Is the Nikon DSLR D3000 a good camera for beginners?

Skip the D3000 and get the D5000 instead if you go with Nikon. Canon also makes very nice cameras too. Actually, you need to decide which lenses you are going to use first and that will make your decision as to which model of camera to get. The high-end Canons and Nikons are different but similar, the lower end Nikons tend to shoot a little "greenish" IMHO and the Canon DSLRs tend to overemphasize the red a bit but all of this can be adjusted in software - the beauty of digital photography.

I am searching for the same thing as you. I have heard it is a great one to start with. Canons and Nikons tend to be a popular choice, but I have also been looking at Pentax. A lot of my friends started off with the Nikon D300. Hope this helped! Return the favor? :) My question: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsFX1n.G0aVMPtR99lBkMBUazKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20100813162528AA5Lh8q

waste of money for a beginner but if money means nothing it's an excellent camera, but with digital the only thing that matters is the lens(after the pixels) and the lenses on these tend to be better than on ordinary cameras but they are bulkier

Read all of the following and decide for yourself: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3000.htm http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/dx-dream-team.htm

Nikon D3000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26x%3D6%26ref_%3Dnb%5Fsb%5Fnoss%26fsc%3D-1%26ih%3D1%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0%5F0.1560%5F1%26y%3D16%26field-keywords%3DNikon%2520D3000%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Delectronics&tag=08aug-20 Product Description: Breathtaking digital SLR image quality and easy operation highlight the 10.2-megapixel D3000-Nikon's friendliest D-SLR ever. Compact and capable, the D3000 is compatible with a broad range of world-famous NIKKOR lenses and includes the versatile 3x, 18-55mm Zoom-NIKKOR with Silent-Wave Motor autofocusing and Nikon VR image stabilization to combat picture blur caused by camera shake for sharper handheld pictures. Special moments are captured faithfully at up to 3 frames-per-second and displayed on a bright, 3-inch LCD monitor. The D3000's split-second shutter response eliminates the annoyance of shutter lag. To further simplify picture-taking in special situations such as portraits, sports, landscapes, and more, the D3000 features icon-identified Scene Modes that deliver beautiful results automatically in otherwise complex situations. Additional Nikon technologies elevate picture quality and guard against picture-taking mistakes. Fast, accurate 11-point autofocus delivers razor sharpness. 3D Color Matrix Metering II and Nikon EXPEED image processing work with an exclusive Scene Recognition System for precise automatic exposures and rich, vivid color. Making the D3000 an even smarter choice are its exclusive Retouch functions for creative fun and the onboard Guide Mode that's ready to lend a reassuring hand to take the pictures you've always wanted. Review: Looking over several cameras and choosing one for someone who has outgrown point and shoots, I came back to the Nikon D3000. By no means will this model blow away the seasoned photographer, however it does cover the basics and more. We picked it up and tried it out over the weekend. First time DSLR users will enjoy the Guide Mode. It literally walked us through different shoot scenarios via the fixed 3" LCD screen. An excellent tool, its step by step instructions allowed my niece to move from the operating booklet in no time. After a few more runs, I am sure that she will feel quite comfortable shooting in the manual mode. The quick shutter release was a nice surprise. Upon completing two days of shooting with the Nikon D3000, I walked away impressed. In manual mode, indoor shots were a balanced and perfect mix of shadow and color. As usual with shooting in low light, noise will make an appearance. However this system can be tweaked to deliver some outstanding indoor photographs. The bottom line is proper settings. A basic fix is the VR (Vibration Reduction) feature located on the lens. This should be activated, especially indoors. A tripod will certainly help. In auto mode, just set the camera to night portrait and sit back and enjoy the rest of your flight. Outdoor shots were vibrant, sharp and rich in color without editing. The onboard flash system was more than capable in meeting fill flash requirements. Without a doubt the overall performance of the camera, features and image quality is excellent. With 10.2 megapixels to work with, I easily blew up a personal favorite my niece had taken to 16" x 20". Even though I don't see myself trading in my Nikon D300 for this model anytime soon, this camera is by far an upgrade over any of the souped up point and shoots out there.

In my opinion you should expand your search to include the Pentax K-x. Why? Well for one thing it was chosen as the 2010 "Best DSLR Entry Level" by the 'Technical Image Press Association'. It also has several features not found on any of the cameras you list. Here is what it offers: 1) A CMOS sensor which gives superior performance in low-light at higher ISO settings. 2) Live View. 3) HD Video. 4) A focusing motor in the camera body. An AF lens from a 1988 model Pentax auto focus 35mm film camera will mount on the K-x and auto focus as it should. 5) In camera Image Stabilization. Any lens used thus becomes an IS lens, even a legacy manual focus one made for the venerable Pentax K1000 from 1975. 6) Double/multiple exposure capability of from 2 to 9 with Auto EV Compensation. This feature opens up a whole new world of creativity. Here is a review of the Pentax K-x: http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentreviews/amateur_digital_slrs/0510pentax/index.html The often recommended Nikon D3000 has NONE of those features. NONE. The Nikon D5000 has a CMOS sensor, Live View and HD Video but NONE of the other features of the Pentax K-x. Both the D3000 and D5000 require use of Nikon's AF-I or AF-S lenses if you want auto focus. An older Nikon AF lens will require manual focusing. The Canon 450D/XSi has been discontinued and replaced by the 500D/T1i. The T1i has a CMOS sensor, Live View and HD Video but NONEof the other features of the Pentax K-x. The Canon 1000D/XS has a CMOS sensor and Live View and NONE of the other features of the Pentax K-x. Now lets look at price. The prices shown are from B&H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com All the cameras come with an 18-55mm zoom lens. Nikon D3000, $549.95 Nikon D5000, $749.95 Canon XS, $499.95 Canon T1i, $699.95 Pentax K-x, $499.79 It should be obvious that the Pentax K-x offers the most for your money. Did I mention that the Pentax K-x comes in COLORS? http://www.pentaximaging.com/slr Few people know this but Pentax introduced the first Japanese-made Single Lens Reflex (SLR) 35mm film camera in 1952. Minolta, Nikon and Canon quickly copied the Pentax SLR but Pentax was the first. Only Nikon rivals Pentax in backwards lens compatibility. There are more lenses available for these two brands than anyone could ever need. I suggest using the camera you choose with the 18-55mm zoom lens for a few months before even thinking about another lens. During this time you'll discover what type of photography you do the most and the limitations of the 18-55mm lens. This book would be worth reading: "David Busch's Quick-Snap Guide to Using Digital SLR Lenses". http://www.dbusch.com Here are some sites that will help you learn about photography: http://www.kamerasimulator.se/eng/?page_id=2 http://www.photonhead.com http://www.digital-photography-school.com http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html Along with learning about light, composition and exposure (ISO, shutter speed, f-stops) I believe its equally important to learn about Depth of Field (DOF). Knowing how to achieve a shallow or deep DOF and when and why you'd want to will enhance your photography. http://www.illustratedphotography.com/photography-tips/basic Here are three books worth having: 'Understanding Exposure', 'Understanding Shutter Speed' and 'Understanding Photography Field Guide' all by Bryan Peterson. In my opinion someone serious about photography should build a personal library of photography books. I also suggest a subscription to at least one photography magazine. My personal favorite is SHUTTERBUG - http://www.shutterbug.com - but you should visit the library and read the ones they subscribe to and choose the one you like best.