Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
The Nikon story actually starts in 1948, the year that the Nikon I, the company’s first camera was released. Among its famous products are Nikkor imaging lenses (for F-mount cameras, large format photography, photographic enlargers, and other applications), the Nikon F-series of 135 film SLR cameras, the Nikon D-series of digital SLR cameras, and the Nikonos series of underwater cameras. This post mainly focus on Nikon latest D-series and aims to help you make a better choice if you interested in Nikon D-series.
Nikon D40
The D40 is a wonderful choice for someone who wants to be able to take high-quality digital photographs and take advantage of the Nikon system of lenses and flashes, but does not want to spend the kind of money involved in the higher-end cameras.
Here are the pros and cons of the D40 in my opinion:
Pros:
1. Nice out of the camera result picture quality
2. Affordable price
3. Compact size and light weight
4. Large and bright 2.5 inch LCD
5. 2.5 frames per second
6. B/W, Sepia, several more in-camera editing features.
7. Instant power on, fast autofocus and no shutter lag
8. Noise is acceptable at high ISO settings. Auto ISO settings available.
9. Great 18-55mm II AF-S kit lens.
10. Great battery life (400+ on a single charge. 1000+ if flash is not used).
11. Auto (flash off) mode available
12. 1/500 flash sync
Cons:
1. No direct button to change QUAL, WB and ISO settings
2. Grip comfortably but might be a bit too small for some people
3. No top LCD and no front command dial
4. Autofocus will not work with non AF-S or non AF-I lenses (such as the 70-300m G and 50mm f/1.8D lens)
5. No AF/MF switch (have to use the switch on the lens)
6. Only 3 autofocus point
7. 6 Megapixel (More Megapixel needed to print larger than 12 X 18 at 300 dpi)
8. No night landscape mode in pre-programmed settings
9. No in camera image stabilization (like Sony and Pentax) but Nikon has lenses with it (VR).
10. No depth-of-field preview button
Release Date December 2006
Key Features 6.1 megapixels, 2.5in. LCD, SD Memory
Uniqueness Helpful LCD,Great For Learning photography
Level Beginner
Avg. Kit Price $460
Competitors Canon 350D, Pentax K110D, Samsung GX-1L
The Nikon D60 may not be a world apart from its predecessor, but it remains a good, solid, 10 Megapixel entry-level DSLR. The big improvements are a dust control system that includes an airflow control to blow dust away from the sensor and improved autofocus.
Key Features 10.2 megapixels, dust control,small and light
Uniqueness Smallest Nikon SLR ,Great For Learning photography
Level Beginner
Avg. Kit Price $630
Competitors Canon Rebel XS, Pentax K200D, Olympus E-420
Nikon D80
Nikon D80 has been on the market for more than two years, but I still think it is a good camera. One of the key advances developed for the D80 is Nikon’s own high-resolution image processing engine that inherits best-of-breed technologies from Nikon’s latest professional digital SLR cameras, including color independent analog pre-conditioning and high-precision 12-bit digital image processing algorithms, which combine to produce natural-looking images that benefit from faithful color and tone reproduction.
Release Date August 2006
Key Features 10 megapixels, fast response
Uniqueness Multiple exposures ,Great For Action
Level Intermediate to advanced
Avg. Kit Price $854
Competitors Canon xTi, Olympus E-510, Pentax K10D, Sony A100
The Nikon D90 is the world’s first DSLR camera that shoots High Definition video. As the world’s first D-SLR with movie function, this remarkable camera offers truly cinematic results, stunning image quality and innovative high-performance features inherited from Nikon’s new-generation DX-format flagship D300. The D90 will open new doors for photography enthusiasts of any level.
Release Date September 2008
Key Features 12.3 megapixels, dust control, live view, face detection, movie mode
Great For Action, Family, Travel
Level Intermediate to advanced
Avg. Kit Price $1,300
Competitors Canon XSi
Nikon D200
The D200 has been crafted to connect a range of newly developed Nikon technologies with advanced features inherited from the Nikon D2x, ensuring an ultimate shooting experience with exceptional and versatile imaging performance, high speed, and an instant response. The result is a blend of superb features, high-quality components, and fantastic results.
Release Date November 2005
Key Features 10 megapixels, fast response
Uniqueness Speed, Great For Action
Level Advanced to semi-professional
Avg. Price $1,290
Competitors Canon 30D
Nikon D300
The Nikon D300 has more features than the beginner photographer would ever need. It now also features Live View, which works like in most other DSLRs. Which is to say, it is not like what you are used to on your consumer point-and-shoot digicams. The D300 is not really for the P&S crowd looking to upgrade to a DSLR nor is it for the amateur photographer looking for a first entry-level DLSR.
Release Date November 2007
Key Features 12.3 megapixels, 51-point autofocus, dust control, live view
Uniqueness Fastest consumer SLR, Great For Action
Level Advanced to semi-professional
Avg. Price $1,800
Competitors Canon 40D, Sony DSLR-A700, Olympus E-3
Nikon’s D700 is positioned between the ‘pro-sumer’ D300 and the professional D3 models and is the second Nikon DSLR with an FX-format (35mm sized) CMOS sensor.
Pros:
• Exceptional high ISO performance 
• Great image quality
• Solid construction
• All-around high performance
Cons:
• Viewfinder only 95 percent
• Shorter shutter duty cycle
• AF times out a hair slower than the D3, but performs comparably in the real world
Release Date July 2008
Key Features 12.1 megapixels, 51-point autofocus, dust control, live view
Uniqueness Full frame sensor,Great For Action
Level Semi-pro to Professional
Avg. Price $3,000 (no lens)
Competitors Canon 5D
