Nikon D3000 Compact Entry Level DSLR
Nikon Updated The D60 DSLR Giving It A Larger LCD Screen
Aug 5, 2009
By using existing components from their parts bin Nikon have kept the anticipated price well below their newer entry level DSLR, the D5000.
The D3000 lacks some of the features of the D5000, most notably video capture mode, a unusual occurrence today when all it seems all other new DSLRs now include this feature, but then the D3000 is not really a new model.
Pro Level Budget Price
While the marketing department drives the D3000’s design, photographers do not lose out. Nikon DSLRs are all quality cameras and the D3000 can trace much of its hardware back to the D200. This was a top line Nikon DX format DSLR when it was released under four year ago at three times the price of the D3000.
The D300’s keen price aims it firmly point and shoot photographers looking for higher quality images at a value price in an easy to use package. The main alternatives are bridge or prosumer cameras that are often styled as DSLRs.
Testing In the Lab
Figure 3 below shows the results of a three-way comparison test, based on DXO labs testing, between Nikon’s new entry level camera the D5000 and the D60 which provides the basis for the D3000. The third camera is a similarly priced prosumer digital camera, the Nikon Coolpix P600. There is very little difference in real performance between the two DSLRs, but a huge gap in test results back to the Coolpix P600.
This backs up Nikon’s aim to provide an easy to use camera with simplicity of a point and shoot and a comparable price but with the potential image quality approaching that of a professional DSLR.
Who Is It For?
“The D3000 combines the best of both worlds, providing picture takers with the ease-of-use currently offered in point-and-shoot cameras alongside the speed, precision and exceptional results that have made Nikon D-SLRs so popular,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon Inc. “The D3000 offers everyone the ability to discover the superiority of D-SLR photography at an affordable price point. We look forward to enabling more consumers to explore the possibilities of D-SLR picture taking and, more importantly, capture life’s memories faithfully.”
Easy To Use
The D3000 exceeds the user friendliness of most point and shoot digital cameras with a photography guide built into the camera. It is like having a how to book in the camera and is viewed on the only major hardware upgrade in the D60 transition to D3000, the larger LCD screen.
Auto scene modes may be fine for a while but the Nikon Guide explains how the settings influence the final image. On the sample guide screen below it explains what changing the aperture will do to the depth of field of the image.
Part of the Nikon System
The scene modes and friendly user guides do not limit the D3000’s potential as it also has all the necessary modes for real photographers. With the confidence gained from the inbuilt guide photographers can explore Shutter Priority (S), Aperture Priority (A), and full manual (M) mode. The D3000 accepts the full range Nikon lenses, including their pro level optical wonders and hot shoe flashguns.
While the D3000 will use older Nikon lenses it does not have an autofocus motor in the camera body. Type G or D AF NIKKOR lense not equipped with an autofocus motor are focused manually.
Price and Availability
The D3000 outfit, including the versatile AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR image stabilization lens, is scheduled to be available at Nikon Authorized dealers beginning in late August 2009 at an estimated selling price of $US599.95
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