Compared to the Canon EOS-D60

The EOS-D60 is Canon's update to the much respected and price breaking EOS-D30. The D60 brings six megapixels of resolution and a slightly tweaked image engine. These two cameras were locked into a price war around the time of PMA 2002 and for many first time buyers the decision will simply be between the EOS-D60 and the D100. Clearly existing 'system' users (people who own lenses for either Nikon or Canon mount) will have a heavy preference going into this comparison.

	Nikon D100	Canon EOS-D60
Kit price (street)	US - $1999	US - $2199
Sensor	6.3 megapixel CCD	6.5 megapixel CMOS
Final image size	3008 x 2000	3072 x 2048
FOV crop	1.5x	1.6x
Lens mount	Nikon F mount	Canon EF mount *1
Colour space	sRGB (2), Adobe RGB	sRGB
Sensitivity	ISO 200 - 1600, HI-1, HI-2 *2	ISO 100 - 1000
Metering	3D Matrix CW Average Spot	8 Segment evaluative Center metering CW Average
Shutter	30 - 1/4000 sec	30 - 1/4000 sec
Bulb	Yes	Yes *3
Flash X-Sync	1/180 sec	1/200 sec
Exp. compen	+/- 5 EV in 0.3, 0.5 EV steps	+/-2 EV in 0.3, 0.5 EV steps
AF	TTL, 5 AF points *4	TTL, 3 AF points
AF assist lamp	Yes	Yes
Self-timer	2, 5, 10 or 20 secs	10 secs
Continuous	3 fps, max 7/8 images	3 fps, max 8 images *5
White balance	Auto, 6 settings, manual, fine tunable	Auto, 5 settings, manual
WB Bracket	Yes	No
Image params.	Sharpening Tone Color mode Hue	Contrast Sharpness Saturation Color Tone
Image formats	JPEG, RAW, TIFF	JPEG, RAW
Flash	Pop-up	Pop-up
Flash hot-shoe	Yes	Yes
Mirror lock-up	Yes, 'Anti-mirror-shock'	Yes, 'Mirror lockup'
PC Sync terminal	No	Yes
LCD monitor	1.8" 118,000 pixel	1.8" 114,000 pixel
LCD cover	Yes, supplied	No
Status panel	Yes, illuminated	Yes, illuminated
Viewfinder	95% coverage, grid lines	95% coverage
User memories	2 (A or B)	1 (up to 3 image param. sets)
Storage	CF Type I/II	CF Type I/II
Connectivity	USB 1.1	USB 1.1
RAW Conversion	Yes, included, optional NC3 'more power'	Yes, included RAW converter
PC Remote control	Yes, supplied software	Yes, supplied software
Portrait grip	Optional	Optional
Power	Supplied Lithium-Ion 1400 mAh	Supplied Lithium-Ion 1100 mAh
Weight (no lens)	775 g (1.7 lb)	852 g (1.9 lb)

Studio scene comparison

This is our standard studio scene comparison shot taken from the same tripod position (apart for slight compensation because of the difference in FOV crop) within about a minute of each other. Lighting: 2 x 800W studio lights with dichroic daylight filters bounced off a white ceiling reflector. Crops magnified 200%.

• Nikon D100: Sharpening: Auto, Tone: Auto, Color Mode: I, Self-Timer,
  White balance: Manual Preset, Manual Exposure, Manual Focus, Nikkor 50 mm F1.4 lens,
  Large/Fine JPEG
   
• Canon EOS-D60: Parameters: Standard, Self-Timer, White balance: Manual Preset,
  Manual Exposure, Manual Focus, Canon EF 50 mm F1.4 lens, Large/Fine JPEG

Note: We used the 'Auto' sharpening setting on the D100 as this proved to be consistently sharper than the 'Normal' setting. For examples of sharpening levels see this page.

Interesting to note the slight difference between the sensitivity / Tone curve of these two cameras, at ISO 200 their was 0.7 EV difference between the D100 and the EOS-D60 (to the D60's advantage) to produce an image with the same brightness.

Nikon D100	Canon EOS-D60
ISO 200, F9, 0.5 sec	ISO 200, F9, 0.8 sec

There's very little to argue from a colour response point of view, the D100 being slightly stronger (more saturated) but both cameras doing a more than capable and accurate job of reproducing scene colours. Tonal balance tends to be a little flatter on the EOS-D60 and with more contrast on the D100 (although this could be selectively changed on either camera). Resolution and sharpness must go to the EOS-D60, by comparison the D100 is left looking soft with far less 'crisp' detail.

Footnote: You may also download the Canon EOS-D60 sample taken at ISO 100 (this camera's lowest noise sensitivity).