Nikon D-SLR Digital Camera Bodies
Important info to know about Nikon Cameras
D-SLR: What it Means
D-SLR = Digital Single Lens Reflex
D-SLR means the camera has a mirror between the lens and the image sensor to provide you with a view of exactly what you will be shooting. As you press the shutter release button you hear the traditional sound of an image being taken, and that sound is the mirror flipping up allowing light to hit the image sensor and expose your image. This type of camera is a professional level camera as opposed to a Point & Shoot camera. There is also professional level mirrorless cameras which are growing popularity.
FX and DX: Nikon's differing Sensor Sizes - Learn which is right for you
FX and DX: Nikon’s differing Sensor Sizes
There are two sizes of sensors found in Nikon camera’s, the FX sensor and the DX sensor. The FX sensor is the larger sensor which has many benefits including; easier to achieve a shallow depth of field, no crop factor so focal lengths are truly what you see them to be on the lens, and generally lower digital noise in the images.
The DX sensor is the smaller sensor and is usually found in Nikon’s line of starter cameras. The benefits of the DX sensor is that cameras can be much smaller and lighter.
Lens Focusing Motor NOT in Some Nikon Cameras
AF-S and AF-P Lenses
Nikon, in an effort to make their starter camera bodies cheaper and smaller has removed the focus motor from the camera body and instead included it in specific lenses. What this means, is that if you purchase a camera body without a lens focus motor you MUST purchase lenses with the AF-S or AF-P designation to be able to use auto focus. If you purchase a lens without AF-S or AF-P, or try to use a legacy Nikon lens, it will be a completely manual focus lens.
Gray Market Camera Equipment : Why you should avoid it
Gray market cameras, lenses and accessories is equipment made to be sold in other parts of the world, but imported and sold here in the USA. The equipment is generally exactly the same as one you’d buy here except for one exception – the warranty. Nikon USA and Canon USA will NOT repair camera equipment that is not the USA model, which means you will be stuck finding a your own repair shot to fix your equipment in case of trouble. This often means two things: First, they can charge you whatever they want for the repair and second, they may not have the equipment to fix the latest models of cameras and lenses.
Always buy your equipment from reliable sources (I will only link to reliable sources on this website) to protect yourself down the road. The price of a gray market camera may seem to good to be true, and truly it is.
PROFESSIONAL LEVEL CAMERAS
If you are a professional or wanting to go professional, these are the Nikon camera bodies I would suggest you purchase. They have a wide range of pricing, so if you are just starting out, select one of the more inexpensive bodies. But it is better to start with the right equipment rather than purchase cheaper equipment and have regrets later.
ENTHUSIAST LEVEL CAMERAS
These cameras will do a great job for someone who is not wanting to go pro, but is seeking excellent equipment to take awesome images. These cameras are generally the mid-range cameras that have great features without the professional level pricing.
Beginner LEVEL CAMERAS
These cameras are for the beginner, just starting out. These cameras are excellent for families wanting to capture everything from pictures of the kids to vacations to soccer games. These cameras are easy to use and what you’d want to buy to get started in photography.
