Nikon Coolpix p500 or Nikon d3000? Which do you like better?

The D3000 is a DSLR, and is going to have a much larger sensor, which will perform better than the tiny sensor in the P500.

The differences are significant; the D3000 offers interchangeable lenses, a wider range of settings (typically the aperture and shutter speed settings on a compact camera are limited), IR remote, reduced shutter lag, etc.

The D3000 also has a tutorial system in it that will help in learning how to use a DSLR and how to set ISO Aperture and Shutter Speed.

The P500, with it's super zoom - like all super zoom lenses will have optical issues. They typically don't have consistent sharpness throughout their zoom range. For no other reason, the image quality of any camera with a super zoom is going to be worse than a standard zoom (5x and under).

And the shutter lag with most compact cameras is anywhere between 0.2sec and 0.8sec. I have not tested the P500, but it's certain to fall within that range. In contrast, the D3000 has a shutter buffer that results in an almost instantaneous shutter.

Shutter lag is the time between depressing the shutter and the photo actually taking. While 0.2 to 0.8 seconds may not seem like a long time, in action photos you can just about forget getting any kind of good photo.

And the D3000 will have a higher resale in two years if you wish to upgrade to a more capable DSLR.

To me there is no question - the D3000 is going to be superior camera.

I have a D40 DSLR, basically an older camera that the D3000 replaced. I've looked at the P500 (again yesterday) and I think it's a really neat camera. On the up side, it's somewhat smaller than the regular DSLRs, but is still large enough to fit my hands and has enough weight to be more stable that the little pocket cameras I use at work. It has a super zoom, which would save me from having to pack three different lenses when I travel by motorcycle, thus saving space. It also has a neat macro, meaning I wouldn't have to carry close up lenses. It would really be the camera I should have when traveling.

On the down side, the sensor is smaller and with the super long zoom, there's no way to prevent getting distortion in images. Therefore it won't deliver the quality that a true DSLR and appropriate lens would. But that's with all such compact cameras. If you demand really high quality images, go with the D3000 and interchangeable lenses. For most people, the distortion would probably never be noticed or at least, not a problem. At 220 photos per battery charge, many people will find it necessary to carry another battery or two. At a recent Labor Day family get together, I fired off nearly 700 images and never ran the battery dry. The P500 would have compromized that unless I had several additional batteries. It can rapid fire images, but only 5 at a time. The DSLRs will continuously fire for 4-6 times that many before slowing down. While it has very little shutter lag, I don't know how it compares to a DSLR.

One feature I really like on my DSLR is the remote shutter control, a small remote, push button device that allows me to photograph myself alone or with family or friends. I don't know if the P500 has that capability or not. You might check that one out.

I'm not a professional photographer by any means, although I can produce some respectable looking photos. Having used film SLRs with interchangable lenses for 35 years, I naturally went for a DSLR when I changed over. However, for someone newer to the hobby and who isn't doing true professional work, I believe the P500 would be a great camera. It has many of the good qualities of DSLRs but without the bulk and expense. As a woman, you might handle both cameras and see if one fits your hands better than the other. Try closing your eyes while holding them, having refinished automobiles, I know that for some odd reason closing your eyes allows you to feel tiny imperfections much better than with them open. Some women have very small hands and that might be just enough to make the P500 a better choice than the larger, heavier D3000. Just my opinion. Good luck shopping!

I like the P500 because it's cute specially in red. I like the D3000 because it's a dSLR than I can control better. Control over portability, given the choice between the two, I'd get the dSLR anytime of the day.

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Both cameras suck.

Get a Canon instead :)