Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D vs Nikon D60 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 10.1 MP · APS-C
Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D
33
SCORE
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Nikon · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Nikon D60
34
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D and the Nikon D60 are compact APS-C DSLRs for everyday photography, and the D60's 2008 arrival came two years after the XTi's 2006 launch. The D60 is the lighter body at 522 g versus 556 g, and its shell is marginally smaller at 126 x 94 x 64 mm against 127 x 94 x 65 mm. The body design is shared: both are DSLRs with APS-C sensors, so a given lens frames the same way on either camera. Each uses an optical pentamirror viewfinder. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 24, 2006 | January 29, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 127 x 94 x 65 mm | 126 x 94 x 64 mm |
| Camera weight | 556 g | 522 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Rebel XTi is the stronger choice for moving or off-centre subjects, offering 9 autofocus points where the D60 has 3. That broader coverage helps when a child, pet or player steps away from the middle of the frame. The mounts are the long-term commitment: the XTi takes Canon EF-S lenses, the D60 Nikon F DX, so existing glass should anchor your decision. Resolution is a near match at 10.1 megapixels on the XTi against 10.2 on the D60, and both shoot at 3 fps with a 1/4000 second top shutter speed. The D60 offers an expanded ISO 3200 setting against the XTi's 1600, while the standard ceiling is 1600 ISO on both. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.1 MP050 | 10.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3888 x 2592 | 3872 x 2592 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.8 x 22.2 | 16 x 24 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic II | Expeed |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 30300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so this pairing is for stills photographers only. Both the Rebel XTi and the D60 also lack a built-in intervalometer for timelapse and lack live view, so every frame is composed through the optical viewfinder. Anyone who needs movie clips alongside photographs should look beyond these two bodies. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 17/100 | 17/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesFlash capability is shared: both cameras have a built-in flash plus a hot shoe for an external unit, so fill light for indoor portraits is available either way. Neither offers WiFi, Bluetooth or GPS, so images reach a computer by card reader, and neither body has weather sealing. The rear screens match too: each body has a fixed 2.5-inch LCD with 230,000 dots and no touch input. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 2.5" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Nikon D60 holds a useful edge for long shooting days, with its battery rated for 500 shots under its test conditions against 370 for the Rebel XTi. Both carry a single card slot, so neither offers a backup card during a shoot. Card formats differ completely: the D60 writes to SD, SDHC or MMC cards, while the XTi takes CompactFlash Type I or II. If you already own a stock of one format, that practical detail may matter as much as any specification here. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD / SDHC / MMC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-2LH | EN-EL9 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
370 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel XTi / 400D if you photograph unpredictable subjects such as children, pets or street scenes, because its 9 autofocus points cover off-centre action more generously than the D60's 3. Choose the Nikon D60 if you travel light and shoot all day, since it weighs less, carries the longer battery rating and records to SD cards.
Lenses should anchor the final call: one mount takes Canon EF-S glass, the other Nikon F DX. Starting fresh, weigh the XTi's autofocus coverage against the D60's endurance and SD convenience for the shooting you actually do.