Hey everyone,

Been on & off S2KI for couple years now, but I am new to this part of the S2KI forums.

Here's my situation: My 5 years-old Kodak point & shoot is dying on me. Needless to say I am in the market for a new digital camera. I have always wanted an SLR, but the price tag had been keeping me away. After doing some reading, I decided on either Nikon D40 or D5000. While CNet's review of the D5000 is all about praises, people here tend to prefer D40. If I am not mistaken, D60 has been discontinued and it's not much better than D40.

What are your thoughts on the D5000? Or should I save $300 and get D40 instead? I want a camera that will produce sharp, colorful images (even in low light), and last me at least another 5 years.

Much appreciated!

 

If money is an issue go with the D40... there is nothing the D5000 has that really justifies the price difference. The video is crap and who cares that the LCD tilts.

If money isn't an issue go with the D90. The difference between the D40, D5000 (low end consumer cameras) and the D90 (entry level pro you could argue) is the D90 has a lot more buttons to access features. The D90 is going to allow you to adjust all the fancy features much quicker than navigating the menus of the D5000, D40. Basically it get less in your way...

The D90 also has gen II image processing like the D5000 so you will tend to get a little better color and dynamic range than the D40.

Also forget about MP unless your printing something 10 feet wide. 6MP will give you plenty of resolution.

Sharpness = lens
Low light get an FX body

 

D90 is outside my price range. I am not ready to spend 1k+ on an SLR yet, simply because I don't have the skills to go with it.

BTW, what's an FX body?

 

Full frame. The sensor is actually 35mm. D700 D3 D3X

Low Light performance = High ISO Noise performance and how big your lens can open (aperture)

High ISO Noise Quality is factored by the pixel density. So 12MP spread across 25mm has a higher pixel density than 12MP spread across 35mm. That's why full frame cameras have better noise quality. This plus digital processing which is about the same in the D5000 D90, D700, D3.

 

Wow good info. Learn something new everyday in the photography stuff!

 

I don't think you ever stop learning... That's partly why it is so much fun.

Good luck with whatever you buy! Post up some pics when you do!

 

So true!

 

They should make a sticky of all the terms used in photography with a definition for us newbies.

I think I am sold on the Sony A350 but still not sure yet. The D5000 is a nice camera.

 

I think people focus too much on the camera body... Yea D5000 is more pimp than a d40 but use the extra money to focus on somethign that matters like a good lens... or use the money to go buy a nice flash that you can actually bounce... Get a used D40 for 300 bucks and spend 600 on a good lens.

Ehh its a tuff call cause I felt the same way when i got into photography. I HAD to have the d70s over the d70...

Either way D40, D5000, Sony, Canon, whoever best of luck getting started!

 

Thanks for the advice!

After browsing a bit on eBay, I put in a bid for $300 for D60 kit. Yeah, it's a D60. I figured if I could get it for $300 it's not too bad. Wish me luck!