Nikon D60 vs Sony Alpha 200 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Nikon D60
34
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 200
40
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D60 and the Sony Alpha 200 are both 2008 APS-C DSLRs with optical pentamirror viewfinders, built-in flash and external flash support, so the choice turns on lens system, stabilisation and battery rating. Each camera takes a different lens path. The D60 uses the Nikon F DX mount, the Alpha 200 the Sony Alpha DT mount, so neither accepts the other brand's lenses. The D60 is also smaller and lighter, 126 x 94 x 64 mm and 522 g against 131 x 99 x 71 mm and 572 g. | ||
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 | January 7, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 126 x 94 x 64 mm | 131 x 99 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 522 g | 572 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony Alpha 200 is the stronger choice for handheld work in dim light, because it offers in-body stabilisation while the Nikon D60 has none. Every lens you mount on it gains that stabilisation, which helps for interiors and evening scenes without a tripod. The Alpha 200 also offers more autofocus points, 9 against the D60's 3, which helps keep off-centre subjects sharp. The standard ISO ranges differ too, with the Alpha 200 reaching 3200 while the D60 reaches 1600 and offers 3200 only expanded. Resolution and burst rate are similarities, with 10.2 megapixels and 3 fps on both. | ||
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 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 | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed | Bionz |
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 | 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 | 90300 |
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 motion clips require a different camera. The Nikon D60 and the Sony Alpha 200 are stills-only DSLRs, and both also lack a built-in intervalometer for timelapse work. | ||
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 ComparisonFeaturesFor awkward-angle viewing, the Sony Alpha 200's 2.7 inch screen tilts while the Nikon D60's 2.5 inch screen is fixed. Tilting eases reviewing shots with the camera held low or overhead. Both screens have the same 230,000 dot resolution. Several conveniences are shared. Both have a built-in flash plus external flash support for indoor and bounce lighting. Both lack live view, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and weather sealing, and neither screen responds to touch. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Sony Alpha 200 wins on stamina, rated for 750 shots per charge against 500 for the Nikon D60, a 250-shot higher rating. Each uses its own battery, the NP-FM500H and the EN-EL9, so spares are brand-specific. Storage follows different paths. The Alpha 200 records to CompactFlash cards, while the D60 uses SD, SDHC and MMC cards, so cards you already own may point one way. Neither offers dual card slots or USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / MMC | Compact Flash |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL9 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 750 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony Alpha 200 is the better pick if you shoot handheld in mixed light, thanks to in-body stabilisation, 9-point autofocus coverage and a 750-shot battery rating. It suits travel and long days out where charging is inconvenient.
The Nikon D60 is the right choice if you want to build on the Nikon F DX lens system. It is also the smaller, lighter body and records to SD, SDHC and MMC cards. With resolution, burst rate and video capability matching, your lens preference and the Alpha 200's stabilisation and battery lead decide the purchase.