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09/27/2005 12:16:13 PM · #1 |
Interesting read ('Your Next Digital Camera') in the October 4, 2005 edition of PC Magazine.
Nikon D50 picked as Editor's Choice. Review was done in August. Available online here: Nikon D50 review by PC Magazine
Excerpt from article: ...To our surprise, the company has produced a little beauty of a camera that does just that, and beats one of our existing D-SLR Editors' Choices—the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT.
I'm not taking sides on this - just thought it was interesting. I'll probably end up with a Minolta 5D when I take the DSLR plunge. ;^)
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09/27/2005 12:33:52 PM · #2 |
| Personally, I wouldn't put a lot of stock in DSLR reviews by PCMagazine, anymore than I would trust LensWork with a review of Windows Vista. |
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09/27/2005 01:06:20 PM · #3 |
Perhaps not, but they did seem to have a handle on their testing methods and terminology. ???
Originally posted by Zal:
Personally, I wouldn't put a lot of stock in DSLR reviews by PCMagazine, anymore than I would trust LensWork with a review of Windows Vista. |
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09/27/2005 01:18:39 PM · #4 |
A more definitive test can be found at DPReview.
Here is there Overall conclusion:
Unlike Canon when they produced the EOS 300D (Digital Rebel) Nikon chose not to cripple their affordable digital SLR. Instead the D50 while lacking some of the D70's features doesn't compromise performance or photographic flexibility, most important for first time buyers who (surely) the manufacturers hope will progress to a more expensive D-SLR later.
The D50's sensor and image processing pipeline are clearly different to that of the D70/D70s, it exhibits fewer of the moire/maze artifacts but at the same time isn't quite as crisp as its 'elder siblings'. That said the D50 is more than capable of producing some fantastic results, and is tuned to deliver bright and colorful images from the first exposure. If this isn't to your taste you can of course configure the image processing to produce D70-like images.
We were probably the most surprised by the D50's noise levels, Nikon has clearly spent time since the creation of the D70 on design changes to keep noise down. The D50 has the lowest noise levels of any of the affordable digital SLR's we've tested (although they're all fairly clean, we're talking fractions here).
The nicest thing about the D50 however is that it just feels right, build wise it's a step above the Canon EOS 350D and Pentax *ist DS, it's also not too small, I'm all for making cameras lighter but there's a limit as to how small you can make an SLR before the hand grip feels cramped and controls begin to get in the way. The D50 feels as responsive as any film camera and is a pleasure to shoot with. The only change I would make would probably be a larger viewfinder view (like that of the Pentax *ist DS).
I'm quite happy to give the D50 our highest rating, Highly Recommended, there's little to dislike and for anyone looking for an affordable digital SLR it has to be seriously considered. My only advice would be to research lenses and decide if you want to go with the Kit or spend a little more on a slightly better lens.
The entire review can be found here:
D50 Review |
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09/27/2005 01:21:22 PM · #5 |
These two sentences encouraged me to stop reading:
The Nikon D50 is a light (1 lb. 3 oz.) and compact D-SLR with an 18- to 55-mm zoom range, which translates to a 27- to 82.5-mm zoom (35-mm equivalent) due to Nikon's 1.5X magnification factor.
and
The main difference that shoppers and shooters will notice is the price. The D50 is priced at $899 with the kit lens, which is significantly cheaper than the Nikon D70s, which costs $1,199 with its 18- to 70-mm kit lens. It's true that the 18- to 70-mm Nikkor kit lens found on the D70s has a slightly wider zoom range than the one on the D50, but for $300 less, the D50 is a better deal.
Their review, clearly, is not targeted at users like me :-)
Robt.
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09/27/2005 01:22:05 PM · #6 |
Practical Photography rated the Nikon as a "Best Buy" due to its lower price, but rated the Canon 350D higher in overall score.. and the Canon 20D as the tester's choice.. and the 1Ds Mk II as the best overall. And their "What do you think?" section is sponsored by Nikon, so we can't say that they necessarily have a full bias in effect. :P
The D50 won in some areas and the 350D in others. In the end, it all comes down to that silly thing called choice. ;)
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09/27/2005 08:58:16 PM · #7 |
Just fun to think about. He-he.
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