Nikon to intro D60 as D40x replacement?

Nikon may be phasing out at least one of its starter digital SLR cameras in the near future, hints from the company and from tipsters reveal. The company has recently pulled a D40x listing from its Japanese online store, indicating that local production of the 10-megapixel camera has stopped; versions in other markets as well as the original D40 will continue to sell, the company says. However, the firm has not offered a replacement model, leaving a gap between the D40 and the mid-range D80.

The device may be replaced by the D60, according to a post from DPReview. Contributor Matthew Lin alleges that a "very reliable" source is aware of a D60 model in the works for spring of next year. Though details are scarce, historical behavior from Nikon would point to the camera drawing on the most recent image processors from higher-end cameras, such as the EXPEED chipset found in the D300, while stripping features that are deemed too expensive or unnecessary for beginning SLR photographers. The naming scheme suggests feature improvements over both the D40 and the now discontinued D50. [via Photography Bay]

Filed under: gadgets, digital imaging
Other story tags: Nikon, D40x, D60