The rotary on / off switch is positioned around the shutter release, with two buttons alongside. This is one of the major differences between the D3000 and its predecessor – not to mention its rivals – and we’ll be discussing it in greater detail lower down this page. New to the D3000’s mode dial though is a GUIDE option which as its name suggests, provides goal-oriented guidance for beginners. The upper right side is home to the main command dial which offers Auto, Program, Manual, Aperture and Shutter Priority modes along with seven scene presets. In terms of controls, the D3000 is virtually identical to its predecessor with only minor changes. Once again this is a personal choice and we’d recommend anyone who’s undecided about all three should pick them up in person. Canon’s EOS 1000D / XS came a close second, with both models feeling much better in our hands than Sony’s Alpha A230 with its unusual pointed grip which we just didn’t get on with. This is very much a personal choice, but in our hands, the Nikon D3000 felt best of all three with Nikon’s trademark hooked inner area in the grip giving the impression of greater security.ĭon’t get us wrong though, the D3000’s grip doesn’t feel anywhere near as good as those on Nikon’s higher-end DSLRs, like the D90, but ergonomically it remains a step-up from most budget models. While the dimensions and construction may be similar though, the look and feel of the three rivals are quite different.
Both rivals come up slightly lighter in their body plus battery configurations at 500g each. Canon’s EOS 1000D / XS is virtually the same size at 126x98圆2mm, while Sony’s Alpha A230 is a tad bigger at 128x97圆8mm. Nikon has however shaved 10g from the total weight, with the D3000 weighing 536g when fitted with its rechargeable battery or 801g when the DX 18-55mm VR kit lens also mounted. Measuring 126x97圆4mm, the D3000 is the same width and depth as the D60, but 3mm taller. We’ve pictured it below alongside its two biggest rivals in the budget DSLR market: Canon’s EOS 1000D / Rebel XS and Sony’s Alpha DSLR-A230. Like those models it’s a relatively small and light DSLR, with a plastic shell and simple controls aimed at beginners. Externally, it’s virtually identical to the D60 and D40x before that. The D3000 is Nikon’s latest entry-level DSLR, replacing the earlier D60.