Value (9.0)
Nikon didn't come out with a consumer level 8 megapixel DSLR in response to the Canon Rebel XT, and Nikon partisans no doubt insist that most people don't need 8 megapixels and would rather have lower noise and more vibrant color. Fair enough – that's a reasonable opinion, though we’ll have to see whether or not it prevails. In any event, the D50 unquestionably yields vivid, low-noise pictures, while also providing users with manual controls and customizable parameters. Furthermore, the D50 body is durable, with a logical and uncluttered array of controls. As a kit or just the body, Nikon created a package as good as anything on the market for beginner SLR users and priced it extremely competitively. For under $800, consumers will get every bit of their money’s worth.
Comparisons
 Nikon D70s – The Nikon D70s lists at $1199.95, $300 more than the Nikon D50. While the cameras are very similar, Nikon removed a few significant features on the way to the D50. The D70s has two control dials, while the D50 has just one. This will limit control and functionality during handling. The D70s's shutter goes to 1/8000, while the D50 tops out at 1/4000. The D70s's ISO range is the same as the D50, but it's incremented in 1/3 stops, while the D50 has full-stop jumps. The D70s has a depth of field preview, which the D50 lacks. Lastly, the D70s uses CF cards, while the D50 uses SD.
 Canon Rebel XT – The Canon Rebel XT is an 8 megapixel camera, which is a significant advantage over the 6 megapixel D50. The Rebel is also a bit smaller than the D50. However, the D50 is built much more solidly than the Rebel XT. At $999.95, the Rebel XT lists for $100 more than the D50, but their street prices are within $50. The D50's excellent noise suppression edges it out over the Rebel XT, but the former offers a more restricted sensitivity range.
 Pentax *ist DL – The Pentax *ist DL is a close match with the D50. The *ist DL's significant advantages are a 2.5-inch, 210,000 pixel display and a top ISO of 3200. The D50's autofocus is much more capable than the *ist DL's. Both cameras pump up the color saturation, which may please many users, but can cause trouble when you're trying to edit the images. The *ist DL's colors are more exaggerated, and its noise levels, though good, are not quite parallel to the D50. In terms of handling, I personally found the D50 much more comfortable to hold than the *ist DL. While their kit lenses are very similar, and both not very good, Nikon offers more alternatives.
 Olympus EVOLT E-300 – Now selling with two kit lenses, the E-300 is another 8 megapixel DSLR. We found its images noisy, and its autofocus substandard. It's very solidly built, with some innovative technology to remove dust from the optical path, and some nice manual features. Though it lists for $999, it's selling for less than $700 online.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – If there are point-and-shooters who must have a DSLR or want to grow into the medium, this is a good choice; however, the truly casual should get a compact camera instead.
Budget Consumers – Again, this is a budget DSLR, and with its excellent quality construction, it will be cheap to own for a long time. Still, most compacts are cheaper than low-end DSLRs, although that line seems to be becoming less defined.
Gadget Freaks – The D50 a solidly implemented piece of existing technology, not a cutting edge design. However, the pop-up flash can be used as a wireless iTTL trigger, which is unique in the consumer-DSLR realm (other than the D70 and D70s) and there are a slew of parameters and multiple color spaces available that should hold the gadget freak’s interest for a while.
Manual Control Freaks – Manual control freaks wouldn't have much to complain about here: the D50 is a very solid manual camera. The particular drawbacks for users shooting manually are the camera’s one control dial, which makes manual exposure alteration a little more clumsy than need be, and the fact that you can get far more manual options for white balance on other cameras – others can dial in Kelvin color temperatures directly and fine tune the color in multiple directions.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists – I don't expect too many pros will jump on the D50, even as a backup camera, primarily because Nikon DSLR users would have to carry both CF and SD cards to use this and any other Nikon DSLR. Serious hobbyists who already have a stack of SD media might be tempted to move up from a compact, though.
|
