The newest Nikon consumer level DSLR camera was announced today, the D60 is what I believe to be the replacement of the 10 month old Nikon D40x.

The Nikon D60 is designed to simplify camera operation and allow the photographer to concentrate on taking pictures. The camera’s simple, user-friendly design includes a reduced number of buttons and a combined monitor and information display.

Honestly, I didn”t see much of an improvement of this model compared to the D40x, not even the new kit lens impresses me. I don”t think that you need a VR (Vibration Reduction) for such a short lens (18-55mm).

I can say that these are the new features that impresses me:

1. The camera was built on Nikon EXPEED® processor;
2. The two-pronged method for combating dust accumulation on the sensor;
3. The active d-lighting that helps maximize dynamic range

Like the D40/x, this new camera doesn”t have the built-in auto-focus motor, only with AF-S lenses that you will enjoy the auto-focus feature. The D60 retails at about €749.00 (aroung PhP 44,900) about PhP 10,000.00 higher than the D40x.

Upgrades aren’t enough. A new feature here, a firmware tweak there doesn’t cut it in today’s DSLR battleground. Every finalist for the 2007 Camera of the Year Award can attest to that. But none of the eight contenders for this Oscar of the Photo Industry has proven the point as forcefully as the Nikon D300. The camera that best refines or redefines photography? The D300 triumphs on both counts, and raises the benchmark for every camera maker.

Nikon has beaten 7 other cameras on this race, namely Canon 40D, Fujifilm Finepix, Olympus E-3, Panasonic Lumix L10, Pentax K100, Sigma SD14 & Sony Alpha 700.

The decision was based on the following advantages this camera has to offer:

1. It’s high ISO performance, D300 scored high at it’s image quality at ISO3200 up to ISO6400.
2. The camera’s 51 AF points, which is best for low-light & fast action photography.
3. It’s shooting speed at 6fps, which produces the highest quality whether in JPG or RAW/NEF format.
4. And who can deny the beauty of it’s 3″ LCD.

It made my mouth water more & more, arrghhh! When will I own this beauty?!