Nikon D50 Review

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1848401,00.asp?kc=PCRSS02129TX1K0000530' target='_blank'>http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1848401,00.asp?kc=PCRSS02129TX1K0000530</a><br /><br /></div><i>"When it comes to the digital SLR market, Nikon has always focused on high-end, professional models like the D2X. While the company has not ignored consumer D-SLRs, its primary mission has always been serving pro shooters. That is why we were pleasantly surprised by the introduction of the D50 and what seems to be more of a commitment to the consumer. The D50 has a great price and includes helpful, user-friendly features. These, combined with excellent quality and performance, made it easy to single out this camera as our new Editors' Choice for D-SLRs. Nikon faced two challenges in introducing this D-SLR. The first was distinguishing it from the competition, especially Canon's 6MP Rebel and the very popular 8MP Rebel XT."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/nikond50.jpg" /><br /><br />Clearly the reviewers at PCMagazine liked this camera because they have marked it as <i>the</i> D-SLR to get. I would agree with them that for the price, the Nikon D50 is probably the best you can get. They clearly saw the problems with the Rebel XT in its small LCD which is hard to see in bright daylight and lack of TIFF support and created a camera that prosumers would find attractive. Unfortunately, I am still deeply rooted in the Canon camp so I guess I still support the Digital Rebel XT.

[dane]

I thinks there's no doubt that the D50 is a good camera. I also think that the Rebel XT is a good camera too even though I personally think it has a couple of extremely annoying traits. (The grip is a bit small for me and the shortcut buttons are simply that, not true function buttons--that's a real deal killer for me.) Personally, I think that the Konica-Minolta 5D is the camera to have in the sub $1000 price range. KM has regularly demonstrated superior ergonomics and control access, and it appears that the 5D will be no exception. I have a 7D and chose it over the Canon 20D due to superior ergonomics and controls. That being said, Canon seems to have it in the highest image quality/lowest noise areas.

If you don't already own lenses of one manufacturer (I didn't, my last film camera was a Sigma SA9), then take the time to compare all three (and possibly the Pentax *IST-DS, but it is has some of the limitations of the original Rebel even though its ease of use is superb) of the cameras. If you already own lenses, then often the decision is made. Quality lenses are a big investment and not likely cast away.

In the end, all of the cameras (now that I think about it, the Olympus E-300 is also a player, but with a notch lower color quality) can take good photographs in the hands of someone who knows who to take good photographs. Most of all, have fun!