Nikon announces D60 and lenses to boot
by Ryan Block 
posted Jan 29th 2008 at 12:27AM
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED
- Macro up to 0.185m (0.6 feet)
- March 2008, $549
- Vibration Reduction II / OIS (Nikon users know the VR badge well, duh)
- March 2008, $649
- Perspective control ("corrects linear distortion and aberration to deliver images that more accurately reproduce the view as the human eye sees it")
- New E designation ("denotes an electromagnetic diaphragm that automatically controls aperture with the latest Nikon D-SLR cameras")
- Spring 2008, $1929
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Cscamp20 @ Jan 29th 2008 12:40AM
First!
and i've only had my D40x for less than 3 months. Damn you Canon for releasing the Xsi.
ray @ Jan 29th 2008 12:58AM
lenses are more important.
torqueo @ Jan 29th 2008 2:08AM
"To be fair the Canon guys had a lot more time to work in improvements: The D40x was only released, what, last March? Nikon still managed to add sensor cleaning and VR to the kit package."
...except that this is still really just an upgrade to the D40, which was released Q4 2006. The D40x was/is an incredible meager upgrade (mainly higher MP, which does not matter, especially with the awful kit lenses these come with). The XTi is a worthwhile upgrade for the XT, and the XSi is a worthy upgrade to the XTi. From 300D to 350D to 400D to 450D, the upgrades have all been great!
If you want a 2006-grade entry level dSLR - buy Nikon. If you want a professional dSLR with the same sensor size Canon has had since 2003 - buy Nikon. Hmm, I see a pattern here...
Joe @ Jan 29th 2008 8:29AM
"especially with the awful kit lenses these come with". OK, well you just negated any point you were trying to make with that stupidity.
Joe_Templeman @ Jan 29th 2008 3:43PM
Seems like a useless upgrade.
Also, without the autofocus motor, I cant see it being much better than the d40x.
Kevin @ Jan 29th 2008 12:43AM
The list of improvements over the D40x is more than underwhelming. The Canon 450D is a much better upgrade from the 400D.
Cunthor @ Jan 29th 2008 1:20AM
Why would you upgrade your D40x with another entry level camera? Whole point of entry level is to bridge the gap from digital compact users, and if you already own D40x, then you should get the new D80 whenever it comes out or buy more lenses. Or shoot more with what you got, and be happy about it.
bebop @ Jan 29th 2008 1:45AM
To be fair the Canon guys had a lot more time to work in improvements: The D40x was only released, what, last March? Nikon still managed to add sensor cleaning and VR to the kit package.
Hemigod @ Jan 29th 2008 12:52AM
Its not smaller than the D40x. Its the exact same body.
JerryLing @ Jan 29th 2008 1:16AM
where is D90...
paul @ Jan 29th 2008 2:15AM
i second that, where the hell is the d80 replacement?!?
torqueo @ Jan 29th 2008 2:10AM
The D80 replacement can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS-5D
It's what D80 users buy when they start taking a lot of photos and realize how annoying Nikon cameras are to use.
finbred @ Jan 29th 2008 3:12AM
"how annoying Nikon cameras are to use."
Ha. I switched from a EOS-1(film)/20D set to D200 for just that reason, so your annoying is my intuitive. Waiting for my D300. That's the one to upgrade to from a D80, IMO.
giedrys @ Jan 29th 2008 1:47AM
What is it with you people? What would you ask for D80 replacement? D80 is good enough, is that clear?
Max @ Jan 29th 2008 2:28AM
Agreed. These are cameras-- not iPods.
BlissX @ Jan 29th 2008 2:30AM
A camera that makes good toast for you on that special day for photo ops.
You can never have too much good toast.
Skipfish @ Jan 29th 2008 2:53AM
Just remarked D40x ith klittle improvements ;(
Image sensor cleaning system
Airflow control system
Rotates user interface when using camera in portrait orientation
VR kit lenses
Still waiting D90..
Zach @ Jan 29th 2008 2:32AM
Live view?! Live view?! I hate when people make a big deal about live view?! What sort of person using a DSLR for any real purpose is gonna use live view?! It's just a waste of batteries. For Point and Shoot, absolutely, but for a DSLR I think it's a frivlous option that doesn't add any consumer value. IMHO :D
Charlie Taylor @ Jan 29th 2008 2:44AM
Have you used a DSLR with live-view in a professional setting? No? Because I have. The live view on my Canon 40D came in pretty handy while shooting a church service, let me critically focus with a very shallow DOF lens (200mm F/1.8) and it cut down on the noise of the shutter ALOT.
So don't knock it before you try it.
Shaocaholica @ Jan 29th 2008 3:20AM
Live view is a very powerful professional tool when used right. Shallow DOF fine focussing zoomed/cropped into the LV image. Long distance astro/landscape focusing while zoomed/cropped into the LV image.
Professionals have been using film plane fine focussing with ground glass and a loupe for decades. Digital Live View is the exact same thing only without any of the hassles.
Don't knock it when you seem to be so ignorant about its history and uses.
Dean @ Jan 29th 2008 4:24AM
Not to mention high or low angle shots when you don't have time or the ability to get to the view finder.
Charlie Taylor @ Jan 29th 2008 2:48AM
Oh also, those new PC-E (why does nikon insist on using different names from the rest of the world? PC is just another name for a tilt-shift lens) lenses only work on the D3 and D300, and even then only fully on the D3. Pretty friggin sad considering Canon has had a line of electronic-aperture tilt-shift since the mid-nineties AND they work on ANY EOS camera
Mike @ Jan 29th 2008 6:10AM
can someone tell me where these stand along with the d40 and d40x. is this d60 a beginner dslr like d40? is it better than the d40x in terms of function and for proffesional use?
GregGrunge @ Jan 29th 2008 2:10PM
The D60 should be replacing the D40/x. Where the big difference is going to be is in the firmware. Color saturation will be able to go 2 steps higher than on the D200/80/40/40x. This is a feature that is currently in the D3 and D300 and is friggin' fantastic! The colors that my D300 is capable of capturing over my D200 is a HUGE difference.
I foresee the biggest differences just being in the software of the camera.
Joe @ Jan 29th 2008 8:38AM
First of all, new lenses are more exciting, but for techies I guess bodies give us more fodder to talk about. At the end of the day a lens is far more responsible for a better shot than the body. Second of all, this is a replacement for the D40/x, they already released the replacements for the D2 and D200, so what were you expecting? Until we have a price we can't compare this to Canon's offering because Nikon's entry level has been historically a lot cheaper. I think this will be a great camera for those of us who are new to SLR's, and as a D40 owner I'm not looking to cross-grade to a D60 - but I am interested in new compatible lenses.
Mehul @ Jan 29th 2008 9:00AM
This seems more like a D40 replacement than D40X... Maybe Nikon has one more DSLR coming in 08?
tgold @ Jan 29th 2008 9:22AM
I think the most exciting thing in this announcement is the new 16-85mm VR lens. That thing would be a perfect upgrade from the 18-50mm kit lens that I got with my trusty old D50. I could use that as my "anything and everything" lens and I still have my 28-200mm for long range stuff. I second the idea that lenses are way more important than bodies. I'll stick with my D50 for a while still because it still takes great pictures and does everything I need, although a D90 announcement might make me change my mind pretty fast.
Aron Trimble @ Jan 29th 2008 10:14AM
Anyone looking to "upgrade" from one entry-level to another entry-level is not really very smart... The D40/40x to D60 jump is not supposed to be like the jump to the D80! If you own an entry-level DSLR you should either upgrade to a real camera (bad idea) or invest in lenses (good idea) - but the point is to just flat-out SKIP the D60.
bashar @ Jan 29th 2008 10:26AM
Hello, I have the D40 and plan to upgrade to D60,WHY? The D60 has the same electronics as the new D300, unlike the D80 and D200, it basically produces better colors and shades, plus it comes with a VR lens. yes it is a big deal!
pete @ Jan 29th 2008 12:26PM
d60 price is $750. that's a serious step up from a d40 ($470) for just an image processor
bashar @ Jan 29th 2008 12:38PM
That is the list price, it will probably be around 600-650, I have considered getting the kit lens with VR, that costs $200. If you check at kenrockwell.com you will see why the new image processing/electronics are revolutionary. I really like the colors and the shades on the D300, but i can not afford it, so selling the D40 at a loss and paying another $300 is not a bad move, what do you think?
Pete @ Jan 29th 2008 5:05PM
first of all, basing any opinion on ken rockwell's advice is ill advised. read the 'about' page (http://www.kenrockwell.com/about.htm).
for me, i'm very happy with the d40. i think color rendition is excellent. i won't be upgrading to the d60, which is considered an entry-level camera. i'd rather invest in glass.
if i do get a new body, i'll be looking for a successor to the d80. hopefully, it'll included:
-6 mp cmos sensor
-expeed image processor
-more af areas
-live view
-3d metering
-6 fps (8-10 w/ grip)
-16-85mm kit lens
-price $800-900
Pete @ Jan 29th 2008 5:05PM
first of all, basing any opinion on ken rockwell's advice is ill advised. read the 'about' page (http://www.kenrockwell.com/about.htm).
for me, i'm very happy with the d40. i think color rendition is excellent. i won't be upgrading to the d60, which is considered an entry-level camera. i'd rather invest in glass.
if i do get a new body, i'll be looking for a successor to the d80. hopefully, it'll included:
-6 mp cmos sensor
-expeed image processor
-more af areas
-live view
-3d metering
-6 fps (8-10 w/ grip)
-16-85mm kit lens
-price $800-900
Mike Cohen @ Jan 29th 2008 11:10AM
Will Nikon ever release a 50mm f/1.8 with an AF motor or will we forever have to use manual focus with any 50mm lens?
Fudge Lips @ Jan 29th 2008 12:45PM
I seriously doubt it. The prime lenses have been in production since the dawn of time, and I doubt Nikon sees any reason to retool the machines to add weight and complexity to a nearly perfect lens. I use the 35mm f2 as my primary lens on a D40 using manual focus and I love it. Upgrade to a body with a lens motor if you absolutely need AF.
Joe_Templeman @ Jan 29th 2008 3:40PM
They wont do because its the main reason to get the D80 or D300 over the D40/x.
I love using it with auto focus on my D50...
James @ Jan 29th 2008 5:40PM
Wow the Canon Zealots are so uneducated. I guess that's what happens when you just default to the most popular company without doing any research.
Fudge Lips @ Jan 29th 2008 12:47PM
I hope that new 16-85 VR lens has better build quality than the crummy 18-200. I think Nikon is spreading the quality/features ratio too thin at that price point.
nathan.wong @ Jan 29th 2008 1:02PM
Ah, the Series-E makes a comeback after 20 years. The 24mm lens is the best thing that's come out of this announcement.
David Chin @ Jan 31st 2008 5:26AM
I like the official Nikon D60 samples a lot. Some were taken with the "kit" 18-55mm VR and 55-200mm VR lenses too. Details at http://www.dpnotes.com/nikon-d60/
gerardowmby @ Jan 31st 2008 10:35PM
I would use live view only if I could tilt it up so I can look down vertically into the LCD, just like an old twin-lens reflex. This makes the photographer less obtrusive. I hope Nikon will develop this one day.