August 12th, 2009 by 
Photo-John
Nikon D5000 Features
Feature-wise, the D5000 is basic but solid. The most important features, in my opinion, are the excellent 12.3-megapixel sensor, the D-Movie video mode, the updated auto focus system, and the tilt-swivel LCD display. The sensor alone is a good reason to buy the D5000. Spec-wise, the D5000’s movie mode is the same as the D90. It captures 720p-resolution video at 24 frames per second and there’s no auto focus available once you start recording. You can either focus manually or get your focusing done with the Live View auto focus before you start recording.
The 2.7-inch, 230k, Vari-angle LCD is the most attention-getting feature on the D5000. Tilt-swivel LCDs are great if you use Live View in the studio, for macro photos or any kind of photography you do on a tripod. And of course, tilting, swiveling LCDs have been standard on camcorders for years. The D5000’s LCD flips down 180 degrees and can rotate all the way around so you can see it while looking into the camera - perfect for self-portraits or shooting video of yourself - unless you use a tripod, in which case the tripod will be in the way.
For shooting, the D5000 has a nice mix of consumer-friendly auto modes and manual options. For beginners there’s a pure auto mode plus 19 scene modes for everything from the obvious (Sports, Landscape, Portrait) to more esoteric shooting modes like Autumn Colors, Blossom, Candlelight, and High Key. For more experienced photographers there’s full manual (M), Program (P), Aperture Priority (A) and Shutter Priority (S).
People who shoot action will be pleased with the 4 frames per second capture rate and the improved auto focus system. The D5000’s eleven AF points offer a lot more coverage than D60’s three. You can choose from continuous AF, single-shot AF, or Auto-servo AF, which analyzes a scene and chooses single or continuous AF for you. The D5000 offers four auto focus point strategies - single point, Dynamic area, Auto-area, and 3D-tracking. The 3D-tracking mode uses Nikon’s famed 3D metering sensor to detect and track a subject across all 11 AF points. Unfortunately, it’s only available in the D5000’s scene modes - so if you’re a manual exposure photographer, it’s not gonna do you much good.
The D5000 has numerous in-camera processing options, including Picture Control, Active D-Lighting and an extensive Retouch menu. If there’s ever a feature or setting you don’t understand on the camera, just press the “?” button to display an explanation on the LCD (see Setup help screen sample, below). Along the same lines, when you change a setting, the LCD displays a thumbnail photo representing the setting you’re changing. For instance, if you select ISO 800 there’s a thumbnail of a night scene. If you select AF-S from the focus options, you see a thumbnail of a landscape (see below, right).
 Nikon D5000 “?” Help screen for the Setup menu |
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 Nikon D5000 focus mode selection with thumbnail guide |
The D5000 is available body only (US $729) or in a kit with the Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens (US $849.95). This is a great kit lens and I highly recommend it to first-time Nikon DSLR buyers. It will get you started shooting and it’s got great optics - much better than the previous, non-VR version, which I found pretty disappointing when I used it a couple of years ago.
All Nikon D5000 Camera Menus >>
Nikon D5000 Design
The D5000 is compact and light without feeling insubstantial or plasticky. Rounded corners and a comfortable grip help give it a nice solid feel in spite of its small size and minimal weight. There is a pop-up flash, of course - all but the most professional cameras have pop-up flashes now. I easily carried it with the kit lens mounted, in a small hydration backpack. It was almost like not carrying a camera at all.
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| Nikon D5000 with the Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR kit lens | ||
The D5000’s key design feature is the new Vari-angle tilt-swivel LCD, which I described in the Features section. The D5000 uses Nikon’s Information Display screen (see below) to display and access features and settings (see below). Higher end cameras have more dedicated buttons for ISO, white balance, etc. But the Information Display screen makes it easy to change settings without dedicated buttons. Just press the “i” button to the left of the LCD, navigate to the setting you want and press OK to access the function and make your change. In spite of the minimal external controls, Nikon included an easy to reach dedicated Live View button. With some earlier implementations of Live View it could be a bit of a puzzle turning it on. Not so with the D5000.
 Nikon D5000 Information Display screen |
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 White Balance selected in the Information Display screen |
next page - Nikon D5000 Camera Experience >>
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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..