The Nikon D60 is an entry-level digital single-lens reflex camera, designed for an amateur photographer looking for more control over pictures than a compact point-and-shoot may offer. This Nikon, the third in the company's newer, more-user-friendly line of SLR cameras, will shoot a 10.2-megapixel image but not video. The camera uses Nikon-compatible lenses, and requires the AF-S and AF-I lenses for the auto-focus feature.
The Camera Body
The D60 is 5 inches wide, 3.7 inches high and 2.5 inches deep, and it has a 2.5-inch LCD monitor for viewing images and menu functions. The body alone weighs 16.1 oz. The camera is powered by one rechargeable EN-EL9 lithium-ion battery. The camera uses the EXPEED image processor, a system optimized for Nikon's cameras, and is equipped with an image sensor cleaning system.
Taking Pictures
The camera can shoot a maximum of three frames per second. It has a self-timer that is adjustable to two, five, 10 or 20 seconds and an optional remote. Available shutter speeds range from 1/4000th of a second to 30 seconds.
The D60 requires an SD or SDHD memory card, sold separately, for storing images. Image files can be shot as JPG files or as NEF files, Nikon's version of a RAW file. The camera also offers in-camera picture editing. Users can tweak a photo's color balance, adjust brightness, add filter effects, make red-eye corrections and crop.
Shooting Modes
Like a traditional SLR camera, the D60 can be operated in automatic or full manual mode, as well as aperture-priority and shutter-priority modes. Additionally, the D60 offers what Nikon calls "Advanced Scene Modes," such as automatic without flash, child, close-up, landscape, portrait, night portrait and sports. The user can also control the tone of the image by selecting picture modes such as black-and-white, vivid and portrait. The D60 has a bulb mode, meaning the photographer can hold the shutter open manually as long as desired, and a high-ISO setting for low-light environments.
Flash Options
The D60 has a built-in flash that works with red-eye reduction technology. External flashes can be connected using the hot-shoe mount, and the camera supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System, which uses the built-in flash as a trigger to fire remote flashes.
The built-in flash, as well as the Nikon Creative Lighting System both use through-the-lens flash control, which means the camera measures the amount of light coming through the lens to determine the needed strength of the flash.
Tags: built-in flash, camera uses, Creative Lighting, Creative Lighting System, Lighting System