Easy-To-Use-Featuring Nikon Guide Mode
Intuitive controls and the on-board Guide Mode assist you every step of the
Customer Reviews
Camera - Sep 02, 2010
Camera has great picture quality and is really easy to use. Shipping was really fast.
Fabulous, light and accessible - Sep 01, 2010
I love my new D3000. I've only recently gotten big into photography, and after having joined the college Photography Society and playing with what they had, as well as stealing my father's Olympus on occasion for our trips around Ireland, I NEEDED to get my own camera. As described, it's lighter than the Canon and perfect for someone just starting off with digital photography, and is sick of the regular point and shoots. Can't stop me from snapping now!
The wrong camera to buy... - Aug 30, 2010
I read the early reviews and it looked like a nice replacement for my d40x (which i had given to my daughter). Nice camera when first holding but image quality is gravely lacking. My d40x took somewhat better pictures (they should have been the same as they use the same sensor and this is just a repackaged d40x). The problem. I'm not sure, but blur, softness, inconsistency and lack of detail/sharpness are no fun. I've tried many lens'. The software is somehow flawed. ADR which should have helped the camera slows it down terribly and does not significantly improve picture quality. (I get better pics from my S90 compact --- small sensor or not --- or ancient Pentax DSLR)).
The camera would have been somewhat disappointing a few years ago; in today's market it is unacceptable (picture quality and speed). For those interested in video and an excellent/tilting LCD, look elsewhere. Spend more and get the D5000. Better yet (and I'm a Nikon guy), get the Canon T2i.
Nikon really blew it; a D90 it is not. It's not even a Pentax K-X. Too bad.
Absolutely a great camera - Aug 19, 2010
In anticipation of becoming a new dad, I wanted to purchase a camera that would capture all the moments of my baby boy with great and reliable quality. So I decided to look into getting a DSLR camera. I did research on a variety of cameras, in particular one's from Cannon and Nikon. I wanted to buy a DSLR camera that was easy to use and at a reasonable cost. I decided to purchase the Nikon D3000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera based on the reviews I've read, and it fit my budget.
First off, I am not in anyway an expert in taking pictures, and I never used a DSLR camera before this purchase. So being the newbie with DSLR cameras, I found the Nikon D3000 10.2MP incredibly easy to use. The automatic focus has performed wonderfully in capturing clear and sharp images. The picture quality of this camera is 10X better than my old digital pocket camera as expected. There are still a lot of options on this camera I have yet to explore, but I can tell I'm going to have a lot of fun figuring out how those options can help take even better shots.
The only issue I have with this camera, and I guess with all DSLR's in general, it's a bit of a pain to take around because of its bulkiness. But other than that, I absolutely recommend this camera, especially for first time users of DSLR cameras, like me.
And so far, I haven't missed a perfect shot of my new son.
Great product Highly reccommended - Aug 18, 2010
Im brand new with using SLR camera's, yet this one is simple and produces amazing pictures. I definitely recommend this camera.
Great Value; Superior Lens - Aug 18, 2010
I was in the market for a Digital SLR after having a Sony P & S for about 5 years. The Sony was fine but I had always had a rather sophisticated film camera and wanted the flexibility again offered by manual overrides. I have been pleased, the camera is easy to use although I really have not mastered the details thus far, but they are there. What is lacking is a way to learn them, I have been planning on attending a course but as yet have not found one that fit my schedule or location. I now have three lenses; a wide angle zoom, the standard zoom and a telephoto zoom and haven't even figured when to use which one.
Will check back in when I learn more.
A Great Investment Into Saving Memories! - Aug 16, 2010
I love the camera! I just recently bought the nikon case to go with it and I can't wait to take it off to college! It is definitely worth the money. It may take a few times to become an expert using it, but the results are awesome!
Easy to Start - Aug 15, 2010
Bought this camera for my daughter (16 yrs old) who found it very easy to use and has been carrying it around since it arrived! The shipping was quite good also - arrived before the estimated date.
Great Camera! - Aug 12, 2010
I'm still learning all the features of the camera, but so far it exceeds my expectations. The picture quality is fantastic. It is very user friendly. There are a few things that are a little too technical for me, but it's not a big deal. I love this camera and would highly recommend it for the casual photographer!
Nikon D3000 - Aug 08, 2010
This product is amazing, it is incredibly easy to use and simplistic in design. I would recommend this product to any one who is interested in photography whether it is as an armature or as a professional.
I love this camera - Aug 06, 2010
Many blogs conclude the D3000 to be a poor-man's DSLR since it's a feature-stripped version of other Nikon's. Although this is true, (I really wish it had auto-bracketing & live preview would be nice) I sincerely love this camera as-is.
I upgraded from my Konica-Minolta Z4 point-and-shoot almost a year ago and I've never looked back. For me, price was an issue and the D3000 was the best value. With the money I saved I was able to purchase 2 additional lenses.
The jump in quality, performance, power and flexibility that this camera can do has created in me a thirst for photography. I love the extended range of pictures I can now take with my 35mm portrait and 55-200mm zoom lens.
The D3000 is one of the first Nikon's with the largest screens as well as Guide mode. If your upgrading from a PNS you'll appreciate it. However, if you can get a handle around the relationship between ISO, shutter speed, aperture and EV your visual world will change as you know it - plus you'll get more out of any camera you own.
Good camera - Aug 03, 2010
Good camera, easy to use with you are familiar with photographing.
I just warn you that the display does not show you the image when you are shooting (live mode), just after you clicked.
Might not sound like a big deal.
But all you friends and, mainly you girlfriend, will complaint all the time that they can't see very well "through this little hole"
A great entry level DSLR - Jul 30, 2010
For anyone just starting out, this is a great camera for a great price to learn on. Beginners will also appreciate shooting in "guide mode" which is a basic walkthrough. The camera does have limitations, it is a very "no frills" product. In the digital age of point and shoots, most consumers are used to seeing live viewing on the back panel LCD screen. Meaning, what you see on the screen is the photo that will be captured. Nikon states that a beginner will create better shots by looking directly through the view finder, while I agree with this statement, I still think that for the price, people should have the option of both. Battery life, I find to be excellent. And as with all Nikons I've used, once one knows how to function the camera, picture quality is unsurpassed. This kit lens is also great to learn on, but after a couple of weeks of use, I think most people will find it to be severely limiting. Especially in creative photography. For anyone limited in financial resources, I would recommended buying this camera and slowly upgrading to better lenses. If you can spend over 1000$ I would, hands down recommend the Nikon d90 with the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Telephoto Zoom Lens. For midrange, the Nikon D5000 with an 18-200mm lens. But if you're strapped for cash, pick up this d3000 and also the Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Zoom Nikkor Lens for around 200 and as long as one keeps the price they spent in mind, I think they will be very happy with their purchase. (I just added pictures, so you don't have to take my word for it, you can see for yourself! Happy shopping!)
great starting camera - Jul 30, 2010
This is a great starting camera. I bought it for my son digital class and he is doing great with it. The only negative in the camera is that you can not shoot pictures using the camera screem. However, that is a future in more advance Nikon models.
This camera blows - Jul 28, 2010
I've had this camera for 6 months now and decided to go back to using my 6MP Kodak point and shoot since it's too late to return it. This is the most piece of crap camera for your money that you can buy. It shoots terrible at high ISOs, terrible enough that the grain from the pictures can't even be corrected with Photoshop. If you plan on shooting indoors in normal or ambient lighting conditions, don't buy this camera. It's ridiculous how frustrating the controls on this camera are. On mine, say I want to change from A (aperture) mode to something else, like M (manual). In order to display the settings I can change with the thumb wheel, I have to completely shut the camera off and turn it on again in order for the display to change between modes. Nothing shows up in the viewfinder either, for when I want to quickly change minor settings while shooting. Oh, and good luck if you ever want to remove the lens or switch them out. Takes me a good 20 minutes to line up each lens perfectly and get them back onto the camera. I hate this camera and it's probably one of the most disappointing things I have every purchased.
Great camera!! - Jul 25, 2010
Great camera!! Very simple to use and outstanding picture quality. This camera affords you the opportunity to simply "point and shoot" using the auto focus feature which is great for camera illiterate people such as myself that wanted to take better pictures without going through photography school.
Loves everything except the colors - Jul 23, 2010
The ONLY thing that will stop me from giving this product 5 stars is my own issue with the colors, I have no idea if my setting messed the colors that I was wanting to have or if the camera itself isn't functioning the way I was hoping it will. I've had this camera 9 months now & what I've discovered about it is that by time the performance of the camera progresses and that all depends on how often do you use it, I think its the type of camera who needs continues maintenance in order to perform better that and the fact that it was my very first DSLR camera.
Well I have a friend who owns a Nikon D60 and seeing the photos she's taken with it was the only reason that encouraged me to purchase a Nikon instead of Canon and the colors my friend took with her camera is absolutely stunning! I don't know what setting she has it on but I believe its on Auto mode since I've seen her take pic with that as her default setting and the result of the pic from quality and colors aspects were amazing! at first I thought she got them edited using photshop or that kind of programs but she told me that she didn't and the result still astonish me! I DO not say that the D3000 does not take good pic it does and I really enjoyed it but compare to the colors that my friend's D60 camera takes my camera seems dull and boring I want to know is it just the setting or is the D60 who is below the D3000 is a much better camera?? I'm really confused
A terrific choice for beginners - Jul 21, 2010
I've been a Nikon guy for years and I recently purchased this camera for my girlfriend. I shoot film and with a Nikon D90 and I have to say that I'm pretty impressed with the D3000. I have a pretty extensive and expensive kit but I typically find myself using the D3000 and it's plastic kit lens instead. It's incredibly lightweight and portable (for a DSLR). In good light, the D3000 produces sharp, colorful images that are practically indiscernible to my D90.
:: PROS ::
- Easy to figure out for beginners
- Gives you all of the essentials. Anyone that "needs" more features needs to work on their photo skills---not inventory.
- Great focusing system
- Meters correctly almost every time
- Sharp in good light
- Light and portable
- Very long battery life
:: CONS ::
- My word is this thing slow. You take a picture and it takes several seconds for it to show you a preview on the back. (Yes, I use a fast, Class 8 card)
- Screen is low resolution and pretty dim
- ISO performance is only okay. Still miles beyond point and shoots, but it's nothing compared to the D90.
- No internal focusing motor. This means that you can't use any older lenses without needing to focus manually. Basically, only buy the newer AF-S lenses.
:: SUMMARY ::
This is a great camera designed to help people step into the SLR world and get a feel for having more control over a photograph. It won't make you a better photographer but it will give you beautiful, accurately colored, sharp and high resolution photographs (in good light). Despite my ISO "con," it really does perform nicely in low light. Just don't rely on cranking ISO up... get more light instead. I highly recommend this.
:: INSTEAD ::
If you have a little more money to spend, maybe check out the D5000 instead. Still no internal focusing motor, but it gives you a better screen, video capabilities, and the same image sensor that's in the D90.
:: ALSO BUY ::
The kit lens that comes with this, while dinky and plastic, is actually pretty terrific. I'd also recommend checking out the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S for better low light performance and a shallower depth of field. People always notice shallow depths of field, like it, don't know how to explain it, and say "you have a great camera." It's the lens, not the camera.
From D40 to D3000 - Jul 19, 2010
I got this camera as a upgrade from my D40 and as soon as I started taking photos I noticed a big difference in the two! I love the focal points on this camera which allow for more creative shots, I also love the in-camera editing features. I needed a small DSLR because I have small hands, I thought the D3000 would be smaller then the D40 and although they feel the same in my hand the D3000 will not fit in my old D40 case.
The VR lens is great as well. I'm very happy I upgraded to this camera!
Worth the price - Jul 18, 2010
My husband saw the camera on sale in a store ad for $599. I went to a few electronic stores and the price was compatible. I went on line and found Amazon to be the cheapest and no shipping. The quality of the camera is great, easpy to navigate and takes great pictures.
Nicest Camera I have ever owned - Jul 17, 2010
The is the best camera I have every owned. The night photo of New york city from Empire state building are very awesome. I would really recommend this cam. Its really gr8 camera. I have Pentax slr digital style camera, but recently I took some pictures and the photos which I captured took were not satisfactory, so I was looking at SLR option and I purchased this. Recently I went to New york trip and this camera help me a lot to capture really very very nice photo.
nice - Jul 15, 2010
its a very good product and very reasonable price, love it n looking forward to do more business
From Novice to Great Pictures - Jul 09, 2010
I bought this camera after borrowing a co-worker's Nikon D60. I loved that camera and my friend had to pratically pry it from my hands. So after some research I took the plunge and ordered the Nikon D3000. The Nikon D3000 is a wonderful camera. I take it everywhere. It is extremely easy to use. I also purchased the Nikkor 55-200mm VR lens. I now am able to take stunning pictures. I took night photos of the Las Vegas strip, amazing. The animals at the San Diego Zoo photgraphed beautifully. I started out just using it in Auto mode. This past Fourth of July I took the leap into Manual mode and simply loved it. The pictures I took of the fireworks are fantastic. I might upgrade later to the D90, but until then the Nikon D3000 will go wherever I go.
Great Camera! - Jul 08, 2010
I am a newbie to the DSLR world and, being a technie, I researched the heck out of the cameras available at a beginner level for someone with a limited budget. The D3000 was the standout from all the cameras I looked at. Now that I have it and have used it, I must say it delivers! The colors are vibrant, detail is crisp, and the camera is so easy to use. Only thing missing is the ability to shoot videos, but if you really want/need that, you can get the D5000. If you are looking for a nice camera that won't break your bank, this is the one for you.
definately happy with my purchase - Jul 07, 2010
I am definately happy with my purchase, the controls and using the Dslr in more than simple settings does take getting used to. But anybody with a bit of photo-graphical knowledge should be able to get into the fairly easily.
Takes great pictures.
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