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523 of 535 persons found the following review helpful.
Outstanding Starter Camera
By Oceanman
Looking over various cameras and choosing one for someone who has outgrown point and shoots, I came back to the Nikon D3000. By no means will this model blow away the seasoned photographer, nonetheless it does cover the fundamentals and more. We picked it up and tried it out over the weekend.
First time DSLR users will take pleasure in the Guide Mode. It in a literal sense walked us through dissimilar shoot scenarios by way of the fixed 3″ LCD screen. An magnificent tool, it is step by step instructions permitted my niece to move from the operating booklet in no time. After a few more runs, I am sure that she will feel rather comfortable shooting in the manual mode. The quick shutter release was a nice surprise.
Upon completing two days of shooting with the Nikon D3000, I walked away impressed. In manual mode, indoor shots were a balanced and perfective mix of shadow and color. As usual with shooting in low light, noise will make an appearance. However this scheme may be tweaked to deliver a heap of outstanding indoor photographs. The bottom line is proper settings.
A basic fix is the VR (Vibration Reduction) feature located on the lens. This will have to be activated, exceptionally indoors. A tripod will surely help. In automati mode, just set the camera to night portrait and sit back and take delight in the rest of your flight.
Outdoor shots were vibrant, sharp and rich in color without editing. The onboard flash scheme was more than competent in meeting fill flash requirements. Without a doubt the overall performance of the camera, features and effigy quality is excellent.
With 10.2 megapixels to work with, I without apparent effort blew up a personal bestloved my niece had taken to 16″ x 20″. Even even though I don’t see myself marketing in my Nikon D300 for this model anytime soon, this camera is by far an upgrade over any of the souped up point and shoots out there.
Its easy to see that the real jewel in this model is the automati focus system. With six automati mode settings (Landscape, Sports, Child, Closeups, Portrait, and Night Portrait) each and each photograph may be a keeper. Onboard editing tweakers won’t be disappointed with this model. It covers the basics. The D3000 operates with both SD & SDHC cards.
The Nikon D3000 is paired with a Nikkor 18-55mm AF-S DX lens. It will operate with any Nikkor DX and AF-S lens. Older Nikkor or similar AF lens is a no go when shooting in automati but will function in manual mode. Since this model is not fitted with the built in optical effigy stabilizer, I commend switching on the Vibration Reduction (VR) feature located on the lens. Still the best anti vibration tool is a tripod.
Nikon makes it in truth simple with a thumb dial for tweaking aperture and shutter speed. Metering, focus modes, and exposure compensation are without apparent effort controlled by way of the menu. The D3000 does not shoot in video mode. This model effortlessly shoots over three frames per second in neverending mode. The 3D tracking sensor operates rather well in low lighting.
The Nikon D3000 camera kit comes packaged with a EN/EL3e Li-ion battery, charger, USB cable, video cable. strap, eye cap, eye cup, software CD-ROM, 18-55mm Nikkor lens, lens cap, instruction booklet and a one year Nikon warranty.
Coming out of the gate, I still find this model a little pricey for a basic DSLR. I am sure heading into the fall and holidays buyers will commence to see a noticeable price drop. Even so, the D3000 is a fine tuned alternate for the immensely frequent entry level Nikon D40. Newcomers to the DSLR community will surely receive pleasure from this outstanding alternative.
287 of 295 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent basi DSLR
By Alexis Coxon
My good old point-and-shoot camera (one of the Canon PowerShot series) had served me faithfully, but I was growing frustrated with it is limitations. It seemed SO slow — I was always missing outstanding shots of my kids. The low-light performance was not in particular good. And I knew if I ever wanted to take more than basic family snapshots, I was going to need to bite the bullet and buy a DSLR. But they seemed so intimidating!
After doing a ton of exploration online and attempting out my sister-in-law’s somewhat older Nikon D40, I settled on the new D3000. And I love it! It in truth is posing no difficulty to use than I could’ve imagined, and the shots I’ve gotten so far are amazing. I have no photographic training, but I am in truth delighted with the pictures I’ve been getting so far. I never could have imagined there would be SUCH a big difference. I’ve genuinely gotten -sharp- pictures of my toddler in motion, rather than just kid-shaped blurs! I took it to a local park last night for a couple hours and took some in truth nice photos there, too.
Some things you might want to know if you, like me, are new to DSLRs:
* Everything you need is in the box (flash, lens, camera body, camera strap, manual, etc.) -except- for a memory card. You’ll need to get an SD or SHDC card to use with your camera. These are rather affordable. Of course, you may WANT more lenses, etc., later, but the kit lens is very nice, and offers a decent amount of flexibility. I would suggest, however, get a lens filter to support protect the lens,
* The D3000 comes with a “Guide” — it helps you choose what effect you’re looking for (freeze motion, blur background, etc.) and then helps you pick the right settings. But even just on “auto” mode, it takes galore genuinely extremely pleasing pictures.
* Even as a comparatively little DSLR, it’s unquestionably larger and heavier than most point-and-shoots. This wasn’t a big issue to me, as I for the most part plan to use it at home, but if you want something you may stick in your pocket, a DSLR may not be for you. (I plan to keep my old point-and-shoot as a backup for times when I want something I may just stow in my purse.)
* The D3000 does not have “Live View,” where you may frame your shot in the LCD screen. I was a little concerned when it comes to this at first, but surprisingly, I’ve found that I genuinely don’t miss it at all. It likewise does not have video mode (which I find I don’t miss, either, because I’ve always hated taking videos with a camera! They come out all shaky for me.)
* The included printed manual is beauteous short and sweet. There is a manual on CD included that is much more complete. Neither, of course, genuinely explains DSLRs in depth or photographic principles, so if you’d in truth like to learn more in regards to using your camera to it is fullest, I’d suggest Digital SLR Cameras and Photography For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) and Digital Photography Workbook For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies)). The former does a outstanding occupation of explaining how your camera works, why DSLRs are dissimilar from point-and-shoots, how to care for your camera, and what accessaries you may want. The latter has tons of hands-on exercises to support you learn your way around your camera and improve your photography.
In short, if you’d like to jump into the DSLR pond, the D3000 is unquestionably an magnificent introduction. Come on in — the water’s great!
232 of 241 humans found the following review helpful.
Super user friendly beginner camera with outstanding AF system and effigy quality
By Enche Tjin
Nikon D3000 is Nikon beginner / entry level camera. It replaces Nikon D60. There are three major upgrade of D3000 from D60. There are 11 Auto focus scheme with dynamic tracking and 3D tracking. This AF scheme is the same as Nikon mid-range/enthusiast camera, D90. Also, the LCD screen has been enlarged to 3 inches from 2.5 inches. However, the screen solution remains the same at 230,000 dots. Also new is the Guide mode, this new mode is working as your tutor on basic photography. It helps you set up your camera, in the same time, it tells you when it comes to basic photography setting and concepts. Other than that, everything looks the same, buttons, placement, viewfinder and effigy quality/resolution.
It is an intermediate size for beginner DSLR camera. But if you are coming from compact camera, you might a bit surprise of the size. On the other hand, if you are coming from innovative DSLR cameras, then you will feel this camera is compact and light.
Nikon D3000 has a thumb dial, which you will use most of the time to change shutter speed and aperture. There are mode dial on the top of the camera. Several basic buttons such as playback, delete, menu, magnifiy/zoom, and exposure compensation. There is also a function (Fn) button on the left side, near the flash that you may custommake according to your need.
Coming from more advance Nikon camera like Nikon D90, what missing are the ISO button, Image Quality button, Release mode button, AF mode button and White Balance button. If you want to modify above settings, you need to go to shooting menu (green camera icon). I commend you to custommake the Fn button so you may change you bestloved button faster. I change my D3000 Fn button to ISO setting.
Build quality and Ergonomic
Nikon D3000 body is built by rugged plastic. There is texture in the grip area to see to it comfortable grip. The built quality of outer shell is the same or closely the same as Nikon D90. The divergence is there are more textured finish in Nikon D90 body. Ergonomically, it is good to hold, but the space among lens mount and the grip is pretty tight. If you mount more prominent lens or if you have big hands, then you might not feel it comfortable. Compare to Nikon D60, I noticed that the pistol grip is more curvy rather of pointy. This is a little betterment that you might appreciate.
LCD Screen
D3000 has 3 inches LCD screen with 230k resolution. This is considered basic, but the screen is clear, sharp. If you like to check on the details or pixel levels, it is best to check the images on your computer. In the bright light condition, this screen is comparatively good. There is minimal glare/reflection.
Nikon D3000 has 95% coverage and 0.8x exposure viewfinder. It is considered little for DSLR size, but for people who moves from superzooms or modern compact, this viewfinder are big and a lot clearer. Manual focusing is more challenging than the other Nikon’s more modern DSLRs.
Like Nikon D5000, Nikon D3000 does not have top LCD screen like D90 or more modern camera. Unlike numerous of challengers entry level DSLR cameras, Nikon D3000 does not have any live view feature.
Lens and Compatibility
Nikon D3000 comes with Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens. This lens has a plastic mount, but the effigy quality and the light is recommendable. It never get super sharp like pro grade lens, but pro grade lens might costs more than ten times, so 18-55mm VR is one of the best value lens out in the market.
The lens has effigy stabilization feature which is called Vibration Reduction (VR). It works well and quietly up to 3 stops. If you hold the camera tight and still, you may shoot up to a quarter second without motion blur.
Unfortunately, D3000 does not have built in focus motor in the camera, therefore, it can’t automati focus older lenses such as the venerable Nikon 50mm f/1.8 or the legendary Nikon 85mm f/1.4D. Lenses that compatible with this camera are lenses that has built in motor (usually has AF-S code on it) and for third party lenses, look for HSM (Sigma lens).
Image Quality and ISO
Nikon D3000 employs 10 megapixel effigy sensor. This sensor is a bit inferior than sensors in the D90 and D300. But still this is more adequate for huge print.
Image quality is splendid up to ISO 800. At 1600, a lot of noises begin to creep in exceptionally in shadow area. At 3200 (or Hi setting), the effigy is unacceptable only for very little print of web.
If you turn on Noise Reduction or NR (unfortunately no low-medium-strong option), the camera with smooth out the noises, but the effigy become softer and lose a heap of details. If you concern when it comes to the lost of details, I suggest you to shoot with NR off, and then take care the images with effigy editing software to treat the noise.
Like other Nikon DSLR cameras, D3000 likewise has Auto ISO limiter. You may efficaciously limit the ISO and minimum shutter speed. The Auto ISO works very well and exact most of the time. My bestloved way to use this is to set the camera to Auto ISO, and then use Aperture mode and let the camera adjust the rest for me.
D3000 does not have 1/3 stops ISO increments, so you only may set ISO to the regular base level or 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 (HI). But to be fair, most of the entry level DSLR cameras does not have that too.
Auto Focus and Continuous burst
The new 11 AF points are miles better than old 3 points AF system. It helps a lot in composition and fortunately, it also comes with dynamic tracking and 3D tracking which is outstanding for moving objects and sports. The automati focus is very fast and responsive. However, D3000 has only 3 frame per second, so you might miss a heap of shots when shooting sports or fast moving objects.
Guide Mode
Nikon’s Guide mode is a tutor for sheer beginner. It does a good occupation on helping you to set up the camera and likewise help you to get the best setting for peculiar kind of photography. For example, when you choose sports mode, it suggest you to set high shutter speed to eliminate motion blur.
Guide mode is fundamentally a super duper friendly menu that comprises of three major options: Shooting, playback and camera setup. Shooting menu (the most crucial of all), separated into two, easy operation and innovative operation.
Easy operation comprises of Auto, no flash, distant subjects, sleeping faces (children), moving subjects, landscapes, portrait, and night portrait.
Advanced operation comprises of soften background, freeze motion (people) and freeze motion (vehicle). Unlike the popular mode, Guide mode explains to you what kind of setting is necessary for peculiar kind of photography, so you may gain clear or deep perception and psychological result of perception learning and reasoning of basic photography concept.
However, keep in mind that even though his guide menu is very helpful, but it does not replace basic photography course or seminar.
Photo Retouch
D3000 offers numerous basic camera processing such as quick retouch (camera mechanically heighten or optimize the image). Miniature effect which is fun to play with. Basically you will need to choose a point in the image, and then the rest of the effigy will be blurred, giving a depth of field illusion.
Other basic retouches are likewise available such as crop/trim, filter effects, color balance, BW, sepia, etc. The downside is the processing time of one effigy could take up to 10 seconds.
Conclusion
I applaud Nikon for D3000 because the design is very user friendly through Guide Mode. With the aid of this mode, beginners will capable to learn basic photography faster. Various photo retouches ignite creative thinking and fun. I also love the the installment of 11 AF scheme which is normally reserved for higher end cameras. D3000′s contenders does not have this sophisticated AF system.
On the other hand, Nikon D3000 have two main weaknesses, introductory it does not have built-in AF motor for older but great lenses. D3000 also does not have live view mode which in truth may support tremendously in focusing those old lenses.
If you have Nikon D60 you might want to look for more progressed camera such as Nikon D90 or D300. However, if you have Nikon D40 or compact cameras, this camera is a very good upgrade choice.
In short, Nikon D3000 is a solid camera for beginner that is simple, fun, and has outstanding effigy quality. It is unquestionably worth your money.
Subjective Rating – Relative to entry level DSLR cameras
Image Quality : 4/5
Features : 4/5
Performance : 5/5
Body and Handling : 4/5
Value for Money : 4/5
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