Following on from the success of the Nikon D40 and D40x, Nikon has added yet another ‘entry-level' digital SLR camera into the mix with the D60. Sitting somewhere between the D40x and the D80, the D60 aims to offer enthusiast photographers the chance to kit themselves up with a powerful, reliable yet easy to control model that's compact in design and relatively easy on the bank balance.

Weighing in at a reasonably lightweight 524g and measuring a comfortable 126 x 94 x 64mm, the Nikon D60 sports an almost identical design to the D40x. It feels solid in the hand and good ergonomic curves around the handgrip mean it's comfortable to operate, even for longer periods of time.

Available in two different kit forms, the D60 can come complete with either an AF-S DX VR 18-55mm lens or an additional AF-S VR DX 55-200mm lens. The F-mount with AF contacts allows you to attach any compatible DX Nikon lens. However, despite feeling quite well-balanced in the hand using the kit lenses, if you use anything heavier the light camera body can make the set-up feel a little front-heavy.

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The success of Nikon's entry-level digital SLRs is partly down to simple and uncomplicated designs. The Nikon D60 is no different. The rear of the camera body looks fairly undaunting with a generous 2.5-inch LCD screen filling the space. There's no second LCD display to show off shooting information such as aperture or shutter speed, as predecessors like the D70 had. Instead, essential shooting data automatically displays in the rear LCD monitor. This larger screen means you can view pretty much every tweakable setting from one neat little display, although it could potentially look a little daunting to a newcomer.

This isn't a digital SLR that drops you in at the deep end. Help is always at hand with a flashing advisor icon that appears if your settings are awry. Press the ‘?' and you can view hints and tips for improving your shot like “lighting is poor; flash recommended”. To avoid unnecessary glare, this LCD monitor cuts out when you bring your eye to the viewfinder thanks to a sensor positioned just above the screen. Settings like aperture or the camera's internal metering system are then viewable through the viewfinder.

One thing that we noticed was the camera's quite limiting dioptre control. A focusing slider sits next to the viewfinder to adjust the focusing according to eyesight. However, as the viewfinder is fairly small anyway, if compensating for short-sightedness the viewfinder reduces in size quite considerably, giving you limited space to frame your subjects.

It should be easier to keep annoying artefacts or specks off the sensor as the D60 includes an integrated anti-dust system. As well as sensor vibration there's also an Airflow Control System to ‘vacuum' up dust. You can set this feature to spring into action at your command, or alternatively it can be adjusted to operate on start-up, shutdown, or both.

If you want to sit back and let the Nikon D60 do all the hard work for you then you have the option to fall back on basic automatic shooting modes (Night Portrait, Close-Up, Sports, Child, Landscape, Portrait, Flash Off), easily set using the shooting dial positioned on the top right-hand side of the camera body.

Alternatively, of course, you have quick access to manual P, A, S, M controls. Rather than having two separate dials to control shutter speed and aperture settings, one dial adjusts all. To adjust aperture settings, though, you need to keep the +/- button pressed at the same time as you turn the dial. This isn't much bother as it lies adjacent to the shutter button so it's a manoeuvre that's easy enough to carry out.

Next to the EV+/- control is the camera's Active D-Lighting option. A relatively new feature to Nikon DSLRs, switching this ‘on' means that the camera will artificially brighten subjects that are backlit and prone to underexposure; particularly effective if you are shooting portraits that are backed by a bright window.

The Nikon D60 is capable of capturing NEF (12-bit compressed RAW files), Large, Medium or Small JPEGs and NEF (RAW) with basic JPEG. Although there is no video capture mode, you can put together some more original ‘stop motion' movies. Great for animation creation, you can transform already captured stills into movies varying between 3-15 frames per second. This is a unique little feature that's far more original than just adding in standard movie functionality - after all, surely that's what dedicated video cameras are best at?

As you would expect from a Nikon Digital SLR, image quality is superb (although the camera does insist on underexposing shots slightly to avoid losing highlight detail). It's quick and responsive and high performance control makes it good enough to photograph even the most challenging of subjects in the most daring environments and lighting conditions.

The Nikon D60 is a perfect choice for newcomers to digital SLRs. Alternatively, as it offers excellent image quality, familiar Nikon menu systems and good scope for manual controls at a budget price, it would also be a favourable, lightweight back-up model for more seasoned photographers. Thoughtful set-up means you can operate the camera in full Auto when conditions are tricky, but at the flick of a switch there's plenty of manual power and responsive operation if you want to take a bit more control. Exceptional value for money and great fun to use.