Nikon
D3000
 vs
Nikon
D50

Updated (August, 2010): Compare the Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D50

Nikon D3000

35

  
Nikon D50

18

  
Winner

Nikon D3000

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3000

Screen size
 Large screen
3.0"
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Badge
 Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate
Size
 Really small
Prosumer size 126x97x64 mm
Sensor cleaning
 Self cleaning sensor
Avoids dust in your photos
Thickness
 Thin
2.5"
 
Runner-up

Nikon D50

Reasons to buy the Nikon D50

Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
 

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3000
Screen size Much larger screen 3.0" vs 2.0"
Help
 More than 50% larger screen
Color depth Better color depth 22.3 bits vs 20.9 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1.4 more bits of color
Overall image quality Better image quality 62.0 vs 55.0
Help
 More than 10% better image quality
Size Much smaller 126x97x64 mm vs 133x102x76 mm
Help
 More than 20% smaller
True resolution Higher true resolution 10 MP vs 6 MP
Help
 Capture around 70% more detail in your photos
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.1 EV vs 10.8 EV
Help
 0.3 f-stops more dynamic range
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 230k dots vs 130k dots
Help
 Around 80% higher resolution screen
Thickness Much thinner 2.5" vs 3"
Help
 Around 20% thinner
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.52x vs 0.49x
Help
 More than 10% larger viewfinder
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 23.7x15.5mm
Help
 Almost the same
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 3 fps vs 2.5 fps
Help
 20% faster continuous shooting
Weight Lighter 536 g vs 620 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO 3,200 ISO vs None
Help
 Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image
Nikon D3000 Learn more about
the Nikon D3000

Advantages of the Nikon D50
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Nikon D50 Learn more about
the Nikon D50
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D3000 Nikon D3000
35 vs 18
Explain scores
Nikon D50 Nikon D50
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D3000.

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
169 lenses
Sensor size Large sensors Help
D3000:APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
D50:APS-C 23.7x15.5mm
Sensor type Lower-end sensor types Help
CCD
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Live view No live view Help
Preview with viewfinder
Light sensitivity (boost) One has boost ISO Help
D3000:3,200 ISO
D50:None
Movie format Do not shoot movies Help
No movies
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D3000:10 MP
D50:6 MP
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
95%
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
1,600 ISO
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
D3000:3 fps
D50:2.5 fps
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
D3000:230k dots
D50:130k dots
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
D3000:11.1 EV
D50:10.8 EV
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
D3000:0.52x
D50:0.49x
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Overall image quality Low image quality Help
D3000:62.0
D50:55.0
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
D3000:563 ISO
D50:560 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the D3100 vs the D3000
Compare the D3100 vs the D50
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$332 body only

$449 - $499 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Movie format Records lower quality movies
Thickness Is thicker
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D3000
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D50
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$497 body only

$597 - $805 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is much less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has much better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is much larger
Compare the D5100 vs the D3000
Compare the D5100 vs the D50
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is much less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has much better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D3200 vs the D3000
Compare the D3200 vs the D50
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$675 - $899 body only

$799 - $1,099 with 18-105mm lens
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D90 vs the D3000
Compare the D90 vs the D50
Nikon D60

Nikon D60

Entry-level DSLR
Autofocus Users slower contrast detection autofocus
Compare the D60 vs the D3000
Compare the D60 vs the D50
Nikon D40

Nikon D40

Entry-level DSLR

$450 with 18-55mm lens
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Focus points Has slightly fewer focus points
Compare the D40 vs the D3000
Compare the D40 vs the D50

Nikon D3000 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Entry-level DSLR

$425 with 18-55mm lens
Live view Has live view
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Screen size Much smaller screen
Autofocus Slower autofocus
Compare the EOS Digital Rebel XS vs the D3000

Nikon D50 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D50.

appearance

Nikon D3000 Nikon D50
Nikon D3000 Nikon D50
Nikon D3000 Nikon D50

discussion

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