Nikon is set to roll out a new consumer digital SLR to eventually replace its D40. The move comes as several CE vendors such as Samsung and Panasonic try to move into the digital camera market.
The new 10-megapixel D60 boasts the same ergonomics as the D40 and features the same scene modes, image optimizer menu and battery life. It offers a 3 fps burst mode to 100 JPEG images, a 2.5-inch LCD screen and will include a new AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens.
Improvements include additions to the camera’s retouch menu such as an RGB intensifier, the ability to adjust image contrast after capture, and in-camera RAW to JPEG conversion. Also new is the option of adding photos to the LCD display as wallpaper.
New to the D60 is a stop-motion movie mode, which allows users to sequence 100 images together in the camera which is then exported as an AVI movie file. Consumers choose the first and last image in the sequence and the camera automatically processes the remaining 98.
The D60 will also incorporate a new dust reduction system which uses a vibrating low pass filter to dislodge dust from the image sensor and a new venting system that removes dust from the camera’s mirror box. It will also offer an orientation sensor in the camera which properly orients the menu items on the LCD when the camera is held vertically or horizontally.
Like Nikon’s higher-level D300, the D60 features an active D-Lighting mode for improving exposures during capture. Pricing was not announced although a Nikon spokesman said it would be “in the range” of the D40″.
