August 12th, 2009 by 
Photo-John
The Nikon D5000 is Nikon’s second digital SLR to offer video capture and its first to incorporate a tilt/swivel LCD display. The D5000 has a compact body with a 12.3-megapixel DX format CMOS sensor, a full range of shooting modes and exposure controls, and 720p video at 24 frames per second.
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| Nikon D5000 Studio Test Photos | |
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Introduction
I got a sneak peak at the Nikon D5000 at the annual PMA tradeshow in March. I was excited when I saw the Vari-angle LCD display. I love being able to adjust the position of a camera’s LCD and think it’s great that Nikon is finally offering this valuable feature. It’s especially useful for photographers who use Live View or shoot video.
The D5000 has the same excellent 12.3-megapixel sensor as the Nikon D90 that was introduced last fall. Since the D90 received so much praise for low light image quality, I was really looking forward to using the D5000 for night photos and other low light photography. I’ll give you a preview now and say the D5000 did not let me down. I’ve shot a wide variety of subjects with it, including a wedding, food (bacon-related, of course), some mountain biking and a little architecture. The more I use it, the more I like it.
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August 13th, 2009 at 11:15 am
The inclusion of the pop out display makes this camera very intriguing… Is this going to be standard for Nikons moving forward?
August 13th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Thanks for the comment, Thien. I was hoping they’d be using it on every camera from here on out. But the two new cameras Nikon just announced don’t have it. The new D3000 is positioned below the D5000 so maybe they left it out for that reason. And the new D300s is basically a D300 with some internal upgrades. So they didn’t make any body changes. It’s probable that we see more implementation in the next generation. I expect Nikon is looking at the D5000 as a test for the Vari-angle LCD.
August 14th, 2009 at 10:28 am
My Canon Powershot point-n-shoot has a movie mode and can’t re-focus once it filming begins. A little frustrating if the subject changes position or I want to zoom in/out. Not that I expect my inexpensive simple point-n-shoot to be rich with features, but do other DSLRs with movie mode have the same problem?
August 14th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Derek, right now all digital SLRs with movie modes have the same problem. Nikon just announced a new model, the D300s, which will allow auto focus while you’re filming. How well the auto focus works is the next question. We’ll have to wait and see if it’s as usable as a dedicated digital video camera.
The Panasonic Lumix GH1 and Olympus E-P1are DSLR-like and they both offer auto focus during video capture. I haven’t used the Panasonic yet so I don’t know how well the auto focus works. But the continuous auto focus on the Olympus E-P1 is pretty useless during video because it hunts too much and the motor makes noise that’s really obvious if you’re filming with sound.
August 16th, 2009 at 12:33 am
Hi John,
Would i be able to use my existing manual SLR lenses – a Canon 35-70mm and a tamron 70-300 mm telephoto lens on the Nikon D5000 ?
I currently use a manual SLR- canon EOS Rebel
Thanks
Anand
August 16th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Anand-
There are two problem with what you propose – most digital SLRs these days have proprietary lens mounts. So, aside from third-party lens makers like Sigma, Tamron and Tokina, you will only be able to use Nikon lenses on a Nikon camera body. Further – with the D5000 and other “entry-level” Nikon DSLRs, you are limited to their AF-S lenses, which have a built-in auto focus motor. So if you decided to buy a Nikon camera, you would also have to buy Nikon lenses. The kit lens that comes with the D5000 is a very good one, though – likely better than your Canon 35-70mm and Tamron 70-300mm.
Since you already have a couple of Canon EOS lenses, I would recommend you take a look at the Canon Digital Rebel XSi. It’s sort of the Canon counterpart to Nikon’s D5000. It also has video and you will be able to use your lenses with it. However, lenses have come quite a way in the past few years and you will probably be better off sticking with the Canon 18-55mm IS kit lens, if you decide to go that route.
Thanks for posting a comment!
August 17th, 2009 at 1:58 am
Thanks a ton John – your info truly helps.
Infact i was toying with the Canon XSi and the Nikon D5000 – but for the above dilemma! And now i am torn between choosing from the Canon XSi and their latest 500D – the T1i. I am looking for a DSLR with Video capabilities.
Secondly, i am very interested in macro photography : Please suggest me a reasonably inexpensive NON-NIKON lens.
Thanks in advance
Cheers,
Anand
August 17th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Anand-
I’m glad you mentioned the Canon T1i. That’s actually the camera I meant when I mentioned the XSi. The XSi does not have video, but the T1i, does. I’m not a real macro shooter so I don’t know that I’m the best to make a recommendation. You should take a look at and maybe post on our Narure & Wildlife photography forum. Those guys are the experts on macro photography. I think there’s a Tamron lens a lot of the macro shooters like. Here’s a link to the Nature & Wildlife photography forum: http://forums.photographyreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=48
August 31st, 2009 at 2:55 pm
FYI – There’s is a service recall on a number of the Nikon D5000’s.
I just purchased one, and had to immediately send it back to Nikon for repair. UPS seems to have lost it for the time being, but that’s another story.
Here’s the related link:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Service-Advisories/D5000-Service-Advisory.page
October 14th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
So, you cannot manually focus while shooting video with any of these new age digital SLR’s with video capabilities? Is that absolutely true? I though they were competition for the HVX and the like, but if this is the case nevermind..
December 8th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
You can manual focus while shooting in video mode (make sure it’s set to M or M/A).
It does not autofocus if you move around.
December 12th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Hello John,
I was wondering, does Nikon Inc. just send you these things (crap) or is there a form that you have to fill out or what. If so, how can I get one?
Thanks.
Adam.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Good question, Adam. If it was just a form to fill out, everyone would be doing it. Build a good Web site and drum up lots of traffic and then ask Nikon for a loaner and see how it goes
They don’t just give them away, either. I get them for a few weeks and then we send them back. No camera freebies to be had.