D60 vs D90?

Hey, I'm looking into getting an SLR and I've narrowed my choices down to the D60 and the D90. I'm upgrading from a Canon SD800, but I've had experience before with SLRs (a friend taught me the basics), although it was only just learning the basics and playing with the manual modes. My main question is, whatever body I get, I'd want it to be able to last me a while (optimally at least 4-5 years) both in terms of physical durability and feature versatility, which is why I'm wondering if it's worth to spend the extra to get a D90. Anyone got any advice?

butterfly0fdoom said:

Hey, I'm looking into getting an SLR and I've narrowed my choices
down to the D60 and the D90. I'm upgrading from a Canon SD800, but
I've had experience before with SLRs (a friend taught me the basics),
although it was only just learning the basics and playing with the
manual modes. My main question is, whatever body I get, I'd want it
to be able to last me a while (optimally at least 4-5 years) both in
terms of physical durability and feature versatility, which is why
I'm wondering if it's worth to spend the extra to get a D90. Anyone
got any advice?

Click to expand...

I find the D60 to be an odd choice when you consider "feature versatility"
as important. Have you looked at the D80, which is much closer to the
D90 feature-wise?

--
Patco
A photograph is more than a bunch of pixels

butterfly0fdoom said:

Hey, I'm looking into getting an SLR and I've narrowed my choices
down to the D60 and the D90. I'm upgrading from a Canon SD800, but
I've had experience before with SLRs (a friend taught me the basics),
although it was only just learning the basics and playing with the
manual modes. My main question is, whatever body I get, I'd want it
to be able to last me a while (optimally at least 4-5 years) both in
terms of physical durability and feature versatility, which is why
I'm wondering if it's worth to spend the extra to get a D90. Anyone
got any advice?

Click to expand...

The D40 & D60 lack an inbody focus motor, so if you want to AF with a wider range of lenses then you should go for the D90. Personally I would skip the D60 and pay a bit extra for the D80, which also has a focus motor. Alternatively, go for the D40 and put the money towards lenses.

I have and like the D80, but if I were shopping today I'd get the D90 for live view, sensor cleaning, movie mode, better, LCD, and better high ISO images. None of these is a deal breaker, but for a camera you intend to keep for a few years, why not get these other quite useful features, if the price difference isn't going to break your personal bank.

Build quality wise D60 (or D40, 40x) is really good and its quite small to carry around. Image quality wise also they are great. Only problem is the lack of inbody focus motor. In case you are planning to use some non AF S lenses and not shooting mostly still life with ample light go for D90 or D80.

5 Years, that is an age in digital stuff. It's like using Windows95 on a single 16-bit system today. Digital photography will change (so they say) dramatically the next few years.

Probably both camera's, with good care, will technically survive 5 years. Build quality of D90 is some what better (at least it feels so).

If you can afford a D90 for 5 years usage, you can also afford a D60 for 2-3 years.

So it depends. Are you first and for most an artist? Go for the D60, learn what you like and need and after 2-3 years buy the best available option at that time.

Are you a techno gadget freak (like me), like to play with all the settings and buttons, getting frustrated knowing that there is something technicaly better out there? Go for the D90.

You should also worry about glass (in the fiirst place). The investment is larger, but it is suppoost to last longer. (Typically both the artist and the gadget freak will want at least 3 to 4 lenses). And it is more decisive for the creative options you will have available.

With the D60, lacking the focus motor, you will have less options to buy (cheap) lenses (which might change in a few months/a year).

If you are on a budget and want to have fun being an artist ,may be you should start with an Ebay D80 and may be some Ebay lenses and a flash.

--

Amateur/hobbyist, started digital in 2002, first DLSR (D80)in 2007, D90 since september 2008.

The D60 is capable of IQ that is as good as any D camera you want to compare it to. It produces some of the best jpeg images as any other camera. I recently read a post that I think stated it will auto focus with 27 lenses and MF dozens more. Are people just getting to be too lazy to MF a lens any more? Don

I don't think there will be much physical durability difference between the d60 and d90. The d300 and other pro-level cameras are a step above, but the consumer level cameras are all equally well made. If you don't abuse your camera, it will last. A big difference between the two is the size and weight and feel, so you should play with the two of them in the store in case you have a strong preference you don't know about, after holding them in your hands. Personally, I prefer the feel of the d90.

I have been using my d70 for 4.5 years, having got it soon after it came out. It's lasted fine, and looks as good as new. But I've only shot maybe 2,000 pictures per year with it. Some people do that in a month. Or a week.

People here are into the latest gear. If you look around in the real world, many people are using older digital cameras.

The d60 will take just as good pictures in five years as it does now. The same for the d90. If you want a new camera in five years, maybe it will be because the perfected movie mode then, but probably not because your camera broke down.

Considering the D60 and the D80 can be found for nearly the same price, I'd definitely recommend the D80 over the D60. If you have the money and want the latest and greatest, then yeah, get the D90.

--

Newer jpeg processing software, active d-lighting, a larger screen on the back, and lighter weight are reasons to get the d60 over the d80. It depends what matters to you.

As noted below, the d90 combines the best of the d60 and d80 and some more.

Broadsword said:

Considering the D60 and the D80 can be found for nearly the same
price, I'd definitely recommend the D80 over the D60. If you have
the money and want the latest and greatest, then yeah, get the D90.

--

Click to expand...

klh said:

Newer jpeg processing software, active d-lighting, a larger screen on
the back, and lighter weight are reasons to get the d60 over the d80.
It depends what matters to you.

As noted below, the d90 combines the best of the d60 and d80 and some
more.

Click to expand...

No, the D60 has the same 2.5" screen as the D80 with the same resolution.

klh said:

Newer jpeg processing software, active d-lighting, a larger screen on
the back, and lighter weight are reasons to get the d60 over the d80.
It depends what matters to you.

Click to expand...

Same sized screen on the D80 & D60.
Lighter & smaller is not always better for everyone. Greater inertia helps
overcome camera shake, as well.
(On a related point, it's funny how many of the "D80-is-too-big-and-heavy"
crowd are now snapping up the same size/weight D90 ;-))

If IQ is a question, one could compare D60 and D80 shots here:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

Or compare the D60 & D80 crops on these 2 pages:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond60/page18.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond80/page18.asp

--
Patco
A photograph is more than a bunch of pixels

Well, part of why despite how much nicer the D90 felt to hold and how much my inner gadget geek likes the D90 more I'm having a hard time choosing is because I don't really have too much objection to manual focus.

Then take the D60 and be happy if you like the smaller size!. Gets excellent results all the time. If you have handled both of them , you should know which one you like best.
--
Nikon D60 18-55vr & 55-200vr
SB400
Casio Z750

I upgraded from a D60 to a D90 just over a week ago and so far I'm really enjoying the features of the D90, and especially the low light capabilities. The video is a bit of a novelty, but the auto focus on the 50/1.8 lens is a huge win for me. The live view is ok, but I find it slow to focus. I think we'll need to see a few more generations of live view before it is a must have.

The D90 commander mode is nice too if you only have a single SB-800 (or other) flash and want to set it up remotely. I picked up a light stand, multi-clamp, and umbrella and have been playing with that.

I also just picked up my shutter release cable (mc-dc2), something the D60 doesn't support (wireless only from the front of the camera).

I went body only as I have a 16-85 and 70-300, but the D90's 18-105 kit lens is a bit more flexible/more range then the D60's 18-55 kit lens. The D60 is a sweet camera too and has the potential to take some amazing shots, but the D90 is a huge step up IMHO.

--
http://jbadry.zenfolio.com

It's no contest. If you can spare the extra $$ get the D90. It offers more features, better image quality, better autofocusing and better build quality.

BillCarr said:

It's no contest. If you can spare the extra $$ get the D90. It offers
more features, better image quality, better autofocusing and better
build quality.

Click to expand...

I second that. If you really can't afford a D90, get a D80. You'll not regret it. The D60 is a lesser option because of the autofocus system, smaller viewfinder, noise performance. The big difference between the D90 and D80 is that the D90 has at least 1 stop better iso-performance, a display that you fall in love with, and much better ergonomics (I can't stand the 4-way controller on the D80, compared to the snappy 5-way on the D90)

As a previous D80 owner i have to say that the D60 is way better!!
I sold my d80 weeks after getting the D60.

If you simply want to take great photos with no fuss, then the D60 is the way to go.

I have fairly large hands, but i still enjoy the D60 more than the D80.

Its light, easy to carry, (especially when traveling) has great exposure and takes great photos in most situations, without messing around with settings.(Unlike the D80)
Of course, you have the manual options also.

Auto focus is fine, just as good as the D80.

And despite what everyone says, i couldn't see any difference in the brightness of the viewfinder.

As for the auto focus motor, most newer lenses now have it, or are getting it placed.
Besides, who wants to have these noisy slow lenses anyway?

Most of the features you get with the D90 are not necessary.

Its just there to waste your time and make you feel like your getting your moneys worth.

Taking great photos is about your own personal ability, not the size of your camera.

The D90 is more of a camera to grow into. The ability to use more of the Nikon and 3rd party lens line up as well as better controls and focus may make you like the camera longer.

Morris

--



http://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/~morris/POD