Nikon D60 replacement out - D3000

benhasajeep · Jul 30, 2009

Looks like Nikon has decided to forgo the (S) designator on the D60 and go with a new model number. D3000

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25462/D3000.html

PhotoXopher · Jul 30, 2009

Hmmm, I may have to get this now instead of a D40

smyth · Jul 30, 2009

The only real difference is the 11 point af :S

PhotoXopher · Jul 30, 2009

True, but having that on my D90 it's kinda nice... and it's only $50 more than the D60 right now.

I'm thinking the high ISO performance might be on par with the D5000 too, which would be sweet.

farmerj · Jul 30, 2009

I think I would forgo the D3000/60 and either get a second D90 body or save up for a D300 before they become impossible to get.

PhotoXopher · Jul 30, 2009

D300 would be nice... maybe once they hit $599 at Best Buy :lol:

KmH · Jul 30, 2009

N0YZE said:
D300 would be nice... maybe once they hit $599 at Best Buy

That should happen sometime in early 2011 or so.

Dwig · Jul 30, 2009

N0YZE said:
True, but having that on my D90 it's kinda nice... and it's only $50 more than the D60 right now.

I'm thinking the high ISO performance might be on par with the D5000 too, which would be sweet.

Probably not. The D3000 uses a CCD with specs that seem to match the D60 (and D80 & D200). The D5000 uses the same CMOS chip found in the D90 and similar to the D300 (possibly a match to the new D300s) with only slight differences in the processing engine (DXOmark rates the D5000 as a near match to the D90 and both very slightly better than the D300).

PhotoXopher · Jul 30, 2009

Bummer! Didn't see the CCD part in the specs but you're right...

inTempus · Jul 30, 2009

When those old D300's hit $1k, I'm snatching one up... if I can resist the temptation to buy a D300s that is.

Ejazzle · Jul 30, 2009

d300s seems like it only has a video feature over the d300??

KmH · Jul 30, 2009

tharmsen said:
When those old D300's hit $1k, I'm snatching one up... if I can resist the temptation to buy a D300s that is.

There was a refurb D300 available earlier today for $1300.

If the price stays the same till it's available, you get the D300s's AF video and extra memory card essentially for free compared, to today's price of a D300.

PhotoXopher · Jul 30, 2009

So really, the D3000 is a D60 with 11 focal points?

Is that really it?

Dwig · Jul 31, 2009

N0YZE said:
So really, the D3000 is a D60 with 11 focal points?

Is that really it?

In terms of real features, yes. There are also changes in the menu system and an new expanded help system targeted at P&S users moving up to their first DSLR. They also mention improved legibility due to using a larger font which may indicate some incremental improvement in the LCD display hardware.

Given that the MSRP is only $599USD is sounds like rather substantial improvements for what is really no increase in price. D60s have been somewhat less lately, but that seems to be sell-off discounts. Most of the time the D60 sold for more.