Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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129 of 129 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great entry to digital SLR, 19 Jan 2006
As someone taking the plunge from digital compact into digital SLR for the first time, this camera strikes a great balance between ease of use and more advanced functions, and at a pretty unbeatable price.I went round plenty of places (John Lewis, Jessops etc) to get different viewpoints on the packages available (especially Nikon D50 v Canon 350D), and everyone seemed in agreement that the Nikon represented best value for money. The only negative mentioned was that it takes SD rather than Compact Flash, but I haven't found this an issue at all. I've bought 2 1GB cards at which will store over 600 photos in JPEG fine mode (the most memory-intensive format other than RAW). The battery life is excellent, have taken c.200 photos so far (about half with flash) and still showing full charge. Controls are well laid out and easy to use, and adapt very well to the skill of the photographer: from 'point and shoot', through pre-set modes, to setting ISO/shutter speed etc for the more advanced users. The photos I have taken in 'auto' mode have been great, and the camera allows you to grow with it as you learn more about using an SLR and need more of the available settings. Transferring and editing them is fine - the software provided does the job but more advanced users would probably want something a bit better (Photoshop etc). All in all, I did plenty of research and couldn't find anything that I thought would represent a better DSLR package. I haven't been disappointed.
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190 of 191 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
True quality at an amazing price, 24 Oct 2005
I have splashed out on compact digital cameras from when they were just coming out to just last year and have been hugely disappointed with the results they produce compared to my old film SLRs. Compared to the 35mm film format, which is at its pinnacle with regards to picture quality, the digital camera is still catching up and this year in particular the pixel count for the compact digital has been climbing-per month!!
So why did I decide to get the D50? I saw the pictures it produced and was amazed!! It was really a decision between the D50 and the D70 really (having had Nikon AF film SLRs already-most lenses are compatible!!). And you know what?For me, a keen but enthusiast-level photographer the D50 hits all the right buttons. Admittedly the D70 comes with a better lens in its kit but the 18-55mm lens included with the D50 isn't to be laughed at.It's compact and lightweight and gives images with more than enough punch.Plus it's approximately £240 cheaper than the D70!!
The layout of the functions couldn't be simpler-there are dedicated buttons for bracketing, ISO settings, WB and play mode to view pictures. There is also the great option of deleting photos with a button rather than trawling through the menu.
The D50 fits comfortably in your hand and is light without feeling cheap. If you can't live without a depth of field preview button, a backlit display ( a bit of a pity but manageable), an LCD display cover (apply a protective sticker like I did) and of course the different lens, go for the D70.
The D50 takes the smaller SD card for memory storage and I recommend amazon's 1 GB 66x bytestar SD card which has proven reliable and takes more than 300 fine 6MP images.
Outstanding points for the D50- Almost immediate point and shootability once switched on; lightweight but robust; simple menu; accessible buttons; amazing battery life; excellent picture quality; great set of preset modes ie portrait,child,landscape,night and sport; amazing range of continuous shoot mode and rapid card-writing time.
Whilst the built-in flash is more than adequate for everyday shots, I do recommend the Sigma or Nikon external flashes especially for indoor shots with 'bounced' light-the results are amazing.
And last but not least, being a D-SLR, you can really invest in some quality lenses in future. You really can't go wrong with the D50!!--Oh and amazon's price was the cheapest all round last month when Nikon.co.uk had its £50 cashback offer!
Tip- I think the black kit looks much more professional...
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89 of 89 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My old 35mm SLR is going into retirement, 26 April 2006
I've being using a compact digital camera for a few years and I love the convenience and instant availability of digital photographs. Although the compact camera took good photographs it lacked the abilities of the traditional 35mm SLR I've been using for over twenty years. After trying to justify buying a digital SLR for sometime the prices finally came down to an acceptable level and I opted to buy the Nikon D50, with the 18-55mm lens, mainly due to the reviews.
I have to say the D50 is a great camera; I've already taken hundreds of photographs. The controls are easy to use and the battery life is excellent. My old 35mm SLR cameras are going into retirement. The D50 is a quality well built well-designed camera and the 18-55mm lens is excellent I've also bought the Nikon 28-200mm AF ED G lens and again the quality is excellent.
This camera is good for the beginner and even those like myself that have been using 35mm SLR cameras for years. Don't be put off with the fact the camera is made of plastic and not metal like the traditional 35mm SLR cameras, the build quality is very good and it's easy to hold and well balanced.
Overall I've yet to find fault with the D50. I strongly recommend it.
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