Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD

I have owned this camera several months now, and I wanted to make sure I had actually used it for some time before reviewing. If you want to be able to take AMAZING photos, right out of the box, then you should buy this camera! I am by no means a professional. This is my second DSLR and the difference between my older DSLR and this were shocking. The picture quality is stunning. It is not as simple as a point and shoot camera, but its pretty close. If you do not want to learn the more detailed functions you can use this in a very similar way to a point and shoot. Find your target, make sure they are in focus (hold the button lightly, lights will pop up inside showing what is being focused on), zoom in or out if you like, and then hold the button to take the picture. If you are an advanced user the amount of options and manual control is HIGH. The reason I purchased this specific camera was that it takes video. Most DSLR cameras when I purchased this did NOT have that ability. The video function is fairly simple and it takes decent video. The body is dense and has a rough texture to help keep it in your hand. Ive bumped and banged it several times and no ill effects have shown up. Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend this camera.

Show more

I originally paid $711 for this Nikon. It is no FX but no where near the price tag either. I own a D700 as well with the FX processor. One thing I would encourage anyone buying this camera to do - if you ever have the intention of upgrading that is - is to buy lenses that will work for a Nikon with the FX processor. Im not going into detail because if you dont know what Im talking about, then you should be educating yourself online. The FX processor is a true 35mm processor where the DX processor auto-crops all your pictures. I have taken some absolutely breathtaking pictures with this camera. Get a high-speed SD card to cut down on processing speeds. The Nikkor 50mm 1.8D is an amazing lens to put on this camera and extremely cost effective. Thats all the best advice I could think up to tell someone purchasing this camera. Happy shooting!

Show more

This camera takes very clear, high quality photos, and it meets the needs of both "newbie users" as well as those who want all of the features found on an SLR-film-camera. I have only used a point-and-shoot camera prior to purchasing this camera, and it was easy for me to learn to use the basic features of this camera. My husband is a long-time user of SLR film cameras, and this camera has all of the features that he wants in a camera. Our goal in purchasing this camera was to find a camera that we could BOTH use, and this camera fits the bill. The VIDEO quality is not as good as one would obtain from a true video camera, but the quality is still much better than that of the video on my Minolta point-and-shoot digital camera (that was my former "go-to" camera). The picture quality is very high, so the photos are still clear and sharp when blown up. The battery life is good and allows me to take LOTS of flash shots. The feature that I most appreciate on this camera is that there is no real delay between the moment I press the "shoot" button and the moment that the camera captures the image. I can easily take photos of babies and pets and actually get the shot that I wanted (versus a shot from a few seconds AFTER the moment that I wanted to capture).

Show more

For the last few years I have been using a smallcam - Canon Elph in one of its many formats. On that camera, I like the Li-ion batteries that are mostly interchangeable with each other and the ease of use. (This camera has a Li-ion battery) However, Ive been missing the clarity that I had with my film camera - a Canon Ftb SLR that I bought at the PX in Pleiku VietNam in 1970. This Nikon takes me back to the excitement that I had when I purchased that first wonderful SLR. Sap that I am, I even like having the sound of the mirror as I click the shutter. The lenses are pleasing and easy to use. Im having a blast with macro and the ability to bypass the flash in some situations. My photos are sharp and clear. Id say this camera will challenge me to improve my level of photography and it will give me years of enjoyment. Only negative is the screen that shows all the nose & cheek grease and it looks a bit gross. Of course I miss the portability of the Canon Elph, but Ill just have to get over that now, wont I? If you choose this camera and have a good background in photography, but no with pretensions of being Ansel Adams, you will be pleased. Enjoy!

Show more

20 years ago I was an avid photographer with my own color lab and very familiar with the ins and outs of SLR photography. Have used point and hoot digitals for years now I felt it was time to get back into using and SLR and taking the picture I know I could. This camera is a fantastic way to get started in the world of digital SLRs. It is loaded with features, much to many to write about here, and is quite easy to use. My wife who has never used an SLR took to it right away going so far as to say she loves this camera! Great battery life, even when using the flash, fast response and very well balanced. I would highly recommend this camera!

Show more

This was bought as a gift for our dad. He is not a professional photographer, but he is very happy with the quality of the camera. It somes with a basic lens, so if you need anything to zoom or a macro lens, you are going to need to invest in those on top of it. The quality of the picture is very nice, the clarity is undeniable. The machine is sometimes a little slow when it comes to focusing, but the results are so nice that we can forgive. All things considered this camera is not too heavy to carry around, which can become a problem when you walk around for hours with the strap on your shoulder. Very satisfied with this camera.

Show more