Nikon D3000 Digital SLR Camera In Depth Review

Verdict

Clearly intended for the beginner DSLR user, the D3000 delivers both in quality and ease of use. With a price tag of well under $600, there isn’t much question of the relative value of the D3000. The D3000 provides a fun and simple photographic experience while possibly enabling the user to learn a thing or two about photography via its “Guide Mode”

Pros

• Lightweight and sturdy.
• Comfortable.
• Easy user interface.
• Guide mode.
• Very good image quality (at lower ISO).
• Fast and accurate 11 point AF system.

Cons

• Sight Shutter lag.
• Takes some time for buffer to clear.
• Lack of grip material.
• Flimsy battery and card door.
• 230K LCD lacks resolution.
• Smallish viewfinder (though competitive).
• Images on the noisy side at higher ISO.
• Lack of HD Movie mode.
• No Live View.
• Limited to AF-S lenses (or similar from non-Nikon lenses).

Conclusion

As stated above, we like this camera quite a bit for the beginner DSLR user. The D3000 delivers in both ease of use and image quality. And while maintaining a good degree of simplicity, it is surprisingly equipped to provide a fun and high quality shooting experience. That said it doesn’t include Live View and by technical extension, the ability to shoot HD movies, both features being close to mandatory on all new DSLR cameras these days. In use, the camera performs quite well hampered only by its low resolution LCD which makes checking focus more difficult than it should be, and occasionally it’s slowed down while its buffer cleared. Outside of that, the D3000 makes for a great partner to start the journey that is DSLR photography. Slightly more skilled photographers might want to compare it with some of its competitors, but for newcomers to DSLR cameras, the Nikon D3000 is definitely “Highly Recommended”.

Build Quality: 9/10
Features: 8/10
Functionality: 8/10
Image Quality: 8/10
Overall Value: 8.5/10

Purchase the Nikon D3000

The Nikon D3000 is available at your favorite camera retailers. We get all of our photography gear at B&H Photo, and of course highly recommend making your purchases there as well. They’ve got great service, selection, and prices, and most cameras (including the D3000) ship for free for additional savings. Making your purchases through the following links helps to support this site.

• D3000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens at B&H with Free Shipping
• D3000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens at Amazon

Continue Reading This Review:

1. Introduction
2. Specifications
3. Design and Interface
4. Performance
5. IQ and Playback
6. Verdict
7. Image Samples

Continue the Discussion

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1. 

   Kylie Couric says:

   January 25, 2010 at 3:09 am

   Nikon is really cool… i really have to save up for a DSLR. I would love to take my photography to a higher level and really practice on it. right now my photography is mainly self-portraiture. I think i will not go wrong choosing Nikon in the future.

   reply
   • 

     shine says:

     April 18, 2010 at 2:18 pm

     try d5000 its better than d3000.

     reply
2. 

   ARtem says:

   April 17, 2010 at 6:19 am

   Nikon is really cool!!!

   reply