Nikon D800 vs Nikon D60

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D800 and the Nikon D60, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon D800 was introduced in June 2012 and Nikon D60 was introduced in March 2008. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D800 over Nikon D60.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D60 over Nikon D800.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon D800 has a 3.2" screen with 921k dot resolution and Nikon D60 has a 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Viewfinder

Nikon D800 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderNikon D60 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. Nikon D800 has 100% coverage with 0.70x magnification and Nikon D60 has 95% coverage with 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

Nikon D800 features a 36.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 24 mm and a total area of 861.6 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode. Nikon D60 features a 10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 249.6 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Nikon D800 is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 7360 x 4912 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 6144 x 4912, 6144 x 4080, 5520 x 3680, 4800 x 3200, 4608 x 3680, 4608 x 3056, 3680 x 2456, 3600 x 2400, 3072 x 2456, 3072 x 2040, 2400 x 1600 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon D60 can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2896 x 1944, 1936 x 1296 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Cameras have Nikon F lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Nikon D800 its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length. Due to APS-C sensor in Nikon D60 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon D800 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D60 nothing can be done. On Nikon D60 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D800 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D800 comes with EN-EL15 battery pack with battery life of 900 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D800 has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) and one for CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA). Nikon D60 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D800 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Nikon D60 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D800, and up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D60. Nikon D800 can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps. Nikon D60 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon D800 has 51 (15 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon D60 has 3 focusing points. Nikon D800 has detection range from -2 to +19 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D800 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D800 and ±5 EV range on Nikon D60. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D800 and exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D60.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100.. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Nikon D800 and via Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with sync to Nikon D60. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Nikon D800 and 1/200 sec on Nikon D60.

Nikon D800 body has dimensions of 146 x 123 x 82 mm (5.75 x 4.84 x 3.23") and Nikon D60 body has dimensions of 126 x 94 x 64 mm (4.96 x 3.7 x 2.52"). Nikon D800 weighs 1000 g (2.20 lb / 35.27 oz) and Nikon D60 weighs 522 g (1.15 lb / 18.41 oz).

Nikon D800

Nikon D60

146 mm

123 mm

126 mm

94 mm

123 mm

94 mm

82 mm

64 mm