Nikon D60 gets rumored, set to replace the D40x?

Ready for another go on the Nikon rumor carousel? Apparently, the mythical D60 could be next in line to replace the D40x (pictured), but of course, all of this should be taken with a copious amount of salt for the time being. Based on rumors suggesting that the D60 is coming next Spring (by the same fellow who called the D3, purportedly), combined with reports that the D40x is at the end of its own rope, we're left to believe that Nikon may be swapping the latter out and replacing it with the prior. Hit the links below for the beginning of what's sure to be a long road to denial / confirmation.

[Via Photography Bay]
Read - End of D40x production?
Read - D60 on the horizon?

[Iceman68 @ Dec 28th 2007 2:29PM]

This actually makes sense. In my area there are large sales on the D40x and D40 packages.

[0150r @ Dec 28th 2007 4:00PM]

I haven't been able to find any deals on it in my area :( It's $550 everywhere in town and $490 on newegg. I'd like to wait for the price to go down a little before buying but don't want to risk the being discontinued and then not being able to find one...

[Justin Maldonado @ Dec 28th 2007 2:47PM]

hope they dont discontinue the D40 since I just got it for christmas, and its at a great price point.

[SHopkins @ Dec 28th 2007 3:48PM]

I'd like to see something in-between the D40x... something with the D40x size, feature set, and sensor, but with a screw-drive motor for compatibility with older lenses. I have 4 pretty decent lenses (15-35/f3.5-4.5, 28-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8, 50/2.8 Macro) but only one of those has an internal focus motor (the 70-200/2.8).

[matt @ Dec 28th 2007 5:50PM]

it would be quite and engineering feet to put the old AF system in the D40/x bodies. the motor itself is substantially sized, why else would the D80 be a larger in that way. The whole point of the D40/x was to make a smaller camera by removing the old AF motor and the top LCD screen. additionally, the AF motor would increase the cost.

besides, the majority of the people buying the D40/x SLRs aren't going to have the older now SWM lenses

[SHopkins @ Dec 28th 2007 6:13PM]

There are those of us who have a limited budget and find more bang-for-the-buck in good lenses on a budget body. I really hope Nikon isn't pushing people towards all AFS lenses so they'll buy new glass... especially since the middle range well covered by AFS lenses (a 18-70ish f/2.8-4.5 AFS, for example, doesn't exist). If Nikon's strategy is forcing people to buy either more expensive newer lenses or a more expensive body to use older lenses I'll likely hold out with my D50 as long as I can and/or invest in more Sigma lenses now they're adding HSM to their well priced f/2.8 offerings.

[Julian @ Jan 21st 2008 2:21AM]

your 28-70 should be AF-S

[SHopkins @ Jan 21st 2008 8:17AM]

My 28-70/2.8 is a Sigma...

[Ted Mathews IV @ Dec 28th 2007 4:19PM]

NO I want a d80 replacment.

[Za @ Dec 28th 2007 5:34PM]

If you don't already have lenses, then I would suggest going Pentax K10D. That body is a D80 competitor and beats it in many aspects but can be picked up for $510 after rebates. It is also weather-sealed and Pentax lenses and accessories tend to be notably cheaper than Canikon stuff.

[SHopkins @ Dec 28th 2007 6:18PM]

Pentax lenses can be cheaper on the low end, but once you get to the mid and high level f/2.8 zooms the OEM stuff is just as expensive and the 3rd party stuff is harder to find. I was tempted to switch to Pentax when the K10D came out but found it hard to track down Pentax mount equivalents of my favorite Sigma/Tamron/Tokina lenses (like the Sigma 70-200/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 15-30/3.5-4.5, Tokina 28-80/2.8, Tamron 28-75/2.8, etc). Small, lightweight, super-sharp prime lenses are where Pentax really shines... if this is how you shoot, Pentax is definitely the way to go.

[Max @ Dec 28th 2007 8:20PM]

It seems strange that they would replace the D40x so early in its life. A smart strategy for Nikon would be to drop the price of the D40x, persuading more consumers to purchase entry level digital SLRs, and then place the price point of the D60 between the D40x and the D80. A prosumer lineup like that could be tough to compete with.

[Stephen @ Jan 2nd 2008 1:24PM]

Please Nikon, PLEASE include an in-body AF motor in whatever replaces the D40. kthxbai.

[nwdrift @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:43PM]

The D60 has been out for years:

http://www.ixbt.com/digimage/nikon/nikond100srav/m10140022a.jpg

lol

[David Chin @ Jan 31st 2008 5:20AM]

Everyone's seen the official samples yet? Details at http://www.dpnotes.com/nikon-d60/