With the D40 and D40x cameras selling so well I really wonder why Nikon would bother releasing a new model like D60 so soon (here are some quite good video reviews: http://www.infoborder.com/Digital_Cameras/Video/NikonD60.php). It seems Nikon might be pushing for shelf saturation in the SLR market.

Same number of megapixels and same number of focussing points...hmmm. As a D40x user, I'm generally happy with the camera, although what's coming out of the D300 seems to be a step up in picture quality and reduction of chromatic aberration, and it would be nice tosee that from this camera. What I don't get is why a million pros say they love the portability of the D40x/D60 size, but Nikon insists on neutering it in other ways, most notably its AF system. I was a sure buyer for this model, but after seeing these updated specs, I'm not quite sure why I would, because, sorry, Nikon, my AF has gone seriously downhill in the last few months. As in sending it in for repair before the warranty expires downhill...

The D60 is an evolution of the D40x with a couple of new features:

- dust removal
- active D lighting

These are both very useful features and I don't see why Nikon should not introduce them. I haven't seen anywhere that the D60 reduces chromatic aberration. That's something that is particular to each lens.

Chromatic abberation is usually a lens issue, not introduced by the camera.

In my opinion, the most important feature of the D60 and the reason it was introduced is the new VR kit lens. Canon's new XSi offers a bit more of a step up from their previous model. But companies are obviously feeling some pressure from Sony, Olympus, and Pentax, who all offer DSLRs with built-in image stabilization.

Automatic Chromatic Aberration removal, however, is one of the features introduced with the Expeed image processing systems in the D3 and D300.

The D40x is supposed to be phased out with the D60 in the lineup.

Automatic Chromatic Aberration removal, however, is one of the features introduced with the Expeed image processing systems in the D3 and D300.

The D40x is supposed to be phased out with the D60 in the lineup.

I'm glad we have someone here who digs into and reads all the literature. Because I haven't been able to discover much info on the Expeed processing. Everything I've seen is pretty vague and usually just lists it as a camera feature without actually saying anything that it does. And in-camera chromatic aberration removal is a great idea and a very real benefit.

Ironically enough, gubak, some people have suggested that one of the biggest reasons for the D60 is consumer confusion due to the D40 and D40X naming scheme. Nikon wants the degrees of separation clear to the consumer: D40 - budget entry level, D60 - higher spec entry level (thus a higher price point, which = more profit). By the same token, they will be very reluctant to include much from the "prosumer" category, the D300, because that would eat into the much higher profit margin of that price point.

I'm glad we have someone here who digs into and reads all the literature. Because I haven't been able to discover much info on the Expeed processing. Everything I've seen is pretty vague and usually just lists it as a camera feature without actually saying anything that it does. And in-camera chromatic aberration removal is a great idea and a very real benefit.

Most detailed I have found is from Nikon's own press release. Knowing Nikon, it is classified as top secret and might be 90 percent marketing, 10 percent engineering. However, it does appear to work.

"Tokyo – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the development of its original EXPEED digital image-processing concept, which will be employed in the design of all future Nikon digital SLR and COOLPIX cameras.

As Nikon's new digital image-processing concept — featuring the core ideas of our image creation and processing — EXPEED incorporates the optimized know-how and technologies we have accumulated throughout our long history and in the course of our transition from film to digital cameras (starting with the D1). It's a system that embodies Nikon's intense passion for digital images.

Unlike image-processing engines or systems, EXPEED does not deal with specific parts or features. Rather, it refers to Nikon's original comprehensive concept of digital image processing. And as a system to realize it, it will be applied to all future Nikon digital cameras, including both SLRs and COOLPIX compact models.

Using EXPEED as a foundation, image-processing engines/systems are optimized for each particular model, specific user characteristics and a range of applications — so that EXPEED plays a major role in Nikon's digital image-processing technology, and is applied to every operation conducted by the image-processing engine.

The result is a broad spectrum of high-performance features. With the new Nikon D3 digital SLR, for example, 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit image processing enable rich and varied gradation, and high-definition, high-quality images, utilizing the wide dynamic range of the Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor. Also realized are advanced features such as "improved high-speed performance (consecutive shooting speed, memory card writing speed)", "ISO 6400 sensitivity with noise reduction at high sensitivity (enables you to fix ISO 25600 equivalent at Custom Setting)", "image display on the high-resolution 3.0-inch, TFT LCD monitor", "support for HDTV and CF card double slot" and "focal plane contrast AF in Liveview mode".

This review shows the differences:
http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Nikon-D60-Digital-SLR.shtml