The D3000 Nikon's newest inexpensive DSLR. It's a good camera all by itself, but it's the worst DSLR Nikon has ever made. What makes it worse by comparison is significantly slower and balkier operation when compared to other Nikon DSLRs.
The
Nikon D40 is a better camera for less money.
The Nikon D3000 is inferior both in operational speed and ease of use, as well as inferior in technical image quality. Specifically,
the D3000 is about one stop noisier at any given ISO than the D40; the D3000 is as noisy at ISO 800 as the D40 is at ISO 1,600. While the D40 looks great at ISO 1,600, the D3000 is too grainy at ISO 1,600 for normal use. You have to keep the D3000 at ISO 800 or below for the best results.
Thank goodness the D3000 has no video mode or Live View. DSLR video modes make crappy video and clog up the camera's operation and price, so not having video makes for a better camera at a better price. Likewise, Live View is largely another fluff feature which jacks up the price, and which few people can figure out. Both Live View and video modes hold open the shutter to let more dirt get on the sensor. Good riddance to video and live view!
The D3000 has
ADR. The D3000 does not automatically correct lateral color fringes as do the
D5000 and above. The D3000 does not support
wireless flash control with its built-in flash; you have to use another flash as the commander.
The D3000 introduces a new
GUIDE mode, which attempts to help everyone figure out how to use these complex cameras. It's not very helpful.
The best thing about the D3000 is that Nikon gave it one of the best menu systems yet. Nikon completely eliminated the Custom Functions menu, and put everything where it belongs in the SETUP, SHOOTING or PLAY menus. For instance, we used to have to go looking for items related to taking pictures in random places in three menu systems, and now they are all in the SHOOTING menu. Hallelujah!
