Should I pay to get my Nikon fixed, or just buy a new one?

I have a Nikon D60 that I've had for about 3 years. A couple weeks ago, it malfunctioned and will no longer take photos. It says 'release shutter button.' I have to send it to Nikon and have heard that it costs about $150 to get it fixed, and some have said after getting it fixed, it happens again. I don't know if I should get it fixed or maybe get a new camera, possibly a canon with video, since the D60 doesn't have video features. I'm not a professional photographer or anything, but I love the quality a dslr gives me. I can't live without my camera! What should I do? Nikon vs. Canon? Any opinions?

My friend had a canon t1i. It got ruined, and he got a nikon d7000. He says he likes the nikon better.

Get a new one… That thing is dated lol

To be honest a $150 repair on a camera that can be found second hand for $150 is not really sensible. But then neither is switching to Canon just because you want video (if you want great video you'd pick Sony!). If you were to upgrade to another Nikon body the D3100, D3200, or D5100 you could at least keep your lens - even if you only own the kit lens this is going to be a saving. These more modern Nikon's all shoot video too. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking Canon, I just don't see any advantage in you switching at this time!

Brand new dSLR's go for around $500. Decent secondhand ones start at around $250. You should see that $150 is justifiable if you really like to keep your D60.

Definitely get a new one… Like everyone else said its so dated, its time is up. Sell it for parts. Canon and nikon both have their pros and cons. Its going to br up to you in what you want. I like the in motor image stabilazion the canons offer. But nikons fit my hands like a glove and that has been all i've owned. I suggest the 3100 if you go nikon. You can also look into lesser known brands. I feel that the lens is more important than the body anyways!

Your question actually covers 2 points as under:

(1) the cost of repair v upgrade. Although in the UK, on the basis of relative prices, I would suggest that you will be better served by buying new with the advantage of having the latest facilities.

(2) you already have lenses from NIKON so it makes sense to buy a new body that can use these lenses rather than migrate to a new system (e.g. Canon) with the need to also buy lenses.
Another advantage of replacing Nikon with Nikon is that the software disk which comes with the new camera is guaranteed to be compatible with images produced by earlier versions of Nikon cameras.