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Nikon D3000 reviews
You can find here the most interesting reviews / ratings from the well-known expert sites about the Nikon D3000 Camera. Here are the reviewers:
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- 30 October 2009 - |
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- 4 |
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- 30 October 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 24 October 2009 - |
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- 4 |
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- 22 October 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 06 October 2009 - |
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- 4 |
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- 30 September 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 24 September 2009 - |
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- 4 |
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- 21 September 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 20 September 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 26 August 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
RegHardware 's conclusion / rating - 30 October 2009 |
“ Testing the D3000 was more fun than expected. It’s packed with features a novice will appreciate, while performing like a much more professional model. The feel of the camera is just what you want from a small DSLR: light and compact with intuitive handling and a solid build. That said, it’s a shame Nikon decided not to include a movie facility or Live View mode, as this might adversely influence the popularity of this otherwise great little camera. Nevertheless, Nikon has released its most beginner-friendly and accessible DSLR to date and, thanks to its terrific performance, intelligent new features and affordable price, it’s certainly one of the best deals on the market... ”
RegHardware's rating: |
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- 4 |
Complete review here
Imaging Resource 's conclusion / rating - 30 October 2009 |
“ While it's the least expensive digital SLR in the lineup, the Nikon D3000 has quite a few new features, including a higher resolution sensor, a revamped but still simple body, an image-stabilized kit lens, and a new Guide mode.
Despite its good printed performance, the Nikon D3000 produced quite oversaturated color, and had several very bright hot pixels across the frame, something that's very unusual among cameras we test. We were also put off by the Nikon D3000's difficult focusing system which randomly decided to front focus too often in our shooting, around ten percent of the time, off by as much as 30 feet!
Guide mode, while it's probably useful to some, is probably too slow to be used often, requiring too many decisions before taking your first shot under its influence. In a world where most people are too distracted by their subject to even use a Scene mode, this menu-driven assistant is likely to get little use.
When it worked, though, the AF system was good, and the Nikon D3000's VR lens did a good job damping vibration, enabling hand-held shots at pretty low shutter speeds. The lens itself showed some softness and chromatic aberration in the corners--certainly not unexpected in a kit lens, though.
The Nikon D3000 is not a camera we'll recommend to serve as a backup camera for most semi-pro users, though. Its lack of a mechanical link to drive older Nikon lenses is one factor for those users to consider, but the unreliable autofocus and high color saturation, plus the hot pixels, would dissatisfy the more discriminating shooter.
Overall, though, the Nikon D3000 did well enough that it would serve a consumer who would usually confine his printed output to 8x10, as they'll likely like the brightly saturated color and seldom encounter the more pronounced noise at higher ISOs. Watch your focus, though, and make sure that you don't move the AF point accidentally. Ultimately, the Nikon D3000 is a good digital SLR, but doesn't rise to the level of a Dave's Pick... ”
Imaging Resource's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
CameraLabs 's conclusion / rating - 24 October 2009 |
“ When Nikon launched the D5000 as its new ‘affordable’ DSLR, it left a big gap for a true budget model to replace the ageing D40, D40x and D60. Now that model’s arrived in the form of the D3000, and as expected, it inherits much from its predecessor, along with picking a few upgraded components from higher-end models.
As such, the D3000 employs the body and sensor of the earlier D60, adds a bigger screen and swaps the basic 3-point AF system for the considerably more sophisticated 11-point AF system (not to mention the useful viewfinder grid-lines) of the D5000 and D90.
The headline new feature though is the Guide mode, which despite a few missed opportunities, really does make the D3000 the most approachable DSLR to date. Coupled with the existing context-sensitive help system, the D3000 is arguably the best choice for first-time DSLR owners.
But like its predecessor, the D3000 eschews a number of features which could frustrate more sophisticated owners over time. There’s no exposure bracketing, no depth-of-field preview, no autofocus on older lenses and no battery grip (at least from Nikon anyway), while some settings can take an unnecessary number of clicks to access. We know the D3000 is primarily aimed at beginners who won’t care about any of this, but equally there’s a number of enthusiasts who are looking for a DSLR on a tight budget who’ll be put off.
While Nikon proudly markets the D3000’s ease-of-use at DSLR beginners and those upgrading from a point and shoot camera, it also can’t hide the fact there’s no Live View or movie mode facility. The latter may not be available on budget DSLRs quite yet, but Live View is expected by many buyers who’ve become used to framing with a screen. Embarrassingly for Nikon, Live View has also been a standard fixture on entry-level DSLRs from Canon and Olympus for well over a year. Indeed it was notable by its absence on the earlier D60, which makes it even more painful not to find it here on a mid-2009 model.
Of course Live View may not matter to you, and it doesn’t seem to have harmed sales of Nikon’s earlier entry-level DSLRs, but for better or worse, it’s a feature many new buyers look out for, and one that’s crucially on some of the competition.
Ultimately though the Nikon D3000 is an ideal choice for DSLR beginners or first-time owners who can live without Live View. The Guide mode and help system are unrivalled for friendliness and approachability, while behind the scenes are powerful metering and AF systems which ensure a high success rate. As such the D3000 easily comes Recommended for beginners, but anyone who’s already familiar with DSLRs or simply wants Live View on a budget may find the Canon EOS 1000D / XS a better overall choice... ”
Complete review here
TrustedReviews 's conclusion / rating - 22 October 2009 |
“ The Nikon D3000 is pretty much the perfect entry-level DSLR. It offers robust build quality, excellent handling, superior performance and good image quality, while leaving out superfluous gimmicks like video and live view. The Guide mode will help newcomers discover the basics of SLR photography, while a good range of manual options, as well as the excellent metering and AF systems, will provide plenty of scope for more experienced users... ”
TrustedReviews's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
LetsGoDigital 's conclusion / rating - 06 October 2009 |
“ In terms of settings, the Nikon D3000 provides plenty of application possibilities for the amateur or novice photographer. We can live with the lack of Live View, video and a tilting LCD monitor (D5000) since this does not have any effect on the image quality. If you have outgrown your compact camera and just want more image quality, and really want to delve into your creativity, the Nikon D3000 will be a great camera for you!... ”
LetsGoDigital's rating: |
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- 4 |
Complete review here
DigitalCameraInfo 's conclusion / rating - 30 September 2009 |
“ The title of "Least Expensive Nikon SLR" passes from the increasingly antiquated D40 to more full-featured D3000, which in addition to gaining an impressive two decimal places over its predecessor, steps up from 6.1 to 10-megapixel resolution, adds Nikon's dust cleaning system, and ships with an image-stabilized VR lens. Great steps forward, certainly, but no leaps beyond the basics either. The D3000 doesn't offer Live View mode. Despite the fact that this is an entry-level camera, they've actually removed many of the scene modes provided in the D5000.
The most noteworthy innovation here is Guide mode, a step-by-step on-screen guide to entering appropriate settings. Some of the features are redundant and/or confusing, but particularly when it comes to shooting options, the Guide system makes a handy learning assist.
Bottom line, there isn't much to applaud here. If you're hot for access to Nikon lenses and can't afford a more sophisticated rig, the D3000 will get the job done. Our image quality testing didn't turn up any major trouble spots, but there was no particular strength either. In fact, the Canon Rebel XS, which carries the same list price, turned in better scores across the board, and offers Live View mode as well... ”
DigitalCameraInfo's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
ePhotozine 's conclusion / rating - 24 September 2009 |
“ I think for the first time user wanting to get into DSLR photography, this is a lovely camera to start with. It's easy to use, has a good build quality and has some cool features such as the guide mode and miniature effect.
I'm disappointed to see the lack of live view and video mode simply because these are features that the intended market are used to having on their cameras. Still, Nikon have shown some spirit as this will force newcomers into using a DSLR as it was originally intended.
Take a look at the video review on ePHOTOzine.tv before you make your mind up, but this is squaring up to be a nice little camera... ”
Complete review here
PhotographyBay 's conclusion / rating - 21 September 2009 |
“ As I said in the introduction, the Nikon D3000 is a great little camera. The only question that you have to answer is: Does it work for you?
If you want an affordable, simple DSLR as a step up from a point and shoot camera, then the Nikon D3000 deserves your consideration. Sure, you could step up to the D5000, which offers a couple more megapixels and can shoot 720p HD video; however, I suspect that few D5000 buyers will find satisfaction in the camera as a dual purpose machine. The megapixel disparity is inconsequential.
The D3000 is easy to get to know, yet there’s a lot more to it once you start growing as a photographer. This camera has the potential to grow with you for a long time. I have to admit that I was a little put off by the camera’s simplicity at first; however, once I started shooting with it and using different lenses and accessories like the AF-S 50mm f/1.4 and SB-600 speedlight, I really enjoyed shooting with the D3000.
At the current price of $550, the D3000 is definitely worth the price of admission... ”
PhotographyBay's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
DCResource 's conclusion / rating - 20 September 2009 |
“ Despite a few image quality issues. feature omissions, and bundle frustrations, the Nikon D3000 is a very nice entry-level digital SLR. For under $600 you get a compact and capable camera that's remarkably easy to use, and when you're ready for manual controls and nicer lenses, the D3000 will be waiting. The D3000 earns my recommendation, though be sure to use that comparison table at the top of the review to see if it's worth spending a bit more for the D5000's feature set... ”
Complete review here
PhotographyBLOG 's conclusion / rating - 26 August 2009 |
“ As with the Nikon range topping D3x, with the D3000 at the very opposite end of the scale, its manufacturer is again providing the photographer (fledgling in this case) with their own virtual 'wingman', delivering essential aid whilst leaving them to get on with the business of taking photos.
Shame there's no movie facility (HD or otherwise), HDMI output, tilting LCD or Live View mode, all features becoming increasingly ubiquitous and thus now expected on a new DSLR, particularly as the first two are now featuring on £249-£300 point and shoot compacts – on which the rear screen can be used for shot composition anyway. By including Live View however Nikon might have had a world-beater on its hands, though we can appreciate the need to differentiate further the D3000 from models higher up the range.
If we're being overly critical of what is 'just' a budget or starter model it's probably because, Intelligent Guides and hand holding aside, it literally doesn't feel like one. It's a solid model in every sense of the word that should see the amateur photographer through years of happy service.
It should also save those upgrading from a point and shoot the need to invest in an evening course to learn the technical side of photography – or at the very least prevent the need to fully digest the supplied manual – something most of us, if we're being honest, never truly bother with anyway. Overall then, the Nikon D3000 is worthy of a coveted Photography Blog "Highly Recommended" award. A few more features next time though Nikon, and you might truly have something to shout about... ”
PhotographyBLOG's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
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