Nikon D60 vs Sony Alpha 230 — 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 230
39
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D60 and the Sony Alpha 230 are both DSLRs, arriving in 2008 and 2009. The D60 uses the Nikon F DX mount and the Alpha 230 the Sony Alpha DT mount, so each opens a different native lens system. The Sony is the lighter camera for carrying all day, at 490 g against 522 g for the Nikon. It measures 128 x 97 x 68 mm against 126 x 94 x 64 mm for the D60. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 29, 2008 | May 18, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 126 x 94 x 64 mm | 128 x 97 x 68 mm |
| Camera weight | 522 g | 490 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 230 is the stronger choice for handheld shooting in dim interiors, because it has in-body stabilisation while the D60 does not. Stabilisation in the body works with every lens you attach, so you reduce camera shake without buying stabilised glass. Its 9 autofocus points, against 3 on the D60, make off-centre framing easier to hold sharp. The Sony's native ISO range reaches 3200, against 1600 for the Nikon, though the D60 matches that ceiling at its expanded setting. Both record 10.2 MP images from an APS-C CCD, so files from either suit the same print sizes. The D60 is slightly quicker at 3 fps for casual action, against 2.5 fps for the Sony, and both top out at a 1/4000 second shutter. | ||
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 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
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 | 2.5 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 | 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 or built-in time-lapse, so both are strictly stills tools. If you want any movie capability alongside your photography, you will need a different model; between these two, the choice comes down entirely to stills shooting. | ||
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 Alpha 230 is easier to use for overhead and low-angle framing, because its LCD tilts while the D60's screen is fixed. Its 2.7-inch display is also larger than the D60's 2.5 inches. Both screens are non-touch and neither camera offers live view. Both cameras have a built-in flash for fill light and support an external flash for stronger lighting control. Neither offers GPS for geotagging travel photos, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or weather sealing. | ||
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 | 2304001150001500000 |
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 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D60 is the stronger choice for a long day away from a charger, with a 500-shot battery rating against 230 shots for the Alpha 230. The Sony's lower rating makes a spare NP-FH50 battery a sensible part of a full-day kit. Both use a single card slot, and neither supports USB charging. The D60 takes SD, SDHC and MMC cards, while the Alpha 230 also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo alongside SD and SDHC, useful if you already own Sony media. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / MMC | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL9 | NP-FH50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 230 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Alpha 230 if you shoot handheld in low light, want stabilisation with every lens you buy, or need the tilting screen for waist-level and overhead shots. Its 9-point autofocus array also makes off-centre compositions more practical than the D60's 3 points.
Choose the Nikon D60 for staying out all day on one charge, with its 500-shot rating against the Sony's 230, or if you already shoot Nikon F DX lenses and want the quicker 3 fps burst for casual action. Resolution matches at 10.2 MP, so neither offers extra cropping room.