Summary: Wow for the price this is an awesome camera, I got it as part of a kit that came with the 18-55 f/5.6 lens (which isn't the best lens). This camera has helped me come from a beginner in the still photo field to now I'm getting paid for the shots that I take, all with the same camera.
Strengths: Lots of settings, allows you to work your way up into a more professional style of camera. Cheap when it comes to professional gear. Battery life is off the chart.
Weaknesses: A little basic for the photo professional. ISO gets grainy at 800 or above.
Summary: I first purchased the D40 from Best Buy as my entry level DSLR camera. It was less than entry level for a dslr price of $650. It was basically a point and shoot in a bigger body w/ interchangeable lenses. The D50 was the best move I ever made. The whole outfit w/ lens and some extras was only $500 w/ free shipping from Canada...nearly new with box.
I am able to shoot how I want with a few clicks of the menu button.
Whether I shoot with the built in flash or my SB-600, manual, or automatic.
I can get great shots with back light which I can't get with Digital p&S or the D40.
There were many low-light situations in automatic mode where I couldn't get the D40's flash to pop up...don't know if it is a sensor problem or what. Of course, many of the older and some new lenses won't work with the D40 and it seems EVERY one of my lenses with the Nikon mount are "read" well with my D50! I had an old Promaster that takes great pics with the D50.
After taking the D40 back, I went on the Rockwell site as well as Steve's site to compare the D50, D80, D70. I came to the conclusion from other reviews and sample photos, that for the price, the D50 was an excellent choice. When I can afford the D200, the D50 will be my excellent back-up camera.
Strengths: Easy to operate
Fairly lightweight
Works well with older lenses
Summary: I got this Nikon D50 for 330$ used on Ebay, in excel condition, it came with the stock lens 18-55mm, just another junk G lenes made in Thailand, which i sold right after that. D50 is a very nice camera for any beginner who dont know any better on DSLR, its very good on images quality on its own , but please do not try to compare it to another brand DSLR, D50 is just a simple average Dslr, it does simple things, not too many advance features. i was lucky and smart to buy it for only 330$, its worths 330$, i see 3 reviewers here all paid for D50 800-900$, what a waist of money.
In my case i've compared my D50 to my Sony A100( which i paid 585$)A100 out performs D50 in everyway and forms, i happened to have 2 same lenses to test on both of these cameras. A100 outdo D50 in final image quality, sharpness, colors, neutral grey balance, auto white balance, A100 has more advance features for pro use, like custom white balance, grid line, Super Steady Shot, CCD dust removal, Sony colors are much truer, smoother, and dont blow hilites details as D50, D50 colors seems to lean toward pinkish or bluish cast, D50 light metering is not accurates, you will have shots hit or miss on exposures, D50 is lack or short of dynamic range, therfore the hilites details seem to have blown to white or lack of details, the shadow can be too dark or plugged up. For indoor shots w/o flash using auto white balance or tungsteen set up, you will have oranges or reddish cast to images.Iso is well in control at higher iso which is an improvement on Nikon.
I dont see how reviewers here can give D50 a 5 star, a 5 star camera is a perfect camera, D50 is not!! its a beginner camera for beginners, not thing special about it, i strongly suggest people to buy Sony A100 or Sony R1 over D50 any day, you all should know that Sony made CCD for all Nikon DSLRs, People need to at least test 1 other camera to D50 before they can praise about D50, so if you tight on budget buy D50 for 330$ its a good deal, but if you have 500$ buy others camera.
Strengths: Well build, solid.
Weaknesses: lack of many features could improves image quality..
Summary: This is really a great entry level DSLR. It performs very well, and is available at great prices now. The D40 and D40x have now stepped up the game a bit, but if you're looking to use non-AFS lenses, this is the way to go. It's a solid body (much nicer to hold than the Rebel line). I have smaller hands, but someone with larger hands would have no problems with the grip. The viewfinder, LCD, and controls are all decent. Don't expect to be holding a professional DSLR. But I've still sold many photos from this camera. It just takes a little bit more work and planning to get the shots you want. This is a camera that you would never regret buying.
Strengths: This camera is solid for an entry level DSLR. Great balance with both consumer and pro lenses. Incredible battery life, I can almost go a full day of shooting with one battery. Still good to have the backup though. Great image quality. Produces photo quality 8x12's without breaking a sweat. Good noise performance up to ISO 800. An all around great design.
Weaknesses: Compared to the newer cameras, the LCD is small and dim. But it is still very usuable in all conditions. Less dedicated buttons than a pro DSLR, but this is to be expected. It just means you have to think ahead a bit more. A corner of the thumb grip has started peeling up from it's home. It's kind of annoying, but understandable given some of the abuse it's seen. The only reason I gave it an overall rating of 4 stars was the lack of dedicated controls and lack of a depth of field preview. But again, these are not things to expect from an entry level DSLR.
Rating Reviewed by: william yglesias(Unregistered User)
(Professional)
Review Date May 25, 2007
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 3.00 of 5,
1 votes
Review 5 of 25
Price Paid:
$599.00
from local photo store
Summary: Ive been shooting professionally for 7 years and i have between 35 and 40 weddings a year. For me medium format was the way to go, but all of my friends keep telling me that i have to "go digital". So last year i picked up this camera with a few doubts and after working with it a while i think i have it figured out. With a sharp lens the quality is good, i use mostly the 17-55 2.8 ED lens and i use it at the reception only. Im not to fond of the white balance or the metering system but if you use the d50 in manual mode with a manual flash you will get surprisingly good results. As far as weight is concerned its much better than slinging around a mamiya all day
Strengths: light weight,
compact,
decent image quality
works well with manual flash
Weaknesses: no fine adjustment on white balance
metering system
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