The N65 has all the standard modes - Full auto, aperature priority, shutter priority, portrait, sports, night, landscape, manual, etc. As a hardcore user I find some these things unnecessary. Still, I can see why other users would like these extra fuctions.

Unlike the N70, the N65 in low light situations, in auto modes (auto, portrait, etc.), will release the flash without input from the user. This is probably a great function for novice users. As someone who can take a handheld shot at 1/15 or even 1/8 of a second, without using a flash, I found this feature annoying. The user can circumvent this feature by using the manual modes (e.g. aperature priority).

Another feature lacking on the N65 is a spot meter button. This comes in handy in difficult lighting situations (e.g. half the image is in sunlight, the other in shade) when a center metering system will fail completely.

I also found the N65, like most of the modern SLRS, as just a bit too flimsy. (The heavier N70, when first released, was considered "cheap" by pro users.) It's mostly plastic and it feels like it will break easily if dropped. This is true with SLRs made by all the major manufacturers. The 28-80mm lens also shares this cheap feel.

The N65 is a bargain for novice users with prices on 35mm cameras falling steadily as digital begins to dominate the market. Another good camera in this price range is the Canon K2. Still, if you want control over your images or you need something tough and sturdy, it would be best to either pay more for a better camera or, at the other extreme, buy an older used Nikon from the days when they built cameras to last.

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The Pros and Cons for the Nikon N65, May 7, 2003
Reviewer: Roy Chan

Here is a list of Pros and Cons for the Nikon N65.
Pros: Feature Filled, Small, Light-Weight, Cheap, A Worthy Introduction to Nikon's 35mm SLR System, fairly inexpensive, good quality images, 2.5 fps., depth-of-field preview, 3D Matrix metering, Nikkor-lens compatible, portability, ease-of-use, durability, User friendly, 5 programmed modes, fully automatic capabilities, manual operation, fast autofocus, interchangeable lenses, metal lens mount point, multiple eyepieces, Solidly constructed, tons of smart features, built-in flash, professional grade.

Cons: No metering with MF lenses, may be not enough for professional photographers, slow flash sync, no backlit LCD, Cannot manually set ISO, The G lens that comes with it is garbage, Read-eye reduction feature, waiting for parts if broken takes forever, no vertical grip, Manual settings require two hands, Pop up Flash throws shadows in wide angle pictures if using lens hood, Battery Meter, Steep learning curve for trickier options; can be confusing to operate.
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Meets every Expectation , November 27, 2004
Reviewer: N. Shahi

This camera takes great pictures. I use it mostly as point and shoot but some times I take protrait pictures and the sharpness is breath taking.

The bult in flash is not very strong. But if you take pictures with sufficient light you do not need any flash. Make sure you get the Nikkor lenses too as some places sell with other lenses.

I am now looking to buy the D70 Digital SLR. Just waiting for the price to come down a little more.

This can be your entry level SLR and the price is great.
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Good pictures, improving support, June 7, 2004
Reviewer: Gawaine "gawaine"

Nikon's cameras are among the best in the industry - this one, which my wife generally used, is great. It produces much better pictures than most point and shoot cameras do, even if you leave everything up to the camera, and you can override the camera to produce real art.

I had originally written this review angry because of how much trouble I was having to go to for a plastic part that had fallen out of the camera. I had been quoted prices of over a hundred dollars to fix it, and I had to either drive to one of the few support locations or ship my camera away and hope it came back. In the end, though, we got a hold of Nikon, and they sent us a replacement part for free.

It showed up in less than a week, and I fixed it in about five minutes. For people who are less willing than I am to service an expensive camera, there still might be support worries - I'm satisfied again, though.
 

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