Digital Home Thoughts - News & Reviews for the Digital Home

"Featuring the same 10.2MP CCD sensor as the D40x, at first glance there doesn't seem much difference between the two, but a close look reveals a host of new technology beneath the bonnet. Nikon has taken the Expeed processor from the D3 and D300 models and put it at the heart of the D60, promising improved tonality and colour rendition, as well as allowing some post processing features, which we'll talk about later. Another new addition is the dust reduction system which features the Image Sensor Cleaning System to reduce dust on the sensor via vibrations, along with the new Airflow Control System which passes air from the mirror box to small ducts in the camera base to clear dust away from the sensor."



The D60 is Nikon's latest attempt at making an affordable, entry to mid-range camera (the D40 can be had for under $500 now) that still packs enough features to allow for growth of the photographer - oh, and some great pictures to boot. At only $749 USD for the D60 body + 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens [affiliate], this is an shockingly affordable price, especially when you consider you're getting a VR lens (which Nikon tends to charge a fortune for - this is a nice sign that things are changing). The D60 body by itself can be had for $629, but for an extra $120, it's really worth it to get that VR lens.

"Besides the higher 14.2 Megapixel resolution, the Sony A350 is similar to its sibling the A300. The higher resolution has the side effect of slowing down the burst shooting slightly, going from 3fps down to 2.5fps. That’s the price to pay for the extra details in these photos. Check out our complete Sony A350 photo gallery. 14.2 Megapixel sensor, Image Stabilization, 18-70 f3.5-4.5 kit lens, 2.5 fps burst shooting, Compact Flash, 2-way tilt LCD display (2.7”)"

The A350 will be available in March 2008 for $799 (body only) or $899 with the lens kit. I love the photo gallery of the A350. Interesting that the cost of the A300 and A350 are about the same where the only difference is that the A350 offers higher megapixels for a slight reduction in speed. I would personally go for the faster camera because I am not entirely sure one needs 14MP over 10MP. In fact, I wonder why Sony released two cameras that are so similar. I would have much rather seen them release two cameras targeting altogether different user groups then potentially causing user confusion.

"We’ve seen leaks on the web, but Sony has finally announced the A300 digital SLR camera. I particularly like the tilt-display. View it under every angles in our Sony A300 complete photo gallery. 10.2 Megapixel sensor, Image Stabilization, 18-70 f3.5-4.5 kit lens, 3 fps burst shooting, 9 points auto-focus, 2-way tilt LCD display (2.7”), Compact Flash"

The A300 will be available in April 2008 for $799. There isn't anything particularly remarkable about the body in general though the flip LCD screen seems to be quite convenient. And Sony is doing the in-camera image stabilization which people may or may not agree with but then again that is a different post.