Nikon's new D60 digital SLR camera is an entry-level SLR with excellent picture quality and ease-of-use. With 10.2 megapixels and the latest digital photography technologies incorporated into Nikon's well known D-series form factor, the Nikon D60 digital SLR camera is expected to appeal to enthusiasts and regular photographers making the jump the digital SLR.
The Nikon D60 digital SLR camera features Nikon's new EXPEED digital image processing concept that produces vibrant colors and excellent all-around performance to deliver stunning digital photographs. The D60 has a 2.5 inch LCD screen and offers Nikon's Vibrantion Reduction image stabilization technology to reduce blur. In addition, the Nikon D60 digital SLR camera has a fast 0.18 second start-up time that is sure to appeal to every photographer.
New Nikon D60 Digital SLR Camera Makes Capturing Beautiful Pictures Fun and Easy
MELVILLE, N.Y. (Jan. 28, 2008) – Nikon, Inc., today introduced the new D60 digital SLR camera, which provides consumers with stunning picture quality and versatility in an easy-to-use, compact camera design. The D60 joins Nikon’s award-winning line of D-series digital SLR cameras and shares a form factor similar to the D40 – Nikon’s smallest D-SLR camera ever. With 10.2 effective megapixels and a wealth of innovative and user-friendly features, the D60 enables both photo enthusiasts and those new to digital SLR photography to capture incredible images like never before.
“The Nikon D60 makes stepping up to digital SLR photography easy for anyone, but is also a wonderful choice for photo enthusiasts looking for remarkable performance in a compact package,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR System Products at Nikon, Inc. “This model, like the wildly popular Nikon D40, greatly simplifies use and builds confidence in the user. With a host of innovative features, such as a visually intuitive LCD information display, Nikon’s highly regarded EXPEED image processing concept, new dual dust reduction countermeasures, in-camera editing tools and exciting creative options, the D60 enhances the picture-taking experience for picture-takers of all skill levels.”
Users will immediately appreciate the D60’s fast 0.18-second start-up time and split-second shutter response, which combine to eliminate the frustration of shooting lag – a common issue with many point-and-shoot digital cameras. With a fast and accurate autofocus and the ability to shoot continuously at up to three pictures-per-second, the D60 faithfully captures pictures that other cameras often miss. The D60 does all this while delivering extraordinarily vivid and detailed pictures, ensuring that fleeting expressions, special moments and memorable events are captured beautifully.
Packaged with Nikon’s new AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR image stabilization lens, the D60 camera and lens outfit delivers striking image sharpness. What’s more, Nikon’s proprietary VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization technology also dramatically reduces blur caused when shooting handheld pictures, especially in low light.
The camera’s 10.2 megapixel CCD sensor delivers crisp, high-resolution images with astounding color and clarity, while Nikon’s advanced 3-D Color Matrix Metering II ensures that images are exposed beautifully and automatically, even in challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, Nikon’s new digital image processing concept, EXPEED, delivers smooth tones and accurate color for vibrant pictures and flattering portraits.
The D60 also offers consumers comprehensive in-camera functionality, such as Active D-lighting. Through this innovative Nikon feature, the camera can, with the option selected, further optimize shadow and highlight detail—as pictures are taken. Shots that once required adjustment with photo editing software can now go straight to the printer, bypassing the computer altogether.
For added fun and creativity while reducing or helping to eliminate time spent manipulating pictures later, the D60’s In-camera Retouch Menu enables users to accomplish a wide variety of tasks without a computer. The D60 offers new in-camera editing capabilities, including adjustable cross-screen star effects, color-intensifying filters as well as D-lighting, Red-eye correction, Image Trim and more. The D60’s Stop-Motion Movie mode is a D-SLR first that enables users to create stop-animation movie clips from a series of as many as 100 consecutive JPEG picture files. More experienced photographers will also enjoy shooting in the lossless NEF (RAW) format, and then adjusting image parameters, such as size, format, and white balance, all within the camera.
While many cameras now feature a dust cleaning function, the D60 takes this idea one step further. In addition to offering an Image Sensor Cleaning function that quickly and silently shakes off specks of image degrading dust, the camera also minimizes the dust that can come into contact with the sensor through a unique Airflow Control System. This design works to channel particles away from the sensor with every click of the shutter, resulting in even further reduction of dust particles and the spots they can leave on pictures.
Ergonomically designed with intuitively placed controls, the D60 is a camera that’s compact and ready to go wherever life leads. It also features a new power conserving Eye Sensor that turns the big 2.5-inch color LCD monitor on and off automatically when the user alternates between taking pictures and reviewing camera settings.
A customizable LCD monitor user interface rounds out the D60’s convenient features, as users can create their own wallpapers and adjust color settings to adapt to their preferences. The D60’s design also supports Eye-Fi memory card functionality, enabling the convenient wireless transfer of images from the D60 to a computer, when using Eye-Fi memory cards.* Additionally, photos can be securely written to readily available SD cards, high-capacity SDHC cards and Eye-Fi memory cards, offering users a range of data storage options.
The D60 will be packaged with the 3x zoom AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens and will be available throughout the United States beginning in February 2008. Pricing information will be available approximately 30 days prior to sales availability. For more information, please visit Nikon USA.
Photography Blog - Nikon D60 Digital SLR Camera Review
Digital Camera Info - Nikon D60 Digital SLR Camera Review
Digital SLR Camera - Nikon D60
Digital SLR Camera - Canon Rebel XS
Canon has announced its latest digital SLR camera, the EOS 1000D, which will be known as the Canon Rebel XS in North America. Featuring a 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and the famous EOS design, the Rebel XS is well poised to be a big hit. Cheaper than its bigger brother, the Canon Rebel XSi, the Rebel XS is expected to appeal to a wider audience and casual photographers making the jump to digital SLR cameras.
The Canon Rebel XS digital SLR camera will have a 2.5 inch LCD screen and Canon's advanced DIGIC III image processing system. Image stabilization is integrated with the Canon lenses meant for the EOS range. The Canon Rebel XS digital camera also features the EOS Integrated Cleaning System that improves clarity and sharpness.
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 10 June 2008 - Canon today announces its latest D-SLR, the EOS 1000D. Featuring a 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 7-point wide area AF system and up to 3fps continuous JPEG shooting until the memory card is full1, the EOS 1000D represents a more affordable entry point to the world of EOS cameras – whilst taking full advantage of over 70 years of imaging expertise.
With the lightest body of any digital EOS camera, the EOS 1000D incorporates a range of technologies used in Canon's professional EOS-1 series cameras, including the DIGIC III image processor, and Live View mode. For straight-from-the-box shooting, the EOS 1000D is available with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS lens – which includes 4-stop image stabilization, ensuring superb performance even in low-light conditions.
“The EOS 1000D is a small camera with a big idea: the supreme adaptability and image quality of the EOS system, in an accessible, affordable package,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “For anyone ready to take the next step in creative photography, it offers the perfect entry point to the world of D-SLR.”
Features at a glance:
- 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor
- EOS Integrated Cleaning System
- 7-point wide-area AF system with f/5.6 cross-type centre point
- Up to 3 frames per second
- 2.5” LCD with Live View shooting
- DIGIC III image processor
- Compatible with SD and SDHC memory cards
- Compact and lightweight body
- Digital Photo Professional RAW processing software
- Fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites
Designed to deliver more
As with all EOS models, key components for the EOS 1000D are designed and manufactured in-house to work with each other for the ultimate image quality. A 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor – with larger pixels for smooth, low-noise images – offers sufficient resolution to produce prints in sizes up to A4, even when cropping your image. To protect images against the effects of sensor dust, the EOS 1000D includes the EOS Integrated Cleaning System, which combats dust in three separate ways: reducing, removing and repelling.The EOS 1000D also features a DIGIC III image processor, as used in Canon's professional D-SLR models. This allows continuous shooting until the SD or SDHC memory card is full, at speeds of up to 3fps2 – with the number of shots limited only by the size of the card. DIGIC III also delivers superior image rendering, rapid operation and virtually instant start-up times.
Intelligent focus and flash
For shots where fast focusing is needed, the EOS 1000D features a 7-point wide area Auto Focus system, capable of locking onto a subject in a fraction of a second. A cross-type central focus point continues to operate effectively even when used in lower-light and lower-contrast settings. Also included is E-TTL II, Canon's distance-linked flash exposure system found in professional EOS models.Effortless ease
Weighing just 450g, the EOS 1000D is Canon's lightest D-SLR to date, with a compact, ergonomic body designed for comfortable handling. A bright 2.5” LCD screen lets users instantly review images for composition, sharpness and focus – or, thanks to a wide viewing angle, instantly share shots with friends. The LCD also provides access to a fast, easy-to-read menu system, which uses tabs to avoid unnecessary scrolling. Inherited from the latest EOS models, the menu system includes direct control over external devices such as Speedlite flash units.Photo quality in every situation is aided by 12 custom functions, including Auto Lighting Optimizer - which corrects brightness and contrast during image processing, while improving skin tones in portraits by ensuring correct exposure for faces. Photographers can also enable additional noise reduction for shots captured at high ISO speeds.
Live View
For shooting situations where using the viewfinder is impractical – or where a tripod is used – users can switch to Live View mode, which displays the scene as a smooth, 30fps video feed on the LCD. An optional grid line and histogram display can be selected to help with shot composition and exposure. Two AF modes are available for use with Live View: Quick AF, which momentarily flips the camera's mirror to engage the AF sensor, and Live AF, which uses contrast information for compact camera-style focusing.Software
The EOS 1000D is supplied with a comprehensive software suite that provides all the necessary tools for managing and processing images. This includes Digital Photo Professional (DPP), a powerful RAW converter that provides complete RAW image processing control. DPP also integrates with camera features such as Dust Delete Data and Picture Styles. The supplied Picture Style Editor software can be used to create custom Picture Styles for fine control over colour display. The camera also comes with EOS Utility, Image/Zoom Browser and Photostitch.Nikon D60 Moving Moments Photo Contest
Nikon is currently running a digital photo contest in conjunction with its Nikon D60 digital SLR camera advertisement campaign featuring Ashton Kutcher. Beginning May 23, 2008, amateur and professional photographers can submit digital photos of action shots of people, animals and places to the 'Nikon D60 Moving Moments Photo Contest' for a chance to win a trip to Hollywood or Nikon D60 digital SLR cameras.
NEW YORK (May 23, 2008) - Calling all shutterbugs! Nikon today announced the "Nikon D60 Moving Moments Photo Contest" in conjunction with the D60 D-SLR advertising campaign featuring Ashton Kutcher. Beginning May 23, 2008, consumers can upload an image with an accompanying description to www.ashtonsd60.com for a chance to win the grand prize of a trip for two to Los Angeles to attend The Hollywood Style Awards sponsored by Nikon and a new D60 camera kit to capture all of the action. Sixty first prize winners will also receive a new D60 camera kit allowing them to capture their "moving moments" with incredible ease.
"We are very excited to engage consumers through the 'Moving Moments Photo Contest'," said Lisa Baxt, senior communications manager for Nikon Inc. "This contest is a fantastic way for people to share their favorite memories and the moments that move them for a chance to win some great prizes."
One-hundred and twenty semi-finalists in the "Nikon D60 Moving Moments Photo Contest" will be chosen beginning June 21st by a panel of judges based on the interpretation of the "moving moments" theme, their accompanying description and photo quality. The sixty D60 winners will be determined by consumers visiting and voting on their preferred picture on ashtonsd60.com between June 25 and July 15, 2008. The image that receives the most consumer votes will win the grand prize.
In addition to the photo contest, visitors to ashtonsd60.com can view images taken by the D60, learn more about the D60 with Ashton and watch the television commercial. For more information on the photo contest and the D60 D-SLR camera, please visit the Nikon D60 Digital SLR Camera website.
Moving Moments, Defined
On one level, moving moments are action shots, pictures of people, of places and the world around you. Toddlers on the go. Puppies chasing their own tails. Planes, trains and automobiles. Hummingbirds. Dancers. Cyclists and home run swings. All captured in the blink of the camera’s shutter.On another level, moving moments are all about emotion. Taking pictures is a way of recording the things that move us so that we can share these memories and connect with others. Can you capture the essence of a given moment in a way others will feel? Can you take a picture that’s truly moving?
What does “moving moment” mean to you? Share your interpretation with us and you could be a winner.
Tips and Reminders
Shoot generously. Take plenty of pictures of your special moments. Moving moments can happen anywhere, anytime.A few things to keep in mind: If you upload pictures of people, make sure you have their permission to post them online. The same goes for other people’s private property. Please avoid pictures of municipal buildings and corporate logos altogether, as we can’t publish them. Follow these guidelines and you’ll increase your chance of getting your pictures into the gallery.
Nikon Introduces Capture NX 2 Photo Editing Software
Nikon Inc. has introduced its latest digital photo processing and editing software, the Capture NX 2, providing powerful tools and user-friendly operation for digital photographers to enhance their digital images. A powerful complement to Nikon digital cameras, the Capture NX 2 nevertheless works as a standalone digital photo editing software with images captured from any camera in the most common formats.
Powerful New Tools Make Photo Editing Quick and Easy
MELVILLE, N.Y. (June 3, 2008) – Nikon Inc., today introduced the latest generation of its robust image processing and editing software, Capture NX 2, which provides photography enthusiasts with a suite of powerful tools and a simple, visual operation to streamline photo editing. Capture NX 2 utilizes revolutionary U Point® technology to give photographers access to powerful Control Points that enhance color, exposure, and other image quality settings quickly and easily. New technologies abound in Capture NX 2, including the innovative new Selection Control Point that places a commanding suite of image editing tools at the user’s fingertips to simplify and accelerate the image editing experience.
In addition, Capture NX 2 adds an advanced Auto Retouch Brush for seamless retouching, an improved yet simple user interface, updated menus, browser functionality and an increase in performance. Whether you choose JPEG, TIFF or RAW (NEF) files, Capture NX 2 is the perfect complement to the growing Nikon Digital System. It also offers advanced RAW (NEF) processing capabilities, simplified image-browsing, selection and labeling as well as improved batch-processing capabilities, superior color management and comprehensive system compatibility with Nikon’s EXPEED image processing concept.
“We have listened carefully to the requests of current Capture NX users and photographers in developing this powerful new software. This is an economical solution for the photographer who requires non-destructive image editing and wants to quickly and easily process their images,” said Michael Rubin, senior manager for Software Products at Nikon Inc. “With the addition of revolutionary new tools, photo enthusiasts as well as professionals will be able to reap the benefits of Capture NX 2.”
While providing incomparable editing options for Nikon’s Electronic Format RAW (NEF) files, Capture NX 2 enables simplified editing and processing for most JPEG and TIFF files regardless of camera manufacturer or model.* Its broad range of editing tools makes image retouching, enhancing and editing simple and intuitive, allowing users to immediately see the effects as they are applied. Whether a professional photographer, enthusiast or casual shutterbug, many will find Capture NX 2 to be a great stand-alone photo editing solution, while others will discover that Capture NX 2 is a remarkably effective addition to their existing photographic workflow.
New Additions to Capture NX 2
Capture NX 2 is complemented by a myriad of features and tools that include the following:- Selection Control Points: Now users can selectively edit photographs without the need to manually outline or mask the area for editing. Simply place a Selection Control Point anywhere on the photograph then choose from almost any adjustment such as D-Lighting, Unsharp Mask or noise reduction, while limiting the “reach” of that adjustment to just the selected area.
- Auto Retouch Brush: Capture NX 2 adds an automatic retouch tool to its image editing toolbox, allowing users to seamlessly remove blemishes, dust, and other distracting elements from photographs while maintaining the integrity of the image.
- Shadow/Highlight Adjustment: With just a simple slider adjustment, users can easily open up shadows or recover blown out highlights.**
- Redesigned GUI with Customizable Workspaces: As part of an interface redesign, the new Capture NX 2 includes a Workspace feature that maximizes the tool and palette layout for the task at hand. Users can create unique custom workspaces ideal for working with single or multiple monitors. All palettes and windows within can be docked or undocked or hidden as needed. Predefined workspaces include: Browser, Metadata, Edit, or an optimized combination of each. In addition, users can access their most used folders with the new “Favorite Folder” feature.
- Improved Edit List: Nikon’s Capture NX 2 also incorporates an improved edit list that allows users to apply common enhancements to images with ease. Common tools like tone curves, exposure compensation, contrast, and highlight and shadow protection are just a click away via the Quick Fix menu. The improved edit list allows for camera and lens corrections like color moiré reduction, dust off, auto color aberration, auto red-eye correction, vignette control and fisheye lens correction.***
- Simultaneous Use of Tools: Users can now complete image editing faster than ever before with the use of simultaneous tools. For example, users can adjust the brightness and contrast of an image while boosting the color of the image at the same time.
- Filters, Ratings and Sorting Toolbar: Capture NX 2 offers an advanced filtering system in its tool bar, affording users an efficient way to filter through hundreds of images by user-defined labels, ratings, file types and file attributes. What’s more, these new filters, ratings and sorting tools are integrated into the metadata palette, allowing users the ability to easily edit and view XMP/IPTC information.
Capture NX 2 will be available for purchase throughout the United States in late June 2008 with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $179.95 (full version) or $109.95 (upgrade). A 60-day free trial version will be available today for users who wish to experience all that Capture NX 2 offers. For more information, and to download the 60-day trial version please visit www.nikonusa.com.
About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and system accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. Nikon D Series digital SLR cameras are recognized as “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with digital SLR cameras,” according to the latest J.D. Power and Associates 2007 digital Camera Satisfaction Study. Nikon Corporation, the parent company of Nikon Inc., recently celebrated its 90th anniversary and announced the production of over 40 million NIKKOR SLR interchangeable lenses. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-UX or visit Nikon USA, which links all levels of photographers to the Web's most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.*Some Capture NX 2 functions apply to NEF files only.
**Highlight Adjust supports RAW images, JPEG and TIFF, but is most effective for RAW images because they store additional highlight information.
***Fisheye Lens correction is only available when the image was captured using a fisheye lens.
The Growing Digital SLR Camera Market
According to a new report by InfoTrends, digital SLR cameras represented the fastest growing segment of the digital camera market. The digital SLR camera market grew by 40% in 2007 compared to 24% growth for the compact digital camera market. This is due to a variety of market forces including lower prices, increased availability and ease-of-use. More and more non-enthusiasts are buying digital SLR cameras for features that are not available in compact digital cameras.
In 2007, the DSLR market grew by 40% compared to the point-and-shoot market, which grew by 24%. As growth in the compact camera market has slowed, vendors have looked to DSLRs to provide additional revenue streams. DSLR market growth is driven by lower prices, easy-to-use technology, and increased model availability.
“Consumers who are upgrading to DSLRs are no longer just hobbyists, but also include families with young children who are looking for cameras with no shutter lag. A profitable DSLR market is able to support research and development (R&D), and we expect innovation in DSLRs that may cause consumers to regularly upgrade their camera body,” commented Mette Eriksen, Director of InfoTrends’ Digital Photography Trends Service. “2008 and 2009 will be critical years for the players in the DSLR market who are looking to hook in first-time DSLR buyers to their system of lenses.”
Although DSLRs are feature packed, vendors are increasingly striving to incorporate the simplicity of compact cameras. The DSLRs of tomorrow are expected to more closely mimic some of the functionality of point-and-shoot cameras. Automated features common in compact cameras, such as red eye removal and face detection, will make their way into DSLRs as live view becomes standard. This may also be the year that video capture becomes possible in cameras with interchangeable lenses. These features appeal to new DSLR segments like parents with young children and consumers who enjoy taking quality photographs but aren’t particularly interested in the technology. In essence, entry-level DSLRs will become fancy point-and-shoot cameras with interchangeable lenses during 2008.
This highly informative new report presents the 2008 consumer digital camera forecast for North America along with a comprehensive analysis of the consumer digital camera market. The forecast is broken out in terms of units, revenue, and average selling price for the consumer (sub-$1,500) digital camera market. It is also broken down in terms of P&S cameras vs. DSLRs, price segments, resolution segments, first time buyers and replacement buyers, household penetration of digital cameras, and vendor market share.
The complete research report is available immediately to clients of InfoTrends’ Digital Photography Trends Service.
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