Nikon D60 vs Pentax KM — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Nikon D60
34
SCORE
|
Pentax · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Pentax KM
41
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D60 and the Pentax KM are both APS-C DSLRs announced in 2008, built around a 10.2 MP CCD sensor. Each was designed as a compact entry-level body for everyday photography, with an optical pentamirror viewfinder for framing through the lens. The practical split between them comes from where they were announced in the year: the D60 arrived in January, the KM in September. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 29, 2008 | September 22, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 126 x 94 x 64 mm | 123 x 92 x 68 mm |
| Camera weight | 522 g | 590 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Pentax KM is the stronger stills companion for handheld shooting in dim light, because it has in-body sensor-shift stabilisation while the D60 relies on the lens to steady the frame. That matters for a handheld interior at a slow shutter speed: with the KM any lens you mount gains stabilisation, whereas on the D60 only stabilised Nikon lenses help. Autofocus coverage also favours the KM for tracking a moving subject. It offers 11 autofocus points against 3 on the D60, giving more positions for the focus point on an off-centre subject. The KM also shoots at 3.5 fps against 3 fps, and its native ISO range reaches 3200 against 1600 on the D60, though both extend to 3200. Resolution is shared at 10.2 MP, so neither gives extra cropping room. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.2 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. |
16 x 24 | 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 | 3.5 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 | Pentax KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed | Prime |
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 | 12530200 |
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 | 32003003280000 |
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. |
30300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
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 any motion clips you want will have to come from another device. Both are purely stills bodies, and neither offers a built-in intervalometer for timelapse sequences. Frame your choice entirely around stills features such as stabilisation, autofocus coverage and battery endurance. | ||
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 | 21/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Pentax KM gives you a slightly larger screen for reviewing focus and composition, at 2.7 inches against 2.5 inches on the D60. Both screens are LCD panels with the same 230000 dots, and neither tilts or accepts touch input. Flash and connectivity match in the areas that count on these bodies. Each has a built-in pop-up flash and a hot shoe for an external unit, and neither offers live view, wireless connectivity or weather sealing. GPS is absent on both, so geotagging a travel set would need a separate recorder. | ||
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" | 2.7" |
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 | 51/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Pentax KM is the clear choice for a long day of shooting away from a charger. It is rated for 1800 shots from four AA batteries, against 500 shots from the D60's EN-EL9 pack. That rated margin suits a full day of travel or event photography. The AA format also helps when power runs low on the road, because fresh cells can be loaded without a proprietary charger. Card support overlaps on SD and SDHC for both, while the D60 additionally accepts MMC cards. Neither body has a second card slot or USB charging, so image backup and in-camera recharging are not part of either workflow. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / MMC | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL9 | 4 x AA batteries |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 1800 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For handheld photography in mixed and low light, the Pentax KM is the better buy: in-body stabilisation works with every lens you attach, the 11-point autofocus system covers off-centre subjects, and the native ISO range reaches 3200. Its 1800-shot AA battery rating suits a full day of travel or event shooting far better than the D60's 500-shot pack.
The Nikon D60 still makes sense if you want the lightest body for casual everyday shooting, at 522 g against 590 g, or if you are building on Nikon F DX lenses you already own. The mounts are not interchangeable, so treat your lens system as part of the decision. If video recording matters at all, neither 2008 body will serve, and a later model would be the better answer.