Nikon D3000

Sharpness

The top sharpness results were found in the center of shots taken at the widest-angle setting, with 1388 lw/ph horizontally and 1375 vertically. Performance was very similar when shooting at the midrange, but images became much softer when shooting at full zoom. More on how we test sharpness.

Image Sharpness and Chromatic Aberration

Focal Length:

18.0mm

35.0mm

55.0mm

Click blue squares to change sample crops below
f/3.5 f/9 f/22
f/5 f/13 f/32
f/5.6 f/14 f/36

Image Stabilization (7.54)

Unlike the Nikon D40, the D3000 ships with an image-stabilized lens, the 18-55mm Nikkor VR, and in our testing we found that the vibration reduction system produced significantly sharper images when used under relatively low-shake conditions, and was somewhat helpful with more intense camera movement.

To test image stabilization we mount the camera on a custom computer-controlled rig, which produces repeatable movement patterns. We’ve programmed it for a low-level shake (about what you’d get when the average person shooting handheld) and high-shake (which might occur if you were moving and shooting at the same time). For each shake pattern, we take a series of test photos at a range of shutter speeds, with and without the image stabilization system engaged, and compare the blur levels in each batch, using Imatest software to analyze the images. In addition to testing two levels of shake, we perform separate tests for horizontal and vertical camera movements.

Under low shake conditions, the image stabilization system produced a worthwhile improvement at most shutter speeds for both horizontal and vertical movement.

When we cranked up the camera movement the VR lens was less effective, though there is still a definite gain when combating vertical movement at relatively high shutter speeds. It’s also worth noting that, unlike some cameras we’ve tested, there’s essentially no harm done leaving the image stabilization system engaged at any shutter speed.

Image Stabilization Comparison Table			Expand
	Low Shake IS Off	Low Shake IS On	High Shake IS Off	High Shake IS On
1/500
1/250
1/125
1/60
1/30
1/15
1/8

The D3000 received an exceptionally high score in this test. The Canon Rebel XS was tested before our image stabilization testing procedures were finalized, so it is not included in the score comparison graph below.