Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D60: A Deep Dive into Two Generations of Entry-Level DSLRs

In the vast realm of digital cameras, Nikon has long maintained a formidable presence with its entry-level DSLRs tailored for budding enthusiasts and budget-conscious photographers. Today, we’re putting the Nikon D5500 and Nikon D60 head-to-head - two models separated by seven years yet connected by their shared goal of democratizing DSLR photography.

Having spent countless hours testing both cameras under various scenarios, I’ll guide you through their key differences, real-world performance nuances, and how these affect the outcomes you can expect. Whether you're eyeing a first DSLR or upgrading from an older model, this comparison is designed to help you figure out which of these Nikons fits your creative needs and budget.

What You’re Holding: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

When it comes to comfort and usability, physical size and layout can significantly impact your shooting experience. The Nikon D5500 is a later generation DSLR featuring a more refined and compact design compared to the older D60.

Dimensions & Weight:

• D5500: 124×97×70 mm; 420 grams
• D60: 126×94×64 mm; 522 grams

Though only slightly larger in some dimensions, the D5500 manages to be lighter, thanks to modern materials and design choices. You’ll notice this reduction in heft during extended handheld shooting sessions or while traveling.

Grip and Controls:
The D5500 sports a sculpted grip that fits more naturally in the hand, whereas the D60’s grip feels a bit more blocky, reflecting its earlier era. The newer camera also boasts a more intuitive control layout, reducing fumbling during fast-changing shooting conditions.

Next, take a look at the top panel controls - quite an insight into how Nikon evolved ergonomic design between these models.

The D5500 incorporates a modern mode dial with dedicated buttons for video recording and exposure compensation, something the D60 notably lacks. These updates pave the way for quicker adjustments without taking your eye off the viewfinder - a subtle, yet meaningful benefit for storytelling photographers.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensors and Image Quality

Arguably the most decisive factor between any two cameras is their sensors. They ultimately dictate how detailed, colorful, and low-noise your photos will be.

• Nikon D5500: 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor, Expeed 4 processor, no anti-aliasing filter
• Nikon D60: 10.2 MP APS-C CCD sensor, older processor, includes anti-aliasing filter

Right there is a stark difference. The D5500 packs more than twice the megapixel count and uses a more modern CMOS sensor, which inherently offers better light sensitivity and dynamic range. The removal of the anti-aliasing filter in the D5500 sharpens image details, which is especially advantageous in landscape and portrait work where crispness matters.

Image Quality Metrics:
If we trust the DxO Mark scores, the D5500 achieves an overall 84 points compared to the D60’s 65 - a leap in color depth, dynamic range, and low-light ISO performance.

• Dynamic range improvement (~14 stops vs. 11.4) means the D5500 better preserves detail in challenging highlights and shadows.
• Color depth is richer (24.1 bits vs. 22.5 bits), rendering more accurate skin tones and subtle hues.
• Low-light ISO capabilities are superior on the D5500 (ISO 1438 vs. 562), helping you shoot cleaner images in dim environments without excessive noise.

From practical experience, this translates to more flexibility when composing outdoor landscapes with bright skies and shaded foregrounds, or snapping portraits indoors without a flash.

Looking Through the Lens: Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Autofocus (AF) prowess can make or break action, wildlife, or candid photography. Here, the D5500 boasts substantial improvements over the D60.

The jump from 3 to 39 AF points, including 9 cross-type sensors, gives the D5500 a much wider and more precise autofocus coverage. Its face detection and continuous AF tracking allow you to keep moving subjects sharply in focus - a must for sports, wildlife, and event photography.

For instance, I shot a series of fast-moving birds in flight with the D5500, and the camera consistently locked focus within milliseconds, easily surpassing the dated D60. That said, the D60 isn’t without merit; its 3-point AF system, while limited, can still do a decent job with static subjects or controlled compositions.

Display and Interface: Navigating Your Creative Options

The LCD and viewfinder experience is a crucial aspect often underestimated, especially when shooting live view or reviewing images.

• D5500: 3.2-inch fully articulated touchscreen with 1,037k-dot resolution
• D60: 2.5-inch fixed non-touch screen with 230k-dot resolution

That touchscreen on the D5500 offers not just image reviewing benefits but also intuitive touch focusing and menu navigation - features missing from the D60. This is particularly helpful when adjusting settings quickly on the fly or when using live view for video.

The optical viewfinder on both cameras uses a pentamirror system with roughly 95% coverage and similar magnification, though the D5500’s is slightly brighter and clearer due to improved coatings and viewfinder optics.

Image Samples: Real-World Results Speak Louder Than Specs

It’s easy to get swept away by specs, but how do these cameras actually perform in the field?

Nikon D5500 front Nikon D5500 screen back Nikon D60 front Nikon D60 screen back

Upon closely examining RAW files from both cameras, the D5500 excels in retaining detail and achieving natural color graduations. Skin tones render more smoothly, and there’s less color noise visible at higher ISOs. For landscape shots, the improved dynamic range helps preserve cloud textures without clipping or losing shadow definition.

Meanwhile, the D60 delivers respectable images at base ISO in good light, but struggles in darker conditions where noise is hard to control beyond ISO 800. Additionally, its lower resolution limits large print sizes or aggressive cropping.

Versatility Across Photography Disciplines

Different genres of photography stress cameras differently, so let me break down how each camera fares in several popular areas.

Portraiture

The D5500’s superior color depth and 39-point AF with face detection bring out consistent, flattering skin tones and precise eye focus. The ability to use fast lenses without anti-aliasing softening ensures stunning selective focus and creamy bokeh.

The D60 manages passable portraits but requires more careful focusing due to limited AF points and lacks live eye detection. You might also find its JPEG processing a bit harsher on skin textures.

Landscape

Here, the D5500’s sensor and dynamic range shine. Greater resolution lets you crop into fine details and print large without issues. Plus, the fully articulated screen helps compose tricky low or high-angle shots.

While the D60 is competent with a sturdy lens, its older CCD sensor cannot match the latitude or color richness needed for demanding landscape photography. Lack of weather sealing in both cameras limits heavy outdoor use, but the D5500’s improved sealing on buttons and joints is a small advantage.

Wildlife

Fast autofocus and a higher continuous frame rate (5 vs. 3 fps) give the D5500 a performance edge in capturing fleeting animal moments. Its better ISO performance also allows handheld shooting with long telephoto lenses in variable light.

The D60’s slim AF coverage and slower shooting speeds mean it requires more patience and ideal conditions. I’d hesitate to recommend it for serious wildlife photography enthusiasts.

Sports

Similar story - faster AF tracking on the D5500 and quicker burst speeds make it a better choice for dynamic sports environments.

More Use Cases: Street, Macro, Night, Video, Travel, and Professional Work

Street Photography

The D60’s blockier body and lack of touchscreen can make quick impromptu shooting a tad slower. The D5500’s articulating touchscreen and more refined grip facilitate discreet and rapid shooting, a plus for street photographers.

Macro Photography

Both cameras depend heavily on lenses for macro performance, but the D5500’s superior focusing system allows more accurate close-up focusing, while the articulated screen aids composing unusual angles.

Night and Astro Photography

Significantly better high ISO performance and noise control on the D5500 allow cleaner shots in starry skies or dim street scenes.

Video Capabilities

The D5500 records full HD video at 60 fps with built-in microphone input, making it a competent hybrid for casual videographers. The D60 has no video function at all - if video matters, the choice is obvious.

Travel Photography

Lighter weight, longer battery life (about 820 vs. 500 shots per charge), and more flexible controls give the D5500 the edge for travel enthusiasts seeking a versatile companion.

Professional Workflows

The D5500 supports uncompressed 14-bit RAW files, better suited to professional post-production workflows. Both cameras use the Nikon F lens mount, compatible with a vast array of lenses, but the D5500’s new generation sensor and processor make it a superior choice for pros on budget.

Tools, Build Quality, and Connectivity

Neither camera features weather sealing or robust shockproofing, but the D5500 edges ahead with better build quality and improved button responsiveness.

Both cameras lack in-body image stabilization - relying on lenses with VR (vibration reduction) for steady shots.

Connectivity-wise, the D5500 offers built-in Wi-Fi for quick image transfer and remote control, missing entirely on the D60.

Battery Life, Storage, and Power

• D5500: 820 shots per charge, uses EN-EL14a batteries
• D60: 500 shots per charge, older battery design

The D5500’s battery performance means fewer interruptions on long shoots, and the SD/SDHC/SDXC card support simplifies modern storage needs compared to the D60’s compatibility with older SD/SDHC/SD cards.

How Do These Cameras Stack Up Overall?

If I had to distill a verdict, the D5500 scores significantly better across the board from image quality to autofocus and ergonomics. That extra investment yields a tangible boost in photographic potential.

On the other hand, the D60 holds appeal as an ultra-budget DSLR that can still deliver pleasing images in controlled environments or as a reliable backup body.

Scoring Their Suitability for Different Types of Photography

A quick rundown of suitability by genre and which camera I’d recommend:

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If you’re deciding between these two Nikons in 2024, here’s my takeaway from firsthand experience handling both extensively:

• Choose the Nikon D5500 if: You want a versatile, up-to-date DSLR capable of delivering sharp, vibrant images and decent video in a compact body. Its advanced autofocus, articulated touchscreen, and superior sensor technology make it well-suited for enthusiasts or those upgrading from basic cameras. It fits well across most photography genres, from portraits to landscapes and even some sports.

• Consider the Nikon D60 only if: Your budget is very tight and you want an easy-to-use entry DSLR for static subjects in good lighting. It’s ideal as a starter camera or a backup unit but limited in speed, image quality, and lacks modern conveniences like video or Wi-Fi.

Ultimately, cameras like the D5500 demonstrate how much DSLR technology has matured in under a decade. With advances in sensor design, AF systems, and user interfaces, the experience of photography has grown both richer and easier. For the thought-driven enthusiast, investing in the D5500 will likely bring more satisfaction and creative freedom.

I hope this detailed comparison clarified your options. Feel free to ask if you want insights on lenses or accessories next - happy shooting!

All images above are based on my hands-on inspections and standardized testing conditions to ensure an authentic hands-on comparison.