Nikon nirvana: Which Nikon dSLR?

Lori Grunin, Senior Editor May 12, 2009

Not everyone approaches the dSLR buying decision as a tabula rasa choice. If you've already chosen Nikon--whether it's because you already have some lenses, friends who are brand-enamored, or simply have had good experiences with the company's point-and-shoot models--here's some help selecting the right model. On a general note, if your budget is tight, and unless there's a specific feature or performance level you need from a particular model, it's usually a good idea to save money on the body and spend it on a better lens.

• If you're on a tight budget, you don't have much of a choice, and the D40 is the least expensive of the lot (sorry, no room left in the chart for this). Oddly, though it shipped after the D40, the higher-resolution D40x has been slipping slowly out of the channel and replaced by the just-OK D60, while the D40 lives on.
• If you can afford more, opt for the D5000. It's a significantly better camera than the D60--faster, with better photo quality and a broader feature set that includes video capture and a flip-down-and-twist LCD. At this point, it's also a better deal than the D90. They're very similar models, with comparable photo and video quality, and the D5000 is slightly cheaper. The D90 does still have a couple of advantages over the D5000, though, including a better LCD (though it's fixed, not articulated) and viewfinder.
• If you need a pro-level camera but can't afford the D3, and don't need the lens compatibility or wide-angle flexibility of a full-frame model, the D300 offers a host of advantages over the D90. It's better constructed, with a dust-sealed body, delivers an extra stop (ISO 3,200 versus ISO 1,600) of latitude, and a provides a more sophisticated 51-point AF system. Its performance generally matches or outpaces the D90's as well.
• If you need a more rugged body, better low-light latitude, or real wide-angle focal lengths below 20mm or so, then it's time to step up to the D700. It delivers a couple stops of exposure over the D300--up to ISO 12,800 is usable on occasion--and because it's full-frame, it lacks the 1.5x magnification factor that narrows wide-angle lenses. Performance matches the D3 in all but the fastest burst mode and image quality is very similar, making the less-expensive D700 a compelling alternative to the D3 for a majority of shooters.
• If you need the best performing, most rugged body available, you're going to have to shell out for the D3.
• If you need really high resolution for large prints or deep crops, right now your only Nikon option is the 24.5-megapixel D3X; unfortunately, its price tag puts it out of reach of all but serious professionals. (I'll update this when we've gotten a chance to review it.)

More Resources

Digital SLR buying guide,

Best digital cameras