Nikon's new additions to the family

Like most other manufacturers, Nikon has announced its newest digital cameras even before the start of PMA 2008. A total of eight products were announced, including one entry-level dSLR, the D60.

Taking on the popular Canon A720 IS with its update to the P50, Nikon's Coolpix P60 includes some non-trivial enhancements, including optical image stabilization (Vibration Reduction, or VR), an electronic viewfinder (which is unusual in a non-megazoom), and an increase in the zoom range to 5x up from 3.5x. Though it uses the same 8-megapixel sensor as its predecessor and continues to operate off two AA batteries, the LCD grows a smidgeon to 2.7 inches from 2.4 inches. Oddly, like the P50, it offers Program and full Manual exposure modes, but no aperture- or shutter-priority shooting options.

While we've seen some exciting announcements from Canon and Pentax in the last week, and from Sony at CES, Nikon's PMA dSLR announcement amounts to an incremental upgrade from its entry-level D40 dSLR. The new D60 includes a 10.2-megapixel CCD sensor, the company's new Expeed processor, sensitivity up to ISO 3,200 (Nikon calls it Hi), and a 2.5-inch LCD. Compared with Canon's 450D, this new Nikon comes in with fewer pixels (though still more than enough for most entry-level SLR users) and a smaller LCD.

Meanwhile, we've rounded up the seven shooters plus one dSLR that Nikon has unveiled on the next page. The availability dates given in the table are for the US market. We are awaiting response from Nikon as to when these cameras will hit the Asian shores.