The Nikon D3000 DSLR is Nikon’s newest affordable entry-level DSLR camera. It replaces the award-winning D60 (or D40 before it). The Nikon D3000 is packed with Nikon’s latest digital technology and know-how found in its more expensive DSLR models. It retains 10.2MP resolution and all the practical features that made its predecessors so popular. Main features are:
10.2 MP resolution (on an APS CCD image sensor)
Guide Mode
Active D-Lighting
PASM
RAW
Picture Control
3.0 –in. LCD (230K dots)
11-point AF
The Nikon D3000 is meant to be as user-friendly as possible for entry-level DSLR camera users upgrading from a point-and-shoot digital camera. Select the brand new Guide Mode right on the Mode Dial and it displays an easy-to-use interface to walk you thru selecting the appropriate shooting mode and other appropriate settings. The Shooting options are divided into 3 sections:
Easy Operation: Auto, No Flash, Distant subjects, Close-ups, Sleeping faces, Moving subjects, Landscapes, Portraits, Night Portrait,
As you grow more confident with using your camera, you can, of course, bypass the Guide Mode and select the desired shooting mode and settings directly.
A must-have feature that helps both beginner photographers and advanced photographers capture better pictures is Active D-Lighting which restores details in the highlight and shadow areas of an image, ensuring all parts of the image is properly exposed.
The Nikon D3000 also allows beginner photographers to express their creative and artistic side with features such as Soft Filter and Color Online Retouch options. New is the Miniature effect that changes the appearance of distant subjects to make them look like close-ups of miniature models.
The Nikon D3000 DSLR also caters to the more advanced photographers. They have the full PASM modes and can record pictures in RAW for maximum control over image quality. Furthermore, the Nikon D3000 camera also features a Picture Control System that allows key digital image capture characteristics to be customized to suit your exacting personal preferences. You can select the default or customize settings for sharpening, contrast, saturation and hue for the following 6 picture controls:
Standard
Neutral
Vivid
Monochrome
Portrait
Landscape
The D3000 comes with the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens which is optically image stabilized. Manual focus is possible. The D3000 also accepts any AF-S and AF-I NIKKOR lenses.
A built-in flash allows indoor photography. For professional flash photography, a hot shoe accepts an external flash. Advanced wireless lighting is also supported when using the SB-900, SB-800 or SU-800 speedlights as commander.
The Nikon D3000 DSLR camera provides an affordable and easy way for those looking to step up from point-and-shoot to digital SLR photography.
If you want Live View, an articulated LCD, and Movie in your DSLR, check out the Nikon D5000 for about US $250 more.
CCD sensor, 23.6 x 15.8 mm; total pixels: 10.75 million; Nikon DX-format
Dust-reduction System
Image Sensor Cleaning, Airflow Control System, Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)
Image Size (pixels)
3,872 x 2,592 [L], 2,896 x 1,944 [M], 1,936 x 1,296 [S]
File Format
NEF (RAW)
JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic (approx. 1:16) compression
NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats
Picture Control System
Can be selected from Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape; selected Picture Control can be modified
Media
SD (Secure Digital) memory cards, SDHC compliant
File System
DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), Exif 2.21 (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras), PictBridge
Approx. 0.8 x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0 m-1)
Eyepoint
18 mm (-1.0 m-1)
Diopter Adjustment
-1.7 to +0.5 m-1
Focusing Screen
Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark V screen with focus frame (framing grid can be displayed)
Reflex Mirror
Quick return
Lens Aperture
Instant return, electronically controlled
Compatible Lenses
AF-S and AF-I NIKKOR: All functions supported
Type G or D AF NIKKOR without built-in autofocus motor: All functions except autofocus supported. IX NIKKOR lenses not supported.
Other AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D colour matrix metering II. Lenses for F3AF not supported.
Type D PC NIKKOR: All functions supported except some shooting modes.
AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except 3D colour matrix metering II.
Non-CPU: Autofocus not supported. Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function.
Note: Electronic rangefinder can be used if lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster.
Up to 3 fps (manual focus, mode M or S, shutter speed 1/250 s or faster, and other settings at default values)
Self-timer
Can be selected from 2, 5, 10, and 20s duration
Exposure Metering
TTL exposure metering using 420-pixel RGB sensor
Exposure Method
Matrix: 3D colour matrix metering II (type G and D lenses); colour matrix metering II (other CPU lenses)
Centre-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-mm circle in centre of frame
Spot: Meters 3.5-mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centred on selected focus point
Range (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20oC)
Matrix or centre-weighted metering: 0 to 20 EV
Spot metering: 2 to 20 EV
Exposure Meter Coupling
CPU
Exposure Modes
Auto modes (auto, auto [flash off ]), Scene Modes (Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night portrait), programmed auto with flexible program (P), shutter-priority auto (S), aperture-priority auto (A) manual (M)
Exposure Compensation
-5 to +5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Exposure Lock
Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)
ISO 100 to 1600 in steps of 1 EV. Can also be set to approx. 1 EV above ISO 1600 (ISO 3200 equivalent), auto ISO sensitivity control available
Active D-Lighting
Can be selected from On or Off
Autofocus
Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, 11 focus points (including one cross-type sensor), and AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5 to 3m / 1 ft. 8 in. to 9 ft. 10 in.)
Detection Range
-1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, 20oC/68oF)
Lens Servo
Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); continuous-servo AF (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); predictive focus tracking activated automatically according to subject status
Manual focus (MF): Electronic rangefinder can be used
Focus Point
Can be selected from 11 focus points
AF Area Mode
Single-point AF, dynamic-area AF, auto-area AF, 3D-tracking (11 points) AF
Focus Lock
Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (Single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
Built-in Flash
Auto, Portrait, Child, Close-up, Night portrait: Auto flash with auto pop-up
P, S, A, M: Manual pop-up with button release
Guide Number
Approx. 12/39, 13/43 with manual flash (m/ft, ISO 100, 20oC/68oF)
Flash Control
TTL: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR using 420-pixel RGB sensor are available with built-in flash and SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, or SB-400 (i-TTL balanced fill-flash is available when matrix or centre-weighted metering is selected)
Auto aperture: Available with SB-900, SB-800 and CPU lens
Non-TTL auto: Supported flash units include SB-900, SB-800, SB-80DX, SB-28DX, SB-28, SB-27, and SB-22S
Range-priority manual: Available with SB-900 and SB-800
Flash Sync Mode
Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye correction, and rear curtain with slow sync
Flash Compensation
Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye correction, and rear curtain with slow sync
Flash compensation
-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Flash Ready Indicator
Lights when built-in flash or optional flash unit such as SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-80DX, SB-28DX, or SB-50DX is fully charged; blinks for 3 s after flash is fired at full output
Accessory Shoe
ISO 518 hot-shoe with sync and data contacts and safety lock
Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)
Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-900, SB-800, or SU-800 as commander; Flash Colour Information Communication supported with built-in flash and all CLS-compatible flash units
Sync Terminal
Sync Terminal Adapter AS-15 (optional)
White Balance
Auto, incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, preset manual, all except preset manual with fine turning
Live View
n/a
LCD Monitor
3-in., approx. 230 k-dot TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
Movie
n/a
Playback Function
Full-frame and thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images or calendar) playback with playback zoom, playback of stop-motion movies created with D3000, slide show, histogram display, highlights, auto image rotation, and image comment (up to 36 characters)
USB
Hi-Speed USB
Audio Video Output
Can be selected from NTSC and PAL
Supported Languages
Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Battery
One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9a
AC Adapter
AC Adapter EH-5a; requires Power Connector EP-5 (optional)
Tripod Socket
1/4 in. (ISO 1222)
Operating Environment
Temperature: 0 to 40°C
Humidity: Less than 85% (no condensation)
Supplied Accessories
(may differ by country or area)
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9a , Quick Charger MH-23,, Eyepiece Cap DK-5, Rubber Eyecap DK-20, USB Cable UC-E4, Video Cable EG-D100, Camera Strap AN-DC3, Accessory Shoe Cover BS-1, Body Cap BF-1A, Software Suite CD-ROM
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Approx. 126 x 97 x 64 mm /
5.0 x 3.8 x 2.5 in.
Weight
Approx. 485 g without battery, memory card, or body cap
Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
Product technical specifications (including MSRP and Included Accessories) are as represented by the manufacturer and subject to manufacturer's change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. Product color availability and included accessories may also differ by country or area. Please verify the latest specs from the appropriate manufacturer's site.
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Though we make every effort to strive for accuracy in reproducing these specs, we do occasionally make mistakes, so verify with the manufacturer's site for the latest specs. Also, in the early stages of a product introduction, you can almost guarantee there will be some errors from the manufacturers themselves as they update their sites. If you see any mistakes, please contact us. We do appreciate your writing in with the corrections and thank you in advance!
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