So, it all looks good so far - but just wait until you turn the D50 on. It responds nearly instantly, leaving some current professional cameras behind in the dust. Shutter lag is very short too: not quite as brisk as top models, but entirely usable. It has a 23.7mm by 15.6mm DX format image sensor with 6.1 million effective pixels. It also has a 2.0" (50mm) polysilicon TFT LCD with 130,000 pixels. The camera uses a through-the-lens full-aperture exposure metering system. It can simultaneously record NEF and JPEG data to a Secure Digital storage device. Like its newer, higher-end sibling (the D80), the D50 uses Secure Digital instead of CompactFlash cards found on previous Nikon digital SLRs. The camera is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery which is claimed to be able to take up to 2,000 shots on a single charge. The camera is compatible with PictBridge printers and can shoot 2.5 frames per second in continuous mode. The camera's dimensions are 133mm in width, 102mm in height, and 76mm in depth. [1] Text description of Digital Vari-program modes taken from the Nikon D50 user manual with permission. Top of camera controls (right)

Nikon D50 Review - Compact, but Solid and Capable DSLR - Nikonians Nikon D50 Review - Compact, but Solid and Capable DSLR -

This particular class of camera, the entry level DSLR, is an important one for many reasons. First, manufacturers see photographers purchasing cameras in this range as their future. Photographers rarely jump from a point and shoot to a Nikon D2X or an Nikon F6. They usually start with something less expensive, determine if they really enjoy the level of control a SLR or DSLR provides, gradually add accessories, and then sometimes migrate to the higher-end bodies. Switching from one system to another midway through the process happens, but not without pain and financial loss. Second, cultivating a large size group of new photographers helps subsidize R&D expenses for some of the higher end cameras and lenses. High shutter speeds freeze motion for dynamic sports shots in which main subject stands out clearly.

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In this mode you select the aperture and the camera will calculate the correct shutter speed depending on metered exposure, exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity. Aperture is displayed on the viewfinder status bar and on the top LCD, turn the command dial to select different apertures. The exact range of apertures depends on the lens used. Images from the camera are marked by two qualities: cleanliness from noise, and good dynamic compression. This means that the images are smooth, with gradations unbroken and changing evenly from midtone to darker tones. Good dynamic compression means that it handles wide ranges of luminance well, resulting in more details showing in highlights while shadow details are also retained. This does have the side effect of making the images look slightly soft or fl at in tone, though. In compensation, midtone contrast is good, so the overall impression of the images is very favourable. This is in part a testament to the lens too, which performs well for its class: images are well drawn, although detail could be more crisply rendered. Another pleasant surprise awaits you when you lift the camera to your eye: the view is bright, crisply contrasty and looks neutral. This level of image would have done a professional camera proud a few years ago and is superb performance for any camera now. Bear in mind that the lens tested is a relatively slow f/3.5 maximum aperture at the wide end, yet even at the f/5.6 long setting, the viewfinder is a pleasure to use.

Nikon D50 Review - Digital Photography Review Nikon D50 Review - Digital Photography Review

In this mode you select the shutter speed and the camera will calculate the correct aperture for the exposure (based on the reading of the current metering mode). Shutter speed is displayed on the viewfinder status bar and on the top LCD, turn the command dial to select different shutter speeds. Available shutter speeds (1/3 EV steps): Automatic, Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sport, Closeup, Night Portrait, Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Programmed Auto

Top of camera controls (right)

The Best of Nikonians - 2023 Images The Best of Nikonians - 2022 Images The Best of Nikonians - 2021 Images The Best of Nikonians - 2020 Images The Best of Nikonians - 2019 Images The Best of Nikonians - 2018 Images The Best of Nikonians - 2017 Images Nikonians Photography Awards 2017 Finalists The Best of Nikonians - 2016 Images The Best of Nikonians - 2015 Images The Best of Nikonians - 2014 Images The Best of Nikonians - 2013 Images Triple Crown - 2012 The Best of Nikonians - 2011 Images The Best of Nikonians - 2010 Images Nikonians 10th Anniversary Contest The Best of Nikonians - 2009 Images The Best of Nikonians - 2008 Images 2007 Nikonian Photographer of the Year 2006 Nikonians Photographers of the Year 2005 Nikonians Photographers of the Year 2004 Nikonians Photo Contest 2000-2001 Nikonians Photo Contest body only; 616g (1.358lb) with EN-EL3 battery; 826g (1.821lb) with battery and AF-S DX ZOOM - NIKKOR 1 8 - 5 5 mm f/3.5-5.6 GED kit lens In this mode you select the aperture and the shutter speed from any combination of the above (plus BULB for shutter speed, apertures limited by the lens used). Command dial alone selects shutter speed, hold the exposure compensation button and turn the dial to select aperture. The meter on the viewfinder status bar immediately reflect the exposure level compared to the calculated ideal exposure, if it's outside of +/- 2EV the indicator bar will add an arrow '<' or '>' on the end of the meter.