Nikon D60 £530 with AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6D VR (£450 body only)
Handling & ease of use
Following on from the D40 and D40x models, the D60 is a small, lightweight yet solidly made DSLR. The chunky handgrip means that despite its small size, the camera is very easy to hold, although a bit more friction on the grip might be better. With the D60 aimed at the novice photographer, it's not a surprise to see it has been designed to look as accessible and user-friendly as possible.
Controls and buttons have been kept to a minimum and all are well-marked, so that users can quickly get to grips with the functions. The right side of the top-plate houses a large dial for changing exposure modes, while the small buttons on the grip behind the shutter button are for selecting exposure compensation and the Active D-Lighting functions.
The number of buttons on the back have been kept down too, with the LCD monitor and four-way controller dominating the rear of the D60. Any impression that this may give of the camera lacking features is quickly dispelled when it is powered up, and the customisable LCD screen is activated. A quick glance at the display reveals a depth of features, with the buttons to the side allowing you to easily select and change the major functions, such as ISO rating, AF or metering patterns. 
The viewfinder window is par for the course for this level of DSLR, offering an adequately sized and bright screen, with black line markings for the three AF points. Exposure information runs along its base and provides a decent amount of info, while an eye sensor just beneath the viewfinder hood automatically activates the viewfinder display (and switches off the LCD monitor) when the camera is held up to the eye. Overall, the Nikon D60 scores highly for its compact and well-made body and its simple operation.  
SCORE 22/25

Supplied Accesories
The £530 D60 kit includes the following: D60 body with body cap; 18-55mm VR lens* with caps; Li-on battery (EN-EL9);Quick Charger (MH-23); USB cable; camera strap; Accessory Shoe cover; eyepiece cap; Software CD-ROM; Quick Start guide and instruction manual
*Nikon D60 kits available with 18-55mm lens for £500

Expeed processor
The D60 boasts an EXPEED processor, as used on Nikon's high-end DSLRs. It processes images quickly and efficiently (ie. uses less power) and its algorithms promise images with better tonal and colour reproduction.

Viewfinder
The screen is bright and has black markings for  the three AF points, which light up red when activated. Information runs along the base. The soft hood provides good protection from glare as well as a dioptric correction facility for spectacle wearers. There is also an eye-start sensor that switches the viewfinder display on and the LCD off automatically when you look through the finder.

Features
In terms of specification, the D60 isn't much different to the D40x, which it replaces, but it does boast a number of improvements and innovations, which we'll come to shortly. Like the D40x, the D60 boasts a DX-format CCD with 10.2-megapixel resolution, which is high enough to produce good quality A3 prints. There is a full range of exposure modes, from eight subject-biased programs such as Portrait and Sport, to semi-automatic and manual modes. The metering system is extensive, with Nikon's brilliant 3D Colour Matrix  II pattern backed up by spot and centre-weighted. As well as overrides such as exposure compensation, the D60 also boasts Active D-Lighting, which helps to retain detail in highlights and shadows when shooting high-contrast scenes. However, it's worth noting that autoexposure bracketing is not available.
The autofocus system is a little basic by modern standards, boasting only three AF points, but it does offer three modes (AF-A, AF-S and AF-C) to handle all types of subjects and an AF-assist lamp to aid focusing in low-light. Like the D40 and D40X, the D60's lens mount lacks a mechanical focus-drive motor and so while autofocus is possible with the newer AF-S and AF-I lenses, manual focus is required with older AF series lenses. Nikon has added an electronic rangefinder to aid manual focus with these non AF-S/AF-I lenses. The D60 boasts an ISO range of 100-1600 (with Hi-3200), with an Auto option where the camera sets what it calculates to be the ideal ISO rating. The dust removal system on the Nikon is very innovative. As well as a self-cleaning system that shakes the low-pass filter in front of the sensor when the D60 is switched on and off, there is also an Airflow Control System that uses the mirror action to blow air (and dust) towards small ducts on the base of the mirror box. The D60 also boasts a comprehensive Retouch Menu that allows you to make many in-camera adjustments to your images, including  digital filters (mono, sepia etc.) and red-eye removal. Despite all these inclusions, it's a shame that the camera has some notable omissions, namely a depth-of-field preview, no WB or ISO buttons and only the basic JPEG quality available when shooting Raw+JPEG. Apart from that though, it's a very well specified model.  
SCORE 21/25

LCD Information
The information display on the Nikon D60 (and the Nikon D40 and D40x before it) allows for a bright, colourful and user-friendly menu system that can be customised. Using the buttons next to the LCD, it's quick and easy to change most settings. The 2.5in LCD boasts 230,000 dots and a wide 170º viewing angle and automatically adjusts when the camera is held vertically.

Stop Motion
Set this function and you can shoot a series of still images that can then be turned into a movie file with stop-motion animation!

Picture Quality
The 10.2-megapixel D60 produces image files of around 28.7Mb. All shots here were taken at ISO 400 and show very good sharpness and low noise. Colours are punchy and saturated, while skin tones here are a little too vibrant. The interface below is View NX, Nikon's bundled Raw conversion package

Performance
I think it is fair to say that there are few DSLRs that make it as easy to take good pictures as the Nikon D60. It's a camera that photographers of all levels, newcomers included, will quickly find their way around and soon be taking sharp, well-exposed images. While the autofocus system may have fewer AF points than rivals, it proves positive, fast and responsive with most subjects. Moving subjects cause it problems and it's a little slow with close-up photography, but apart from that, it performs well.
The Matrix II metering system is close to infallible and in truth, you'll rarely need to switch to spot as it almost always delivers perfect exposures. This is also true of flash exposures using the integral flashgun as well as those taken using ambient light. The Auto White Balance (AWB) system delivers good results in most lighting conditions, but indoors under tungsten light proved to be a weakness for it as it consistently produced images with a pronounced orange cast.
Picture quality is very good, with images exhibiting colours that edge towards over-saturation, with the result that images look brighter and punchier without appearing unrealistic. Image detail is good, although we'd recommend you sharpen slightly, as they do lack a bit of bite if left untouched. Noise is very well controlled and as with other models in this class, you won't have any noise problems up to ISO 800, after which you'll you'll notice a fair amount of noise in the images. Finally, the Active D-Lighting does pull around a stop of detail from the highlights, so it's worth using when you're shooting on bright, sunny days.  
SCORE 22/25 

Sony Alpha 350 £570 with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 (£500 body only)
Handling & ease of use
The Alpha 350 is the fourth model in the Alpha series and boasts the highest resolution in the Sony range, with 14.2-megapixels. Priced to lure novices and more experienced photographers, Sony has looked to produce an SLR that will appeal to a wide cross-section of the market. Handling is good – the camera feels substantial to grip but is also relatively small. It's chunkier than the Nikon and has a more angular body shape, but is still fairly compact and, while not as light as the Nikon, isn't by any means a heavyweight.
As with the Nikon, a main dial on the top-plate makes choosing an exposure mode a breeze, while major function buttons are located on the top-plate and rear of the body. While this may give the appearance that the Sony will be difficult to use, it's actually fairly straightforward to get to grips with. That said, the LCD's on-screen menu doesn't have the friendliest interface, and the layout requires a little practice to get used to.
Where the LCD really scores highly is with its swivel design, which allows you to angle it for shooting with the camera in the air or at waist height. It's not a gimmick, you'll find it especially useful if you shoot close-ups of flowers, for example. The Quick AF Live View is excellent too (see panel on page 125 for details).
The viewfinder, like the Nikon's, has a dioptric adjustment, and a sensor that activates the AF and viewfinder display when you raise the camera to your eye. The hood is deeper than that of the Nikon, but I found that when wearing glasses, it allowed more glare through than the D60. The screen is adequate and reasonably bright, with markings for the AF points and central metering zone. The Sony has an assured feel thanks to its extra weight and size and while not as beginner-friendly as the Nikon, it isn't far behind. 
SCORE 21/25

Supplied Accesories
The Alpha 350 kit includes the following: Alpha 350 body with body cap; 18-70mm lens with caps; Li-on battery (NP-FM500H); Battery Charger (BC-VM10); USB cable; camera strap; Hotshoe cover; eyepiece cover; Software CD-ROM; Quick Start Guide and instruction manual

BIONZ processor
The powerful BIONZ processor is designed to handle large files and deliver images with vibrant colours, as well as applying noise reduction before processing to images taken at high ISO ratings.

Super Steadyshot
The body-integral 
image stabilisation system offers the 
benefit of reducing shake with any lens. Sony claims it allows for sharp images at shutter speeds that are 2.5-3.5 stops slower than would otherwise be possible.

Features
The latest Sony is brimming with features that will leave users spoilt for choice. Its 14.2-megapixel CCD provides it with a resolution advantage over the majority of its rivals, which have between ten and 12-megapixel sensors. While in real terms other factors such as lens optics and image processing will also play their part in the overall quality of the final result, the extra pixel count is something that will appeal to prospective purchasers. And as mentioned earlier, the swivel design and clever Live View facility provide it with another unique selling point that gives the Alpha 350 an edge in this competitive sector of the market. Another innovative feature comes in the form of a Smart Teleconverter function that works when you're shooting with Live View (see panel).
The autofocus system is based around a nine-point system, with Auto-AF, Single-shot AF and Continuous-AF modes, and an Eye-Start sensor that activates the AF when you put your eye to the viewfinder. The metering system is comprehensive, with three patterns on offer: 40-segment Honeycomb, spot and centre-weighted average, with the option to set exposure compensation and autoexposure bracketing. While Nikon 
relies on its Vibration Reduction (VR) lenses to provide image stabilisation, the Sony Alpha 350 has a Super SteadyShot system built into the body, so that it can help prevent camera shake regardless of the lens attached. To minimise the risk of sensor dust, it also incorporates an anti-static coating and a 
sensor vibration system.
The ISO range is wide at 100-3200 and as with the Alpha 700, the BIONZ processor applies high-ISO noise reduction before processing the image to minimise noise. The integral flash system pops up automatically when required if the camera is set to one of its fully-auto modes and offers a good range of modes including rear-sync, high-speed sync and slow-sync. More experienced photographers will appreciate the ability to use an optional vertical grip, but an unfortunate omission however, is a depth-of-field preview. Other features include Creative Style settings for tweaking colour saturation, sharpness etc, a remote release socket and the D-Range Optimizer for high-contrast scenes.  
SCORE 23/25

LCD & Live View
Live View isn't a new feature, but the Alpha 350's Quick AF Live View is the best of any DSLR yet. Slide the top-plate switch to live View and you black out the viewfinder and a sensor in the pentamirror sends the image to the LCD monitor. The best thing about it is that unlike other systems, autofocus isn't affected. And because you can tilt the LCD monitor up by up to 130º or down by 40º, you can use the SLR while holding it at a low or high position.

Smartleconverter
In Live View, press the Teleconverter button to apply zoom scaling 
by 1.4x or 2x. Image size reduces from 4592x 3052 pixels to 3408x 2272 at 1.4x and 2288x 1520 pixels at 2x zoom.

Picture Quality
The 14.2-megapixel Sony delivers files of around 40Mb in size. All these images were also taken at ISO 400 and display fine detail and low noise. As you can see, the colours are more natural than those from the Nikon. Sony's Image Data Converter 2 is the supplied software convert Raw files

Performance
I'm in little doubt that the Alpha 350 is going to be a big hit. It is a camera packed with innovation as well as features and has been very competitively priced to offer a real alternative to rival models, in particular from the two big guns of the DSLR market – Canon and Nikon. It turns in a very tidy performance in all departments, working quickly, quietly and almost effortlessly to produce great results. The autofocus system is fast and proves to be very responsive in almost all lighting conditions, with low light and close focusing impressing particularly. The Live View works extremely well and I can see this feature on its own helping to shift a few cameras as having the full-time AF means it is far better than rival systems.
The Honeycomb metering pattern is very reliable and consistent with both ambient and flash exposures. With the exception of strongly backlit subjects, the Alpha gave the correct exposure virtually every time. With backlit subjects and the Sony set to one of the fully-auto modes, I noted how the integral flash would automatically pop up and provide a blast of fill-in flash to remove shadow and bring out detail in the subject. Picture quality is excellent, with images showing a high level of detail and boasting decent contrast. The standard 18-70mm zoom is very good, but swap it for one of the Carl Zeiss optics, such as the 16-80mm, and you can see an extra edge to image sharpness. Skin tones are nice and smooth with a touch of warmth, while colours in general are nicely saturated. Noise is well controlled and you won't have any problems with shooting between ISO 100 and 800. Overall, the Sony delivers a very good performance in all key areas.  
Score 23/25 

Test Verdict
While these two models are aimed at slightly different levels of photographer, the £50 price difference means they're competing in the same price bracket and it's interesting to see the many similarities and differences between the two. There isn't much between them in terms of build quality, with the Nikon having the edge on handling and ease of use. While the Nikon boasts a great range of features, the extra money for the Sony gets you a much higher resolution, integral shake reduction and the excellent Live View facility. In terms of performance, both do extremely well and produce images that display very different colour characteristics. Of the two, the Sony has the edge for its slightly better autofocus system and larger image size. 
The fact is, both do the job that's required of them and you'd be pleased with the results from either model. The Nikon represents a great choice for the DSLR newcomer, while the Sony offers that little bit more for users with some experience under their belt. Both are highly recommended.

Nikon
Handling & ease of use 22/25
Features 21/25 
Performance 22/25
Value For Money  23/25
Final score 88/100

Sony
Handling & ease of use 21/25
Features 23/25 
Performance 23/25
Value For Money  23/25
final score 90/100