Is a Nikon P90 better than a Nikon D3000 with a 18-55mm lens?

Question

Is a Nikon P90 better than a Nikon D3000 with a 18-55mm lens, when shooting macro? Also, is a 70-300mm nikkor af-s vr or a nikkor 55-200mm af-s vr better suited for someone interested in shooting more of macro photography? Budget is limited to 25k.

Answer 1

The P 90 is a bridge camera with a built-in lens. A bridge camera is more or less an advanced point & shoot that fills the gap between your credit card size cameras & a DSLR. The D3000 is a better camera because it's an entry level DSLR. You can change the lens on it. You can do close up photography with a P 90 though.

To shoot close up with the D3000, you need a macro lens.This will cost you over $500.

Answer 2

In my opinion the Nikon D3000 would be much more suited for macro than the P90, you don't necessarily need a macro lens either. I own the Nikon D60, the D3000 is in the same entry level lightweight DSLR range as the D60 but the D3000 is much newer and much more features. Even though I own a $700 (Australian dollars) macro lens (Tamron 90mm f2.8) I use that same 18-55mm kit lens that came with the camera reversed on my D60. It is reversed using a reversal ring that would cost you about $3 off ebay. Reverse lens photography requires the use of a flash, the built in flash can work with the addition of a diffuser but I have upgraded to the SB-400 just for a little more light.



It really depends on how much magnification you really want. Reverse lens photography will give you very high magnifications, much higher than a standard macro lens, but it is a technique you would have to practice and learn about. Even if you are not so much into the high magnification photography and would pass on trying it I would still recommend a DSLR, the Nikon D3000, over a point and shoot camera, the Nikon P90. Telephoto lenses like the 70-300mm and the 55-200mm are useful for shots of insects like dragonflies and butterflies where you can't get very close without scaring them.



In the sources I will post some links to photos I have taken with the 18-55mm reversed on the D60.

Answer 3

The Nikon D3000 is a DSLR and DSLR cameras have the larger sensor so you get a higher quality images. You can change lenses which can be valuable, by allowing to adjust to different needs.



For macro, the 18-55mm lens will do pretty good at close up work (shoot an area about as small at 3 by 5 inches). I would get the Nikon D3000 with a 18-55mm lens for about $449 and use it and discover what other needs you have.



I included a link to a review of the Nikon D3000 that also has some sample images from the camera. Also there are some photo dealer links, and B&H Photo and Adorama also have customer reviews.



Hope this helps.



Mark



marksablow.com

Answer 4

The low light performance of the D40 is not that great. All cameras have a tough time focusing in dark light except the professional ones and the low light performance of these old cameras isn't that great especially with slow lenses like what you have. Ideally, a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens would be better for shooting sports at night, but I don't think you'd like the weight, bulk, or price for that pro lens. Same with the 17-55mm f/2.8. If you wanted to buy a much better lens, the cheapish ($200-$250) 50mm f/1.8 AF-S lens would be best. It doesn't get you as close as the 55-200, but it is much better in low light than even the most expensive professional telephoto zoom lenses. An 85mm f/1.8 is about double the price of the 50mm but is the ultimate budget choice for a fast fixed telephoto lens. The other option is to replace the camera body with a new camera and kit lens. The D3200 is worlds better than the D40 and it comes with an 18-55mm lens with vibration reduction. The higher usable ISOs of the D3200 will more than make up for the slower telephoto lens you have.

Answer 5

Please stop comparing the D3000 to the P90. They are totally different. It is an absolute insult to the dSLR if it were compared to a point-and-shooter.



For macro photography, use a macro lens. The word "Macro" should appear on the lens.



$25,000 dollars could buy you a low-end Hasselblad or a high-end Mamiya. In Yen, that may be enough for a basic point-and-shooter. In Philippine Pesos, it would buy you a high-end point-and-shooter. In Rupees, it might get you an entry-level dSLR.

Answer 6

absolutely not, the P90 is a bridge camera, also known as an advanced point and shoot, the D3000 is a DSLR with many manual features, and interchangeable lens'