Nikon D50 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with 28-80mm f3.3-5.6G AF Nikkor Zoom Lens

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000BWE4TK
• Item model number: 25233
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (178 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,048 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 18, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Nikon D50 is a photographer's digital dream come true. Combining Nikon's advanced SLR technology with the simplicity that many point-and-shoot digital camera uses have come to expect, the D50 offers a wide array of features that will satisfy both the weekend picture taker as well as the serious photographer who is looking for an affordable digital SLR solution.

The D50's connection ports are easily accessible.

"In the cockpit": controls at the ready. View larger.

Easy-to-navigate menu functions.

Rechargeable battery compartment.

For starters, the D50 features a new 6.1 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor and a highly advanced image processing engine that team together to create truly faithful image files of up to resolutions of 3008 x 2000 pixels. Continuous shooting at 2.5 frames per second can be maintained for bursts of up to 137 pictures, making action photography a reality. Pictures are instantly processed and recorded to the photographer's compact SD memory card (not included). A Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface supports faster transfer of images when connected to a compatible computer.

With the D50, your shutter speed choices extend from 30 seconds to 1/4,000 second. An automated high-speed flash sync speed up to 1/500 second makes high-quality fill flash photography possible, and you also have the option of manually controlling the bulb setting for long exposures. Auto ISO maximizes available light by automatically setting ISO-equivalent sensitivity across the available range of 200 to 1600, but photographers also have the option to set the ISO sensitivity manually for greater control.

Best of all, the D50 allows you to use any one of Nikon's professional-grade AF and DX Nikkor lenses. The AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f3.3-5.6G that's included with the D50 features one aspherical lens element with a high-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating that delivers superior color reproduction while minimizing ghost and flare. A rounded diaphragm opening with seven blades makes out-of-focus elements appear more natural, and the aspherical lens element minimizes distortion, especially at the periphery area, for superior optical performance. Compact and lightweight with a comfortable, well-balanced feel, this wide angle-to-portrait zoom lens is ideal for travel landscapes, scenics, and general family photography.

Approaching Point-and-Shoot Simplicity
For those who want professional-quality images but without having to think about the settings, the D50's scene-optimized Digital Vari-Program modes simplifies the picture-taking process and frees you to concentrate on capturing those special moments. Selecting one of the seven easily distinguishable icons from the handy exposure mode dial optimizes otherwise complex settings and produces consistently remarkable results. The Child Mode, for instance, makes it easier to take memorable pictures of the little ones complete with ideal vivid color and contrast -- ready to print beautifully without the fuss of later adjustments at the computer. Other modes include Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Child, Close Up, Sports, and Night Portrait.

Among the many features that make the Nikon D50 an exceptional digital SLR choice are:

• 2.0 inch 130,000 pixel TFT LCD with adjustable brightness
• Supports JPEG, RAW (NEF) and JPEG + RAW (NEF) file formats
• Lightweight but strong polycarbonate body over a metal frame
• Built in, five-mode popup flash and external flash hot shoe
• Included CD-ROM loaded with PictureProject software

The compact, lightweight design of the D50 makes it easy to carry on any outing, and the camera's on-screen menus present clear and helpful user information in plain language on a large 2.0-inch LCD monitor. The high-capacity rechargeable lithium-ion battery helps extend mobility and convenience by delivering the power to shoot up to 2,000 images on a single charge. In short, the D50 delivers the professional-level quality of an SLR of this class but with many of the convenient automatic features that can make photography so fun.

What's in the Box
Camera body, rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL3, quick charger MH-18a, video cable, USB cable UC-E4, strap, body cap, eyepiece cap DK-5, rubber eyecup DK-20, accessory shoe cover, PictureProject CD-ROM; 28-80mm lens: lens, LC-52 snap-on front lens cap, and rear lens cap.

Product Description

The Nikon D50 is easy to take with you anywhere you go! From its inviting body contours to its easily accessible controls, this is a camera that makes picture taking satisfying and fun! The D50 delivers vivid color and sharp detail with high resolution for great pictures and enlargements. The D50 offers seamless compatibility with Nikon's extensive family of high-performance AF Nikkor lenses, as well as the expanding family of DX Nikkor lenses, providing superb color reproduction, razor-sharp image clarity and fast and accurate auto focus performance. The next evolution of Nikon's scene-optimized Digital Vari-Program modes produces great results for the intended shot, while freeing you to concentrate on the moment. Child mode makes it easier to take memorable pictures of the children with the right amount of vivid color and contrast straight from the camera. Choose from Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Child, Close Up, Sports, or Night Portrait.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

468 of 489 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic digital SLR at any price!, July 19, 2005

By	Vincent Sellers "ramair350" (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First of all, I must admit that this is only my third digital camera, and first digital SLR. But it isn't my first SLR ... I have used a Canon Elan IIE for a number of years, and trust me, that camera is no slouch.

But enough about me ... the D50 is the real star of the show! I have had the camera (along with the standard lens included with the kit) and so far I am extremely happy. I purchased it just in time to capture some photos of my new neice, and my family swears that the pictures that I was just casually snapping at the hospital look like they are professional portaits. Granted, some of my family members ... well, their necks are pretty tan, if you know what I mean, but you get the point. The camera has a slew of modes that are ideally suited to your subject (portraits, action, etc etc), and they do a great job of making all of the fine adjustments that improve the overall quality of the photo for the non-experts. But this camera has varying levels of automation to where you would practically require a photography degree to get your picture. My skills are somewhere in between, but trust me, if you are an absolutely beginner, in 5 minutes you can be taking photos that are 99% of the quality that a pro with a $5000 setup would take. Now you might need to snap a few dozen shots to get just one that is amazing, but that is what is just wonderful about digital cameras. And with a huge, super sharp LCD preview window, you can see in an instant if you have a decent shot, and if not, delete it and try again!

The camera takes the small "big-toenail" SD memory cards, which is a departure from what you will typically see in a digital SLR. I personally like the smaller size; otherwise, I don't believe there is a significant difference. If you pick up one major point from this review ... READ THIS !!!! I initially tried shooting with some SD memory that I had been using in my MP3 player. It worked fine, but if shooting a series of rapid shots, it would take the camera what seemed like a couple of seconds to write to the memory. That is typical with all of the digital SLRs that I have read about ... you get maybe a dozen high-speed shots, and then the camera sort of "bogs down". And most of the time that is fine. But this camera takes advantage of the slightly more expensive "pro" SD memory, which can be written to at extremely high speeds. Because of this, the camera can take an unprecendented number of shots (I believe 137 according to Nikon)!!! Folks, that is amazing, let me tell you. You can just hold the button down and fire away, and capture all of the high-speed action that you can imagine. No more excuses for missing that perfect action shot. Sure, you aren't going to require this feature very often, but it is nice to have, just in case. And even with normal shots, the high-speed memory seems to work much quicker than normal memory.

The camera can save files in three different size (resolution) levels, three different JPEG quality levels, and the complete uncompressed RAW format. I've been shooting using the medium resolution and medium JPEG quality, and the photos look sharper than my old Canon 35mm SLR. You could easily print out 8 x 10 photos and they would look perfect even at the medium quality setting; poster size would look fine at the high quality setting.

The rechargeable battery that is included is simply amazing - I believe they rate it for 2000 shots, and I believe it. It would be VERY diffult to drain this battery in a single day, even with numerous flashes and auto-focusing shots.

The fast auto-focus, very user-friendly menus, flexibility with all Nikon lenses, and near-pro quality at a price that the weekend-photo-warrior consumer can afford, I don't see how you can go wrong with this camera.

Happy photographing!

198 of 204 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a digital camera I can love!, August 11, 2005

By	L. MURRAY "Pleased to share my observations!" (North Adams, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This camera feels so much like my old Nikon film camera, it was love from the first moment I held it in my hand. Using a 1 Gig memory card I can now shoot 350+ "fine" quality photos without having to change out ten rolls of film...or pay the processing! And a handy battery recharger quickly restores battery capacity when needed. Even with lots of flash pictures its charge remained strong for very long periods of time. A handy icon appears in the info screen area to let you see at a glance who much power remains.

I bought the D50 for a vacation to the photogenic Southwest, and this camera was more than up to the task. The fast auto-focus, the simplfied auto controls that give quick choices for portrait, landscape and full sun, cloudy, night etc. let me shoot like a pro while it was the Nikon that converted my impulses into reality. Neat.

With the ability to interchange lenses, and a great Nikon Zoom lens to start, I believe this camera proves that it is the optics which are every bit as important as the pixels. My earlier digital camera has suffered sudden retirement.

I have a wide carriage Epson printer and have been printing out some of the images as 12x18 prints. Even with cropping, the images look like they were taken with a medium format camera. Progress!

If you like crisp and detailed images with no hint of digital-itis, this camera is a great choice. I love precisely composing pictures through the lens rather than approximating the cropping with the display screen; but I also benefit from the ability to quickly check that screen to see the results at once. Never could do that with my old SLR without a Polaroid back!

Overall, this camera and lens is a real find and I do not think you can go wrong with it. Its only drawback is a short learning curve to become familiar with the many features and options it includes, and that is not really a complaint. This camera has more tricks than I will ever use!

75 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The N50 is an Outstanding Entry-Level D-SLR, December 8, 2005

By	JMAC "JMAC" (Denton, TX United States) - See all my reviews

I have used Canon and Nikon film cameras for more than 20 years (love my N55 and still use an AE1-P) and own other Canon and Nikon digitals but this was my first D-SLR. I scoured magazine and online reviews and the choice came down to the Canon EOS Rebel XT and the Nikon D70.

They are very similar. The EOS is 8.0 MP vs. the D70's 6.1 MP but for the type of photography I will be doing (max 11x14 prints) that is not a problem. The D70 has quite a few more control features. That and the price difference tipped me towards the Nikon.

Once I made up my mind to buy a Nikon, I compared the D70 to the D50. They are quite similar and in some ways the D50 is superior to the more expensive D70. Besides a more rugged body, the D70 has a few nice features the D50 lacks: a lighted control panel, a front sub-control thumbwheel, depth of field preview, and you can fine-tune white balance. But the D50 has some features over the D70, notable a larger LCD monitor, higher capacity battery, and USB 2.0 high speed support. Every magazine I read raved about the D50 and none of the features it lacked made me willing to pay more for the D70. I purchased the D50 with the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G Zoom Lens.

After using it for several weeks all I can say is, wow! It is easy to use but I can fiddle with nearly all settings when I want to get creative. Using a digital with almost no shutter lag has spoiled me. I've taken many great shots with a Canon PowerShot 1S IS but it's my backup now. In the D50 I have finally found an affordable digital camera that is as fun to use as my film cameras.

Pros will probably prefer higher-end Nikons but if you like using film SLRs and would like to get into a D-SLR for less than the price of a decent used car, I highly recommend the D50.

June 2006 update: I recently used my D-50 to photograph friends doing a triathlon to raise money for cancer research. It performed flawlessly in all settings and I ended up with many outstanding photos. The triathlon gave me ample opportunities to use the D-50's "sports" setting and continuous exposure feature to capture athletes swimming, bicycling, and running from a variety of distances. The colors are perfect and I was able to get 5x7 and 8x10 prints on photo paper (from a lab) with hardly a tweak beyond cropping. The D-50 is now my favorite camera. Yes, there are cameras with higher resolution and more features but it is hard to beat the "bang for the buck" factor on the D-50.

One suggestion: like every other camera manual I have ever read, the Nikon manual that comes with the D-50 is accurate and complete but leaves a lot to be desired. Unless you are so experienced that you do not have to read a manual (and I'm not) I highly recommend you invest in a copy "Magic Lantern Guides: Nikon D50" by Simon Stafford. This book is everything the Nikon manual is not. This Magic Lantern Guide not only thoroughly explains every feature on the D-50 but goes beyond to illustrate how, when, and why you would use a setting or feature. It also throws in tips & tricks that Nikon's writers wouldn't include. Highly recommended.