- Incredible image quality, the best I have seen yet.
- Easy to use
- Relatively inexpensive and affordable

- Cheap, "plasticy" N60 frame. Definetely not pro quality construction
- Lowest ISO is 320
- Slow AF
- Eats batteries for lunch
- Needs to be in "Sports" mode for continuous AF
- Not AF-S compatible

Despite all of the negative aspects, this camera more than makes up for them with image quality, which is my main concern. This is definetely a pro-level camera trapped in a consumer body. If build quality is not a big concern, then go for this beauty. There has been a lot of conern about this camera not being good for action photography, due to the slow AF and 1.5fps. I disagree. I regularly shoot aircraft moving at 140+mph and have had fantastic results.

Customer Service

Haven't needed them yet

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Nikon D1

Image Quality
Ease of use
Speed
Bundled MicroDrive
Control Layout

No PC sync
Based on older Nikon body

A wonderful product that produces great images with substantial creative flexibilty. While the body of the camera is based on older Nikon technology, this camera compares well to most offering in its class. Color reproduction is better that I have seen from either the Canon or the Nikon digital entry level SLR's. The controls are laid out very well. The bundled Microdrive is a great plus and allows for 400+ images at the high res JPG setting. The best thing about this device is the images it produces, rich, vibrant, saturated colors and a surprising amount of detail and sharpness. 11 x 14 inch prints rival Kodak 100 speed enlargements in detail. If you can write the check you should consider this camera.

Customer Service

Not used yet

Similar Products Used:

Kodak, Epson, Canon, Olympus

*Amazing image size
*Amazing color saturation
*Amazing auto contrast
*Takes all the Nikon lenses I already have

*1.5 FPS
*Can't delete pics from the computer, only on the camera
*Slow focus
*Eats batteries

Working for a newspaper, this camera is a dream. Image quality and size are beyond ample, ease of operation of both the camera and the software is great. The 1 gig microdrive is great as well.

My two biggest gripes: I would like a faster refresh rate. 1.5 FPS is good, but not good enough for some sports. You can still manage decent sports coverage with planned shots, but you're not going to get that "I blew 15 rolls of film for one boxing match" kind of shot.
Second, I hate the fact that you can't delete pictures from the microdrive via the Exif Viewer. When you're shooting en masse and you have another shoot later in the day, it would sure make life easier.

However, these gripes are small in comparison to the quality this product can bring to a newsroom.

Tip: buy a Bantam battery pack.

Customer Service

Haven't had to use

Similar Products Used:

Several Kodak and Olympus products

This is an excellent camera compared to a point and shoot digital camera. It's very fast both in time from off to first shot and in terms of shutter lag; there is very, very little shutter lag. It uses the Nikon lenses that I already own and with my 85mm f1.8 I can get a shallow depth of field that you just can't get with a point and shoot. It has manual mode so it's easy to use in the camera room. It takes smartmedia and both type I and II compact flash cards. It accepts Nikon flashes and works in TTL mode. It simply handles like a regular film camera.

This is a terrible camera compared to a professional quality digital SLR like the Kodak 660. I don't own a *60 series camera but I have friends that do and the quality of their work shows the difference between the S1 and a real pro camera. Like the majority of digital cameras, for usable results exposure has to be spot on. The meter on the S1 would probably be good enough for a film camera but with no post shot processing, it's not good enough. The histogram helps but it's too hard to see in daylight and that's when you need it most. Overexposure leads not only to blown out highlights but to red skin tones that are just impossible to correct. There is also a strange noise pattern in shadow areas and there is quite a bit of moiré pattern present in fabric and hair. It simply is not a pro quality digital camera.

Now that the price has decreased this camera is a bargain if you already own Nikon lenses. Just be aware of the S1's limitations. I love taking it to my son's little league games and photographing action with a 75-300mm. I used this camera in the studio quite a bit last fall and learned the hard way that unless the exposure is just perfect, the color doesn't cut it. I'm now using it for black and white sessions and for that it works fine. The rest of my work is on film and will be until I can get the new Kodak 760.

Customer Service

Not used.

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Nikon 990

I was blown away by the results as I first took some nude shots with this camera. For me its a milestone. Since I have this camera, I do most of my work with it. Simply the best buy I ever did.

Ok, the body is not the best, but who cares?

For me this baby is a breaktrough. Well, digital photography is harder to handle then conventional films, but its worth to get into the materia.

Customer Service

Never needed.

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I have 10 Years experience in digital photography. So I used a lot of systems.

Stunning image quality, particularly people pics and portraits. I have read of one person buying the S1 in preference to a leading medium format digital back. Resolution almost on a par with the D1x, over which I chose it in preference.

Happy to use it for portraits instead of my medium format film kit in most circumstances.

Love the USB port which makes instant image review a breeze on a conected laptop.

I disagree with the previos poster. The S1 is very capable of pro results, in my opinion.

Built on an inexpensive Nikon body. No doubt that it would benefit from a better body as a starting point, but then again, for the work I do with it, this is not an issue.

For the money, you can't do better imho. Justifies 5 stars on basis of current state of the art and price.

Similar Products Used:

D1, D1X, etc.

GREAT IMAGE quality- virtually shoot-and-print

Good COlors
Good Feel
MIcrodrive is a blessing
uilt is acceptable

pop-up-flash is useless(what can you expect)

no AF-s, no VR, no manual-focus

Lens compatability is OK, but a draw-back. THis is a GREAT camera, and nothing more can be asked of it for the price- I recommend it to anyone... BUT, buy a wrist strap, this will REALLY help in the balancing...

Customer Service

never used

Similar Products Used:

D1, D1X