Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D60 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C
Nikon D3000
36
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Nikon D60
34
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3000 and the Nikon D60 are compact APS-C DSLRs built for photographers stepping up to an interchangeable-lens camera, and both shoot through the Nikon F DX mount. The D3000 arrived in 2009, a year after the 2008 D60. It measures 126 x 97 x 64 mm and weighs 536 g, while the D60 is slightly smaller at 126 x 94 x 64 mm and lighter at 522 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 14, 2009 | January 29, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 126 x 97 x 64 mm | 126 x 94 x 64 mm |
| Camera weight | 536 g | 522 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D3000 is the stronger choice for photographing subjects away from the centre of the frame, because it offers 11 autofocus points where the D60 offers 3. That wider spread makes off-centre portraits and moving subjects easier to compose without reframing to lock focus. Its 12.3 megapixels also leave more room to crop a distant subject than the D60's 10.2. Their core capture settings are shared, so neither body gains an advantage from the sensor or exposure limits. Both use an APS-C CCD sensor with the Expeed processor. Each shoots at 3 fps, tops out at 1/4000 second and covers a standard ISO range of 100 to 1600. Neither offers in-body stabilisation, and both frame shots through an optical pentamirror viewfinder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 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. |
3872 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. |
CCD | 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. |
15.8 x 23.6 | 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. |
Nikon F DX | 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. |
Expeed | 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. |
32003003280000 | 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. |
110300 | 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 ComparisonVideoMovie shooting is off the table with either camera, because both are stills-only DSLRs with no video recording at all. Neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. Anyone who wants clips alongside their photographs will need a different model entirely. | ||
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 | 23/100 | 17/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D3000's 3-inch rear LCD gives you a more comfortable view when reviewing photos than the D60's 2.5-inch screen, and both displays share the same 230,000-dot resolution. Both cameras offer a built-in flash plus support for an external flash. Neither includes live view, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or touch control, and neither body is weather sealed. | ||
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 | 3" | 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 | 27/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D60 has the broader card compatibility here, accepting MMC cards alongside SD and SDHC, while the D3000 uses SD and SDHC only. Both carry a single card slot. Each camera is rated for 500 shots per charge under its standard test conditions, though from different batteries: the D3000 uses an EN-EL9a and the D60 an EN-EL9. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | SD / SDHC / MMC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL9a | EN-EL9 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most buyers choosing between these two, the D3000 is the better pick. Its 11 autofocus points make off-centre portraits, children and pets far easier to frame than the D60's 3 points, and its 3-inch screen is more comfortable for reviewing results. Choose the D60 instead if you already own MMC cards, or if its slightly lighter 522 g body suits you better. Both share the same Nikon F DX mount, so any DX lenses you buy will work on either body.