Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

*** Updated 4/9/08 *** Here's the quick reminder: it's not the camera, it's the photographer. Maybe, maybe a nice fast lens would help. Like most things in life, it doesn't really matter how "good" or how expensive the equipment is, it's really how "well" you can use it. You can own the best racket in the world, but Roger Federer will still beat you with a wooden racket any day. Such is the case for the D60. It has more than enough features to produce great pictures. If you take the time to learn all its functions, you'll find that for an entry level DSLR, it's a great camera. If you think about it, all you really need in a camera are controls for shutter speed, aperature, and focus. For me (pure amateur), 95% of the time I'm shooting in Aperature-priority mode. The only other settings I might touch from time to time are the ISO and white balance settings. Most likely you'll do the same. Pluses: - light & compact - ultrasonic sensor cleaner, matched with a airflow control system (keeps the sensor dust free!) - 420-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II (compares against over 30,000 pics stored in database to achieve best exposure, available only with Nikon D or G type lenses) - pretty good performance from built-in flash - ISO 3200 available - ISO 100 available (this is becoming a rarity) - Active D-Lighting (automatically compensates over or under exposed areas in a high contrast scene) - LCD screen shuts off when eye is close to viewfinder (saves power) - very quick startup, you can take a picture as soon as you turn the camera on, even if flash is needed - SDHC compatible (I use an 8GB card!) Minuses: - not so great focusing in poor lighting, only 3 focus points, sometimes wrong objects are focused on - Auto ISO doesn't always choose the right ISO - the all "Auto" mode produces slightly oversaturated pictures - slightly "noisy" from ISO 800 and above, but noise reduction is available - no built-in auto focus motor, Nikon AF-S/AF-I lenses or third party lenses with built-in focus motor are necessary, unless you like to manually focus If you're looking the DSLR that can do many wonderful things but don't have a whole lot to spend, this is the camera to get. It may not have as many pixels (who really needs more than 10mp?), nor does it have the large 3" LCD screen like the D300 or D3, but for a fraction of the price, you can take just as good pictures. Point is, rather than spending $1000 more on a D300, you're much better off getting the D60 and spending the $1000 on a nice fast lens. The only reason I'm giving this camera 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the average focusing performance. 3 focus points are adequate, but having more focus points and a faster focus system would speed up overall focusing and wouldn't have as much trouble in poor lit conditions. And don't buy into all that hoopla about the D60 not having VR (Vibration Reduction) built-in. First off, there are plenty of new lenses coming out with VR built-in. Second, I'd trade VR for a 2.8 lens ANYDAY! So, unless you have a need to shoot fast actions in poor lighting conditions, get the D60. It's SO worth the money. And remember, it's not about the megapixels or the size of the LCD screen, or the VR, or whatever, it's about YOU, the photographer!!!