Cameras, Editor's Picks, Reviews, Digital Camera
What's the Best Digital SLR Camera for Beginners?
Advice: Our current favorite among beginner models is the Nikon D5000. It's not the cheapest -- even from Nikon -- but it has great room to grow. The D5000 is very similar to the company's pricier D90 camera and comes with one significant upgrade: An articulating, 2.7-inch LCD screen allows you to frame the photo while holding the camera above your head, down at your waist, or even facing towards you for a self-portrait. That gives it a leg up on Canon's Digital Rebel line of entry-level SLRs.
The LCD is especially handy when using the D5000's video-capture feature, since you don't have to hold the camera right up to your nose while shooting. The 720p HD movies it takes don't match the crisp images you can get with a dedicated high-def camcorder, but they make a fun supplement to the excellent 12-megapixel still photos.
Colors in those pictures are very detailed: The D5000 captures subtleties in hue that other cameras might miss, for example. But colors do appear a bit muted in the default 'Natural' setting. Switching to the 'Vivid' mode fixes that, or you can adjust individual settings manually.
Exposure quality was also excellent. The D5000 accurately gauges complex lighting (such as a bright afternoon with deep shadows under trees) so that no part of a photo appears too dark or too light. And Nikon's adjustable D-Lighting effect can further brighten up dark areas, if needed.
Like Canon's DSLRs, Nikon's camera uses a high-end sensor technology called 'CMOS' that produces crisp photos in low light. But some cheaper entry-level SLRs, including Nikon's new D3000, have an older technology, called CCD, that doesn't work as well. (The D3000 also lacks an articulating LCD screen and video capture.)
The controls and interface are serviceable. We like the circle on the LCD that fills in or opens up to indicate the aperture setting. Our one gripe is the three-step process of pressing the 'i' button, using a directional pad to select a setting on the screen, and then pressing 'OK' before you can start making adjustments. But we got used to it after a little practice.
The D5000 kit comes well equipped with a decent 18-55-millimeter, anti-shake zoom lens, a "hot shoe" for attaching a larger flash than the little built-in unit, and an HDMI output for sending photos and high-def videos straight to an HDTV. It also has a jack for Nikon's GPS receiver, so you can automatically add location data to photos. The D5000 takes all relatively modern Nikon lenses that have built-in autofocus motors. Or you can manfully focus any of the older, simpler lenses.
The camera-and-lens kit lists for $850. You can find the body alone for about $750.
Gallery: Nikon D5000
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt said 3:22PM on 8-24-2009
I'd say for a beginner get a DSLR without live-view, so you are forced to learn to take photos properly rather than like a point & shoot. Canon 1000D or Nikon D60 are both great picture takers and quality bases to build up on.
Seems a bit strange to not focus on image quality and useability but HD video and live-view swivel gimmicks.
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LloydChiro said 3:19PM on 10-07-2009
I just bought my first DSLR. At first I was going to get the new Pentax K-x because of all of its new features. In anticipation of getting into SLR photography, I bought an old 1970s film Pentax with a superb 50mm prime lens. This camera is completely manual, and feels like a precision instrument in your hand. After learning photography on this camera for a week, I took another look at the new Pentax, and it looked like a hunk of plastic in comparison. The Canons and Nikons did too. I was spoiled. I canceled my order, and took a second look at the small Olympus cameras--I can't afford the Pentax K-7 yet. So, I ordered the Olympus E-450 because it has that compact, squared off style and feel. For $400 with two lenses, I love it. One of the kit lenses zooms in to 300mm at a 35mm equivalent. The only problem is that there is too much depth of field. Too little bokeh.
I still aspire to own the Pentax K-7.
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