Nikon D60

Chromatic aberrations are low - although still make their presence felt occasionally - and images are decently sharp. VR is the Nikon term for optical image stabilisation, and it's a seriously useful addition to the basic camera.

The stabilisation is good for around two stops and makes the lack of a new lower-noise CCD sensor much less of an issue; you can now shoot at slower shutter speeds and lower ISO levels and still get a decent picture.

Acting in concert with this is Nikon's unique and supremely brilliant ISO Auto feature, first seen on the D80 but missing from the D40 and D40X.

ISO Auto is a programmable system. Rather than the camera arbitrarily deciding the light level is too low and pumping up ISO sensitivity to its chosen level, ISO Auto gives you control over two parameters: maximum sensitivity and minimum shutter speed.

The first allows you to set the maximum ISO level you deem to be acceptable - for instance ISO 400 - and the second the target shutter speed that's acceptable before the system kicks in.

That control allows you to tailor the camera's ISO assistance to your ability to take steady shots, safe in the knowledge that above the threshold you've specified the camera won't interfere and raise the ISO level, thus introducing unwanted image noise.

But it gives you the safety buffer that if you suddenly find yourself in low light you can continue to shoot, getting usable shots with the level of noise you've deemed acceptable. It's a genius addition.

Conclusion

The crunch point for the D60 is whether you deem what are, on the face of it, relatively minor improvements make it worth plumping for this model rather than more exciting offerings from competitors that offer Live View, more megapixels, faster burst rates and generally newer design technology.

On the face of it, it's easy to be cynical, especially when you can now pick up a D40X for less than £400.

But Nikon's approach is to produce a solid and useful photographic tool, and on that front it's difficult not to like the D60. It's designed to do its job well, rather than blind you with specifications. If you take it on that basis you won't be disappointed.

Author: David Fearon