Nikon D3200 vs D60 – In-depth Comparison

Over the years, we’ve seen the Nikon company evolve into the brand they are today. This brand evolution is seen in the innovative cameras they’ve manufactured over the years. This is why we decided to compare the Nikon D3200 vs D60 in this article.

These cameras belong to different technology generations. And we know that the Nikon company is fond of making changes, improvements, and innovations during such generation-gap. Therefore, this article seeks to reveal the differences between these cameras.

We reveal specs, common features, pros, and cons, as well as unique features possessed by the D3200 and the D60. We also discuss the kind of photography that these cameras are most suited for and what real-life users feel about these cameras.

It is an in-depth comparison that will ensure you decide on these two cameras.

Table of Contents

Comparison Overview – Nikon D3200 vs D60

The Nikon D3200 and the Nikon D60 are both entry-level (amateur) DSLR cameras. Hence, they are designed to meet the needs of folks just getting into photography.

Looking at the body of both cameras, you will discover that the D60 is somewhat smaller. One would expect it to be lighter in weight as well but that is not the case.

When shopping for these cameras, you have the option of choosing between a black or red body color for the D3200. Whereas, the Nikon D60 can be purchased only in black body color.

The Nikon D3200 will produce better imaging than the Nikon D60. Although the sensor resolution of the former camera is higher, it has a smaller sensor.

The sensor technology used by these cameras is different which is a reference to the different technology generations they belong to.

The D3200 excels in terms of possession of useful features that the D60 lacks. Chief among them is its video recording ability. This and others make the Nikon D3200 more efficient.

Apart from producing better real-images, the D3200 also delivers better displayed-images on its screen. It has a larger screen and a higher screen resolution than the Nikon D60.

Another advantage is that the Nikon D3200 will shoot for longer periods than the D60 thanks to its better battery life.

These cameras don’t do well in the wireless connection department. They do not have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

Price/Value Ratio – Nikon D3200 vs D60

Which camera offers more value for money?

The D3200 offers more value for money than the D60. Despite being cheaper, it performs better on many counts.

Features such as video recording, UHS card support, face detection focus, AE bracketing, HDMI port, flash sync port, microphone port, and live view are found in the Nikon D3200 but missing in the Nikon D60.

Comparison Table – Nikon D3200 vs D60

Nikon D3200 Nikon D60
Announcement Date 19th April 2012 January 2008
Size Dimensions 125 x 96 x 77mm 126 x 96 x 64mm
Weight 505g 522g
Sensor Resolution 24.2 Megapixels 10.2 Megapixels
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Sensor Size 23.2 x 15.4mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
ISO 100 – 6400 (expands to 12800) 100 – 1600 (expands to 3200)
Screen Size 3.0 inches LCD 2.5 inches LCD
Screen Resolution 921,000 dots 230,000 dots
Continuous Shooting Speed 4 fps 3 fps
Battery Life 540 shots 500 shots
Focus Points 11 3
Video Recording Yes No
Face Detection Focus Yes No
Flash Sync Port Yes No

Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

What Is Each Best For? – Nikon D3200 vs D60

Nikon D3200 Nikon D60
What makes a camera suitable for portrait photography?  

Well, in most cases, such a camera must be able to produce well-detailed images.  

The Nikon D3200 possesses a higher sensor resolution than the Nikon D60. Hence, it will produce better-detailed images.  

This makes it a better portrait camera.
The D60 doesn’t perform as well as the D3200.
Street photography can be quite tricky. This is because it demands that certain difficult angles be captured.  

An articulating screen is usually the ready-to-go feature that aids one in such a situation. However, neither of these cameras possess that feature.  

Hence, we look to other features that will help out.  

The D3200 has a live view mode function which comes handy in a situation mentioned above. It also has the face detection focus feature as well.  

Therefore, these give the Nikon D3200 the edge when it comes to being better at street photography shooting.
The D60 doesn’t perform as well as the D3200.
A sports camera must be able to capture fast-moving motion which is common among sports players and athletes.  

The D3200 has the advantage thanks to certain features it has.  

It has more focus points, better low light ISO, faster continuous shooting speed, and better battery life than the Nikon D60.
The D60 doesn’t perform as well as the D3200.
Daily photographers in their line of work shoot for longer periods at a stretch than other kinds of photographers.  

Therefore, it is common to see this group of photographers opting for lightweight, portable cameras than heavier ones.  

Consequently, this will make the Nikon D3200 more beneficial to these photographers because of its lighter weight.  

Furthermore, its thicker body offers the user a firmer grip when capturing those amazing shots.
Despite being smaller, the D60 is still heavier. This puts it a disadvantage for daily photography.
A detailed-image is far too important in landscape photography.  

Since the D3200 offers this better than the D60, we recommend it for this kind of photography.  

The live view feature also makes this camera better equipped for this.
The D60 doesn’t perform as well as the D3200.
Looking for an entry-level camera that will be great as a studio camera? We give you the Nikon D3200.  

Apart from the excellent details in imaging, this camera will offer better lighting thanks to its flash sync port.
The D60 doesn’t perform as well as the D3200.

Watch the hands-on review of the Nikon D60 below.

Common Features – Nikon D3200 vs D60

The D3200 and the D60 have the following similarities:

i. Sensor format

ii. Anti-Aliasing filter

iii. Viewfinder

iv. Screen type

v. Lens mount and available lenses

vi. Built-in flash

vii. Hot shoe (External flash shoe)

viii. Storage

ix. USB port

Sensor Format

The sensor format is the first common feature we’ll be discussing in this section.

The sensor is a well-known camera feature. Its function is to capture light into a camera that is necessary and required for image production.

There are many aspects of the sensor responsible for its efficiency and performance, and the sensor format is one of them.

When we talk about sensor format, we are simply talking about the sensor’s size. It is important to note that the sensor format has a significant role to play in deciding image quality.

The sensor format also determines which kind of lenses can be used by a particular camera.

The cameras being compared sport the same APS-C sensor format. When compared to other sensor formats, the APS-C format is regarded as being middle-sized.

Although both cameras possess the same sensor format, it does not automatically mean they have the same sensor size. The sensor sizes of these cameras will be discussed later on.

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Anti-Aliasing Filter

The Nikon D3200 and the Nikon D60 are both fitted with an anti-aliasing filter. This filter is found right before the sensor.

The AA filter’s function is to prevent the occurrence of moiré in captured images. Moiré is the repetitive pattern of lines or spots found in pictures.

It occurs when the resolution of the patterns in the captured image is higher than the sensor resolution of the camera. Hence, it is useful for the cameras in this comparison since their sensor resolution is not so high. This is especially necessary for the D60.

Despite this useful function, the AA filter also reduces the detail and sharpness of the captured image. This is because the filter allows less light to pass through to the sensor. And it blurs the area where moiré occurs on the image.

Viewfinder

Both cameras are fitted with an optical pentamirror viewfinder with a 95% coverage and 0.53x magnification.

The viewfinder is found at the back of the camera and it used to frame and control a shot about to be captured. Using this feature ensures that your images are well-framed and not out of the frame.

There are two types of viewfinder. We have the optical viewfinder which is found in the cameras in focus. And we have the electronic viewfinder also known as the digital viewfinder.

With an optical viewfinder, these cameras get to save battery power. This is because the electronic viewfinder requires battery power to function whereas the optical viewfinder does not.

We consider this to be a good call on the part of the Nikon company since the battery lives of both cameras aren’t super.

A disadvantage that the viewfinders found in these cameras present is a result of the material used to make them.

A viewfinder material is either a pentamirror or pentaprism. The latter allows more light to pass through the viewfinder, while the former does not. Hence, the pentamirror viewfinder does not produce clear and bright images as the pentaprism would.

The viewfinder’s coverage refers to how wide the field-of-view is. On the other hand, viewfinder magnification talks about how large the image seen through the viewfinder is.

Screen Type

The screen is an equally important feature of a camera that performs many functions. It is primarily used for viewing purposes.

With the screen, you can view captured images, about to be captured images, as well as the camera’s menu.

The screen type determines the efficiency and functions of the screen. This is why the screen type is a big deal.

The Nikon D3200 and the Nikon D60 are fitted with fixed non-touch screens. This screen type puts these cameras at a disadvantage which we discuss briefly below.

First of all, a fixed screen does not allow for flexibility while shooting. What we mean is that certain angles cannot be easily captured with a fixed screen.

Imagine you had to capture the top of a very high-rise building from the ground, how would you need to bend your neck to get such a shot? Or you could probably lie on your back in the middle of the street. However, we find that weird.

One would even encounter harder angles than this example. Only an articulating screen would give this shooting flexibility one requires. This type of screen can be tilted, turned, swiveled and rotated.

The absence of the touch screen feature in these cameras makes them not so convenient and easy to operate. We all enjoy this feature on our smartphones today and we can agree that it is better compared to when our mobile phones had so many buttons.

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Lens Mount and Available Lenses

The lens mount is a camera part that is used to hold the lens. It attaches the lens used to the camera’s body. This camera part also determines the type and number of lenses a camera can use.

A lens is used to gather and then focus the light received from a scene. It can be said to be the eye of the camera. Without the lens, an image cannot be captured.

The D3200 and the D60 like many of Nikon’s entry-level cameras are fitted with a Nikon F lens mount. As a result, both cameras have the same number of lenses at their disposal.

These cameras can make use of 302 native lenses and 88 optical stabilization lenses.

One of the native lenses that is highly recommended for these cameras is the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens.

More Common Features – Nikon D3200 vs D60

Built-in Flash

Light is essential for image production. The quality of light available in an environment determines the quality of the image produced. This is why images captured in the dark are always of poor quality.

We very well understand that capturing in low light conditions is inevitable. That is why cameras like the ones in focus are fitted with a built-in flash.

A built-in flash is used to light up a subject and its surroundings. It is convenient as it is part of the camera and can be used at any time.

The flash range of the flashes of the Nikon D3200 and the Nikon D60 is 12.0m at ISO 100.

Check out the next video and learn how to use the flash on the Nikon D3200’s successor: The Nikon D3300.

You may also check out this Nikon D3300 vs Nikon D5100 comparison.

Hot Shoe (External Flash Shoe)

The hot shoe is found on the top of these cameras and it used to attach certain external accessories to the camera.

An accessory commonly used with this feature is the external flash. The frequency of its use is the reason some folks refer to the hot shoe as the “external flash shoe”.

A built-in flash might help out a bit, but it does not perform at the same level as an external flash. Apart from the disadvantages of adding its weight to the camera and the cost of getting one, an external flash is more preferred.

It has more flash power, covers a longer range, and is versatile to use, unlike the built-in flash.  

Storage

Neither the D3200 nor the D60 is fitted with internal memory storage. Therefore, these cameras rely on their single card slot storage.

The card slot on these cameras allows them to make use of an SD card with a memory capacity of up to 16GB. When a current SD card is filled up, you can easily replace it with another or transfer the files to another storage medium.

As good as this is, certain cameras possess dual card slots storage instead of a single card slot storage. Such cameras are afforded more storage capacity as well as storage options.

In the event where one of the slots is damaged, the user can still make use of the other. This is not possible with the Nikon D3200 and the Nikon D60. The storage slot will have to be fixed first before the camera can store its images.

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USB Port

Both cameras are fitted with the USB 2.0 port. This port allows these cameras to connect to other devices such as laptops. Files can then be transferred to these devices from the camera.

Unique Features – Nikon D3200 vs D60

This section deals with the differences between both cameras in comparison. We usually do this by revealing the features found in one camera which is absent in the other and vice versa.

However, the Nikon D60 does not have any useful feature which is not found in the Nikon D3200. Hence, we discuss the unique features of the D3200 alone. 

Nikon D3200 Unique Features – Nikon D3200 vs D60

The following are the features that the D3200 has that the D60 does not have:

i. Video Recording

ii. UHS Card Support

iii. Face Detection Focus

iv. AE Bracketing

v. HDMI Port

vi. Flash Sync Port

vii. Microphone Port

viii. Live View

Video Recording

A feature that distinguishes these cameras from one another is the ability to record videos.

Nowadays, we are so used to DSLR cameras being able to capture still images and motion images. However, some cameras like the Nikon D60 which were in the market more than a decade ago couldn’t do so.

The Nikon D3200 is capable of recording videos. It has a maximum video resolution of 1920 x 1080 at 1080/30p frame rate. The MPEG-4 and H.264 are the video formats in which this camera records.

UHS Card Support

Although both cameras can make use of SD cards, only the D3200 supports the use of UHS cards.

The Nikon D3200 can make use of a UHS-I card for ultra-high-speed transfers of up to 104MB/s.

Face Detection Focus

The face detection focus is a handy tool used when capturing human subjects. This feature automatically detects the faces of subjects within the frame and applies the appropriate amount of focus.

The result is more expressive and well-detailed faces. Hence, portrait photographers have come to rely on this feature a great deal.

This is why most of them might end up choosing the D3200 since it possesses this feature.

AE Bracketing

Another handy tool that is found in the Nikon D3200 but not in the Nikon D60 is the AE (Auto-Exposure) bracketing feature.

This feature is used when shooting in tough lighting conditions and HDR. It automatically adjusts the camera’s setting to suit the current lighting condition.

When used in HDR, 3 images of a particular subject are captured and merged automatically to produce an image that has the proper amount of exposure.

HDMI Port

As far as ports are concerned, the similarity between these cameras ends at the USB port. Other ports that are found in cameras are only seen in the D3200.

The first of such ports is the HDMI port (mini HDMI precisely for theNikon D3200). It allows the camera to connect to a larger screen. How is this helpful?

Well for starters, your viewing experience becomes more pleasurable. You get to see a larger display of your photos and videos.

It helps during the editing process. With a larger view, areas that require editing can be easily seen than when one made use of the camera’s smaller screen.

Flash Sync Port

The next port is the flash sync port. This feature is a delight for many studio photographers. This is because it allows them to connect external flashes and strobe lights as they desire to the camera.

With the use of a wire, the camera can be connected to these lights. When the shutter is pressed, an electrical signal is transferred to the connected flashes which light them up.

This feature is what allows the D3200 to make use of powerful strobe lights like the Neewer Battery Powered (700 Full Power Flashes) Outdoor Studio Flash Strobe.

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Microphone Port

The microphone port allows the user to connect an external microphone to the camera. Why would one need an external microphone in the first place?

It becomes essential because the internal microphones found in most cameras do not record quality audio as many of us would like. Hence, the need for external microphones.

The absence of this port in the Nikon D60 is not much of a surprise considering it cannot video record. Audio recording happens during video recording. Since the latter is absent, the former should also be absent.

Live View

This mode allows you to see exactly what the camera’s lens is seeing as well as that which the sensor is recording. This is seen on the display screen rather than the viewfinder.

Live view can be activated on the Nikon cameras with the switch or button labeled ‘Lv’ on the camera.

It allows for shooting flexibility when capturing difficult angles because the camera can be held at an unusual angle to capture such tricky shots.

You can also check how the settings of the camera’s white balance, exposure, and color processing affect the image. This cannot be seen with the viewfinder.

Furthermore, it facilitates precise focusing. With the magnifying function on the screen, you can check subject sharpness within the frame.

This feature is found in the Nikon D3200 but not in the Nikon D60.

In the video below, see how live view mode works on the Nikon D3200.

Unique Pros – Nikon D3200 vs D60

There are certain features found in these cameras albeit at different performance levels. This section discusses such features thereby revealing the advantages these cameras have over the other.

Nikon D3200 Unique Pros –Nikon D3200 vs D60

Which has a Higher Sensor Resolution  D3200 or D60?

The D3200 has a higher sensor resolution than the D60. It has a sensor resolution of 24.2 megapixels while the Nikon D60 has a sensor resolution of 10.2 megapixels. This means the D3200 has 14.0 (140%) megapixels more than the D60.

What this means in layman terms is that the D3200 will produce better-detailed images than the D60.

The difference in sensor resolution accounts for the difference in the pixel pitch of both cameras. The Nikon D3200 and the Nikon D60 have a pixel pitch of 3.85µm and 6.11µm respectively.

The sensor resolution of a camera measures how much detail a sensor can detect, capture and produce. It is measured in megapixels.

The higher the sensor resolution, the more detailed the images produced by such a camera will be.

Although sensor resolution plays a major role in determining image quality, it is not the only factor involved. Other factors that make for an overall quality image include lighting, composition, the lens used, etc.

Therefore, even if your sensor resolution is quite high and these other factors are poor, your image may end up being of a low quality.

Which has a Better Sensor Performance  D3200 or D60?

The D3200 has a better sensor performance than the D60. It has an overall score of 81 while the Nikon D60 has 65.

The D3200 and the D60 were tested, have a color depth of 24.1 bits and 22.5 bits respectively. This reveals that the Nikon D3200 has 1.6 bits more.

The Nikon D3200 has 13.2 EV dynamic range while the Nikon D60 has 11.4 EV. Again the D3200 does better with 1.8 EV more.

The D3200 has a score of 1131 while the D60 had a score of 562. This means the Nikon D3200 had 1 stop more.

The sensor performance of many cameras is determined by the DXO mark company. They are responsible for testing the sensors of these cameras and presenting their results. The cameras in this comparison have also been tested by this company.

Three sensor measurements are taken and then used to determine the sensor’s overall performance. These measurements are the color depth, dynamic range, and low light ISO.

The color depth deals with the sensor’s ability to detect, capture and produce distinct and rich colors.

The dynamic range is the sensor’s ability to detect between the brightest and darkest points.

The last measurement; the low light ISO deals with how sensitive the sensor is in low light conditions.

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Which has a Higher Maximum ISO D3200 or D60?

The D3200 has a higher maximum ISO than the D60. It has a maximum value of 6400 while the Nikon D60 has a maximum ISO of 1600.

These ISOs can be expanded further to 12800 for the Nikon D3200 and 3200 for the D60 camera. Therefore, the D3200 has a higher maximum ISO of about 300%.

In cameras, ISO refers to the sensor’s sensitivity in making use of available light necessary for image production.

DSLR cameras have an ISO range that can be set that will suit the lighting conditions. Many entry-level cameras like the ones in this comparison have a minimum value (ISO) of 100. The maximum ISO, on the other hand, varies from camera to camera.

A higher maximum ISO is an indication of the camera’s capacity to produce a clear image even in low light conditions.

Which has a Larger Screen  D3200 or D60?

The Nikon D3200 sports a larger 3 inches screen compared to the 2.5 inches screen the Nikon D60 is fitted with.

These cameras might possess the same type of screen, however, their sizes are different.

A larger screen offers a larger viewing area. For a camera like the D3200 that has live view, this is useful during image capture.

Which has a Higher Screen Resolution  D3200 or D60?

The D3200 has a higher screen resolution than the D60. The Nikon D3200 has a screen resolution of 921,000 dots while the Nikon D90 has a screen resolution of 230,000 dots.

The screen resolution refers to the number of details a screen can efficiently display. With a higher screen resolution, the images displayed on the screen will be well detailed.

Which has a Faster Continuous Shooting Speed D3200 or D60?

The D3200 has a faster continuous shooting speed than the D60. It is faster by 1 fps as it has 4 fps continuous shooting speed while the Nikon D60 has a speed of 3fps.

Both cameras can shoot in burst mode. Burst mode allows one to continuously capture pictures non-stop for some time. Burst mode is also called continuous shooting mode.

Sports and wildlife photographers are known to use this mode more than others because of the fast movement of their subjects.

The continuous shooting speed of a camera determines the number of images that can be captured within a second. Therefore, the faster the speed, the more captured images.

Which has More Focus Points D3200 or D60?

The D3200 and the D60 have 11 and 3 focus points respectively. Consequently, the Nikon D3200 has 8 more focus points than the Nikon D60.

Another feature that makes the work of sports photographers easier is a high number of focus points.

These focus points are found within the frame and are points where extra emphasis and focus can be applied. Those points are more detailed than other points within the frame.

With more focus points within a frame, more points can be enhanced which will improve the final image quality.

Which has a Newer Image Processor D3200 or D60?

The D3200 has a newer image processor than the D60. It uses the EXPEED 3 which is an improvement on the EXPEED 2 and EXPEED. The Nikon D60, on the other hand, uses the EXPEED.

Therefore, the D3200 is bound to operate and perform at a faster and more efficient capacity than the D60.

Image processors are responsible for a lot of functions in the camera. It is responsible for the camera’s performance level.

The Nikon Company makes use of image processor series known as the EXPEED which is exclusive for Nikon cameras.

How do image processors work? Find out in the next video.

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Which has a Longer Battery Life D3200 or D60?

The D3200 has a longer battery life than the D60. It will give you 40 more shots if you choose it over the Nikon D60. It can take 540 shots after its 1030mAH EN-EL14a battery is fully charged.

The Nikon D3200 might do better but the D60 has an impressive battery for an amateur camera. With its 1080mAh EN-EL9 power pack, it can capture 500 shots after a full charge.

Everyone wants to keep shooting and shooting and shooting without worrying constantly about battery life. Yep, you’re not the only one who wants such a camera. Sadly, we are yet to have such.

Which has a Higher Shutter Life Expectancy D3200 or D60?

The D3200 has a higher shutter life expectancy than the D60. It has a shutter life of 100,000 actuations while the Nikon D60 has 50,000 actuations.

Shutter life expectancy is the guarantee given to a camera before one needs to change the shutter mechanism. It tells one how long the shutter will last before it needs replacing.

Which has a Faster Startup Delay D3200 or D60?

The D3200 has a faster startup delay than the D60. It has a startup delay of 400ms while the Nikon D60 has a startup delay of 500ms.

“How long does the camera take before it is fully operational?” This question may not be one of the FAQ asked when folks go camera shopping, however, it is equally important.

Imagine seeing a scene that you deem picture-worthy and you put on your camera only to wait forever while it boots. When it’s finally done, you discover you’ve missed the shot.

This happens especially when your subjects are in motion. This is why a camera’s startup delay is a bit of a big deal for some of us.

Which is Lighter D3200 or D60?

The D3200 is lighter than the D60.It has excellent imaging and it weighs just 505g. The Nikon D60, on the other hand, weighs 522g. Hence, the Nikon D3200 is 17g (3%) lighter than the D60.

Unlike the previous question in the feature we just discussed, the weight of a camera is frequently found in FAQs. This shows how important this is for many intending buyers and we are assuming including you.

It is no fun having to carry a camera with you that’s more of a gym-equipment than a camera. Some cameras can be close to 2kg especially when accessories like an external flash and lenses are added. This is why most folks, and we assume including you prefer lighter cameras; provided they deliver quality images.

Which is Cheaper D3200 or D60?

The Nikon D3200 is also cheaper than the D60. We can just imagine the smile on your face after reading that line.

When compared with the Nikon D60’s launch price, it turns out the D3200 was 5% cheaper. However, the D60 is the more discounted camera since it has been in the market longer than the Nikon D3200.

How long you may ask? Read the next sub-heading.

But before then, bear in mind that prices can change and are dependent on the seller and the sales offer at the time of purchase.

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Which is Newer D3200 or D60?

The Nikon D60 was announced 4 years and 2 months earlier than the D3200 and has been in the market that long. This means the Nikon D3200 is newer than the D60 by 4 years and 2 months.

The advantage here is that newer cameras benefit from technological advancements that occurred within the time-gap. Hence, the D3200 has some upgrades which were not available for the Nikon D60 in 2008.

Nikon D60 Unique Pros – Nikon D3200 vs D60

Which has a Better Sensor Type D60 or D3200?

The D60 has a better sensor type than the D3200. The Nikon D3200 is fitted with a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) sensor while the D60 uses a CCD (charge-coupled device) sensor.

The sensor type speaks of the technology employed in manufacturing the sensor.

The table below shows the differences between the CMOS sensor and the CCD sensor:

CMOS Sensor CCD Sensor
Produces lower-quality images Produces high-quality images.
Prone to images with noise. It has low noise-images.
Consumes little power. It consumes lots of power.
Lower light sensitivity. More sensitive to light.
Inexpensive. Expensive.

Taking the above into consideration, the CCD sensor has 3 advantages while the CMOS sensor has 2. Therefore, we can say the Nikon D60 uses a better sensor type.

Which has a Larger Sensor D60 or D3200?

The Nikon D60 has a larger sensor than the Nikon D3200 despite having the same sensor format. It is 4% larger with a dimension of 23.6 x 15.8mm while the D3200’s sensor has a measurement of 23.2 x 15.4mm.

The difference in sensor sizes accounts for the difference in the format factor as well. The Nikon D60 has a format factor of 1.5 while the Nikon D3200 has a format factor of 1.6.

The native aspect ratio which is the ratio of the sensor’s width to its length is the same for both cameras at 3:2.

Since the Nikon D60 has a larger sensor, it has a larger sensor pixel area of 37.14µm2. The Nikon D3200, on the other hand, has a sensor pixel area of 14.85µm2.

A larger sensor enhances a camera’s low light ISO, color depth, dynamic range, and depth-of-field control. Ironically, despite this enhancement, the D3200 still does better than the D60 in all these areas.

Which is Smaller D60 or D3200?

The Nikon D60 is smaller than the Nikon D3200. Although it is 1mm wider, it is 2mm shorter and 13mm thinner.

The D60 and the D3200 have a body dimension of 126 x 94 x 64mm and 125 x 96 x 77mm respectively.

A smaller camera can be carried about more easily than a bulky one.  

Which has Less Shutter Lag D60 or D3200?

The D60 has less shutter lag than the D3200. It has 260ms shutter lag in contrast to the 276ms of the Nikon D3200.

The period between when the shutter is pressed during image capture and when the image is saved is known as shutter lag.

During this short period, the camera becomes inactive as the captured image is being processed and stored. More shutter lag means the photography will have to wait for long periods before he/she can resume shooting. Hence, a camera with less shutter lag is well appreciated.

Check out the Nikon D3200’s shutter lag in real-life use in the video below.

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Unique Cons – Nikon D3200 vs D60

Nikon D60 Unique Cons – Nikon D3200 vs D60

i. It does not record videos.

ii. No UHS card support.

iii. Lacks an HDMI port.

iv. It does not have face detection focus.

v. No AE bracketing.

vi. Lacks a flash sync port.

vii. It cannot operate in live view mode.

Common Pros – Nikon D3200 vs D60

Nikon D3200 Nikon D60
Phase-Detection Autofocus System The Nikon D3200 employs the phase-detection autofocus system over the contrast-detection AF system.  

This makes it faster and more precise in acquiring focus. Hence, it is preferred when capturing fast-moving subjects.  

Therefore, many wildlife and sports photography prefer cameras that sport this AF system.
Same as Nikon D3200
RAW Support The D3200 does not only shoot in JPEG format, but it also shoots in RAW format as well.  

Therefore, this camera can produce images that are of very high quality. This is because RAW images are of better quality than JPEG images.  

The reason for this is that RAW images are usually uncompressed. In other words, they are unaltered, unprocessed and remain in their original captured state.  

The downside is that they are also larger and will take up more memory space than JPEG images.
Same as Nikon D3200

Common Cons – Nikon D3200 vs D60

Nikon D3200 Nikon D60
No environmental sealing The environmental sealing feature allows users to shoot in tough weather conditions.  

It can be really difficult and frustrating shooting in such conditions. Sometimes the image quality comes out poor and even the audio can be affected during video recording.  

However, the Nikon D3200 does not have this feature which does not make it suitable for shooting in tough weather conditions.
Same as Nikon D3200
No built-in Wi-Fi Wi-Fi has benefitted us greatly in many ways. We can connect and share files in a faster and more convenient way.  

Therefore, many cameras are fitted with this feature to facilitate this.  

A camera user can even share files directly to social media platforms as a result of this.  

Nevertheless, not all cameras have this feature and the D3200 is one of them.
Same as Nikon D3200
No built-in image stabilization We hate blurred images. A slight shake on our part or the subject and viola: the image is blurred.  

It is even worse when you are shooting with a camera that has a slow shutter speed like the Nikon D3200.  

Many cameras counter this occurrence of blurred images with the built-in image stabilization feature.  

Ironically, many cameras with a slow shutter speed also lack this feature. One would think they should be the ones having this.  

One can still resolve the issue of blurred images by using an optical stabilization lens.   For a camera like the D3200 which has no built-in image stabilization, this is a welcome development.  

The downside is just the extra money you’ll pay to purchase such a lens.
Same as Nikon D3200
No AF Micro Adjustment The AF micro-adjustment feature allows the user to fine-tune his/her autofocus. This allows for precise focusing.  

The Nikon D3200 lacks this feature.
Same as Nikon D3200
No built-in GPS With a built-in GPS, the D3200 would be able to geotag photos. Sadly, this is not the case as the GPS feature is missing.  

In case you didn’t know what geotagging is, allow us to inform you.  

Geotagging allows you to add a precise location where an image is captured to your captured image thanks to the GPS feature.  

Geotagging is gradually becoming a big deal among photographers especially wildlife and landscape photographers.
Same as Nikon D3200
No built-in focus motor Some cameras have built-in focus motors that allow them to focus with all available lenses.  

Many of Nikon’s entry-level cameras including the D3200 lacks this feature.
Same as Nikon D3200
No panorama Want to stitch your pictures together to create a panoramic photo? Well, you won’t be getting that with the Nikon D3200.  

The panorama feature is absent in this camera.
Same as Nikon D3200
No built-in Bluetooth Once again, the D3200 falls short in terms of connectivity. It does not have a built-in Bluetooth feature.  

This would have helped the camera connect with other Bluetooth devices.
Same as Nikon D3200

Check out these other interesting comparison articles below:

Nikon D3100 vs D300 – Which Should You Buy?

Nikon D3100 vs D3000 – Extensive Comparison

Nikon D7100 vs Canon 700D – Which is Better For You?

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A58 – In-depth Comparison

Nikon D40 vs D3300 – In-depth Comparison

Nikon D3300 vs D5000 – Which is Better For You?

What Users Think About These Cameras – Nikon D3200 vs D60

Nikon D3200 Nikon D60
The camera can use a memory card of about 16GB which users were thrilled with. Although this camera can use a memory card of about 16GB capacity, it didn’t make it perfect.

A D60 user complained of not being able to access the memory card without a card reader.
The flash power is fair-enough and consistent with cameras within its level. Although some users felt it could have done better. Some users were not pleased with the camera’s flash. They said it was not bright enough.
The small prosumer size of the Nikon D3200 was well appreciated by its users. Many users were happy with the portable size of the Nikon D60.
A lot of users described the image quality of the D3200 as second to none in the amateur camera category. Amateur users were satisfied with the image quality of the D60.
The Nikon D3200 is a cheap DSLR camera which many of its users appreciate. Users of the Nikon D60 also commended its cheap price.

Nikon D3200 vs D60 – FAQS

Does Nikon D60 shoot video?

Nikon D60 does not shoot video. It was announced in January 2008 before the introduction of video to DSLR cameras. Video recording was first introduce to DSLR cameras in August 2008 with the Nikon D90 being the first ever DSRL with video recording ability.

The D60 can, however, be used to make “stop motion movies” in AVI format. These movies are made from still images. You can use a maximum of 100 images per movie.

With this method, you can determine the frame rate from an option of 3 to 15 frames per second. And you can also set the frame size.

What lenses are compatible with Nikon D60?

The following is a list of lenses that are compatible with the Nikon D60:

Standard lenses

Nikon AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 G ED VR

Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4 G

Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8 G

Nikon AF-S 60mm f/2.8 G ED Micro

Wide Angle lenses

Nikon AF-S 28mm f/1.8 G

Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8 G ED

Nikon AF-S DX 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 G IF-ED

Nikon AF-S DX 12-24mm f/4 G IF-ED

Telephoto lenses

Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR

Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8 G

Nikon AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6 G ED VR

Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G ED VR

Click Here to Get the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR Now!

Is D60 SDXC compatible?

The D60 is not compatible with SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity) cards. This is because SDXC cards were not launched until 2010. And the technology was not incorporated into the Nikon D60 which was announced in 2008.

The D60, however, is compatible with SD (Secure Digital) and SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) memory cards.

Any SD or SDHC card that is larger than 32GB will not work in the Nikon D60. A well-recommended memory card that is compatible and will work well with the D60 is the SanDisk Extreme Pro 32GB SDHC Memory Card.

Click Here to Get the SanDisk Extreme Pro 32GB SDHC UHS-I Card Now!

How do I change the shutter speed on my Nikon D60?

Follow the steps below to change the shutter speed on your Nikon D60:

i. Rotate the mode dial found on the upper part of the D60 to “S”. This action will place your camera in “Shutter-Priority Auto” mode.

ii. Turn the command dial found on the top right side of the back of the Nikon D60. This will change the shutter speed of the camera.

iii. If you want to increase the shutter speed, turn the command dial to the right. If you want to reduce the shutter speed, turn the command dial to the left.

How do I reset my Nikon D60 to factory settings?

You can reset your Nikon D60 to factory settings using a two-button reset method. In other words, you will have to hold down two buttons at the same time for two seconds.

On the D60, the buttons you need to hold down to reset your camera to factory settings are the Playback zoom in button and the Active D-Lighting button.

Once you hold down these buttons, your Nikon D60 will be reset to factory settings, and all your settings including customized menus, time and date will also be erased.

Final Thoughts – Nikon D3200 vs D60

Nikon D3200 Nikon D60
Not so many amateur cameras out there can boast of the kind of image quality which the Nikon D3200 produces. Hence, it is a steal when one considers how cheap this camera is.The Nikon D60 may be lacking some features that modern cameras possess. Nevertheless, this camera is suitable for an amateur photographer who wants to take photography more seriously.
Click Here to Get the Nikon D3200 Now!
Click Here to Get the Nikon D60 Now!
Victor

Victor is a student of mass communication with special focus on digital media. He has an insatiable craving for knowledge. When he is not learning new things, he is busy writing about them.