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

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This is my first DSLR. I took some photography classes when I was young and consider myself reasonably proficient in the use of a traditional SLR. For the last 6 years my main camera (and first digital camera) was a Nikon Coolpix 5400, which I bought because it offered some of the features of a DSLR (exposure controls) at a more affordable price. When upgrading, I briefly considered going for another Coolpix model, which undoubtedly would have performed better than my old one in many ways, and would definitely be less expensive than a DSLR, but I decided I really wanted lens interchangeability. I also considered the other non-SLR, interchangeable-lens options in the same price range as the D5000, such as Micro Four Thirds and the new Samsung NX-10. Those would have offered basically everything I was looking for, in a slightly lighter and more compact package, but ultimately I decided to go with the D5000 because its based on a proven design and has a lot of lens options. I couldnt be happier with my decision. The most obvious differences compared to my old Coolpix are the outstanding battery life (hundreds of pictures with and without flash and I still havent run the battery down all the way yet), and the fast autofocus and quick turnaround time. In the past Ive missed many good shots of my kids because of the sluggish autofocus on my old camera. Even if you never learn how to use all of the features on this camera and just leave it in auto mode, the picture quality is well worth the extra cost and bulkier camera compared to a compact. Update, October 2010: About two months after I bought the camera, the built-in flash quit working. My experience with Nikon tech support was good, and they were able to repair it. (Nikon did not charge for the repair, but I did have to ship it to them at my expense). Ive had no other problems since and I still dont regret buying this camera in any way. I understand that I am probably the rare exception, but nonetheless it was a small disappointment to run into a reliability problem like this.

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The announcement of Nikon D5000 in April 2009 is quite unexpected for many people. D5000 is quite different than other Nikon beginner cameras (D40, D60), and it also does not resemble Nikon D90, a mid-range Nikon DSLR line. Nikon D5000 is an unique camera in Nikon line. It has swivel LCD screen (None of other Nikon DSLR has this feature), and it has movie mode (the second camera that has this feature in Nikon line after D90). Along with Nikon D3000, Nikon hopes that D5000 will be a huge success in this holiday season. D5000 will compete against Canon T1i / 500D. BODY & HANDLING Nikon D5000 weights 588g (with card and battery). The dimension is 127 x 104 x 80 mm which is a bit bigger and taller than D3000. From the top, Nikon D5000 looks exactly the same as Nikon D3000. It has info button, exposure compensation, shutter button and shooting mode ring. Nikon D5000 has a thumb dial which you can use to change aperture or other settings. It also has AE-AF lock button, live view button, four-way controller button, playback button, menu button, trash bin button, magnifying buttons (+ and -) and info button. On the left side, you have self timer (function) button which could be customized. I usually customized it to ISO setting. The layout and available buttons are very similar to Nikon D3000. If you are coming from higher end Nikon D80-D90 line, you might miss the image quality button, ISO button, AF release mode button, and White Balance button. BUILT QUALITY & ERGONOMIC D5000 like all other Nikon beginner camera up to Nikon D90 has rugged plastic interior with textured "rough" finish. I like the textured finish more than smooth finish (like in Canon T1i camera). Ergonomically, it is good to hold, but the space between lens mount and the grip is pretty tight. If you mount bigger lens or if you have big hands, then you might not feel comfortable. However, I feel D5000 has slightly better ergonomic because it has a taller grip than D3000 or D60, so all of my fingers can rest on the grip, instead of hanging loose. LCD SCREEN D5000 has unique vari-angle LCD screen. This swivel LCD is a little bit awkward because it swivel to the bottom not to the side like many other digital cameras. You can swivel the lcd screen down to 90 degree and then rotate it to left o right up to 270 degree. It is quite versatile for overhead or low angle shot. It is also very helpful when you are in live view mode or movie recording mode. However, I personally prefer if the lcd swivel to the side rather to the bottom, but I can understand why Nikon design it that way. Nikon tries to keep the layout / body interface as similar as other Nikon beginner cameras. Unfortunately, unlike D90, the LCD screen resolution is limited to 230k (the same as D3000). So you will be never able to check if your photos are in focus or not. Additionally, there is no top LCD screen like Nikon D90. LENS COMPATIBILITY Nikon D5000 comes with Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens. This lens has a plastic mount, but the image quality and the light is recommendable. It never get super sharp like pro grade lens, but pro grade lens might costs more than ten times, so 18-55mm VR is one of the best value lens out in the market. The lens has image stabilization feature which is called Vibration Reduction (VR). It works well and quietly up to 3 stops. If you hold the camera tight and still, you can shoot up to a quarter second without motion blur. Unfortunately, D5000 does not have built in focus motor in the camera. Therefore, it cant auto focus older lenses such as the venerable Nikon 50mm f/1.8 or the legendary Nikon 85mm f/1.4D. If you need AF function, you need lens that has auto focus motor in it (AF-S lenses). If you are looking at third party lenses, look for HSM (Sigma lens) or motorized Tamron lenses. IMAGE QUALITY & ISO Nikon D5000 employs 12 megapixel sensor which is very similar to the one with Nikon D90. It produces better image quality than other Nikon beginner camera up to date. In low light situation, D5000 delivers clean image up to ISO 1600, and usable image at ISO 3200 if you expose it correctly. Image quality in high ISO setting is very satisfactory. Like other Nikon DSLR cameras, D5000 also has Auto ISO limiter. You can effectively limit the ISO and minimum shutter speed. The Auto ISO works very well and accurate most of the time. My favorite way to use this is to set the camera to Auto ISO, and then use Aperture mode and let the camera adjust the rest for me. AUTO FOCUS AND RELEASE MODE D5000 has the same AF system as D3000 and D90. This AF system are quite reliable for everyday use. It comes with dynamic tracking and 3D tracking which is great for moving objects and sports. The auto focus is very fast and responsive. D3000 has 4 frame per second continuous shooting. It is neither fast or slow. For sports, dances or plays you might hope for faster burst. Quiet release mode: This is a new release mode unique to Nikon D5000 and later D300s. When you shoot in Q mode, you can full press and hold the shutter button to keep the mirror up. Then, when you release the shutter button, the mirror will flip down. I dont think this feature is quite useful because it does not really make the shutter release quieter, it just divides the shutter release into two steps. The beep sound that indicate the auto focus lock will be automatically turn off when you use this mode. INTERFACE Despite the lack of dedicated buttons for many important setting such as ISO, release mode, white balance etc, It is relatively easy and quick to change those setting. What you need to do is hit the INFO button twice and toggle to setting that you want to change and change it with the main thumb dial. It is not the most efficient interface around. (The best interface will be Olympus super control panel), but Nikon is showing some progress. MOVIE RECORDING MODE Movie recording in D5000 is quite basic and easy to activate but tough to handle. To activate, you need to press lv (live view) button once, and then after you focus (you can half press the shutter button or manual focus) then you pres OK button to start and end recording. Them, you can now record the movie up to 5 minutes. The countdown will be displayed in the screen. It is tough to handle because there is no built-in stabilization so in order to stabilized the video you need a tripod. You will need to focus manually too to keep track of moving object because live view contrast-based auto focus is very slow and unreliable. However, compare to a regular camcorder, the movie mode are excellent in low light condition and able to create a very shallow of depth of field. You can also switches lenses to create different effects. COMPETITORS Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Canon T1i is D5000s arch rival in 2009. It has high-res fixed LCD screen, 15 megapixel image resolution, compatible with all Canon EOS lenses, and bigger viewfinder. It can record movie up to 18 minutes. For direct comparison, check out [Canon T1i vs Nikon D5000] Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Black) Pentax Kx is the best value camera in 2009. With only $550 this holiday season, you can get full featured beginner camera with movie recording mode, built-in image stabilization, and solid image quality. Check out our Pentax kx review and Pentax kx vs competitors. Sony Alpha A380L 14.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization and 18-55mm Lens Sony A380 has a very good image quality especially in bright light situation, fast AF in live view mode, tilt-able LCD screen and built-in image stabilization but no movie recording mode. Olympus Evolt E620 12.3MP Live MOS Digital SLR Camera with Image Stabilization and 2.7 inch Swivel LCD w/ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Zuiko Lenses Olympus E-620 is the smallest beginner camera that has built-in image stabilization, swivel LCD screen, back-lit buttons but no movie recording mode, smaller image sensor and has smaller viewfinder. Check out our own Olympus E-620 review. Nikon D3000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens If you are interested in Nikon camera, you might want to consider D3000 too. It is cheaper, lighter and smaller, more user-friendly but has inferior image sensor, no live view and no movie recording mode. Check out our own Nikon D3000 review. CONCLUSION Nikon D5000 is a feature-packed Nikon beginner camera that sits in the middle between beginner and advanced Nikon camera. It is a solid product with excellent image quality. The swivel LCD screen could be helpful for many situations. From features and image quality stand point, it matches Nikon D90. What hold D5000 back is its body interface and lack of built-in AF motor. Overall it is a good camera for your money. But before you get one, you need to check out its limitations especially about its lens compatibility and movie mode. Subjective Rating - Relative to entry level DSLR cameras 2009 Image Quality : 5/5 Features : 5/5 Performance : 5/5 Body and Handling : 4/5 Value for Money : 4/5 For sample images, ISO comparison and camera body pictures, please visit my blog. You can find the link from my profile. Thanks for reading

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This is my first DSLR camera, and I can say right off that its very easy to use and takes amazing photos. I chose the D5000 because a friend who is a professional photographer recommended it saying I should invest my money in lenses not the body. I believe this is true, but there is a consideration to make when purchasing the D5000, or the other Nikon entry-level cameras such as the D40/D40x/D60/D3000, and that has to do with the auto-focus motor. The D5000, which tops Nikons entry-level line, does not include an auto-focus motor in the body, instead it relies on a "silent wave" auto-focus mechanism in the lens (AF-S). This is supposed to be very quiet and fast, though I dont know if thats true compared to the screw-drive motors used in other camera bodies. Its also supposed to be more cost effective and allow for a smaller/lighter camera body, but again Im not sure if that is quite true or exactly why Nikon chose this option for their entry level line (if anybody knows more about this please feel free to comment). However, this option will limit users who already have a collection of Nikon AF lenses (not AF-S), as well as those purchasing a Nikon for the first time. The AF lenses will work fine but have to be manually focused. That said, more experienced users would probably not be purchasing an entry-level model; a more appropriate starting point would be the D90. So as far as lens compatibility? The first lens I sought to purchase was a fast prime (FFL) unit for indoor/low-light and portraits. I looked at the low-priced 50mm f/1.8D AF, but the auto-focus is not compatible. Same with the faster and more expensive 50mm f/1.4D AF, as well as the 35mm f/2D AF. Also, no luck with the Tamron or Sigma FFL units, though I did see some Tamron zoom lenses with AF-S compatibility. I became very concerned that my options would be severely restricted, and perhaps I would need to return the camera and upgrade to the D90 or go with the Canon T1i. However, I discovered the 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW, which came out last year, and also the more moderately priced 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX which currently sells for about $200. That unit came out earlier this year (I havent chosen yet). I also went to the Nikon homepage, and noted that 30 of the 50 current auto-focus lenses listed were AF-S, so while the options are limited, the average non-professional user shouldnt have a problem finding an appropriate lens for the occasion - including many professional level models. I also suspect that Nikon will include AF-S in more if not all future auto-focus lenses. Users will find the least options with Nikons wide-angel, standard, and telephoto models. Most of the super telephoto, wide-angle zoom, standard zoom, high powered zoom and close up lenses include AF-S. PROS of the D5000 1. Has virtually the same image sensor as the D90 and D300. This puts the D5000 in good company, and one could argue its more of a prosumer or mid-level class camera than its entry-level predecessor, the D60. Its almost a D90, but just lacking of a few options and the D90s ruggedness. The difference is about $300. 2. Flip LCD; I considered the Canon EOS Rebel T1i, and while both the Canon and Nikon have their advantages, both are very similar with the exception of Nikons flip LCD. I consider this more than just a novelty. It not only protects the screen but is practical in some situations, such as shooting photos overhead. The D90 does not have this function either. 3. Easy to use; I got fantastic pictures right off using the auto mode as well as the pre-set scene selections. However, users are not restricted to these options and experienced photographers should enjoy the camera alike. Just like the D90, the D5000 has scene modes on the dial, but it also has 13 additional modes from the menu which adds benefit to novice users. I tried the night landscape and sunset with excellent results. 4. The lens is very good for a kit, and includes Vibration Reduction (VR). The lens by itself currently sells on Amazon for about $185 new, as appose to the model without VR which is currently priced at $110. Users may also want to pick up a fixed lens and/or higher power zoom, but the kit lens should be fine for most users. That said, Im sure this camera could be taken to another level with the right lens. 5. Long Battery Life 6. Compact / Light weight CONS 1. Price; the D5000 may be priced a little high for an "entry-level" camera, but again its $300 less than the D90, and in many ways comparable. Its also slightly less than the Canon EOS Rebel T1i. 2. Ruggedness; some may say its a little "toyish" with the plastic finish, and being light (which isnt a bad thing), but overall it looks sharp and is well built. I handled the D90 and some of the pro lines, they felt a little more rugged, but of course are designed for more abuse (and cost much more). 3. AF-S auto-focus (see above) Bottom line, if youre looking for a great camera with the ability to produce real quality photos, but you dont want to spend a small fortune, the D5000 is a great choice.

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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.

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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!

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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).

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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!

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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!

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I used to be a semi-pro 35mm photographer and loved choosing aperture (for selecting depth of field) or shutter speed (for stop action or capturing motion), but when the digital cameras came out, I put away the 35mm and started purchasing point-and-shoot digital cameras. They were great under existing light conditions, but other than that, they sucked. Didnt have good flash capability, and settings were chosen for you. Sometimes photos came out blurry, too dark, too light, or just plain ol crappy. Finally, a DSLR came out with a reasonable price tag (under $700) and it was a name I trusted..... NIKON. I was going to purchase the D-3000, but finally put up the extra hundred bucks or so, and purchased the upgrade D5000. Man is it a nice camera. Negatives first: The camera seems to be made of plastic and Im afraid after a while, it will become damaged. The lens flanges are plastic and I am extremely careful when removing or putting on lenses. If you drop it, I think you can kiss it good-bye. WEAR THE STRAP AT ALL TIMES. Positives: READ, READ, READ the manual over and over again. Ive had this camera since early December 2009 (its now November 11, 2010) and I started reading the manual before the camera was delivered. I still pick up the manual every now and then and read up on features that I dont use very often. Its a complex little unit, but thats half the fun. You can do so much with this camera. Set it for Aperture priority and adjust F-stops. Set it for shutter priority and adjust the speed. Set it on Program and point and shoot, or set it on Auto and pick a dozen pre-set settings for specific types of photos. It is fantastic. I also like the tilt out view screen. Very handy. And reviewing images and deleting them is a snap. It takes fantastic pictures with rich color and clear definition. I really like it.

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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.

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