Canon SX610 vs Nikon D60

The Canon PowerShot SX610 HS and the Nikon D60 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in January 2015 and January 2008. The SX610 is a fixed lens compact, while the D60 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a 1/2.3-inch (SX610) and an APS-C (D60) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 10 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon SX610		Nikon D60
Fixed lens compact camera		Digital single lens reflex
25-450mm f/3.8-6.9		Nikon F mount lenses
20.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor		10 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video		no Video
ISO 80-3,200		ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 922k dots		2.5" LCD – 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
2.5 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
270 shots per battery charge		500 shots per battery charge
105 x 61 x 27 mm, 191 g		126 x 94 x 64 mm, 522 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX610 HS and the Nikon D60? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon SX610 and the Nikon D60 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The SX610 can be obtained in three different colors (black, red, white), while the D60 is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D60 is considerably larger (85 percent) than the Canon SX610. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX610 nor the D60 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the SX610 has a lens built in, whereas the D60 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the D60 and their specifications in the Nikon Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the SX610 gets 270 shots out of its Canon NB-6LH battery, while the D60 can take 500 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL9 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

#		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon SX610	105 mm	61 mm	27 mm	191 g	270	n	Jan 2015	249	ebay.com
2.		Nikon D60	126 mm	94 mm	64 mm	522 g	500	n	Jan 2008	629	ebay.com
3.		Canon SX420	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	325 g	195	n	Jan 2016	299	ebay.com
4.		Canon SX540	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	442 g	205	n	Jan 2016	399	ebay.com
5.		Canon SX620	97 mm	57 mm	28 mm	182 g	295	n	May 2016	279	ebay.com
6.		Canon SX720	110 mm	64 mm	36 mm	270 g	250	n	Feb 2016	379	ebay.com
7.		Canon G9 X	98 mm	58 mm	31 mm	209 g	220	n	Oct 2015	529	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX410	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	325 g	185	n	Feb 2015	279	ebay.com
9.		Canon SX710	113 mm	66 mm	35 mm	269 g	230	n	Jan 2015	349	ebay.com
10.		Canon SX600	104 mm	61 mm	26 mm	188 g	290	n	Jan 2014	249	ebay.com
11.		Canon SX400	104 mm	69 mm	80 mm	313 g	190	n	Jul 2014	249	ebay.com
12.		Nikon D3000	126 mm	97 mm	64 mm	536 g	500	n	Jul 2009	599	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D5000	127 mm	104 mm	80 mm	590 g	510	n	Apr 2009	749	ebay.com
14.		Nikon D40X	124 mm	94 mm	64 mm	522 g	520	n	Mar 2007	729	ebay.com
15.		Olympus E-420	130 mm	91 mm	53 mm	440 g	500	n	Mar 2008	599	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic L10	135 mm	96 mm	78 mm	556 g	450	n	Aug 2007	599	ebay.com
17.		Sony H300	128 mm	89 mm	92 mm	590 g	350	n	Feb 2014	219	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The SX610 was launched at a lower price than the D60, despite having a lens built in. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon SX610 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Nikon D60 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the D60 is 1232 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 1.5. The sensor in the SX610 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the D60 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon SX610 offers a higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 10 MP of the Nikon D60. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.18μm versus 6.11μm for the D60). However, it should be noted that the SX610 is much more recent (by 6 years and 11 months) than the D60, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the SX610 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon SX610 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the SX610 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D60 are 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.2 x 32.9 cm for good quality, 15.5 x 10.4 inches or 39.3 x 26.3 cm for very good quality, and 12.9 x 8.6 inches or 32.8 x 21.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon PowerShot SX610 HS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D60 are ISO 100 to ISO 1600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-3200.

In terms of underlying technology, the SX610 is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the D60 uses a CCD imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

#		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon SX610	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/30p	20.2	11.6	712	47
2.		Nikon D60	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.5	11.4	562	65
3.		Canon SX420	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/25p	20.3	11.7	806	48
4.		Canon SX540	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.3	11.7	806	48
5.		Canon SX620	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/30p	20.4	11.8	838	49
6.		Canon SX720	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.3	11.8	817	48
7.		Canon G9 X	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.5	12.3	495	63
8.		Canon SX410	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/30p	20.2	11.6	720	47
9.		Canon SX710	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.2	11.6	712	47
10.		Canon SX600	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.0	11.4	620	45
11.		Canon SX400	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	720/30p	20.1	11.5	672	46
12.		Nikon D3000	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.3	11.1	563	62
13.		Nikon D5000	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/24p	22.7	12.5	868	72
14.		Nikon D40X	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.4	11.4	516	63
15.		Olympus E-420	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.5	10.4	527	56
16.		Panasonic L10	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.3	10.8	429	55
17.		Sony H300	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/30p	20.1	11.4	630	45
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The SX610 indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the D60 does not. The highest resolution format that the SX610 can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the D60 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the SX610 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon SX610 and Nikon D60 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

#		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon SX610	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/2000s	2.5/s	Y	Y
2.		Nikon D60	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
3.		Canon SX420	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5/s	Y	Y
4.		Canon SX540	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.9/s	Y	Y
5.		Canon SX620	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/2000s	2.5/s	Y	Y
6.		Canon SX720	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	5.9/s	Y	Y
7.		Canon G9 X	none	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	6.0/s	Y	Y
8.		Canon SX410	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5/s	Y	Y
9.		Canon SX710	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	6.0/s	Y	Y
10.		Canon SX600	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	3.9/s	Y	Y
11.		Canon SX400	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/1600s	0.8/s	Y	Y
12.		Nikon D3000	optical	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
13.		Nikon D5000	optical	n	2.7 / 230	full-flex	n	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
14.		Nikon D40X	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
15.		Olympus E-420	optical	n	2.7 / 215	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5/s	Y	n
16.		Panasonic L10	optical	n	2.5 / 207	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
17.		Sony H300	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/1500s	0.8/s	Y	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The SX610 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the D60 uses SDHC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot SX610 HS and Nikon D60 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

#		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon SX610	-	- / -	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
2.		Nikon D60	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon SX420	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Canon SX540	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Canon SX620	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
6.		Canon SX720	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
7.		Canon G9 X	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
8.		Canon SX410	-	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon SX710	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
10.		Canon SX600	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
11.		Canon SX400	-	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Nikon D3000	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Nikon D5000	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Nikon D40X	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Olympus E-420	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Panasonic L10	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Sony H300	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-

It is notable that the SX610 offers wifi support, while the D60 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both the SX610 and the D60 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D60 was replaced by the Nikon D5000, while the SX610 was followed by the Canon SX620. Further information on the features and operation of the SX610 and D60 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX610 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D60 Manual.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon SX610 and the Nikon D60? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot SX610 HS:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (20.2 vs 10MP) with a 39% higher linear resolution.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 1080/30p movies.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (922k vs 230k dots).
• Ready to shoot: Comes with a built-in lens, while the D60 requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (105x61mm vs 126x94mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the D60).
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Reflects 6 years and 11 months of technical progress since the D60 launch.

Advantages of the Nikon D60:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3 vs 2.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More flexible: Makes it possible to change lenses and thus to use specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (500 versus 270) out of a single battery charge.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in January 2008).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the SX610 comes out slightly ahead of the D60 (13 : 12 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX610 and the Nikon D60 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the SX610 or the D60. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

#		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon SX610	..	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2015	249	ebay.com
2.		Nikon D60	..	80/100	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	629	ebay.com
3.		Canon SX420	..	..	..	..	..	3/5	Jan 2016	299	ebay.com
4.		Canon SX540	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2016	399	ebay.com
5.		Canon SX620	..	..	..	..	..	4/5	May 2016	279	ebay.com
6.		Canon SX720	..	+	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	379	ebay.com
7.		Canon G9 X	3.5/5	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2015	529	ebay.com
8.		Canon SX410	..	o	..	..	..	..	Feb 2015	279	ebay.com
9.		Canon SX710	..	+	..	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2015	349	ebay.com
10.		Canon SX600	..	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2014	249	ebay.com
11.		Canon SX400	..	+	..	..	..	..	Jul 2014	249	ebay.com
12.		Nikon D3000	..	+	..	72/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2009	599	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D5000	..	+ +	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Apr 2009	749	ebay.com
14.		Nikon D40X	..	79/100	..	+ +	4/5	4/5	Mar 2007	729	ebay.com
15.		Olympus E-420	..	85/100	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Mar 2008	599	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic L10	..	85/100	..	+	3.5/5	4/5	Aug 2007	599	ebay.com
17.		Sony H300	..	+	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2014	219	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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