Nikon Digital Slr Camera Best Review

This is a great Digital Camera. I own the Nikon D80 and wanted to get a DSLR for my wife as she has been interested in photography.
This camera is a little smaller and very easy to use. We really enjoy the on screen programing on the back of the camera. The D3000 does not come with the live view but that really does not make a difference as if you are taking real photos you want to use the viewfinder and not live view. The quality of the picture are very good and very comparable to the D80. We like the ease of use and the best part is that the lens are interchangeable so we did not have to go out and spend a $1000 on new lens. If you really want a great camera that will work for most amateur or semi pros this is a great camera. It takes great pictures, easy to use and is very fast. It size really makes it a very easy to carry around too. Battery life is incredible, over 600 shots outside. I actually find myself using it more that my D80 when I am just running around taking shots.

I bought the Nikon D3000 body to use with a 50mm 1.8D Nikkor AF lens because I expected to get better pictures in low light with the 1.8. I was unpleasantly surprised to learn that the 1.8, which is labeled an autofocus lens, will not autofocus on the D3000 body because the D3000 does not have a built-in autofocus motor. The reason for this omission, I was told, is to make the D3000 body more compact.

The designers at Nikon are undoubtedly aware of this omission, but I suspect a lot of D3000 purchasers are not. Buyers who purchase the kit lens and other lenses with built-in autofocus motors won't notice this problem unless they try to attach a lens that does not have built-in autofocus.

Though I had it only a couple of days, the D3000 body seemed solid to me, and I liked the way the shutter speed, f-stop, and other information were displayed on the LCD screen prior to taking a photograph, but anyone buying this camera should be aware that it autofocuses only with lenses that have a built-in autofocus motor, and there are a number of Nikon and Nikon-mount lenses that do not have this feature.

I returned the D3000 body and am looking to purchase a compact digital SLR that autofocuses with all autofocus lenses. Because the D3000 does not, I cannot give it more than three stars.

I purchased this item but never got it. I had to go out and buy it at a local store... but that's another story.

I have to say, this camera is a great introduction DSLR for people who want to get into photography but don't have that much or any experience taking photographs and don't want to get a second mortgage to buy a new camera.

Sure, there are bigger and better cameras out there but this one has pretty much everything a newbie could/would ever need. I would suggest spending some extra cash on better optics before a bigger camera. A good lens is a good investment since you can use it with your new camera if and when you decide to upgrade to a bigger camera (i.e. D300 or D700).

Long story short... if you're just starting in photography or upgrading from a point and shoot... this is your best bet. If y

Definitely an improvement over the D40. The sensor cleaning is a great addition. A fine camera without a surfeit of unneeded features. I recommend strongly.