Considering you can spend between $400 and $3500 for a good Nikon SLR camera these days, it would behoove, any potential buyer to do their homework, and understand what they are getting.
There are obviously quite a few differences between the bottom of the Nikon SLR line D40, and the top of the line D3, currently selling in the mid 3K price range.
I'm obviously only referring only to the realm of digital cameras here.
So, if your looking for film only camera gems like the Nikon F2, you'll have to look elsewhere.
Two of the biggest determining factors in the price of the digital SLRs from Nikon (or any camera manufacturer), are lens quality and image sensor size.
Pretty much everyone is familiar with what a lens is, but image sensor is perhaps not so obvious.
An image sensor is inside the camera, and replaces the film of old school cameras.
Larger image sensors collect more light, dynamic range, and will result in less image noise.
Don't confuse image sensor size with megapixels, as they are two completely different specifications.
A 10 megapixel compact camera may have a 7.
19mm x5.
27mm image sensor, while a 10 megapixel SLR camera may have a 28.
7mm x 17.
8mm image sensor.
The SLR will obviously take a better picture.
Camera lenses are much more tangible, and we can at least, quite literally get a feel for them.
A well constructed heavy lens, is simply going to feel better than a cheap light, plastic lens.
While weight is obviously not the main factor to be considered here, you can get a good feel for the lens you'll be buying, and how it works by holding it.
The biggest factor in good pictures, however, has nothing to do with the camera, and everything to do with the person holding the camera.
You! It's good to look around, do your research, and see what cameras are out there before making your actual purchase.