Which Camera is better Nikon D60 or the Nikon D3000??

[Kathy O]

I am thinking about getting my first DSLR, I really like the Nikon products and am looking into two cameras the Nikon D60 and a Nikon D3000. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Thankyou

Kathy

[Ludwig]

Both of these cameras are no longer current production models. The D60 is the older one, it was introduced about 4 years ago. They are about the same in features. I have a D60 and it has worked well for these years. Since these are older cameras, you are probably looking at a used camera. How the camera was used and treated will be more significant than which model it is. Be sure you are buying from a reputable dealer who stands behind the sale. Also be sure that you are allowed to test it, take some pictures, check for any dings and wear.
Good luck! Hope to see some of your pictures here.

[Black Pearl]

The D3000 has better AF, a better sensor and a better screen - if its in budget then there's no choice which I'd go for.

[Dizzy]

Kathy, there are plenty of new D90's out there still, and it's a hellofa camera
for the cost. Spend the saved "camera dollars" on the better glass and you'll
be way ahead of the game in the end.

My two centavos..

Mike

[thequacksoflife]

The D3000 has better AF, a better sensor and a better screen - if its in budget then there's no choice which I'd go for.

Hi Robin,

Correct me if I'm wrong but the d3000 has the same 10mp sensor as the d60 and though the D60 has a smaller screen the resolution is the same (233k dot to 230k). The AF is MUCH improved. I assume you are referring to the d3100 as having a better sensor?

Kathy - If it was me I'd try to go for the d5100 (assuming budget allows), otherwise I'd go for D3100.

kind regards

Pete

[Scottm]

I have noted many articles knocking the D3000, which is no longer produced (but is available in some places) and this camera was surpassed by the D3100. The new bottom-of-the-range Nikon DSLR is now the D3200 at an attractive price point and should be considered. It contains some software from the top-of-the-range Nikon and this should be an improvement over the D3000 and D3100. It does, however, contain a sensor at 24MP and while this, together with Nikon's new in-camera software, produce great pictures, it may suffer from its low-light capabilities. In everyday situations with reasonable light, it may end up being a winner.

[Black Pearl]

The sensor might be the same but Nikon will have tweaked the output in the newer camera and the 3" screen might only have 230k pixels but it has 230k of excellent pixels.

It is all well and good recommending a D90 or a D5100 but both models are vastly more expensive. If Kathy could give us a maximum budget we might be able to become a little more creative but until then people might as well tell her that she should buy a D4 as that will give better images.

[thequacksoflife]

The sensor might be the same but Nikon will have tweaked the output in the newer camera and the 3" screen might only have 230k pixels but it has 230k of excellent pixels.

It is all well and good recommending a D90 or a D5100 but both models are vastly more expensive. If Kathy could give us a maximum budget we might be able to become a little more creative but until then people might as well tell her that she should buy a D4 as that will give better images.

Robin I'm scratching my head...... my comment was IF budget allows go for the D5100 otherwise go for the D3100......

my comment was that the d3000 is a tweak to the d60. The d3100 is a significant improvement...... a quick scan on Amazon shows prices between the d3100 and d3000 shows the prices to be broadly similar.....

[Hero]

I don't think you want a D3000. It's not a bad camera, but not very good either. It's not for nothing that within a year it got replaced by the D3100. Personally I'd rather go for it's successor the D3100 or even it's predecessor the D40.

[Kathy O]

I really appreciate everyones advice!!! To answer my budget question . . . I am embarrassed to say I can only spend up to 400.00 that is why I am looking at older, gently used models. I have a nikon L120 camera right now and it takes good photos but I have no control, it is very automatic, I can not change shutter speed, etc and I would really like to have some fun trying some different things, I am going to colorado and would love to photograph a waterfall and get that smooth look to it -- can't do that with my present camera. Thanks again for the advice and please feel free to give me some more.

Kathy

[Scott Stephen]

I really appreciate everyones advice!!! To answer my budget question . . . I am embarrassed to say I can only spend up to 400.00 that is why I am looking at older, gently used models. I have a nikon L120 camera right now and it takes good photos but I have no control, it is very automatic, I can not change shutter speed, etc and I would really like to have some fun trying some different things, I am going to colorado and would love to photograph a waterfall and get that smooth look to it -- can't do that with my present camera. Thanks again for the advice and please feel free to give me some more.

Kathy

That is a tight budget for a DSLR camera body alone. Lenses add to the price. I think you are on the right path looking for a used camera though. Craigslist is the cheapest place I know of for a buyer. Ebay is the most expensive place, which would be good if you were the seller instead of the buyer (minus the Ebay fees).

[Scott Stephen]

I don't know the Nikon line very well, but if you are willing to consider Canon, then you can have a T2i for very cheap, and they have exactly the same 18 megapixel sensor as the T4i which just came out today to huge fanfare. Also the same exact sensor as is in the much more expensive Canon 60D and 7D. All of these cameras (even my T3i) will be suddenly cheaper used because of this new release. I think it is a great oportunity to buy a T2i.
Good luck! I hope you enjoy getting into the manual controls!

[Shadowman]

I really appreciate everyones advice!!! To answer my budget question . . . I am embarrassed to say I can only spend up to 400.00 that is why I am looking at older, gently used models. I have a nikon L120 camera right now and it takes good photos but I have no control, it is very automatic, I can not change shutter speed, etc and I would really like to have some fun trying some different things, I am going to colorado and would love to photograph a waterfall and get that smooth look to it -- can't do that with my present camera. Thanks again for the advice and please feel free to give me some more.

Kathy

Try Jack's Camera which has locations in Doylestown, Philadelphia, and Exton, PA. They usually have used cameras and also sell for customers on eBay.