Nikon today unveils a new 10.2 million-pixel digital SLR called the D60, featuring new dust reduction technology and the inclusion of Active D-Lighting.
Featuring a 10.2MP CCD imaging sensor the D60 is positioned between Nikon?s D40 and enthusiast-level D80 DSLR.
Nikon has confirmed that the D60 will eventually supercede the 11-month-old D40x which will be discontinued.
The D60 is due in UK shops from 22 February, priced £449.99 body only.
The camera will also be available in two kits: one with a AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens, costing £529.99; and a kit which includes an AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II, priced £499.99.
Key features include a dust reduction system called ?Airflow Control? which uses the change in air pressure caused by the mirror flicking up, to force dust downwards away from the mirror-box. The dust is then held ?on a surface? at the base of the camera. Details of precisely how the dust is kept there were not available at the time of writing.
In addition, vibrations are used to shake dust from the sensor?s low-pass filter.
The newcomer deploys the Expeed processing system (also featured in the D3 and D300 siblings) which aims to achieve smoother tones and more accurate colour reproduction.
The D60 inherits its body design from the D40 model which, Nikon has confirmed, will remain in the range.
The D60 also uses the same AF system as the popular entry-level camera.
Active D-Lighting (borrowed from the professional D3 and D300) is deployed prior to image capture and designed to allow photographers to automatically adjust the look of the final image in-camera. It aims to increase dynamic range, helping to prevent the loss of detail in highlight and shadow areas – useful for when shooting high-contrast scenes, for example.
Also new for Nikon is the ability to process raw (NEF) image ?in-camera?, so the pictures can be directly outputted as a JPEG file.
And automatic reorientation of the LCD screen when the camera is used in vertical format may prove particularly useful when shooting vertically on a tripod, for example.
Nikon has added an Eye Sensor function which switches off the LCD screen when the viewfinder is used.
The D60 boasts a power-up time of ?0.19sec?, three frames per second shooting and 3D Colour Matrix Metering II.
Also on board is a 2.5in monitor and in-camera editing features using the Retouch mode.
A new ?Stop-motion? feature enables users to create an animation? from a series of still JPEG-format images. The movie, which is saved in AVI format, can be played back on the camera or transferred to computer.
Full details will appear in AP?s 9 February issue, in shops on Tuesday 5 February and available to subscribers from Saturday 2 February.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL UK SPECIFICATION
Picture (above): Nikon UK’s group marketing manager Jeremy Gilbert with the D60
Picture credit: Angela Nicholson
