Having wanted a DSLR camera for quite some time I decided to take the plunge. I shopped around for various options and decided for Nikon over Canon due to the recommendations that a Nikon is better for a beginner, having its own built in guide is always a bonus! This review comes from a beginner who previously only ever had very simply point and click cameras. The camera has a dial on the top right which gives you all the various options and different modes that it can be switched to. However, trying to understand all these different modes and figuring out which is best under different circumstances is something which seems to come only through practice and spending time with the camera in different lighting. Whilst it does appear straight forward to take photos I should point out that trying to get those quality shots without blur and with the right lighting really isn't something which happens instantly. I woudl recommend attending a photography class, something I have signed up for, if you really want to get the best out of your camera.

My warning aside about really getting to understand the camera, it is amazing. I am in love with my camera, even taking shots at a beginners level I can see the difference in the quality of my shots. Further, the ability to take numerous shots over such a short time period is fantastic to ensure you get the right picture at the right time. The camera itself is light enough to carry around with you on various trips but yet sturdy enough to know that it is durable and will withstand any mishandling (to a degree). The live mode is great, especially from a beginners perspective as I am able to focus in on the specific face I want to take. The battery life as far as I can tell is great, I get to take a lot of photos and am constantly using live mode which I know uses more battery.

Nikon is such a great brand and for the price I paid I really would recommend it. This is a great starter camera and one that I know I will get a good few years out of before upgrading, if I ever do.