All Nikon DSLRs can produce quality images. For example, outdoor photographer Ken Rockwell says that he uses the entry-level D40 more than his other Nikons.
(Updated 2011 May, to include new camera models.)
Entry-level Consumer DX Format (D40, D60, D3000, D3100, D5000, D5100)
AF-I and AF-S autofocus only, no AF autofocus.
DX format image sensors are 24mm x 16mm in size. This gives the infamous 1.5x crop factor for lens focal lengths, because 24mm x 16mm is smaller than the standard 36mm x 24mm negative film size.
Cameras such as the D40, D60, D3000 and D5000 can deliver professional-quality images (they often use the same image sensor chip as more advanced models); but lack full AF lens compatibility. They will autofocus only with AF-I and AF-S autofocus lenses. AF lenses can be used but as manual focus lenses (manually turning the lens focus ring guided by the turn left/right indicators in the viewfinder).
This is not a major problem. Most of Nikon's new lenses are AF-S, including the 35mm f1.8 AF-S and 50mm f1.4 AF-S lenses.
While advertised as starter cameras, these are serious cameras with advanced features such as:
- Spot meter.
- Automatic and manual color balance (but no color temperature setting).
- Manual exposure mode.
- Fast 1/4000 seconds maximum shutter speed.
However they do lack:
- External battery grip (third party grips are available). An external battery grip provides a large, comfortable grip. AA alkaline batteries can also be used in an emergency.
- Wireless remote control of external Nikon flashes, using the built-in flash (Creative Lighting System master/commander mode). But Nikon external flashes mounted on the camera can be used to remotely control other Nikon flashes.
- Depth-of-field preview button.
- Top panel LCD display for quick overview of camera settings.
- High frames per second (fps, the number of photos taken in a second).
Nikon used to have one series of cameras in this range (D40, D60). However, they have now split into the D3000 and the slightly more advanced D5000 series. The D3000 lineage is:
- D40 (2006, 6 megapixels, 2.5 fps, IS0 1600)
- D40x (2007, 10 megapixels, 3 fps, ISO 1600)
- D60 (2008, 10 megapixels, 3 fps, ISO 1600)
- D3000 (2009, 10 megapixels, 3 fps, ISO 1600)
- D3100 (2010, 14 megapixels, 3 fps, ISO 3200, 1080p HD video)
The D5000 shares the same D40 and D60 lineage:
- D40 (2006, 6 megapixels, 2.5 fps, ISO 1600)
- D40x (2007, 10 megapixels, 3 fps, ISO 1600)
- D60 (2008, 10 megapixels, 3 fps, ISO 1600)
- D5000 (2009, 12 megapixels, 4 fps, ISO 3200, 720p HD video)
- D5100 (2011, 16 megapixles, 4 fps, ISO 6400, 1080p HD video)
The ISO rating listed above, refers to the maximum "speed" or light amplification the camera's image sensor can be set to. Generally, the higher the maximum ISO, the better. High ISO means that photos can be taken in the dark, without using flash.
It is possible for camera manufacturers to boost the ISO to arbitrarily high levels, at the expense of creating a lot of noise in the image. However, Nikon usually does limit the maximum ISO so that only a reasonable amount of noise is seen in the photo. Nikon also has higher ISO settings in their cameras, labeled H1 and H2. These higher or "extended" ISO levels have more noise and are for photographers to use at their own risk.
The maximum non-extended ISO rating of a Nikon DSLR, is therefore an important factor to consider when choosing a camera. Newer models usually have a higher maximum ISO rating (due to improved technology), or the same rating with more megapixels.
Advanced Consumer DX Format (D80, D90)
AF-I, AF-S and AF autofocus.
Older Nikon AF autofocus lenses require a motor in the camera to turn and focus the lens. Newer AF-I and AF-S autofocus lenses have the motor built into the lens.
Many of Nikon's large-aperture prime lenses (85mm f1.4, 105mm f2, 135mm f2) are not available with AF-I or AF-S autofocus (yet, if ever). If any of these lenses is to be used, the D80 and D90 are the cheapest cameras that will do the job with AF autofocus support.
There are also more buttons, for quick access to settings. This is important for photographers who don't trust the auto settings. Quick access can mean the difference between capturing and losing a fleeting image. Especially useful is the second command dial at the front of the hand grip. This sets lens aperture in manual exposure mode (the rear command dial sets the shutter speed).
Compared to entry-level DSLRs, additional features include:
- White balance setting by color temperature.
- Optional external battery grip.
- Wireless remote control of external flash using built-in flash.
- Depth-of-field preview button.
- Top panel LCD display for quick overview of camera settings.
- Better viewfinder (pentaprism instead of pentamirror, slightly clearer and higher magnification).
The D80 and D90 history is:
- D80 (2006, 10 megapixels, 3 fps, ISO 1600)
- D90 (2008, 12 megapixels, 4.5 fps, ISO 3200, 720p HD video)
Professional DX Format (D300, D300S, D7000)
AF-I, AF-S, AF autofocus plus AI manual focus support.
Auto Indexing (AI, AIS) manual focus lenses are still used by today's professionals. Some have no autofocus equivalents.
Exposure metering with manual focus lenses is difficult with the D90 and other consumer level cameras (no AI electro-mechanical sensor). Nikon cameras aimed at professionals, such as the D300, include full compatibility (AI exposure metering) with Nikon's AI manual focus lenses.
The D300 also includes professional features such as:
- 100 percent coverage viewfinder (non-professional DSLR viewfinders show about 95% of the actual image).
- Tougher body, to stand up to heavy daily use.
- Weatherproofing (not waterproof, only splash proof).
- Higher continuous shooting frame rate (photos per second).
- Slightly higher flash sync speed (1/250 seconds compared to 1/200 seconds for consumer models, except for the D40 which has a surprising 1/500 seconds).
- High 1/8000 seconds maximum shutter speed.
There is some confusion over where to place the D7000. Is it a D90 successor, a D300 successor, or something in between? A close look at its specifications (150,000 shutter cycle lifespan, 1/8000 seconds maximum shutter speed, 100% coverage viewfinder, twin SD memory card slots, 1/250 seconds flash sync, AI lens support) puts it firmly in the professional category. We can therefore tentatively place the D7000 in the D300 series family:
- D300 (2007, 12 megapixels, 6 fps, ISO 3200)
- D300S (2009, 12 megapixels, 7 fps, ISO 3200, 720p HD video)
- D7000 (2010, 16 megapixels, 6 fps, ISO 6400, 1080p HD video)
Professional FX Format (D700, D3, D3X, D3S)
AF-I, AF-S, AF autofocus plus AI manual focus support.
The FX format image sensor is a full-frame sensor. This means that unlike the smaller DX, it is the same size as 35mm film (36mm x 24mm). There is no 1.5x crop factor. The main advantage is better high-ISO noise performance (D700, D3, D3S) for low-light photography, or higher resolution (D3X).
The FX history is:
- D3 (2007, 12 megapixels, 9 fps, ISO 6400)
- D700 (2008, 12 megapixels, 5 fps, ISO 6400)
- D3X (2008, 24 megapixels, 5 fps, ISO 1600)
- D3S (2009, 12 megapixels, 9 fps, ISO 12800, 720p HD video)
Nikon Beginner Versus Professional DSLRs
Each step up in the Nikon range of digital bodies provides diminishing returns, resulting in a worse performance/price ratio (and more weight).
It is better to spend less on the camera, and more on lenses or a second body.
- Photos taken with different Nikon cameras are difficult to tell apart. However a photo taken with a 50mm f1.4 looks very different from one taken with a 18-55mm zoom.
- Changing lenses is slow and troublesome. Two bodies means that a second lens will be used more often.
Resources
- Best Digital SLR Camera, major brands compared
- Nikon and Canon Digital SLR Lenses, large-aperture primes explained
- Nikon DX Digital SLR Recommended Starter Lenses
- Nikon camera reviews at Digital Photography Review
Yuen Kit Mun - Kit Mun is a self-confessed information junkie, reading an average of a book a week over the past two decades. His growing Internet ...
Join the Conversation