Nikon D60 10.2 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Body only)

This used/refurbished DSLR body replaced the D60 i owned (and accidentaly scraped :( A great model by Nikonor - i was captured by its merits from the first moment and have stuck with amateur DSLR photography since. Together with a prime lens, it has been my "teacher" and initiator to hands-on shooting pictures.
Rather than repeating here the (impressive) list of technical features of the D60, i'd like to focus on what i find the D60's most prominent attractions:
1) the body "feels" very well in the (male) hand; controls are "at the right places"; the weight is small and balanced; the grip feels secure. I like handling this camera!
2) The menu system (and the help system on top of it) is a joy to parse. And just to the proper level of detail: not too technical - not too simplified either. Never had to re-open the manual!
3) The DX format and other technical specs. are more than adequate for amateur / advanced amateur. In addition, Nikor, Sigma and Tamron make available a full range of compatible (motorised) AF-S lenses at normal (no premium) price. The 35mm f/1.8, in particular, is a must!
4) Last but not least, it all comes at a vey - very reasonable price. I don't think Nikon has sorted a better quality/price mix -ever. So, though the D60 is discontinued to make room for the D3000s and D5000s, you can still find very affordable second-hand D60 cameras - or, even better, entire offer kits.

I bought this model camera for my wife. Why? Well, she stated a while back that she would like a "more professional type camera" at some point. When I asked her what she meant by that, my wife stated "one that looks like a proper camera". Now I know she can use a DSLR because she's used my Fuji S1 Pro on a few occasions and got on well with it, but found it a little on the large and heavy side. This was one reason for purchasing the Nikon D60 - like others in this series, it is a compact DSLR - perfect for those amongst us who have smallish hands. It's a nice starter camera. Not covered in overly complicated dials and switches, just the main one that allows the user to set a variety of shooting scenarios as well as the usual Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual setting. So it can be used as a point and shoot camera still, and get some excellent results - all of which will encourage further exploration of the cameras more sophisticated functions, in time.

Also - it gives the first time DSLR user access to Nikons mountain of marvellous lenses, which makes for a long term partnership between the user and the camera. The user wont outgrow this camera quickly. It has an onboard flash gun that is reasonable, and is very controllable.

The main LCD screen is large and easy to understand and use, gives a lot of information, and changes according to what settings are selected with the main dial.

What some may consider a weakness of this series of Nikons is the lack of an onboard autofocus motor - but I don't see it it that way. This camera is firmly aimed at beginner to intermediate photographers. These most likely will have started with compact point and shoot cameras with integral lens, with no facility to alter aperture etc. The D60 is an ideal step up from this type of camera, and therefore to complicate matters with having to turn yet another ring on the lens is going to add to what are already complex cameras. The G series of lens is ideal for the beginner/intermediate photographers to begin to get to grips with swappable lens systems. - all they have to do is slap another lens on, the camera does the rest for them with dials that are right at their finger tips. No need to move a hand to set a ring on the lens and probably catching the zoom or focus ring in the process.

Having said that - I bought a 18-200mm zoom to go with this camera for my wife - this was a deliberate choice so she has a gr8 camera with a do it all lens on board so all she has to do is concentrate on framing her picture as she wants to and take the picture. But with the option of having more control of exposure, focal length etc and being able to experiment more as her confidence grows, and not having to worry about whether she has got crap inside the camera whilst swapping out lenses.

I would rate this as one of the best cameras I've used. I've owned quite a few in the last few years including, a D70s, D40, D80 and D3000.

The D60 is a very capable camera, producing very good results with little effort. the build is very high for a budget camera and it's lovely to use, simple when you want it but at the same time, there are still a good range of options to tailor your shooting style or desired results.

the only problem if you have previous Nikon lenses is that AF only works for AF-S lenses (or equivalent 3rd party offerings). However, you still get focus lock indication and on other AF lenses, you get an electronic range finder that makes focussing easier (it tells you in which direction you need to turn the manual focus to get focus lock).

This is a beginner's camera or a professional's backup if you don't want full manual buttons for every function. Everything can be accessed via the on-screen menu, but a lot of the hard buttons from the D70s/D80 etc are missing. However, I still find it easy to operate, but does take a little longer without the missing hard buttons.

I can't give this full marks as there are better cameras, but the image quality, ease of use and excellent handling mean that it easily gets 4/5.

The D60 follows the the 40 and 40x , then after came the D3000. Very capable allround tools in capable hands, otherwise four very similar cameras and Nikon know this. They have taken care not to change the formula too much. If looking to upgrade beyond D60 the next significant step is a D300 not intermediate D90 models, but the D60 goes so far you wonder why go further... I was so impressed with wife's D40 I wondered why I carry bigger cameras around. Standard VR kit lens is hard to beat at the price but there is much to gain with better glass. My favourite is Tamron 17-50 f2.8 with motor as a general use lens which is an ideal match. For stills a very competent tool with no technical vices allows the photographer to concentrate properly on composition etc. Output is very similar to D200 but the body won't stand the physical abuse a 200 or 300 can tolerate. D60 is small and light enough to use just on a wrist strap and to keep nearby much of the time to help you to have a camera to hand when opportunity arises whilst ensuring good technical performance. Battery life is moderate so carry a spare. Lugging a D300 or D2Xs is a very different proposition and mine stay in their bags a lot now!
Drawbacks: frame rate a bit slow for sports, versus D300 etc. Build is light weight requiring lighter handling. Flash is not strong a main source. SS400 flash is designed to match and it does beautifully. I would like to see a low noise lower low ISO setting monochrome but we wait for the D4......, different tool for different jobs.

I bought the D60 as a back up for my D90, and together with the 35mm 1.8 I use it as a compact "carry anywhere" camera.
I like:
- that it is small and light, and yet has a good-sized grip
- good ergonomics overall
- quality build
- great image quality, 1600iso good at A3 (30x45cm) when developed with a good RAW converter (I use Capture One)
I miss:
- better 3200iso performance (but unlike the Canon 1000d it does at least have it!)
- more dedicated buttons i.e. for WB, light measuring etc., the small Canons do this much better
- built-in AF-motor for older lenses

I absolutely love it as a supplement to my D90, but if I had to have only one cheap DSLR I would probably go for the Canon 1000D.