ISO 100 and 1950 lines at ISO 1600.

At the boosted ISO level that Nikon says is equivalent to ISO 3200, the noise rating climbed to Moderate, but was noticeably high in shadow areas, pulling down image quality at that ISO to Extremely High. Again, that's similar to the D40x -- still, the D60's noise control was superior, and well beyond that in JPEGs from the recently tested Sony Alpha 350 ($800, body only).

That its stellar ratings are for JPEGs is great for the many D60 buyers who will be new to the world of RAW. While resolution and color accuracy results from NEF RAW files (converted using Nikon's supplied ViewNX software) were nearly identical to JPEGs and also earned Excellent ratings, ViewNX doesn't do a great job at controlling noise levels, which is why our test results are based on Fine-quality JPEG images. RAW-to-TIFF noise levels were higher at all ISOs, starting at Very Low (1.4) and reaching Moderate (2.5) by ISO 800. By ISO 3200, RAW images were Unacceptable (3.2).

If you opt for Nikon's Capture NX software ($129, street) you'll be able to control noise with far better results, as well as make local adjustments using the U-Point controls.

Another option for RAW shooters: The D60 lets you develop RAW images in-camera, adjusting exposure settings such as white balance, resolution, and contrast, before storing the results as JPEGs. Every DSLR should have this feature -- it cuts the need to shoot RAW + JPEG, which slows the burst speed and gobbles memory.

We decided to check out how well the camera converted RAW to JPEG, and found that it did a slightly better job at high ISOs. It also allowed us to save Fine-quality JPEGs -- a real benefit since you can save only Basic-quality JPEGs when shooting in RAW + JPEG mode. So if you don't want to shell out extra for Capture NX, use the camera's RAW conversion controls instead of the ViewNX software.