Nikon D60 vs Canon SL1

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Nikon D60 vs Canon SL1

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APS-C 372.9mm²
10.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D60 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D60.

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon SL1 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL1.
Compare Canon SL1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon SL1 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5000
Compare D60 vs D5000

Succeeded by the Canon SL2
Compare SL1 vs SL2

Compare NIKON D5000 vs CANON SL2

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Differences

Nikon D60 advantages over Canon SL1

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.10 vs 4.30 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

500 vs 380 shots
Capture more photos

Canon SL1 advantages over Nikon D60

Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
SL1 test data on DxO Mark D60 test data on DxO Mark

843 vs 562 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
12 years vs 17 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1040k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
18.0 vs 10.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
9 vs 3
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
3.9 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
1140 vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D60 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL1 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon SL1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All SL1 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D60 Full Review

Extremely compact and lightweight for a DSLR; Delivers good image quality that's virtually identical to the Canon T4i/T5i; Accurate and relatively fast autofocus with improved Live View and Movie Hybrid CMOS II AF; Full 1080p HD movie recording; Better-than average kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM).
Still not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Slightly worse than average dynamic range and high ISO performance; Poor battery life.
Read our Canon SL1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A200

Nikon D60

Sony DSLR-A200

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D60 vs Sony DSLR-A200

Canon SL1

Sony DSLR-A200

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$470
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL1 vs Sony DSLR-A200

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Nikon D60

Sony DSLR-A300

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
More viewfinder magnification

$563
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D60 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Canon SL1

Sony DSLR-A300

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$563
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL1 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Pentax K2000

Nikon D60

Pentax K2000

$700
APS-C

Bigger JPEG buffer

$556
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D60 vs Pentax K2000

Canon SL1

Pentax K2000

$549
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

$556
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D60

Sony A58

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D60 vs Sony A58

Canon SL1

Sony A58

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Sony A58

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Nikon D60

Pentax K-S1

$700
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Bigger JPEG buffer

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D60 vs Pentax K-S1

Canon SL1

Pentax K-S1

$549
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K-S1

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