Nikon D5000 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera

• 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor
  Coupled with Nikon's EXPEED image processing and NIKKOR optics, breathtaking picture quality is assured
• D-Movie Mode with sound
  Record 720p HD movie clips enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility
• Vari-angle color LCD monitor
  Position the 2.7-inch monitor freely for fresh shooting perspectives. Screen flips inward for safe keeping
• 19 Auto-exposure Scene Modes
  Capture stunning photos in challenging picture-taking situations including Sunsets, Candlelight, Silhouette, Portrait, Landscape, Beach/Snow, and more
• One-button Live View
  Easy Live View access offers 4 autofocus modes, including Face Priority AF
• Continuous shooting as fast as 4 frames-per-second
  Combined with fast power-up and split-second shutter response, decisive moments are captured easily without annoying shooting lag
• Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200
  Engineered for exceptional low-light shooting
• Built-in image sensor cleaning
  Effective 4-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning keeps images spot free
• 11-point autofocus system with 3D Focus Tracking
  Fast and accurate autofocus delivers razor sharpness
• Auto Active D-Lighting
  Restores lost shadow and highlight detail in high contrast exposures—Selectable and Auto modes available
• In-camera Retouch image editing
  Creative in-camera image editing, featuring Soft Filter, Straighten, Color Outline Effect, Perspective Control, Red-eye Correction, Image Overlay, Monochrome and more—all without a computer
• Picture Control Settings for personal image control
  Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape and 9 customizable settings
• Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II
  Nikon’s renowned 420-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II, teamed with the exclusive Scene Recognition System, evaluates each scene for unmatched exposure accuracy
• Durable, high precision shutter
  Testing to over 100,000 cycles assures precision and long shutter life
• GPS geo-tagging
  GP-1 GPS unit (optional) automatically identifies and records every image’s latitude, longitude and altitude, with satellite time-of-day

• EN-EL9a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
• MH-23 Quick Charger
• DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
• DK-24 Rubber Eyecup
• UC-E6 USB Cable
• EG-CP14 Audio Video Cable
• AN-DC3 Camera Strap
• Body Cap
• BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover
• Software Suite CD-ROM

Your mileage may vary, August 22, 2009

By bmoag "ae" (California)

I have been using Nikons for over thirty years. I am a great fan of Nikon although the price point of some of their products does not alway reflect actual quality compared to other vendors and Nikon has the same problems with production quality control as everyone else.

I knew this camera had a tiny, dim pentamirror viewing system but based on its size and sterling reviews of its D90-like auto-focus I purchased it anyway assuming I could rely on the autofocus.

The D90 is a nice size compared to larger body dSLRs and once you get used to the controls handles well. The video function is quite useful; I have never been a fan of live view. The low noise of the sensor is very impressive compared to just the prior generation of Nikon/Sony image capture devices. Nikon now has the camera only in part because of the recall based on potential early failure of the on-off switch. I commend Nikon for taking pre-emptive action. However potential buyers of this camera should be aware of reports that virtually every D5000 currently in the reatil chain is subject to a recall for this problem.

I hope it is only my particular specimen but this camera could not reliably autofocus and systematically underexposes. Exposure issues are partly a matter of taste and can be easily compensated. However the execrable viewing system forces one to rely on autofocus and this particular unit needs bifocals. As I said, your mileage may vary.

By Leandro Biondo (São Paulo, Brasil)

I got this camera on the 25th of july and will try to tell my experience with it so far. Actually trying to pass the happiness I am having for getting such and amazing product in hands, after so many good options I looked over!!

Got it with 18-55mm lenses, a small tripod and a 16GB class 4 SDHC card. Was in doubt between nikon's D5000, D90 or D60, Canon's EOS Xsi and T1i, Sony's A200 or A350 and Olympus E520 or E620.

First, I have had some diferent digital cameras (and also a couple analogic before that), the better ones being sony's DSC W7, H9 and H50 (not mine, but I used for some days), so I don't know how the D5000 compares to other DSLR, but I can feel the great lap between this amazing camera and those other simpler ones I am used to...

My first impression was that it really can take good color, bright and lively pictures from the box, on auto mode... maybe the one I am least using by now, but good to know it will work when you can't or don't want to set anything before the shot. So the camera goes great on full AUTO. Same for video, easy to focus with the kit lenses and pretty professional looking movie results.

My dad was with the camera for 2 weeks before I put my hands on it, and he shot amazing pics from simple places and situations, even at night... and he was on AUTO all time, so this nikon can be used as a point-and-shoot, actually the best I've ever seen... it is funny to see that any picture taken with it looks like it would be very hard or impossible to be taken with the cameras we used before.

I havent posted any video so far, but I had put some pics here [...]

I've done a lot of research on the DSLR world and the most useful site was [...] where I found the info that made me decide between the Canon EOS 500 (or T1i) and this Nikon D5000 that I got here on amazon.com .

So, knowing some previous things about aperture, shutter speed, focus, depth of field an ISO from the previous cameras and some books I've read in the past fell weeks I tried the Nikon on the other modes, A,M,S and P...

Ok, P is also as good as the AUTO, but it is almost just AUTO, I found it hard to change to the type of exposure I wanted while rolling the control. So between this and AUTO I stay with AUTO.

"A" mode (aperture prior)works great for me... the control with the DOF is good and the kit lenses on auto focus are great.

The "S" mode is normal, but I have not used it too much, havent had action scenes so far.

The "M" mode is easy to use as all controls are at reach, the only change I did was to make the Fn button control the ISO, so I have the shutter on the main wheel with my right thumb, click with a finger on the button behind the shutter and have the wheel to control aperture, with my left thumb I make it control the ISO or flash (2 buttons well placed close to the lenses) and if I use manual focus the left hand is already in place and stays there, zooming and focusing.

About the kit lenses (18-55mm nikkor lenses), the focus has a really short turn (about 30 degrees, but fells like 5) from 28cm to infinity, it is handleable on manual focus but a bit too sensitive... the zooming is perfect though.

I already bought a used nikkor 28mm 2.8 AF-D lenses, that goes well with the D5000 (with manual focus only, cause it is not DX) and have a much better focus ring, with about 160 degree turn from 25mm to infinity that fells like 360... this made me fell good for not buying an olympus because the nikon DX format has a 1.5 relation for lenses and the four third had a 2.0 relation, at this point I realise that finding good old used lenses that can work well on the D5000 is easy, and this 28mm lense made me remember using my father's yashica 45mm focus when I was 6... very good felling.

For the manual focus the camera helps with the green light that goes on when on focus, and changing the menu to show distance info on the viewfinder I got it to show arrows that indicate to witch side to change the focus.

Live view... I did not mention, but my father took all his picures on this mode and liked it, so again can be used as p-a-s, but I have not used it too much, just loved the viewfinder and the 11point AF.

The picture reviewing is also nice on the LCD panel and it being articulated is good for awkward shots, but even greater to protect it and to maintain the screen off when using the viewfinder (when I don't want more info than that on the small window).

I did record some movies and they all look great, only did on 720p and no complains, all them look better than any other camera I used, only inconvenience is the focus but it is easy to learn... and zooming during video looks nicer than on video cameras that have digital controls for zooming.

Battery lasts long, about 6 days traveling on my father's hands and 1 or 2 full shooting days on my hands... you notice that the camera is all the time saving power and even turning the LCD off when you are looking is not annoying because it comes back nicely.

Flash is powerful and have a good range, also very tunable for adding light to a scene or to freezing someone or something on a shot... helped with some exposures...

The retouching options are fast, easy to understand and vastly usable, I did some shots on a cloudy day and with some NEF processing on camera and one or two other adjustments (also in the camera) I got images that seemed taken at noon!!

In conclusion on this messy review, the D5000 is a great camera and I would recommend to anybody who wants good pictures and movies... take that from a DSLR newbie and a nature, travel, sports and technology lover.

And also, on my personal experience, it fells amazing to handle this camera, hear it shooting, bursting at 4fps (the sound is lovely), doing everything well and much more than I would expect. (I am not a brand person, but the nikon name helped on my choice and I am pleased it did).