Nikon D5000

By Lori Grunin
May 14, 2009

The Nikon D80 lasted a long time at the top of our entry-level dSLR list, and the D5000 has been an eagerly awaited replacement for that just-under-US$1,000 kit segment. There are plenty of significant changes in this model. This Nikon switches to a CMOS sensor over the CCD module it's been using in its entry-level models; in this case, the same 12.3-megapixel version that's in the D90. Plus there's a new (to Nikon's dSLRs) flip-down-and-swivel LCD, and an improved AF system--the same 11-point AF system as the D90--that distinguish the D5000 clearly from the cheaper D60. But, as frequently happens, this poses quite a bit of competition for the more expensive D90. This is especially since it has a newer version of the Expeed image processor (with improved Auto Active D-Lighting and face-priority AF) and enhanced Live View AF, along with a connector for the optional GP-1 hotshoe GPS. The dSLR also supports direct wireless uploading when you use an Eye-Fi card.

Design And Features

Constructed out of polycarbonate instead of stainless steel, the 560g D5000 weighs a bit more than the D60 and the competing Canon EOS 500D. The camera's build feels plasticky, but not cheap--which is pretty typical for its price segment--although the SD card slot cover does seem a bit flimsier than usual.

The D5000 is available in two configurations: Camera body only and a kit with the 18-55mm VR lens. We wouldn't be surprised if a dual-lens kit with the additional 55-200mm lens eventually shows up.

The control layout is pretty typical, although Nikon seems to have eliminated more direct access buttons than most products in its class and replaced them entirely with an interactive display. This, in combination with the back dial and multi selector, lets you adjust shutter speed, aperture, image size and quality, white balance, ISO sensitivity, focus mode and AF area (single, multi, wide area, and 3D tracking). Metering, D-Lighting, exposure bracketing (three shots in up to two stop increments), Picture Control, exposure and flash compensation and flash mode can be accessed from these menus too.

We generally like the interactive displays, but the D5000's LCD is a bit difficult to see in sunlight, which makes changing the settings somewhat problematic. There's also a programmable function button that falls under your left thumb--we like that location--to which you can assign direct access to drive modes, image size and quality, ISO sensitivity, white balance, Active D-Lighting, RAW image option, and bracketing.

Articulated LCDs are great, and definitely enhance the usability of Live View. But ultimately, we found the flip-down version on the D5000 less useful than the flip-out versions on Olympus' dSLRs. It's good for overhead and hip-level shooting, but not as comfortable for sideways. Of course, from that perspective it's far more flexible than Canon's fixed LCDs. That said, the D5000's LCD isn't very good. In addition to the aforementioned visibility problem in direct sunlight, the screen seemed a tad soft. We couldn't tell if the photos were sharp, and manual focus in Live View (and video recording) was nearly impossible to see. Furthermore, there's no way to keep the multi selector switch from accidentally moving the selected AF points, which happened to us repeatedly. Finally, the viewfinder is small and dim, and the AF lock light is way down in the lower left corner where you have to strain to see it. On the upside, it has an optional grid display.

There's no dedicated mode for shooting video (that's a good thing). Instead, while in Live View mode, you use the OK button to stop and start recording. Though it doesn't employ continuous autofocus, you can initiate AF while recording. Like Canon's, however, the autofocus is very slow and a bit noisy.

Tags: DSLR, Camera, Articulated LCD, Nikon Corp., video

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