PW, 9-Sep-2020
Fujifilm X-E3 vs Nikon D60
The Fujifilm X-E3 and the Nikon D60 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2017 and January 2008. The X-E3 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the D60 is a DSLR. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Fujifilm has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 10 MP.
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Fujifilm X mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
24 MP, APS-C Sensor 10 MP, APS-C Sensor
4K/30p Video no Video
ISO 200-12,800 (100 - 51,200) ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots) Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots 2.5 LCD, 230k dots
Fixed touchscreen Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
8 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
350 shots per battery charge 500 shots per battery charge
121 x 74 x 43 mm, 337 g 126 x 94 x 64 mm, 522 g
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X-E3 and the Nikon D60? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X-E3 and the Nikon D60. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The X-E3 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the D60 is only available in black.
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D60 is notably larger (32 percent) than the Fujifilm X-E3. Moreover, the D60 is substantially heavier (55 percent) than the X-E3. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X-E3 nor the D60 are weather-sealed.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Both cameras have similarly sized sensors, but DSLRs have a larger flange-to-focal plane distance than mirrorless cameras, which imposes contraints on the optical engineering process and generally leads to bigger and heavier lenses. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Fujinon X Lens Catalog (X-E3) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D60). Mirrorless cameras, such as the Fujifilm X-E3, have moreover the advantage that they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance and can thus use many lenses from other systems via adapters.
Concerning battery life, the X-E3 gets 350 shots out of its NP-W126S battery, while the D60 can take 500 images on a single charge of its EN-EL9 power pack. The power pack in the X-E3 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.
The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.
Fujifilm X-E3 121 mm 74 mm 43 mm 337 g 350 n Sep 2017 899
Nikon D60 126 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 500 n Jan 2008 629
Canon M50 116 mm 88 mm 59 mm 390 g 235 n Feb 2018 779
Canon M6 112 mm 68 mm 45 mm 390 g 295 n Feb 2017 779
Fujifilm X-T30 118 mm 83 mm 47 mm 383 g 380 n Feb 2019 899
Fujifilm X-A5 117 mm 68 mm 40 mm 361 g 450 n Jan 2018 399
Fujifilm X-T100 121 mm 83 mm 47 mm 448 g 430 n May 2018 599
Fujifilm X-T20 118 mm 83 mm 41 mm 383 g 350 n Jan 2017 899
Fujifilm X70 113 mm 64 mm 44 mm 340 g 330 n Jan 2016 799
Fujifilm X-A3 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 339 g 410 n Aug 2016 399
Fujifilm X-E2S 129 mm 75 mm 37 mm 350 g 350 n Jan 2016 699
Nikon D3000 126 mm 97 mm 64 mm 536 g 500 n Jul 2009 599
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749
Nikon D40X 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 520 n Mar 2007 729
Olympus E-420 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 440 g 500 n Mar 2008 599
Panasonic L10 135 mm 96 mm 78 mm 556 g 450 n Aug 2007 599
Sony RX100 V 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 299 g 220 n Oct 2016 999
Convert to Imperial
The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer's suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker's lineup and the broader market. The D60 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 30 percent) than the X-E3, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.
The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the D60 is 1 percent bigger. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.
Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the Fujifilm X-E3 offers a higher resolution of 24 megapixels, compared with 10 MP of the Nikon D60. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.92μm versus 6.11μm for the D60). However, it should be noted that the X-E3 is much more recent (by 9 years and 7 months) than the D60, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the X-E3 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.
The resolution advantage of the Fujifilm X-E3 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the X-E3 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D60 are 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.2 x 32.9 cm for good quality, 15.5 x 10.4 inches or 39.3 x 26.3 cm for very good quality, and 12.9 x 8.6 inches or 32.8 x 21.9 cm for excellent quality prints.
The X-E3 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.
The Fujifilm X-E3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 100-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D60 are ISO 100 to ISO 1600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-3200.
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
Fujifilm X-E3 APS-C 24.0 6000 4000 4K/30p .. .. .. ..
Nikon D60 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592 none 22.5 11.4 562 65
Canon M50 APS-C 24.0 6000 4000 4K/24p .. .. .. ..
Canon M6 APS-C 24.0 6000 4000 1080/60p .. .. .. ..
Fujifilm X-T30 APS-C 26.0 6240 4160 4K/30p .. .. .. ..
Fujifilm X-A5 APS-C 24.0 6000 4000 4K/15p .. .. .. ..
Fujifilm X-T100 APS-C 24.0 6000 4000 4K/15p .. .. .. ..
Fujifilm X70 APS-C 16.0 4896 3264 1080/60p .. .. .. ..
Fujifilm X-A3 APS-C 24.0 6000 4000 1080/60p .. .. .. ..
Fujifilm X-E2S APS-C 16.0 4896 3264 1080/60p .. .. .. ..
Nikon D3000 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592 none 22.3 11.1 563 62
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848 720/24p 22.7 12.5 868 72
Nikon D40X APS-C 10.0 3872 2592 none 22.4 11.4 516 63
Olympus E-420 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736 none 21.5 10.4 527 56
Panasonic L10 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736 none 21.3 10.8 429 55
Sony RX100 V 1-inch 20.0 5472 3648 4K/30p 22.8 12.4 586 70
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The X-E3 indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the D60 does not. The highest resolution format that the X-E3 can use is 4K/30p.
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the X-E3 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the D60 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinder in the X-E3 offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the D60 (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. On the other hand, the viewfinder of the D60 has a higher magnification (0.53x vs 0.41x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Fujifilm X-E3 and Nikon D60 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.
Fujifilm X-E3 2360 n 3.0 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 8.0 n n
Nikon D60 optical n 2.5 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0 Y n
Canon M50 2360 n 3.0 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0 Y n
Canon M6 optional n 3.0 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0 Y n
Fujifilm X-T30 2360 n 3.0 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0 Y n
Fujifilm X-A5 none n 3.0 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0 Y n
Fujifilm X-T100 2360 n 3.0 1040 full-flex Y 1/4000s 6.0 Y n
Fujifilm X70 optional n 3.0 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0 Y n
Fujifilm X-E2S 2360 n 3.0 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0 Y n
Nikon D3000 optical n 3.0 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0 Y n
Nikon D5000 optical n 2.7 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0 Y n
Nikon D40X optical n 2.5 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0 Y n
Olympus E-420 optical n 2.7 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5 Y n
Panasonic L10 optical n 2.5 207 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0 Y n
Sony RX100 V 2359 n 3.0 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 24.0 Y Y
One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The X-E3 has a touchscreen, while the D60 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.
The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the X-E3 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).
The Fujifilm X-E3 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.
The X-E3 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the D60 uses SDHC cards. The X-E3 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the D60 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X-E3 and Nikon D60 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Fujifilm X-E3 Y stereo mono Y - micro 2.0 Y - Y
Nikon D60 Y - - - - - 2.0 - - -
Canon M50 Y stereo mono Y - micro 2.0 Y - Y
Canon M6 Y stereo mono Y - mini 2.0 Y Y Y
Fujifilm X-T30 Y stereo mono Y - micro 3.1 Y - Y
Fujifilm X-A5 Y stereo mono Y - mini 2.0 Y - Y
Fujifilm X-T100 Y stereo mono Y - micro 2.0 Y - Y
Fujifilm X-T20 Y stereo mono Y - micro 2.0 Y - -
Fujifilm X70 Y stereo mono Y - micro 2.0 Y - -
Fujifilm X-A3 Y stereo mono - - micro 2.0 Y - -
Fujifilm X-E2S Y stereo mono Y - micro 2.0 Y - -
Nikon D3000 Y - - - - - 2.0 - - -
Nikon D5000 Y mono mono - - mini 2.0 - - -
Nikon D40X Y - - - - - 2.0 - - -
Olympus E-420 Y - - - - - 2.0 - - -
Panasonic L10 Y - - - - - 2.0 - - -
Sony RX100 V - stereo mono - - micro 2.0 Y Y -
It is notable that the X-E3 offers wifi support, while the D60 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.
The X-E3 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Fujifilm. In contrast, the D60 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D60 was succeeded by the Nikon D5000. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Fujifilm and Nikon websites.
So what is the bottom line? Is the Fujifilm X-E3 better than the Nikon D60 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.
Advantages of the Fujifilm X-E3:
More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 10MP) with a 55% higher linear resolution.
Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 4K/30p movies.
Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 230k dots).
Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
More compact: Is smaller (121x74mm vs 126x94mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
Less heavy: Is lighter (by 185g or 35 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
More modern: Reflects 9 years and 7 months of technical progress since the D60 launch.
Arguments in favor of the Nikon D60:
Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
Longer lasting: Gets more shots (500 versus 350) out of a single battery charge.
More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in January 2008).
If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X-E3 is the clear winner of the match-up (20 : 7 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
X-E3 20:07 D60
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X-E3 and the Nikon D60 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the X-E3 and the D60 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.
This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.
Fujifilm X-E3 + 84/100 4.5/5 4.5/5 4.5/5 Sep 2017 899
Nikon D60 80/100 + + 4/5 o 4.5/5 Jan 2008 629
Canon M50 + 79/100 .. 4/5 3.5/5 Feb 2018 779
Canon M6 .. 80/100 4/5 4.5/5 4/5 Feb 2017 779
Fujifilm X-T30 + + 84/100 4.5/5 5/5 4.5/5 Feb 2019 899
Fujifilm X-A5 + .. 4/5 4/5 3.5/5 Jan 2018 399
Fujifilm X-T100 + 79/100 4/5 .. 4.5/5 May 2018 599
Fujifilm X-T20 + + 82/100 5/5 .. 4.5/5 Jan 2017 899
Fujifilm X70 .. 76/100 4.5/5 4/5 4.5/5 Jan 2016 799
Fujifilm X-A3 .. 74/100 4.5/5 .. 4/5 Aug 2016 399
Fujifilm X-E2S .. 77/100 4.5/5 .. 4.5/5 Jan 2016 699
Nikon D3000 + 72/100 4/5 3.5/5 4.5/5 Jul 2009 599
Nikon D5000 + + 75/100 4/5 5/5 4.5/5 Apr 2009 749
Nikon D40X 79/100 + + 4/5 o 4/5 Mar 2007 729
Olympus E-420 85/100 + + 4/5 o 4.5/5 Mar 2008 599
Panasonic L10 85/100 + 3.5/5 o 4/5 Aug 2007 599
Sony RX100 V + + 83/100 4/5 5/5 4.5/5 Oct 2016 999
Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.
Fujifilm X-E3:
Check Amazon price Nikon D60:
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
Canon 550D vs Fujifilm X-E3
Canon SL2 vs Nikon D60
Fujifilm X-E3 vs Panasonic LX10
Fujifilm X-E3 vs Panasonic S1
Nikon D60 vs Olympus E-410
Nikon D60 vs Sony H300
Specifications: Fujifilm X-E3 vs Nikon D60
Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Camera Lens Fujifilm X mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
Launch Date September 2017 January 2008
Launch Price USD 899 USD 629
Sensor Specs Fujifilm X-E3 Nikon D60
Sensor Technology CMOS CCD
Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
Sensor Area 368.16 mm2 372.88 mm2
Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
Movie Capability 4K/30p Video no Video
ISO Setting 200 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
ISO Boost 100 - 51,200 ISO 100 - 3,200 ISO
DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 65
DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 22.5
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 11.4
DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 562
Screen Specs Fujifilm X-E3 Nikon D60
Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Optical viewfinder
Viewfinder Field of View 100% 95%
Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots
LCD Framing Live View
LCD Resolution 1040k dots 230k dots
Touch Input Touchscreen no Touchscreen
Shooting Specs Fujifilm X-E3 Nikon D60
Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect Phase-detect AF
Manual Focusing Aid Focus Peaking no Peaking Feature
Continuous Shooting 8 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
Electronic Shutter up to 1/32000s no E-Shutter
Time-Lapse Photography Intervalometer built-in no Intervalometer
Storage Medium SDXC cards SDHC cards
Second Storage Option Single card slot Single card slot
UHS card support UHS-I no
Connectivity Specs Fujifilm X-E3 Nikon D60
HDMI Port micro HDMI no HDMI
Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in no Bluetooth
Body Specs Fujifilm X-E3 Nikon D60
Battery Type NP-W126S EN-EL9
Battery Life (CIPA) 350 shots per charge 500 shots per charge
In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
Body Dimensions 121 x 74 x 43 mm
(4.8 x 2.9 x 1.7 in) 126 x 94 x 64 mm
Camera Weight 337 g (11.9 oz) 522 g (18.4 oz)
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