The D50 is a nice beginner/introductory camera, good for people getting their first SLR or needing a backup camera. I've had my first one for just over about three years, and my second I got a few months ago.
Strengths:
Very good high ISO noise performance, 800 looks fine and 1600 is usually OK with a little cleanup.
Great Infrared sensitivity, this is my main camera for IR photography.
Will work with older AF lenses (using the focus motor in the camera). The D40/D60 only works with the newer AF-S lenses.
The camera is very straightforward to use.
Good battery life.
Shoots in Raw (NEF) and Jpg format.
Very good image quality.
Weaknesses:
The only battery grips are aftermarket
Burst speed (3 FPS) is slow compared to newer cameras, burst is only good for 3 shots or so when shooting Raw.
Is kind of smallish in size, plastic build.
Will not meter with old AI lenses, they have to be used old school with entirely manual settings.
Can be durable, they are rated for only 10-15,000 actuations before the shutter goes, D50 #2 has 43,000 and D50 #1 has 8,000 going on three years of use.
SD card support only, but then SDHC didn't exist when they made this.
This is my first Digital SLR . I've had point and shot cameras over the years for vacations, but that was about it . On Christmas 2005, I received a Nikon D50 . Boy was I shocked ! The next,day I immediately went to compare the D50 and the Canon XT at the store before I even opened up my D50 box at home . I decided on the D50 because it was easier to use/better ergonomics and it had a higher quality feel . Well, it's over 2 years later and this beauty of a camera has taken over 65,000 shots and it's showing no signs of slowing down ! Photography is an enjoyable hobby for me . Wether it's the zoo, the beach, the park, or anywhere else, the D50 performs WONDERFULLY ! Next year I am going to purchase the D90 with my tax return .
I give this camera a 5 out of 5. I've read other reviewers give the D50 a lower score. Remember, this was the entry level camera in 2005, not 2008! I still think it's a wonderful camera 3 years later, even compared to the D40, D40x, or the D60. The D50 has an internal auto focus motor where as some other cameras don't have this. Currently, I have some prime lenses that otherwise, would be very difficult to use if that autofocus motor wasn't there.
Strengths:
-ISO performance
-Handling/biuld quality
-Ability to use so many quality lenses
-Impressive battery life (500-900 shots without flash, per battery charge) I have 2 batteries
-LCD screen (in 2005, it was very good) Canon owners were envious !
-Durable (contrary to popular belief, the SD memory card door is just fine! It's NOT cheap. No problems AT ALL!)
-Many quality lenses to pick from!
-I shoot 99.99% of the time in RAW and the 13" by 19" prints from my Epson R1800 printer look wonderful !
-Virtually instantaneous start-up.
Weaknesses:
-Auto White Balance once in a while.
-Only 5 Auto focus points.
-No gridlines in the viewfinder. I've deleted so many sunset shots because the horizon wasn't level.
-Viewfinder is small.
-Slight over exposure in bright situations.
-shot counter only goes to 9999 wish it had 5 digits
Similar Products Used:
Canon Rebel XT
Nikon D300
Nikon D200
Nikon Coolpix 775
Nikon Coolpix 5000
Canon Power Shot SD 300
other point and shoots...
This was the first DSLR camera i had ever boughten. its been over a year now, and it has never let me down. I am soon to be a professional photographer at 19 years old, and this has been my lifesaver. It has to be one of the best, well built cameras nikon has ever built. A camera that was built over three years ago, shows superiority over the D40,D40x. It has plenty of white balance options, ISO doesn't get really grainy until 1600. 800 is perfect for photos put into newspapers, gives you a great lighting range, even in tough conditions.
the reason i am giving this a 5 out 5, is because this camera has sparked my career. i am ninteen years old and have been shooting since i was 15. once i bought this camera, it seems a never ending amount of possibilities have come up, and ive never had to refuse, or worry about the quality of my camera, or whether or not i could accomplish my goals with it, if you can't use this versatile camera, you are better off with point and shoot.
i'd recommend this to the beginner and enthusiast.
Strengths:
it is durable
strong body
megapixels are great for what i do, (photojournalism, portraiture, stock)
It has a great time with light, aslong as you have the appropriate lense and lighting, it works so easy.
alot of white balance options
ISO is good
picture clarity is phenomenal for a 6.0MP camera of its time.
great diversity asfar as using old and new lenses.
price was fantastic
Weaknesses:
2.5 frames for second, i can miss shots at an important event for the newspaper if im not really careful(more a concern than a weakness)
aging quickly against technology(every camera has this problem)
I bought this camera as a first DSLR after years of shooting Nikon SLR 35mm for myself and whatever digital point-and-shoot was handy for snapshots. I wanted to be able to capture faster-moving subjects, which it does just fine. What I didn't anticipate was the ability to use higher ISOs (than the point-and shoots) due to the larger sensor. What I REALLY didn't anticipate was the ISO advantage over film (maybe I should have figured this out earlier...)
If you want a starter DLSR, or a backup / vacation DLSR (having it lost, broken, or stolen would not be the end of the world), you can't do much better than this camera.
Strengths:
Better backwards compatibility with autofocus lenses than Nikon's newer entry-level DSLRs - the cheap classics like the 50mm f1.8 won't autofocus on the D40/40x/60.
6mp is enough if you're not printing larger than 8x10 on a regular basis.
Noise is excellent up to iso 400, very good at 800. At 800, there is some slight film-like grain and little chroma noise.
Small enough to be your vacation camera with a compact lens.
Cheap on the used market - good copies easy to find for <$400
Weaknesses:
Won't meter with AI and AI-s manual lenses - you need a "prosumer" D200/300 for that.
Auto white balance is so-so in incandescent light - use an 80A/B warming filter or set WB yourself. li WB options are somewhat limited, too.
Only 1 command dial makes it less convenient to use in manual mode.
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.
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