Nikon N60


Specifications

• Type of camera: Autofocus 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) with built-in TTL Speedlight
• Picture format: 24 x 36mm standard 35mm
• Lens mount: Nikon F mount
• Lenses: AF Nikkor lenses, AI-P-type Nikkor lens
• Focus modes: Autofocus (AF) or Manual (M)
• Autofocus: Auto-Servo AF: automatically chooses Single-Servo AF or Continuous-Servo AF.
• Autofocus detection system: TTL phase detection system. AF-Assist Illuminator included.
• Autofocus detection range: Approx. EV -1 to 19 (at ISO 100)
• Autofocus lock: Focus is locked when shutter release is pressed half way
• Focus tracking: Automatically activated with a moving subject
• Exposure modes: Program, Auto-Multi Program (Flexible Program possible), shutter-priority, aperture priority, manual, and five Vari-Program modes (portrait, landscape, close-up, sport, night scene)
• Shutter-Priority, aperture-priority, manual
• Auto exposure lock: By pressing the AE-L button
• Exposure compensation: +/-3 EV range, in 1/2 EV steps
• Exposure metering: 3D Matrix: with D-type AF Nikkor; Six-segment Matrix: with non-D-type AF Nikkor, AI-P Nikkor; centerweighted in manual exposure mode or with Auto Exposure Lock
• Exposure metering range: EV 1 to 20 at ISO 100, 50mm f/1.4 lens
• Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
• Shutter release: Electromagnetic
• Shutter speeds: 30 to 1/2000 sec.
• Viewfinder: Fixed-eyelevel pentaprism high-eyepoint type with 90% frame coverage
• Diopter adjustment: –1.5 to +1.0 diopter
• Focusing screen: Fixed clear matte screen II with central focus brackets for autofocus operation
• Film speed range: ISO 25 to 5000 automatically
• Film loading: Automatically advances to first frame when camera back is closed
• Frame counter: Digital display in LCD panel
• Film advance: Film automatically advances one frame when shutter is released; in Sport mode 1 fps
• Film rewind: Film automatically starts to rewind at the end of the film roll
• Self-timer: 10 sec. Cancelable
• Built-in TTL Speedlight: Activated by pressing Speedlight lock-release button; guide number: 49 (at ISO 100, ft.) with 28mm lens or longer lenses
• Flash synch: 1/125 sec. or slower
• Power source: Two CR123A or DL123A-type lithium batteries with power confirmation
• Dimensions (W x H x D): Approx. 5.8 x 3.8 x 2.7 in. (N60), 5.8 x 3.8 x 2.8 in. (N60 QUARTZ DATE)
• Weight: Approx. 20.3 oz. (N60), 20.6 oz. (N60 QUARTZ DATE)

Features: A full featured camera for beginners with easy operation. This is a camera that a novice can pick up and start shooting with everything they need to grow with. Very lightweight and nicely finished in silver with black grip (all black N60 QUARTZ DATE also available). Grip has a nice shape for comfortable hold. Shutter release is conveniently placed on top and inside the power switch lever. Above shutter release button are exposure compensation (+/-3 stops in 1/2 increments) and aperture selection button for use in manual mode. Large LCD panel on top displays shutter speeds, aperture, exposure compensation, frame counter, flexible program, flash mode, battery power (fully darkened when full power; half darkened indicates batteries are nearing exhaustion; blinking about exhausted; no indication symbol appears when batteries are completely exhausted) self-timer, and film loading. A small flash mode button is located next to the LCD panel.

LCD showing shutter speed, aperture, battery condition, frame number, and film load
Front right of the body has AF assist beam/redeye reduction/self-timer indicator. Lens release is placed on the left side with the focus mode selector below. Hot shoe covers the built-in flash. Top left has a large exposure mode dial with clear markings for easy access to exposure modes. Self-timer button is placed next to the exposure mode dial. Viewfinder is covered by a large eyecup with diopter adjustment lever placed on the right. AEL button and command dial are placed on the right and very easy to operate with your thumb. Shutter speed and aperture adjustment are done by rotating the command dial. Dial changes shutter speed in shutter-priority and manual modes or aperture in aperture priority mode in 1/2 steps. To change aperture in manual mode, rotate the command dial while pressing the aperture button. Camera back has a film confirmation window. Back release is placed on the left of the body. Bottom of the camera includes battery chamber release, tripod socket and mid-roll rewind button.
Viewfinder shows autofocus brackets with 12mm circle for centerweighted metering. Viewfinder displays focus confirmation indicator, shutter speeds, aperture, flash ready light, exposure compensation, and analog display. Shutter speeds range from 30 to 1/2000 sec. plus B with 1/125 sec. flash sync. ISO is set automatically for DX coded films from 25-5000. Film loading and advance are automatic with 1 fps continuous advance. Film rewind starts at the end of the roll but mid-roll rewind is also possible.

Shutter release button, On/Off switch, exposure compensation button, and aperture selection button

Operation: Camera is very easy to hold. Set it to general-purpose program, marked Auto with camera symbol in green, and you are ready to take pictures. Camera takes full control of everything. Five Vari-Program modes can also be selected for automatic control. Portrait mode focuses on your subject with soft background. Landscape mode selects the best possible aperture to produce sharp landscape shots. Close-up mode focuses on the main subject with soft background in close-up photography. Sport mode uses faster shutter speeds for fast action photography and automatically changes to continuous autofocus mode with focus tracking and 1 fps advance. Night Scene mode is used for taking pictures at night or combine it with flash for proper exposure of your main subject and the background. You can quickly switch to different modes by turning the exposure mode dial. Each mode is clearly marked with a symbol. If you want to take more control over the camera, you can switch to manual, aperture priority, shutter priority or program modes. Program mode is similar to general-purpose program except you can adjust the shutter speed/aperture combination. You can use aperture priority when you want to control depth-of-field or shutter priority when shooting fast action scenes. N60 lets you take full control when you are ready and know more about photography. Turn the exposure mode dial to M for manual exposure control. You set both the shutter speed and aperture manually and you can check the analog display in the viewfinder to see over/under exposure. In manual mode camera automatically selects centerweighted metering. N60 features a 6 segment, 3D Matrix Metering. Camera analyzes brightness and contrast, and subject distance with D-type AF Nikkor lens to calculate correct exposure. Metering is very accurate for most situations. Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash can be used in low light to automatically balance flash with the backgrounds brightness. You can also use fill-in flash to illuminate shadows in daylight. A 28mm built-in Speedlight provides for Matrix Balanced fill-flash, red-eye reduction and slow sync for flash photography. The built-in flash symbol appears in the viewfinder LCD when flash is recommended. The built-in flash covers lenses as wide as 28mm and has a guide number of 49 at ISO 100. For flash photography at night or with an illuminated background, use slow sync flash to balance the foreground and background exposure. When red-eye reduction mode is selected, the red-eye reduction lamp lights. This mode is used to reduce red-eye.

Left: Exposure mode dial selects program, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual mode or one of vari-program modes. Right: Main control dial.
N60 has a fast autofocus system. Auto-Servo can detect whether a subject is stationary or moving. It can also detect subject's direction. Camera automatically locks focus when focus is achieved. A built-in AF assist illuminator helps when light is insufficient for autofocusing. It automatically lights up the subject to allow the camera find proper focus point. Focus lock can be used by pressing the shutter release half way. It is useful for stationary subject when you want focus on your subject and recompose your shot.
AE lock can be activated by thumb without having to remove your eye from the view finder. Camera locks exposure value and centerweighted metering is automatically selected. Exposure compensation can be used by pressing the exposure compensation button and turning the command dial to override the camera's metering. Two-Button Reset allows easy cancellation of all settings. Press the aperture button and exposure compensation buttons for two seconds to return to standard settings.

Verdict: An excellent beginner camera with easy to operate settings. Its program modes lets any user to start taking pictures. When beginners learn more about photography and want to take control, N60 has all the features they need. Aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes as well as exposure compensation and AEL buttons are necessary for full control. N60 offers all. It lacks manual ISO setting which is a minor draw back, but you can always use exposure compensation dial instead. A separate front control dial would have been better for changing aperture settings in manual mode instead of aperture button. A very capable and affordable camera for anyone who is just starting photography and need a camera to grow with.

N60 Quartz Date

Nikon also offers the N60 Quartz Date. It is all black body and similar to N60 but features Quartz Date back for printing date or time on photos.

• Display mode: Year/Month/Day, Day/Hour/Minute, No Imprint, Month/Day/Year and Day/Month/Year; built-in clock
• Film: ISO 32 to 3200 DX-coded film
• Power source: one 3V lithium battery