(Credit: Nikon USA)It's had a loooong run, but now it's over; the Nikon D40, which the company unveiled in November 2006, is finally being put out to pasture. That's a pretty good lifespan for a consumer dSLR, and I'm sure Nikon is hoping that its replacement, the D3000--announced today along with the D300's replacement, the D300s and a pair of lens updates--can match or surpass its popularity.
The body remains mostly unchanged from the D40, but as you'd expect, Nikon beefs up some of the performance and features aspects of the camera, including a much-needed update of the AF system, which includes behind-the-scenes face detection. Other improvements inherited from across the line include enhanced air flow for improved dust reduction and better midtone correction in the Active D-Lighting.
Here's how the D3000's specs compare with its predecessor and its up-the-line sibling, the D5000:
| Nikon D40 | Nikon D3000 | Nikon D5000 | |
| Sensor (effective resolution) | 6.1-megapixel CCD | 10.2-megapixel CCD | 12.3-megapixel CMOS |
| 23.7mm x 15.6mm | 23.6 mm x 15.8mm | 23.6mm x 15.8mm | |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 200 - ISO 1600 | ISO 100 - ISO 1600/3200 (expanded) | ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 1600/3200 (expanded) |
| Continuous shooting | 2.5 fps n/a | 3 fps n/a raw/100+ JPEG (medium/fine) | 4 fps 9 raw/100 JPEG (medium/fine) |
| Viewfinder magnification/effective magnification | 95% coverage 0.80x/0.53x | 95% coverage 0.80x/0.53x | 95% coverage 0.78x/0.52x |
| Autofocus | 3-pt AF n/a | 11-pt AF center cross-type to f5.6 | 11-pt AF center cross-type to f5.6 |
| Live View | No | No | Yes |
| Video | No | No | 720p at 24fps |
| LCD size | 2.5 inches fixed 230,000 dots | 3 inches fixed 230,000 dots | 2.7 inches articulated 230,000 dots |
| Shutter durability | n/a | 100,000 cycles | 100,000 cycles |
| Battery life (CIPA rating) | 470 shots | n/a | 510 shots |
| Dimensions (inches, WHD) | 5.0 x 3.7 x 2.5 | 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.5 | 5.0 x 4.1 x 3.1 |
| Body operating weight (ounces) | 18.5 | 18.3 (estimated) | 21.6 |
| Mfr. Price | $499.95 (with 18-55mm non-VR lens) | $599.95 (with 18-55mm VR lens) | $729.95 (body only) |
As has become common among the various entry-level lines, Nikon distinguishes between the D5000 and D3000 via video capture and the flip-down LCD. The D3000 retains the older viewfinder, which may possibly be better than that in the D5000. However, as we've seen a lot lately, it's also following the trend of incorporating the larger, but same-resolution, LCDs, for a resulting coarser display.
Compared to its competition:
| Pentax K2000 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 | Nikon D3000 | Canon EOS Rebel XS | |
| Sensor (effective resolution) | 10.2-megapixel CCD | 10.2-megapixel CCD | 10.2-megapixel CCD | 10.1-megapixel CMOS |
| 23.5mm x 15.7mm | 23.5mm x 15.7mm | 23.6x15.8mm | 22.2mm x 14.8mm | |
| Magnification factor | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1.6x |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 100 - ISO 3200 | ISO 100 - ISO 3200 | ISO 100 - ISO 1600/3200 (expanded) | ISO 100 - ISO 1,600 |
| Continuous shooting | 3.5fps 4 raw/5 JPEG | 2.5fps n/a | 3 fps n/a raw/100+ JPEG (medium/fine) | 3fps 5 raw/unlimited JPEG |
| Viewfinder magnification/effective magnification | 96% coverage 0.85x/0.57x | 95% coverage 0.83x/0.55x | 95% coverage 0.80x/0.53x | 95% coverage 0.81x/0.51x |
| Autofocus | 5-pt AF n/a | 9-pt AF n/a | 11-pt AF center cross-type to f5.6 | 7-pt AF n/a |
| Live View | No | No | No | Yes |
| Video | No | No | No | No |
| Built-in wireless flash controller | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| LCD size | 2.7 inches fixed 230,000 dots | 2.7 inches fixed 230,400 dots | 3 inches fixed 230,000 dots | 2.5 inches fixed 230,000 dots |
| Battery life (CIPA rating) | n/a | 510 shots | n/a | 500 shots |
| Dimensions (inches, WHD) | 4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 | 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.7 | 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.5 | 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.4 |
| Body operating weight (ounces) | 20.7 | 18.3 | 18.3 (estimated) | 17.6 |
| Mfr. Price | $499.95 (with 18-55mm lens) | $549.99 (with 18-55mm lens) | $599.95 (with 18-55mm lens) | $599.99 (with 18-55mm lens) |
The AF system, which has trickled down from the D90, should be a real strength for the D3000. Otherwise, there's nothing here which screams "I'm the must-have model" it its price segment, especially since Canon's overdue with its Rebel XS replacement, making it a bit of a wild card. Like Sony, Nikon has put some work into redefining the interface for the entry-level market, including a new Guide Mode, which holds your hand and walks you through the settings for different photographic challenges. it also adds some in-camera-playtime features like stop-motion settings and a Miniature effect (which simulates tilt/shift). Plus Nikon added a date stamp, though--I beg of you--please don't add a permanent stamp to your photos unless you're in insurance or crime scene investigation. Learn to read EXIF data, people.
The D3000 will be available in late August, just in time for your back-to-school purchasing pleasure.
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