Nikon SLRs vary from entry-level to high-end professional models.
Nikon formed from the merger of two Japanese optics companies in 1917 and began releasing its Nikkor lenses in 1932. The first camera to bear the Nikon name came out in 1946. The company has released many storied cameras over the years and as of April 2010, its line of digital single lens reflex cameras feature excellent low-light performance. Nikon also still makes a couple of film SLRs.
Entry Level
The D40, introduced in 2006, and D3000, introduced in 2009, are Nikon's entry-level D-SLR. The D40 sports a six megapixel sensor and can shoot 2.5 frames per second. The D3000 has a 10.2 megapixel sensor and can shoot three frames per second. Both are lightweight, at 17 ounces for the D40 and 16.1 ounces for the D3000, and compact, measuring 5 inches wide, 3.7 inches high (3.8 for the D3000) and 2.5 inches deep. The D40 does not have live view auto-focus through the LCD screen, but the D3000 does. The D40 and D3000 will only auto-focus with lenses that have an auto-focus motor designated AF-S or AF-I. They are only sold with an 18-55 lens.
Improved Performance
The D5000 and D90 are the mid-range in the Nikon line. Both cameras are sold either with kit lenses or as body-only cameras. Both have 12.3 megapixel sensors and can shoot 720p high-definition movies. The D90 utilizes the dual jog dial layout on the body that is a hallmark of Nikon's higher-level cameras, allowing for quick adjustment of shutter speed and aperture settings when shooting in manual. The D5000 only has one jog dial. The D5000 has 19 auto-exposure scene modes, while the D90 has five. The D90 is faster, able to shoot 4.5 frames per second against the four frames per second for the D5000, and is also compatible with older Nikon auto-focus lenses. The D5000 weighs 19.8 ounces and measures 5 inches wide, 4.1 inches high and 3.1 inches deep. The D90 weighs 22 ounces and measures 5.2 inches wide, 4.1 inches high and 3 inches deep.
Prosumer
The D300S is Nikon's professional/consumer model. It is durable, with a magnesium alloy body that can withstand more abuse. It has a 12.3 megapixel sensor and can shoot seven frames per second, and shoot 720p HD movies. The 51-point auto-focus system with 3-D tracking is fast and accurate. In addition to SD memory cards, the D300S is the cheapest Nikon to use CompactFlash memory, prized by professionals for greater storage and speed. The D300S weighs 30 ounces and measures 5.8 inches wide, 4.5 inches high and 2.9 inches deep.
Full-Frame Sensor
Nikon makes four models with full-frame sensors. Full-frame sensors are the same size as 35mm film, and have larger pixels, resulting in less noise, even at high ISOs up to 6400, making them ideal for low-light photography. The D700, D3, and D3S have 12.1 megapixel sensors, while the D3X has a 24 megapixel sensor. The D700 is the slowest, shooting five frames per second, and most compact, weighing 35 ounces and measuring 5.8 inches wide, 4.8 inches high, and 3 inches deep. The D3 and D3S weigh 43.7 ounces and measure 6.3 inches wide, 6.2 inches high and 3.5 inches deep. Each can shoot nine frames per second; the D3S can also shoot 720p HD movies. The D3X can shoot five frames per second, weighs 43 ounces, and measures 6.3 inches wide, 6.2 inches high and 3.4 inches deep.
Film
Nikon still produces two 35mm film SLRs, the FM10 and F6. The FM10 is aimed at students and people new to SLRs, with manual film advance and shutter speeds as fast as 1/2000 of a second. It weighs 14.7 ounces and comes with a 35-70mm lens. The F6 has a magnesium alloy body and motorized auto-focus, including single, continuous low for up to three frames per second and continuous high for up to 5.5 frames per second. The F6 weighs 34.4 ounces.
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