nikon d60?

Hey guys i im looking into buying my first dslr and have narrowed down my choice to the nikon d60 or the xsi. im looking for any help, tips, advice and pros and cons from peolpe wo have used the d60 or on one. thank you guys in advanced your help is greatly appreciated.

Have you handled both of the cameras? A god advice is to go to the store and feel both of them and then make you decision.

harri manni said:

Have you handled both of the cameras? A god advice is to go to the
store and feel both of them and then make you decision.

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--can't argue with that!

But I might add that while it is for the most part true that you can make almost any two cameras (with similar specs) produce similar images, you have to test each one to find out how much tweaking each camera needs in different shooting environments to achieve that goal.

And ask yourself what's more important, constantly playing with the camera? Or shooting consistent "keepers" with relative ease?

Bottom line is, go play with them both "extensively if possible" and then make your own decision based on your own findings.

By the way, my wife shoots the D60 and loves it. But again its really "personal" preference.

thank you guys for your help i will take both of your advice and take a trip to the local camera shop

I have a D60 and LOVE IT! It is sooo light. Frankly you cannot go wrong with either, but like another reader said, go test them for yourself.

I had a D300, D200, D80, D70, but the D60 matches them all in terms of quality, but the best part is that the D60 is so light, I always bring it with me now everywhere. I cannot say the same about any of the others...

cheers!
Andrew

so im guessing going with the d60 is a win win situation

digital noob said:

so im guessing going with the d60 is a win win situation

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The D60 is small and light, which I think is a good thing. It also produces great pictures out-of-camera.

It has as possible disadvantages the lack of an in-body focus motor, which means you have to buy Nikon compatible lenses with an auto-focus motor in the lens for you to use AF. You could still focus manually though.

There is also when compared to other Nikon models, fewer physical buttons on the body for you to change shooting parameters quickly. A lot of the settings you will have to change using menus.

I don't know much about Canons, though.

--
'A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-
one percent of the people may take away the rights of the
other forty-nine. '
-Thomas Jefferson

'Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding on lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb disputing the vote.'
-Benjamin Franklin

Hi

I have the Nikon d60. I love it. It fit my hands better than the Canon which was a little small and I found it hard to balance. But that's going to differ for each person of course. I'd advise you not only to go to the store to handle both cameras, but bring an SD card along (or buy one if you don't have one already, you'll need it anyway later). Stick your SD card in each of the cameras on display and shoot a little. Then go home and look at the results. I don't know if they will render very different results, but I've heard that the color handling is a little different on the Nikon and the Canon series. maybe you'll like one more than the other.

The other thing: whichever camera you get in the end, you'll probably love it. But prepare to spend some time learning how it works, if this is your first dlsr. I have shot A LOT in these six months, but I'm still learning the purpose of some basic functions... it was a lot to take in, but absolutely worth my time. Maybe you're already well versed in DSLRs, though, and in that case don't heed my newbie advice...

Have fun!

I tried out the Canon 450D and the Nikon D60 before deciding on the D60. The D60 just felt better built to me and when I took pictures with both, the D60 came out on top. You can't go wrong with either one but try them both out before you make a final decision. It's your money not ours.
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Nikon D60 18-55vr & 55-200vr
SB400
Casio Z750

--Hi, this is my first post. I am also looking at my first dSLR, and on paper had resolved it down to the XSi or the D60, with the XSi coming out ahead in the numbers/specs. However, when I handled both cameras at a noisy BestBuy I was struck by how loud the Canon’s shutter was. And I certainly don’t have excellent hearing. I would imagine that, in a quiet room, the noise would become tiresome. The D60 seemed quieter, and it also felt better in my hands, more substantial. I have a Minolta X-700 and I do love the feel of those classic film SLR’s! And I am of that age, that generation for whom a Nikon camera was about the coolest earthly possession thinkable. So I’m leaning toward the D60, myself. Also, Active D Lighting looks like it might be useful.

I've seen excellent results from both cameras, so I may have to weigh the "intangibles."

Just my .02.
Greg

I also thought the 450D sounded loud and it felt cheaper to me for some reason. Didn't have the feel of the D60. You will love the D60 Greg, It takes great pictures right out of the box . I like it because I am just beginning to use a DSLR and can use this camera as a stepping stone for a more advanced camera later. You might even consider a D80, it is a little bigger and heavier than the D60 but the price is right now. Has more advanced features than the D60. Can use more lens than the D60 as it has an in camera motor. The D60 I bought was the combo kit with the 2 VR lens. Have had no problems at all with it. Jerry

GregPQ said:

--Hi, this is my first post. I am also looking at my first dSLR, and
on paper had resolved it down to the XSi or the D60, with the XSi
coming out ahead in the numbers/specs. However, when I handled both
cameras at a noisy BestBuy I was struck by how loud the Canon’s
shutter was. And I certainly don’t have excellent hearing. I would
imagine that, in a quiet room, the noise would become tiresome. The
D60 seemed quieter, and it also felt better in my hands, more
substantial. I have a Minolta X-700 and I do love the feel of those
classic film SLR’s! And I am of that age, that generation for whom a
Nikon camera was about the coolest earthly possession thinkable. So
I’m leaning toward the D60, myself. Also, Active D Lighting looks
like it might be useful.

I've seen excellent results from both cameras, so I may have to weigh
the "intangibles."

Just my .02.
Greg

Click to expand...

--
Nikon D60 18-55vr & 55-200vr
SB400
Casio Z750

I have a D60 and are very happy with it , its my first DSLR ,

I read a lot of reviews on the net and looked at different camera's in shops and went with the D60 because I found the menu very easy to use , it has a quick menu that I use most of the time

It didnt take long to learn all the menu functions

I see that you are also looking at the D80. Many people are seriously considering this model over the D60 because of the new lower pricing. You should seriously consider this model as well because it does have more features and easier to get at controls and will allow you to use older Nikon lenses. The image quality and ISO noise are about the same, although the D60 has Nikon's new picture controls and active D-lighting that can make pictures more vivid or brighter straight out of the camera. The D60 is noticeably lighter but if you add heavier lenses in the future (eg. Nikon's 18-200 mm) this will not be that significant.

Unless you really get into taking pictures, you will be happy with either camera. Good luck

The D60 purchase options are more limited than the D80. You can't buy the body alone and so have to buy a kit lens. B&H only offers the D60 with the 18-55VR kit lens (or the 18-55VR and 55-2100VR lenses). The price for a D80 with 18-55VR at B&H is only $50 higher than the D60 ($749 vs 699). And, the D80 body-only at B&H is only $599. For $50 (or $100 less if you don't need a kit lens), the D80 looks like a better deal.

I'm in Canada an the situation here is more difficult. We have a $200 price differential between these two choices: the D80 with 18-55 is $799 compared to $599 for the D60. The D80 body-only is $699. I wonder if the D80 is worth $200 extra (33% higher price)?

--
Nick

Same advice as usual - if you're thinking D60 go for the D40 and put the cash saved towards more glass, or spend a little extra and pick up a D80. The latter has a motor built into the body so can AF a wider range of lenses than the D40/60.

If you're after a smaller body then the D40 is your pick. You really will not notice the extra megapixels.