Nikon D3000 10MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
Nikon D3000 10MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens see short title
Product Rating:
10.2-megapixel effective recording * APS-C-size CCD image sensor (23.6 x 15.8 mm) * AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (vibration reduction) lens (35mm equivalent focal length: 27-82.5mm) * 3X optical zoom (approximate) * 3" color LCD screen with brightness adjustment * optical SLR viewfinder (with diopter adjustment) * Integrated Dust Reduction System to keep image sensor clean for spotless photos * Nikon EXPEED image processo... » full description
10.2-megapixel effective recording * APS-C-size CCD image sensor (23.6 x 15.8 mm) * AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (vibration reduction) lens (35mm equivalent focal length: 27-82.5mm) * 3X optical zoom (approximate) * 3" color LCD screen with brightness adjustment * optical SLR viewfinder (with diopter adjustment) * Integrated Dust Reduction System to keep image sensor clean for spotless photos * Nikon EXPEED image processor for responsive shooting and high-accuracy photos * 11-point autofocus system for rapid, precise autofocusing * 3D Color Matrix Metering II for accurate automatic exposure control, plus center-weighted and spot metering modes * Active D-Lighting mode for better shadow and highlight detail in high-contrast shooting conditions * intelligent pop-up flash and flash exposure compensation * Guide mode makes selecting camera settings easy for beginning SLR photographers * in-camera image editing functions, including: D-Lighting, red-eye correction, cropping, image overlay, monochrome settings, filter effects, NEF (RAW) processing, miniture effect, color outline, and stop motion movie * « short desciption
User Reviews
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Review Date: 2009-11-23
A. Little is right if you're going to treat this DSLR as a fancy P&S camera, but I think the point of buying a camera of this type (as opposed to some of the cheaper P&S's) should include: being able to get better IQ, take faster action shots and to shoot in darker conditions. We can't minimize the D3000's reduced noise handling ability in relation to the less expensive and older D40 it purports to replace (the third such attempted replacement, I may add) ([...]). You simply can't take good indoor shots (or darker) without ugly flash glare or more expensive lighting at ISO 200 on these models (can you do it at 400?). In addition, I challenge any hobbyist to be able to tell the differnece between the D3000's "faster frame rate" and the D40 in actual use (3fps v. 2.5fps); you'd have to go to 5 or 6 fps and a higher baffle before you get a workable difference, at least for my hard-earned $$. (One of the greatest cameras of all time, the Canon 5D Mark II, barely does 5fps). The D3000's GUIDE Mode will annoy anyone who actually learns the relationship between ISO, Aperature, and Shutter Speed and while useful for a newbie, not something you'd want to use for too long. The D3000's LCD is slightly larger physically, but the resolution isn't really increased from the D40 so the image produced isn't all that fetching; it's not bad, but it doesn't exactly add to its buy-me factor, either. Does this make the D3000 a bad camera? Of course not, its a good camera, but you can still get a NEW D40 for less and maybe we can't blame Nikon using fluff to try to boost its newbie/Noob sales or because it can't coax the same noise handling ability from its larger sensor.
Finally, yeah, the D3000 does have a few more MP's, but so did the D40x and so does the D60 and so do MANY P&S's...and they're still selling new D40's (and oh yeah, the D3000 is dropping to where it (along with its great VR lens) almost matches the D40's price and my earlier arguments become a bit moot)...don't buy into the MP Hype the sales people use to sell camera's (don't be a Noob); unless you are printing larger than 16x20 posters, 6 MP is all you will ever need, and its not a reason (by itself) to give up your hard earned $$. If you "need" things like DOF, older lens compatibility, flash control, higher frame-rate, a usable ADL/ADR assisted camera (students of photography don't really need live view...), then go for the D90 - my .02 =)
User: D. Contos
Rating:
Summary: Not worth your hard-earned $$.
Helpful Votes: 1
Total Votes: 3
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Review Date: 2009-11-16
I owned a D60 but I gave it to my sister. Bought this D3000 for myself since it seemed to be better than the D0 specs wise. Boy was I wrong. The pictures from this thing are terrible compared to the D60. Now the D60 itself needed a lot of ISO twiddling then it came down to increasing the depth of field in indoor settings. With the D60, I typically always used to shoot at f10-f16 at ISO800 with in body flash to get a better DOF and D60 did a very good job of handling & suppressing the noise at ISO800, however with this D3000, the pictures at ISO 8000 are turning out to be garbage with too much noise showing. If you are interested in only potraits, you might be OK but for shots where some subjects are 4-5 ft behind others in indoor settings, this camera is going to make it virtually impossible to take good pictures in that setting.
The quality of the LCD screen seems to have dropped too..
This is going back, I think I am going to order another D60 while it is still available.
User: Harry W
Rating:
Summary: Nikon going in the wrong direction
Helpful Votes: 5
Total Votes: 9
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Review Date: 2009-11-10
Nikon D3000 Is great for amateurs, Easy to use, value for the money, I bought it for my girlfriend, and she is really happy!!!
User: Julio Arango Sanchez
Rating:
Summary: Great for DSLR Amateurs!!!
Helpful Votes: 0
Total Votes: 1
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Review Date: 2009-11-10
I love this camera I really do! I got it a week ago and have already taken almost 1000 pictures (but thats no problem with my 4 gb extreme 3 memory card!) What can I say! I love photography!! I had a canon powershot sd750 point and shoot and let me tell you that camera was no wimp. It gave me stunning shots while retaining lightness and compactness. But it was starting to limit me a bit. Like all the action shots I would take would come out blurry and outdoor shots of animals and such were no better. So I read up on a lot of dslr's for a long time and finally decided on this one. The day I got it I shot 200 shots. It was ready to use right out of the box! I had recently purchased a 4gb extreme 3 memory card and that went immeadiately into my camera. I absolutely love this camera. I didn't realize how badly I had been needing a camera like this!! There is a drawback though! I dont know if it is a defect on mine or not but it will only shoot four frames in a burst and then it slows down to one frame per second and at times slower than that. I dont know quite what to do but this is not to much of a drawback! I can get great action shots still with no problem! Anyway I debated a long time whether to get the canon rebel xs or this but this ultimately looked like a better camera. I would highly reccomend it for its ease of use and user friendliness. If your looking for a step up form a point and shoot this is the camera for you! But if you have a d40 or a d60 I would reccomend the d90 as an update for this camera! The d90 is $1100 but is worth every penny! P.S. I will update this review if I find out why it will only shoot four frames in a burst. Edit...
If you have active d lighting on it will slow down how fast your camera processes pictures. If you turn it off you can shoot as many as you want.
User: R. Milliken
Rating:
Summary: Great bang for your buck!!
Helpful Votes: 4
Total Votes: 5
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Review Date: 2009-10-30
This is a great camera for beginners.
This is my first DSLR and I've had it for about a month. Since I'm a beginner myself, I can't really speak to the technical aspects of the camera, but will try to cover the basics as much as possible.
BUILD QUALITY - This is an entry-level DSLR, so don't fool yourself into thinking that you're buying a robust, professional level camera. That means that the body and lens (including the lens mount, which is the ring that attaches the lens to the body) are plastic. Although this makes for lighter equipment, it also isn't generally as sturdy as some of the higher level cameras. HOWEVER, when I actually went to BestBuy and camera stores, I found that the Nikon cameras (when you actually picked them up in-hand) in this niche felt much sturdier and of much higher quality than the competitors. Does that mean they'll last longer? Not necessarily, but for what it's worth, the Nikons really did feel better.
FEATURES - In this day and age, this is really a bare-bones DSLR. The only camera I cross-shopped with this was the D5000. There are MANY differences between the two, the largest of which is the nicer processor. But don't get fooled! That doesn't mean that the D3000 can't take great pictures... Anyhow, onto the features. It has a 10MP processor which is more than adequate for me, and the average beginner. It has a really large screen, which takes up the whole back of the camera almost. However, as many reviewers have noted, it's not that sharp! This was probably the biggest disappointment of the camera. My point and shoots have less-pixelized screens! But overall, it's not a big deal. The other minute feature is the Guide Mode. I've found it to be less than helpful and don't even use it at all anymore, and I've only had it for a month or so. THE BIGGEST FEATURES that you won't find on the D40/D60 cameras is the ADL feature and the 11 autofocus points... ADL stands for Active D-Lighting, and improves color somehow (the best way I can describe it, and I'm probably technically wrong but, it preserves actual colors better). The only drawback is that it's relatively slow on the D3000. The 11 autofocus points is great. The D40/D60 only has three, and they're all aligned along the same horizontal line, which is right in the middle of the camera. When composing a shot, ti's nice to be able to set an autofocus point not directly in the middle of the shot. Anyhow, this camera was appealing to me because of it's bare-bone feature set. I didn't want Live View or Video, and I'd basically be paying for those features if I were to step up to the D5000.
PICTURE QUALITY - Ah, probably the most important aspect of the camera... and I don't know what to say about it! I'm a beginner, so I don't know what makes a great photo, and DEFINITELY have no idea how this camera shoots vs. another one. What I've read is that the D3000 shoots relatively noisy pictures, but that it doesn't necessarily preclude you from shooting great photos (by adjusting things like ISO). I DON'T KNOW THIS FROM EXPERIENCE, JUST WHAT I'VE READ! Oh, and noise is basically random color pixels in a photo. It doesn't look good. All I can say is that I'll update this review as I figure it out!
RECOMMENDATIONS - If you're a beginner, I'd recommend picking up a book such as "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. That book, coupled with the D3000 will help you understand the basics of photography and how to use a digital SLR. Also, get the kit, not just the body! The price difference is currently $100, and from what I've seen, you can sell the lens itself for more. Remember, the kit lens has VR, which the D40 and D60 didn't come with. So there are those out there who might want a cheap upgrade (and in DSLR world, $150 for a decent lens is cheap!).
Also, the kit lens is great, but in addition to that, I'd recommend the relatively cheap 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX lens... you should eventually get a prime lens, and for this camera, this is arguably the best one out there, especially for the price. Also2, get a flash that tilts upward so you can bounce it off the ceiling! I went with the Nikon SB400 and it's worked well so far.
CONCLUSION - Like I said, this is a great beginners camera. The great things about it are the 11 autofocus points, ADL option, compact size, great ergonomics and size, build quality, and easy-to-use menu. The drawbacks are the older processor, plasticky feel (I don't mind it, and furthermore it feels solid), and disappointing screen. Overall, it's a great camera to purchase if you're thinking about getting into DSLRs... If you find you LOVE photography, it will help you develop as a photographer and understand what you are doing until you're ready to upgrade to something more serious. If you find that photography is not a hobby for you but just a means to an end, then you have a camera that you can throw into full-auto mode and take better pics than your standard P&S, and it didn't set you back a ton of $$$.
User: G. Bernthal
Rating:
Summary: Great Camera for Beginners
Helpful Votes: 8
Total Votes: 11
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Product Details
- 10.2-megapixel DX-format imaging sensor for prints up to 20 x 30 inches
- Includes 3x 18-55mm Zoom-Nikkor VR Image Stabilization lens
- Nikon EXPEED image processing; in-camera image editing and Active D-Lighting
- 3.0-inch color LCD screen; 170-degree wide-angle viewing
- Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
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