Nikon D40 v D50 v D60-is there a big difference? [Archive]

bridportchick

03-10-2009, 02:06

I have been searching in vain for a Nikon D50 in my price range with under 10,000 actuations,unfortunatly there's none out there so Ive thought about the D40 or D60 these strangly seem to be available for my budget...

Can anyone tell me what the differences are between the 3 camera's?
This will be my 1st dslr,I want to step up from my fuji.

Thanks for the help:)

taz

03-10-2009, 06:44

What's your budget?
Granted there are fewer D50's than D40's about if you use ebay as a guide.
The D50 has a motor in the body whereas the D40/60 rely on the lens for a motor to drive the AF. I think the D50 is slightly bigger but I haven't held it side by side with the D40.
If you will always be wanting AF then the D40/60 route restricts you to AFS or equivalent lenses.
I used a D50 a few weeks ago and was amazed at some of the images I got with just a 28-200G lens.
I would stick with the D50 personally (a black one - for some reason the silver ones look cheap) but only for the reason of greater AF lens choice.

jomike

03-10-2009, 06:47

Here is a side by side comparison (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=nikon_d50%2Cnikon_d60%2Cnikon_d40&show=all)of the features of the thtree cameras.
In a nutshell, the D50 is the oldest. It has more features than the other two, the most important being a built in focus motor so it can auto focus older lenses that do not have a focus motor built in. It is also bigger than the other two. The D40 has the same 6Mp sensor as the D50 in a smaller body, less focus points and a bigger LCD. It was aimed as a cheap entry level DSLR. The D60 was essentially a D40 with a 10Mp sensor and a few more features. All are now out of production, the D40 and D60 being replaced by the D3000 and D5000.

tijuana taxi

03-10-2009, 06:48

I think the D50 has an autofocus motor built in and the other two don't

Meaning you would need lenses with their own motors to get af in the d40 and d60

p1tse

03-10-2009, 07:19

one reason why i sold my d40, but cracking dslr

taz

03-10-2009, 07:54

Don't discount the D70 also. OK, it's a bit old but it's still very capable.
The only reason I've never liked it is because it doesn't feel comfortable in my hands, but that's just me.

Suvv

03-10-2009, 08:56

D40 - No focusing motor but a flash synch speed of 1/4000th sec if you do not use a TTL flash!

TG.

03-10-2009, 11:43

Personally i would go for a D50 because of the focus motor, but if you can't find one as they are quite rare these day's you could always take a look at a D80 which will also give you the focus motor and probably better AF, they normally go for around £300ish, (well you shouldn't be paying much more than that anyway) and are quite a bit easier to get hold of :)

bridportchick

03-10-2009, 12:38

Thanks all,been a great help.
Think im definately going to stick to finding a D50 then.
As this will be my 1st dlsr this seems the best option for me to get a leg in the door so to speak.

My little sis [lucky bugger]beat me to a fantastic deal on one on ebay a few months back,lucky old me she "allowed" me to play with it for 5 mins!!!
:annoyed: thing is she has absolutely no idea how to use it,she leaves it on auto,she doesnt even know what iso is!!!!

Syk3

03-10-2009, 13:27

What sort of budget? :)

bridportchick

03-10-2009, 13:36

:'( sadly only about £150.
That's what comes from having 1 kid at Uni & 2 at college,the buggers bleed you dry!
Im happy to swap 1-2-3 or even all 4 of the kids for a D50,lol..
I:love: them realy

miurasv

03-10-2009, 13:40

Get a D40. Great camera. There was one in the classifieds for a bit more but you'd have to buy a lens.

Syk3

03-10-2009, 13:44

I'd recommend a motor at some stage, but the D40 is perfectly fine, and i assume most of the lenses you'd want will have motors (AF-S), and you can get the Nikon 50mm f1.8D at some stage, manual focus only on the D40, but still a cracking lens. I had the D40 since release before upgrading to the D200 about a month or so ago.

bridportchick

03-10-2009, 14:00

Think what I might actualy do is sell my fuji s3000 + s5600 + my kodak c913.
As they are selling for decent amounts on ebay at mo, that way I'll have bit more cash to get the D50,just means I'll have to use my sons c913 till I get hold of one,as I CANNOT be without a camera,i'd rather give up smoking or my comp than be without a camera at all.

miurasv

03-10-2009, 14:07

Give up smoking and you'll be able to get a D3 in next to no time.

bridportchick

03-10-2009, 14:13

:gag:OK maybe i'll just get rid of the kids & dogs,as that would be way easier..lol.

Flash In The Pan

03-10-2009, 14:29

One thing to remember is that any D50 or D70 will be a fairly old camera for around the same price as a new, or nearly new, D40/D60......

taz

03-10-2009, 17:19

One thing to remember is that any D50 or D70 will be a fairly old camera for around the same price as a new, or nearly new, D40/D60......

But surely a low usage one 'older' model would be better than getting a high mileage newer one?

Flash In The Pan

03-10-2009, 17:21

But surely a low usage one 'older' model would be better than getting a high mileage newer one?

Well, my brand new D40 with 18-55 lens cost me £200.........:shrug:

TG.

03-10-2009, 17:52

:gag:OK maybe i'll just get rid of the kids & dogs,as that would be way easier..lol.

Sounds like a plan :D

taz

03-10-2009, 18:36

Well, my brand new D40 with 18-55 lens cost me £200.........:shrug:

Don't get me wrong Flash, I've got nothing against the D40 apart from the lack of motor, oh and no top LCD.
But for someone on a very limited budget........
OK, the start up cost is cheaper, but unless you want to focus manually, your lens choice IS more restricted.

taz

03-10-2009, 18:37

BTW Brenda, what will you be shooting mainly?

lawrenceots

03-10-2009, 18:40

stop smoking!!! :) and get a D50. That way you can get cheap lenses that will AF, rather tha newer AF S ones

miurasv

03-10-2009, 19:11

Well, my brand new D40 with 18-55 lens cost me £200.........:shrug:

Is the D40 and 18-55 available to all at this price? If not I don't understand why you posted that.

fracster

03-10-2009, 20:25

Steve, why don`t you stop living in the equipment section and make the best of what you have?

You can throw all the money in the world at this "habit", but you must learn the basics, sort those out and then look at getting better kit.

Just an idea.

taz

03-10-2009, 20:51

Is the D40 and 18-55 available to all at this price? If not I don't understand why you posted that.

I think he was just trying to point out what you can get for the money.

miurasv

04-10-2009, 07:41

I think he was just trying to point out what you can get for the money.

...and I was just pointing out that you can't normally get a brand new D40 and 18-55 lens for £200.

miurasv

04-10-2009, 07:43

fracster

04-10-2009, 07:58

I was mate, I hope I didn`t sound rude, but you post a lot in here and ask about expensive kit regularly, which is no bad thing as we all lust after goodies,but perhaps you are wanting to run before you can walk.Use what you have,the D2 in your sig is a good camera, the lenses you have are more than adequate for the time being, get the best out of what you have by using them. When they begin to hinder your work, then upgrade to better stuff.

None intended........:)

miurasv

04-10-2009, 08:10

bridportchick

04-10-2009, 17:30

thanks for all the advice,much appreciated.
1stly- I've tried manual focus but it just isnt me at the mo,I wear glasses & every time I thought it was in focus loaded pix up & they wernt,so an automatic focus I think might suit me better till i get the hang of things.

2ndly- I dont shoot any one perticular thing,it's a bit of everything realy whatever catches me eye.From drainholes,electric pylons to flowers,landscapes,portrait a right mixture.

3rdly- yep I agree I'd rather an older camera with less usage than a newer model with loads of use.

Sadly due to my hubby not letting me sell the kids or dogs & the stress they cause I think giving up smoking is not an option untill they leave home,eventualy!
So i've bitten the bullet & listed my camera on ebay:'( hopefully it sells & I wont be without a camera for to long.

Flash In The Pan

04-10-2009, 17:37

Don't get me wrong Flash, I've got nothing against the D40 apart from the lack of motor, oh and no top LCD.
But for someone on a very limited budget........
OK, the start up cost is cheaper, but unless you want to focus manually, your lens choice IS more restricted.

I agree, given the choice (and I've owned the 40,50,70 and 70s) I'd buy a D70s, a D70 or a D50, in that order.

Cheng

04-10-2009, 17:51

I've owned the D70s, D70 and D40 and had a pretty good play with my friends D50, (not played with a D60 but they're just meant to be a newer D40). IMO I'd get a D60,D40, then D70. Why?

LCD and RGB histograms. Probably one of the most important aspects of the camera. D60/D40 LCD destroys the D70 LCD. The fact you can't zoom to 100% on the D70 to review image sharpness or view RGB histograms was a big downer for me. I've come away taking an image on the D70 thinking this is amazing...and upon downloading thought 'this is awful'. The LCD on the D70 is very deceptive. It makes it v. difficult to review composition, sharpness, or exposure. For this sole reason I'd recommend a D40 to a first time SLR user.

bridportchick

09-10-2009, 13:18

Hmmm i think i'll do a bit more research into the D40 then before I fully decide.

I just dont want to get something thats way beyond my capabilities.
Im crap with having to read manuals,so dont.
Im still in complete awe of setting & how to use them correctly.
I just shoot 1 pic in several settings then decide which I like best.
I usualy shoot using the "S"mode.