Nikon D50 Review

The Nikon D50 is currently the cheapest digital SLR camera that you can buy, costing £550 / $750 at the time of writing. The D50 is Nikon’s attempt to capture a large slice of the entry-level DSLR market, tempting both those people who have held off buying a DSLR because they are too expensive, and those who are upgrading from a compact digital camera. Nikon have simplified the controls somewhat and the D50 uses SD memory cards rather than Compact Flash cards to provide an easier upgrade path. The Nikon D50 also has a much lighter plastic body than the more expensive D70s that I reviewed a couple of weeks ago. Having said all that, Nikon haven’t tried to cripple the D50 by removing lots of features - indeed, it’s pretty hard to spot where the D50 has less functionality than the D70s. So should the Nikon D50 be on your shopping list, and is it a viable alternative to the pricier D70s?

Website: Nikon D50 Review

Published: Friday, August 26, 2005

Reader Comments

1. The lack of DOF preview is critical. It's a feature even the most raw tyro will miss sorely once their skill level increses even moderately. It's the whole point of having a single lens reflex viewfinder in the first place. Not being able to check critical focus stopped down automatically rules this camera out for even the casually interested photographer, unless they're simply taking snapshots. Very disappointing for those who already own Nikon glass (which I don't) and a pretty good indication that anyone else should take a closer look at one of the other entery-level DSLR's from Canon, Pentax or Minolta.

   Matt Gabriel at 08:09am on Monday, August 15, 2005

2. Sorry to sound picky, but a quick proof-read is required - you keep copmapring the D50 to the D50 instead of the D70!

   Phil Marshall at 10:59am on Monday, August 15, 2005

3. Ugh. Don't you just hate it when you pick someone up on bad spelling/grammar then make a stupid mistake yourself?
   "Comparing", obviously...

   Phil Marshall at 11:01am on Monday, August 15, 2005

4. I think I've corrected all those typos now - thanks for letting me know

   Mark Goldstein at 11:09am on Monday, August 15, 2005

5. Last sentence of the first paragraph of Features: "The camera supports Compact Flash (Type I and II) and Microdrive memory cards."
   
   Since this appears to be left-over from a recent review of the D70S, I skipped the remainder of that section. I didn't feel like trying to determine what was actually D50 and what might be D70s "spillover"
   
   I did enjoy the rest of the review, after Features.

   Mike Voice at 05:29pm on Monday, August 15, 2005

6. I disagree about the lack of DOF preview. I never use the DOF preview on my Nikon N90s or Minolta SRT-101. And with digital, you can check right away.
   
   I can see how some might want one for macro or portraits. But I almost always bracket aperture for critical shots anyway.
   
   Just my $.02.

   Tom at 01:07am on Tuesday, August 16, 2005

7. The D70/D70s doesn't have mirror lockup either (except for cleaning, as does the D50). Some other D70 features the D50 is missing is the on-demand viewfinder grid, status LCD backlight, inability to act as a wireless flash controller, slower burst mode and top shutter speed, fine ISO and WB adjustments.

   Maxx at 02:11am on Wednesday, August 17, 2005

8. Maxx, you said:
   
   "Some other D70 features the D50 is missing is the on-demand viewfinder grid, status LCD backlight, inability to act as a wireless flash controller, slower burst mode and top shutter speed, fine ISO and WB adjustments."
   
   Uh yeah, but that's why it's only $750. It's an Entry-Level DSLR, for those just deciding to take a little step up. The camera is also offered with a lens for under a grand.

   JimBob at 03:02am on Wednesday, August 17, 2005

9. JimBob,
   
   Yes, but I think readers would appreciate knowing what they are giving up in the bargain. I personally don't think it's worth losing those features and performance for the $150 in savings over the D70s. Others may gladly give them up for the size decrease or $150 difference.
   
   I'm a bit surprised Nikon came out with something so close to the D70s (and yet, they have nothing to compete with the Canon 20D). I guess to compete with the 300D Rebel.

   maxx at 01:17pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2005

10. Mark,
    
    You mention a playback magnification of 10X (page 5). I wish. Like the D70s, I think it's only 4.7X, which makes checking critical focus difficult.
    
    BTW, did you get this D50 demo from Nikon? I was surprised to see dust in the sample images.
    
    Did you notice any differences in RAW image quality compared to the D70s?
    
    Thanks!

    maxx at 01:33pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2005

11. "I’m a bit surprised Nikon came out with something so close to the D70s (and yet, they have nothing to compete with the Canon 20D). I guess to compete with the 300D Rebel."
    
    Maxx -
    
    I don't think Nikon is losing any sleep over this fact about the 20D.
    "Entry Level" - most likely means, for the John Q Public - they will get some nicer photos out of the larger sensor than they would from a compact, AND, more than likely, they would never print anything bigger than 8x11.
    
    So for the Beginner, the D50 is probably just right. It's small, it's got manual features if they want to start learning that.
    
    You've got to look at it from the eyes of a person who has never shot with a camera with manual features before.

    JimBob at 05:26pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2005

12. JimBob,
    
    I think Nikon is losing a lot of sleep over Canon. The D200 was supposed to be out last spring to compete with the 20D, but now it looks like fall or Christmas. Canon will also be releasing another, more affordable full-frame sensor body (the 13MP 5D) soon. No plans for one from Nikon, AFAIK.
    
    As for the D50, it's still larger than my Nikon film SLRs. I think they should have made it even smaller, more like the Pentax *istDS (which incidentally still has good ergonomics and is more fully featured with a bigger, brighter viewfinder, 11-area AF, DOF preview, mirror lock-up, etc.). I was considering a D50 over the D70s mainly due to its smaller size, but after handling both I decided the difference in size (and price) wasn't worth it.

    maxx at 06:30pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2005

13. maxx,
    
    AFAIK all speculation concerning that 13mp Canon beast relies upon a half-Spanish, half-English PDF downloaded from a Rumanian site. It is probably a hoax, especially if you consider all the inconsistencies in that parody of a spec sheet. Oh, and at 3,459 euros, it would not exactly fall in the affordable category anyway.

    Zoltan at 11:28am on Thursday, August 18, 2005

14. Zoltan,
    
    It's not a hoax. I first heard about it from a very reputable, authorized dealer (largest photography retailer in Canada). Why would it be a hoax anyway? The $8000 USD EOS-1DS is almost 3 years old, and due for a replacement. Compared to it, the 5D will be much more affordable.

    maxx at 01:42pm on Thursday, August 18, 2005

15. If that is true, then I don't really get it. It sure is cheaper than what the pro-grade 11mp 1Ds cost upon its launch, but then, permitting the spec sheet is real, the 5D is neither splash- nor dustproof, nor does it have a viewfinder with 100% coverage. In other words, it does not qualify as a pro camera (it even has a full auto mode). But in that case, what would justify the EUR3,459 price tag? (For the photographer, I mean. For the manufacturer, the 24x36mm sensor surely is a high cost factor.) And, more importanty, who is going to buy it? Pros probably won't unless they only work indoors. (When assigned to an outdoor job, you cannot come back to your client empty-handed, saying you couldn't use your camera because it was raining.) For amateurs, this price is probably too high. Of course, if the cam is to be sold for $2000 or $2500, it's a different story. Then it's quite attractive, although I don't really see that if the cam is not weatherproof anyway, then why does it not have a pop-up Speedlite? The only reason pro cameras have no built-in fill flashes is that they would compromise them on weather resistance.
    
    And finally, why do they call it 5D if that name is already owned by Minolta? This is only going to confuse people.
    
    (BTW sorry Mark this conversation seems to have nothing to do with the D50 anymore.)

    Zoltan at 08:14pm on Thursday, August 18, 2005

16. I have to say I am a huge fan of this camera.

    hot salsa interactive website development at 03:58am on Sunday, August 21, 2005

17. I like this camera and for some one who is moving from both a fuji S5000 Camera(digital) and Centon K100 (Manual Film) I think it is great. It is not the easiest of cameras to use but with a little practise it is easy to get going and not just relying on the Auto setting either.

    Kelvin at 11:29am on Monday, August 22, 2005

18. Cheapest??? You gotta be kidding me. 300d costs $619.00 (including tax and shipping at buydig.com)

    Oleg Kikin at 08:54pm on Friday, August 26, 2005

19. I wish you had commented in depth on what the viewfinder is like to use. I recently sold what is supposed to be the hot setup: a Nikon N80 w/ a 28 200 G ED Zoom. The viewfinder was awful compared to my trusty 6006. It was tiny and dark. And that lens was all plasticky, and distorted at the short end like crazy. Newer is not necessarily better, and that is what has kept me from going to a digital slr (within my budget) to this day. Is the d50 another dark viewfinder camera? Is it like looking through a tunnel? Is the d70 better in this regard?

    bubba6666 at 07:30pm on Saturday, September 24, 2005

20. I wish you had commented in depth about the viewfinder. I recently sold what is supposed to be the hot ticket in a film slr-a N80 w/ a 28 200 G ED lens. The viewfinder was crummy. Tiny and dark,the lens distorted like no tomorrow at the short end, and it looked and felt like plastic (I guess it was). I went back to my trusty 6006 w/ it's big and bright viewfinder. It is this feature that has kept me from buying a digital slr. What is that d50 viewfinder like? It is it dim and gloomy? Is it like looking through a tunnel? Is it worse than a d70? I wish I knew.

    steve marino at 07:37pm on Saturday, September 24, 2005

21. The D70 has the same low magnification viewfinder specs as the D50. Actually, according to Popular Photography measurements, the D70's is slightly worse (92% coverage, 0.76x magnification versus 96%/0.77x for the D50). If you want to see a nice DSLR viewfinder in a compact, consumer level body, check out the Pentax *istDS. It has a 0.95x viewfinder with 95% coverage, using a real pentaprism (in a smaller body - go figure).
    
    Don't forget that the sensor is 1.5x smaller than film; so is the mirror, shutter and viewfinder screen so it's not surprising entry level DSLRs are not as big as entry level film SLRs, but I agree that the D70/D50 viewfinder is disappointing. If Pentax can do it in a smaller body, why can't (won't) Nikon?
    
    I didn't notice much difference between my F801 (8008) viewfinder size versus my F80 (N80) viewfinder, but it was a lot brighter. I think this is because of focus area info overlay on the F80's viewfinder.

    maxx at 10:56pm on Saturday, September 24, 2005

22. As a 'prosumer', I am waffling between a d50, d70, and a Canon dig rebel XT (altho I'm a definite Nikon fan, I do sports photography).
    
    The manual controls of the 28-200 lens seemed pretty cheesy on both Nikons - it's on the edge of the lens. I was much more impressed with the Canon lens.
    
    Which camera would you suggest?
    Deb

    Deb at 04:48pm on Thursday, October 27, 2005

23. Deb -
    
    Sports? Then Canon. I know you're a Nikon fan, but Canon has better speed shutter features, and better lenses for them, I think.
    
    I'm a Nikon idiot too, but I think nowadays Canons are better.

    JimBob at 12:17am on Friday, October 28, 2005

24. Thanks for your comments. I actually do 75% portraits/25% sports, thus I am waffling between Canon and Nikon.
    
    Any thoughts on the future of Compact Flash cards (d50, Canon XT) vs. SD (d70, d70s?)
    
    Any thoughts on manually focusing the nikon d50/d70 lens?
    Thanks
    Deb

    Deb at 05:19pm on Wednesday, November 02, 2005

25. I was wondering where u can find the nikon d50 demo mode setup
    
    how do you use it and where is it?
    
    thanks
    mark

    Mark at 01:44am on Sunday, November 13, 2005

26. Three phrases should be among the most common in our daily usage. They are: Thank you, I am grateful and I appreciate.

    size genetics at 09:47am on Saturday, November 19, 2005

27. A very useful review - many thanks for providing such detail. Just one query (I'm a bit of a novice with 'digital') - what is a '100% crop' in terms of its size relative to the original?

    Philip Robson at 10:02am on Saturday, March 25, 2006

28. A "100% crop" can be any size piece of the original. The "100%" is an
    indication that the piece has not been further magnified or reduced. A
    100% crop is useful for showing detail that would only be visible when
    viewed at full-size, and it allows you to do so with much fewer bytes of
    memory than would be required if you used the entire original.

    GARY POGODA at 11:01am on Saturday, March 25, 2006

29. Nice thorough review, might just have been the one that makes me go for the D50 - it's that or the D70s - was interested in the S3 but much too expensive - and I actually like SD cards !

    ian mcnicholas at 12:31am on Thursday, April 06, 2006

30. Just wanted to say thanks for the thorough D50 review -I waffled between the Canon Rebel and the Nikon D50 but decided on the Nikon D50 after trying my son's one and reading your review..
    God Bless you all..
    don

    Don Huffman at 01:08am on Wednesday, April 26, 2006

31. 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 Nikon 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!
    
    Will Jonson
    
    http://www.redopinion.com/digital-camera/category/nikon/d50/
    
    _

    Will Jonson at 04:52pm on Saturday, July 22, 2006

32. As this is my first venture into digital photography (previously 35mm compact camera with absolutely no extras) I must admit that after a couple of days I have found the D50 a great little machine for the beginner, still have a lot to learn though.
    I picked up my D50 complete with 18 - 55 mm lens and 55 - 200 mm lens including carry case and 1 gig card for £550 from a leading high street retailer and it has been put to a lot of use during my holidays in the north of Scotland although I must admit I was slightly dissapointed when photographing wild dolphins that I could not seem to get a really good close up shot due to what I have been told is the 55 - 200mm lens is the equivelent of 3x zoom neverless a great little bundle
    
    Tom

    Tom Blackburn at 07:21pm on Friday, August 18, 2006

33. I bought this camera a few months ago and was impressed by how easy it is to get great shots w/ it! Nonexistent shutter lag, nice handling, and beautiful images right out of the box. Of course, everything depends on the lens, so I was pretty safe w/ a 35-70 2.8, 70-210 (old style metal one) and an 85 1.8. If you are used to shooting w a Nikon SLR you can pick one of these up and go right to shooting. I sold it because I really don't do much color photography, and it is really hard to beat my 8008s w/ Ilford HP5 or Tri-X film. Then, a few weeks ago I bought a D70 on ebay just to see how the pics compared, thinking I could turn around and resell it quickly later. The D70 certainly has more features. I liked the DOF preview and many other things, and it is certainly made better than the D50. But the images from the D50 are quite a bit better than the D70! They require a lot less processing in Photoshop, and have noticibly less noise. It makes no sense to buy a camera that has more features, but delivers less image quality. I sold the D70 and will probably buy another D50. Put a good lens on one of these and prepare to be very impressed (in color, not B&W). The menu is difficult to figure out, build quality consumerish, and the viewfinder pretty small, but the images are what it's about. I found Rawshooter for free on the web, so I could work w/ the RAW files. Trust me, if you can find a DSLR that delivers better images and is easier to use I would like to know about it.

    steve marino at 08:14pm on Monday, January 15, 2007

34. I bought the D50 after readin this review, I was looking for something entry level to get to grips with before moving on, still got it and still loving it, very simply to understand and easy to use, bought extra lenses, remote, tripod and so on, goes with me everywhere these days....

    Lee Wisener at 11:04pm on Saturday, January 05, 2008