December 6th, 2008

If you are looking for a new entry level type of digital SLR camera there are certainly a number of good choices available on the market. Two of the more popular models are the Nikon D60 and the Canon Digital Rebel XS (named EOS 1000D in some countries). Both cameras feature 10 megapixel resolution.

In terms of size and features the Nikon D60 and Canon Rebel XS are similar in many respects, and both have the ability to offer a satisfying user experience. With little difference in price points, differentiating between the two models comes down to a question of performance and underlying technologies that are unique to each of the cameras.

Clearly existing owners of Canon or Nikon equipment will have a strong predetermined brand preference. For those trying to decide which camera system to buy however, we have completed a side by side comparison between the Nikon D60 versus the Canon Digital Rebel XS / 1000D.

We focused our attention on testing the cameras with their respective standard kit lenses which tends to be the most popular configuration among buyers. We used the Nikon D60 with the AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR zoom lens and the Canon EOS Rebel XS with the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens.

First we look at the major features of the Nikon D60 compared to the Canon Rebel XS digital SLR. We have also noted some specific observations from our tests further below and highlighted the respective advantages of each camera.

Nikon AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR zoom lens

Incorporates Nikon's Silent Wave Lens Motor (SVM), offers faster AF and quieter performance

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens

No Ultrasonic motor (USM) as found on higher priced Canon EF lenses

Airflow Control System used in the D60 leads air within the mirror box towards small ducts near the base, directing dust away from the image sensor.

The Optical Low Pass Filter has an antistatic design to prevent static electricity from attracting dust and foreign matter to its surface

Self Cleaning Sensor Unit designed to eliminate larger types of dust.

The Optical Low Pass Filter has an antistatic design to prevent static electricity from attracting dust and foreign matter to its surface

Self Cleaning Sensor Unit designed to eliminate larger types of dust.

3872 x 2592
2896 x 1944
1936 x 1296

Quality: Fine, Normal, Basic

Quality:Fine, Normal

Yes. Works in P,S,A,M exposure control modes. Displays the scene as a smooth, 30fps video feed on the LCD. Optional grid line and histogram can be selected to help with composition and exposure

Two Live View Modes:

Quick AF: flips mirror to engage the AF sensor

Live AF: Uses contrast information for compact camera-style focusing

TTL full aperture exposure metering

1) 420-pixel 3D Color Matrix Meter II
2) Center-Weighted
3) Spot: Meters 3.5mm diameter circle (approx.2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area

(2) Partial metering at centre (approx. 9% of viewfinder)

(3) Centre Weighted

Active D-Lighting: activated with dedicated On/Off button on top of camera.

Also Nikon's 'D-Lighting' feature can be applied after the image is taken (using D60 Retouch Menu)

Canon's Auto Lighting Optimizer feature is designed to brighten the shadow areas of an image.

Auto Lighting Optimizer: set to Enable (default) or Disable in Custom Function menu II-5

Optimize Image Settings
Six preset Optimize Image settings. One Custom Control setting available

Normal (default): Recommended for most situations

Softer: Softens outlines. Use to ensure smooth, natural looking skin tones in portraits

Vivid: Enhances saturation, contrast and sharpness to produce vivid images with vibrant reds, greens and blues

More Vivid: Maximizes saturation, contrast and sharpness to produce images with sharper outlines

Portrait: Lowers contrast and softens background details

Landscape: Enhances saturation and sharpness to produce landscapes with vibrant greens and blues

Custom: The parameters for; Sharpening, Contrast (Tone), Colour Reproduction, Saturation, and Hue, can all be adjusted by selecting Custom mode in the "Optimize Image" menu.

Custom Parameter Adjustment Settings:

Sharpness: -2, -1, 0, +1, +2
Tone Contrast: -2, -1, 0, +1, +2

Color Mode: IA, IIa, IIIa
Saturation: Auto, -, 0, +
Hue Adjustment: +/- 9 degrees (6 steps)

Picture Style Settings
Six preset Picture Style settings, Three Custom Picture Style Settings are available. Canon offers additional downloadable "Picture Style Files".

Standard: Vivid, sharp images; usable in a wide variety of conditions; optimal for direct printing without post-processing

Portrait: Warmer
skin tones, with slight increases in contrast and sharpening

Landscape: Extremely bright, saturated and sharpened images, with emphasis on blue and green color saturation.

Neutral: Low sharpening, contrast and saturation: the ideal starting point for image-editing in the computer

Faithful: Accurate
reproduction of the subject's colors based on colorimetric data; assumes 5500K light source.

Monochrome: Black & White images; adjustable contrast, sharpening, as well as color
toning and effects of traditional color filters.

Custom 1
Custom 2
Custom 3

Custom Parameter Adjustment Settings:

Sharpness: 0 to 7
Contrast: -4 to +4
Saturation: -4 to +4
Color tone: -4 to +4
B&W filter: None, Yellow, Orange,
  Red, Green
B&W tone: None, Sepia, Blue,
  Purple, Green

Auto
(P) Flexible Program auto
(S) Shutter-priority auto
(A) Aperture priority auto
(M) Manual
Portrait
Landscape

Child Mode
Sports
Close-up
Night portrait
Flash Off

In terms of general features the Nikon D60 and Canon Rebel XS digital SLR kits share many similarities as can be seen in the comparison chart above. From our tests however, there are two advantages that give the Nikon D60 kit with the AF-S DX 18-55mm VR lens an edge over the Canon Rebel XS SLR kit with EF-S 18-55mm IS zoom lens in terms of overall image quality. The first relates to Nikon's Active D-Lighting technology and the other to the kit zoom lens.

Nikon D60 Active D-Lighting compared to Canon Rebel XS Auto Lighting Optimizer technology

Sometimes, even a perfectly exposed scene will not render an ideal photograph. With difficult lighting conditions, important details can be lost in the highlights and shadows. The D60 can correct these exposures instantly and automatically when you shoot with the cameras 'Active D-Lighting' feature enabled.

The Canon Rebel XS does feature Canon's "Auto Lighting Optimizer" which is billed as being a similar technology to Active D-lighting. In our tests we saw little improvement when using the "Auto Lighting Optimizer" function compared to the vast improvement seen with Active D-Lighting on the D60 as shown in the sample shots below.

Above image taken with the Nikon D60 and AFS DX 18-55mm VR zoom lens with Active D-Lighting enabled

Above image taken with the Canon Rebel XS and EF-S 18-55mm IS lens with 'Auto Lighting Optimizer' enabled.

Nikon AF-S DX 18-55mm VR compared to Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS zoom kit lens

In our tests, although the Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS lens actually performed quite well in terms of sharpness and in our image stabilizer tests, the main issue that we have with this lens is that it has a higher occurrence of flaring compared to the Nikon AF-S DX 18-55mm VR.

Lens flare can easily ruin a shot as shown below. This would be more of an issue when shooting on a bright sunny day, or near a strong side light source. Using a lens hood would help.



The image on the left captured with the Canon Rebel XS with 18-55mm IS kit lens shows a higher incidence of flare compared to the image on the right taken with the Nikon D60 with the AF-S DX 18-55 VR zoom kit lens.

In the test we angled each camera at the time of shooting to get the maximum amount of visible flare. Although the Nikon AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR did exhibit some signs of flare, it is much better controlled than with the Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS zoom lens.

Below is a real world test under very bright conditions were the Canon Rebel XS image (left) was affected by lens flare (very noticeable in top right corner). Although the two images were taken a minute apart with some variance in brightness levels, as our first test shows, the Nikon D60 kit lens holds up better overall.

Both cameras were set to fully automatic mode for this test. Active D-Lighting was enabled in the Nikon D60 and Auto Lighting Optimizer was enabled on the Rebel XS.

The Canon Rebel XS SLR offers a 7 point AF coverage system compared to 3 point AF coverage on the D60. As a result the popular assumption would be that the Canon Rebel XS / EOS 1000D SLR with lens kit offers the better focusing capability compared to the Nikon D60 combo kit.

The noticeable difference with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens is that it does not feature Canon's ultrasonic motor (USM) focus technology found on more expensive Canon zoom lenses.

The Nikon AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR zoom does incorporate Nikon's exclusive Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology which allows the lens to focus faster and quieter compared to the Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS lens. We also found that the Nikon D60 can lock focus on and track the subject more effectively compared to the Rebel XS.

Nikon D60 versus the Canon EOS Rebel XS SLR: AF Assist and Red Eye Reduction Technology

One other difference that we noticed with the Nikon D60 compared to the Canon Rebel XS relates to the cameras' low light AF assist and red eye reduction technology. The Nikon D60 uses a beam provided by a lamp located on the front of the camera to help the camera achieve focus under low light conditions and for red eye reduction. The Canon Rebel XS uses a strobe flash emitted from the built-in flash. Flash must be up for low light AF assist to work. The flash strobe effect can cause subjects to blink before the actual flash fires.

Advantages of Nikon D60 SLR Kit

Advantages of Canon Rebel XS Kit

Nikon D60 compared to the Canon Digital Rebel XS / EOS 1000D kit: Conclusion

The Canon Rebel XS would have had an edge over the Nikon D60 with its Live View feature, although as stated above the Live View function in the Rebel XS is so poorly implemented that we feel it offers no practical benefit. Seems like a feature that was simply added at the request of the marketing department.

Taking into account the advantages offered by the Nikon D60 SLR with lens kit, including; the better AF-S DX 18-55mm VR Nikkor zoom lens, Nikon's Active D-lighting technology and the in-camera Retouch Menu options, coupled with the D60's more reliable auto focus subject lock on and tracking system, we personally feel the Nikon D60 SLR with AF-S DX 18-55mm VR lens kit offers the best option. In the end, the choice is yours.

We recommend buying the Nikon D60 (see here) or the Canon EOS Rebel XS (see here) from B&H Photo and Video, offering competitive prices and trusted and reliable service since 1973.

Check out the latest Amazon offers on the
Nikon D60 and the Canon Rebel XS DSLR's

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