amazing

This is my first slr digital camera, i did my research and it was between the nikond40 and the sony alpha200...i chose the sony after handling it in a camera shop, reading every review i could get hold etc etc...i bought it friday as a package deal with the lens it comes with a further lens, 4gb card, bag, filter and three years accidental damage cover for four hundred and seventy. Now i know i could have got a more expensive camera and saved up and bought lenses but i am soooo glad i took the plunge and bought the sony alpha200 it is amazing....i have spent all day today taking photos i went into the woods and to a flower and veg show and to a graveyard and the photos are amazing i cannot believe i took them..The camera is easy to use i still have a lot to learn basically i just used auto, portrait, landscape and close up and the results are beautifull...I am no expert I am a total begineer so have zero experience but i am sooooo happy..Have being playing around with photoshop and im so pleased...So if you are a total virgin on the slr front then this is the camera for you but if not then read the other reviews but im a happy bunny

Camera brilliant - Nikon cashback, not so great

Love the camera. Simple to use and takes great snaps.

Just make sure if you get an additional lens with this as I did, that you get them through on the same transaction otherwise you'll only get £40 cash back not the £60. Just smarts a bit when you pay near £700 for kit that they leave such a bad taste in your mouth over £20. Makes you wonder what they're like to deal with as a company really. Hopefully I'll never have to.

Camera buyer beware

Nope I can't tell if this camera will meet your needs..But warn you when buying your camera no mater what make. Be sure that the camera is distributed from the UK otherwise you won't get any rebate and if you do get a fault you will have to ship it to the country of origin.. If in any doubt get email proof from the seller before you part with your hard earnt cash..

I have been researching a new camera and have been surprised by the number of non UK cameras being sold on Amazon and by other companies on the web.

Very good camera for a bargain price!

I bought this camera as a step up from a normal compact. I'm very pleased with it. It has loads of good features and the zoom is excellent. I toyed with getting the 5800 but it doesn't have image stabilisation which I think is almost essential unless your a pro or using a tripod.

The pictures are very good but probably not excellent. But I don't think you could expect any better at this price. Some reviews have mentioned poor quality grainy pics - mine have been fine. Movie quality is also very impressive. Other reviews have suggested the camera is difficult to use. I couldn't disagree more. Given the amount of features available the menu systems couldn't be presented any easier. Also the manual is entirely in English (unlike some other reviewers).

If you're looking for a good quality, low cost camera that does a lot more than a compact then buy this camera. If you're looking for amazing picture quality and consider yourself a pro - don't buy it! (but you'll need to spend a heck of lot more than 140 quid!)

Great Entry Level DSLR, Great Choice of Lenses

I bought this as a first step into the SLR/DSLR world and my only regret is that I hadn't bought into it sooner. This camera has all the adjustability I need at this stage and feels well made and very solidly built.

I chose the D60 mainly because the reviews of the kit lenses that are available with the Canon 450D are not very good. I can't afford to spend massive amounts of cash on new lenses straight away and so the Nikon seemed the best bet. The 18-55mm lens seems very good in most situations and the VR is truly useful when shooting in low light.

I used a borrowed Nikon D40 for a safari holiday earlier in the year, so I was already fairly familiar with the (very similar) controls of the D60, but it is only when I have now started using Manual and RAW mode that I have really come to appreciate the amazing potential of this camera. Unfortunately I now find myself wanting f2.8 zoom lenses that will cost a small fortune - I need to start saving my pennies!

As a basic starter kit though, the D60 plus the 18-55 and 55-200 kit lenses, and maybe the affordable 50mm f1.8 prime lense, will allow me to start using the camera to take some amazing photos. I would say the small amount of extra money for this camera over the D40 was worth spending for me, as I do intend to get some photos blown up to a quite large size. The extra size of the images is not much of an issue as memory cards are not really that expensive any more. The D60 does feel a bit quicker than the D40 too.

I agree with a previous reviewer in that I would have liked to see some more focus points, but I don't miss the live view function of the 450D as I won't be working in a studio with the D60.

As is pointed out by several photographers on the internet, it is probably better to spend your money on lenses than the camera body, as these are probably going to have to last you longer and have a much greater effect on the image quality. For me, having seen the excellent photos the D60 can take, I'm inclined to agree with them.

Excellent package

As a confirmed Canon fan, having previously owned the 350D, I would thoroughly recommend the 40D. The 350D was a great camera and I considered buying both a 450D and a 30D before opting for the 40D. While the 450D has many of the features in common with the 40D the extra size and"feel" of the 40D make it far more comfortable in my large hands. The camera is a pleasure to use and I found the controls and menu system straightforward and intuitive. I debated whether to buy"body only" but the image stabilised 17-85mm lens included in the kit swung it for me. To anyone thinking of buying a digital SLR in this price bracket I would suggest you seriously consider the 40D!

Versatile Performer

I have always been a Nikon fan having owned two previous film Nikon SLRs. I've had my digital D80 for about a year and a half and it has revolutionised and reinvigorated my hobby. Its main strengths is its ability to shoot in RAW format and apply corrections through software and then undo them if necessary without affecting the original image. At 10 megapixels it will allow sizable enlargements to be made that are pin sharp. I've done travel photography, architecture, indoor, nature, night and motor sport shooting which all require different techniques - the D80 performs in all fields.

Awesome Prosumer Camera

I have been using digital cameras since 2002 and have always gone for Canon, my first camera being a 2mp compact.

I have been swithering about the 40D for ages and the imminent arrival of the 450D had me sitting on the fence even more.

I took myself to one side and had a little chat about what little difference an extra 2mp will make and decided to go for the 40D.

I am so glad I did, I have been using a 350D and the step-up in terms of build quality is unreal, you know where the extra money has gone.

In terms of exciting new features there really isn't anything to get excited about. Sure, it has liveview but so what, all my compacts have that. Saying that it is a useful feature but not something you are going to show off about.

I have been showing friends the camera and althogh there isn't any killer features to show off with, the camera is probably the ultimate incarnation of an SLR in this price bracket.

What this camera offers is complete confidence and a feature set that inspires creativity and solutions to any photographic challenge. Everything works well and within a couple of days you come to grips with the controls an away you go.

I got a couple of lenses, a Sigma 10-20mm and a Sigma 24-60 f2.8 constant aperture and I am saving hard for a Canon 70-200mm lens. When I get that I will have a very respectable kit that covers any photographic situation.

The finish and build of the body is second to none, magnesium alloy throughout and it is light, strong and the rubberised coating is very tactile. A small indentation below the shutter button allows your middle finger to sit tightly against the grip and this gives a real good hold. The buttons are on the whole well position but the four small buttons along the top panel sometimes cause you to twist and convolute your digits to pick certain features.

I photograph in a variety of situations from landscape to candid, portrait, still life, the whole lot really and this camera is never away from my side. The menus are indepth but accessible and pretty much every function you could wish for (and a few more besides) is available to tweak, set to auto or disable.

I really can't praise this camera highly enough, I shoot mainly RAW files and the quality of the processed image (when using the included software) is second to none. My photography has really stepped up a gear purely due to this camera and for that reason alone I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

Don't fall into the megapixel trap, the 40D is pretty comparable to the 450D (especially with the current cashback offer) and you really owe it to yourself to buy a fantastically well specified camera with a build quality that will ensure it gives years of service.

Just wonderful

I have finally upgraded from my trusty D100 (six yrs old) All i can say is WOW. I like using prime lens and I am over the moon at the quality. many of the other reviews go into quite a bit of detail. All I can say is that if you purchase one of these you won't be disappointed. This is a huge jump from a D100, but also a big leap from the D200. The picture and build quality is second to none. Buy one now and rekindle your hobby.

D700

I started digital with the D100 which at the time I thought was pretty good, the D200 then came out and I purchased that. The improvement over the D100 was pretty marked. When the D300 arrived I decided that the improvements over the D200 didn't warrant an upgrade. I decided to save my pennies and go the whole hog and buy a D3. Imagine my surprise when they announced the D700! I ordered one right away and it turned up early in August. What can I say about this piece of kit. It does all the blurb tells you it will do, the full frame being a great bonus. I went digital from an F70 so all of my lenses were full frame compatible thank goodness. Everything about the D700 is great although the live view will take a bit of getting used to. Like the D100 and D200 I find in my old age that the notch on the on off switch is too small, wearing gloves in cold weather makes it awkward to feel. I recommend anyone thinking of going for an upgrade from the D200, forget the D300 and go straight for the D700 the extra cost is worth every penny. Try not to buy kit lenses although as a stop gap they will do a pretty good job. The camera only being as good as its lens, fast Sigma lenses go well with the D700. Buy and enjoy you will not be disappointed.

A great piece of kit

More pixels than you can shake a stick at, read the manual to find all sorts of tricks (although tinkering brings a lot to hand anyway). More intuitive than it first appears - menus are inevitable. Standard lens OK for general shots, but the 75-300mm zoom gives a lot more range particularly for outdoor shots. Spare battery and a few CF cards not a bad idea if you are going snap-happy, but will get hundreds on most cards. Viewing and deleting is very quick, no massive start-up time. Does need technical savvy as do most SLRs, otherwise use a regular camera. Flash card adapter for PC access would be a good accessory, as would simple bag - none supplied for a high end item like this.

An ex-canon fan

Only thirteen months after buying the camera, and it failed (Error 99).

Look on the internet for Error 99. Choose Pentax instead.

Great camera!

(I bought this a couple of months back)

Although the camera world has now turned predominantly digital, there are many reasons to stick with film - not least value for money, but also image quality. I prefer to use a film camera anyway, as I find more satisfaction in doing this, but this SLR represents great value.
The camera is easy to use - there are various modes for different types of operation, which give great images, even on cheap film.
However, budding photographers will also find comprehensive manual use - film speed, exposure, aperture etc. can all be adjusted.
The camera is a little plasticky - the battery compartment in particular feels flimsy, but it is lightweight and, for an SLR, compact, so I cannot fault it. Also, the two CR2 batteries it requires seem to last forever.

In all, a great camera - in particular it would suit people who want a first SLR with which to get to grips with photography.

First Rate Camera

This is an excellent SLR camera. Solidly built unlike the canon. But what really makes it stand out from the rest is it's simple pre-set programming option with 15 preset systems. If you are not familiar with shutter or 'film' speeds and apeture settings - this feature alone will enable you to create professional pictures.

Well recommended.

I love this camera!

I love this camera, having had it for almost one year. Yes, it is a bit heavier than similar offerings from Canon, Sony and Olympus but this is due to it's build quality! Dslrs are not pocket cameras! They will have to take some rough and tumble and the extra weight helps the camera balance when used with larger lenses. I particularly like the extra bright viewfinder, very important and much superior to the Canon Eos 400D.

I bought this camera with the excellent 18-200vr and really love this lens. This is not a lens review but remember, when you buy a Dslr, you are buying into a camera range. It's essential to look at what accessories are available and Nikon do not disappoint in this area.
There are 11 autofocus points which should be enough for anyone.
Noise control at 400 iso is excellent and is available up to 3200 but is very noisy, so only for emergencies. The D80 has a whole host of in-camera adjustments for adjusting images although I prefer to do this in Photoshop.

I think I will be happy with this camera for a few years yet. This does everything I want it to (takes sharp, low noise, well exposed pictures) and of course, reading the manual is essential to make the best use of all the features but it still isn't difficult for someone used to film SLRs to pick this camera up and start shooting straight away.
I have bought the SB600 flash which is superb and the 50mm 1.8 lens which is superb for low light. The camera has reduced in price and the weight is not an issue unless you're a total wimp!

I bought this instead of the Canon 400D as it has better build quality, a better viewfinder and spot metering, Canons usually only have a partial metering option. It is very comfortable to hold, whereas it's competitors can feel too small and plasticky. And then there is the 18-200VR lens. Canon have nothing like this and as most people have concerns about lugging lenses around, this is an almost do-it-all solution! The Canon 40D has great build quality but in reviews appears to have no better image quality than the 400D and comes with a hefty price tag.