Nikon Nirvana: Which Nikon dSLR?

Lori Grunin, Senior Editor December 1, 2008

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 have simply 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-okay D60, while the D40 lives on.
• If you can afford a little more, opt for the D80. Though it's an older model, it's staying in Nikon's line, and for a price within shouting distance of the D60 you get a significantly better camera.
• If you're a hobbyist, vacation shooter, or family cruise director and can spend a little more, buy the D90. It delivers superior photo quality, performance, and build quality than most of its less expensive siblings, and improves over the D80 with higher resolution, an extra stop of usable ISO sensitivity and a performance boost.
• 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 lacks the 1.5x magnification factor that narrows wide-angle lenses. Performance matches the D3 in all but the fastest burst mode and image qualilty 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