Upgrade Guide
Nikon D3→Nikon D3000
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the D3. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the D3000
-
Generation2 years newer (2009 vs 2007)
Unchanged or similar
-
ResolutionSimilar (10MP)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | D3 | D3000 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.6 | ||
| Street | +1.4 | ||
| Travel | +1.4 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -2.3 | ||
| Documentary | -0.1 | ||
| Sports & Action | -1.8 | ||
| Landscape | -0.6 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.9 | ||
| Casual | +1.1 | ||
| Food | -0.1 | ||
| Macro | — | ||
| Architecture | -0.6 | ||
| Astrophotography | -1.5 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D3 | D3000 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £97 used | £29 used | |
| Released | 2007 | 2009 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame CMOS | 10.2MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 12MP | 10MP | ↓ |
| Video | No video | No video | |
| Autofocus | 51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; phase or contrast AF in live view | 11-point phase-detect (1 cross-type) via viewfinder | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 3fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~4300 shots (CIPA) | ~500 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 1240g (body only) | 485g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.8x | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 921k dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 230k dots | |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual CompactFlash slots | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
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See D3 and D3000 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D3000 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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Camera family history