August 12th, 2009 by 
Photo-John
Conclusion
Digital SLRs keep getting better and better. The truth is, there hasn’t been a bad digital SLR for a few years now. Because they’re so good, I’m becoming more and more of an advocate of less expensive bodies. Most photographers don’t need a full frame sensor or a pro-level build. Features like frame rate and moisture-sealing are over-hyped in my opinion. The Nikon D5000 is exactly the kind of digital SLR most photographers should be buying. It offers great performance, excellent image quality, solid features and a couple bonuses - HD video and the tilt-swivel LCD. The D5000 is more camera than most people will ever need. And if you’re reading this and thinking, “But Photo-John, how am I going to spend all of my $2000 camera budget?” — no problem. Spend it on lenses. A professional zoom lens or two will do more for most photographers than a better body could. When you find your camera is getting in the way, then upgrade. The D5000 is an incredible camera - especially when you consider the $730 price tag. Buy a better lens, like the Nikon AF-S 18-200mm, the AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 VR or if you really wanna go big, the AF-S 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens, and you’ll be shooting the kids’ soccer games like a pro.
Who Should Buy The Nikon D5000
The Nikon D5000 is an excellent choice for:
- Beginning photographers and families who want a reasonably priced digital SLR that can do it all.
- Outdoor photographers who want a light, compact camera body with great image quality and performance.
- Nikon 35mm or DSLR owners looking to upgrade - the D5000 offers 90% of the performance of the D90 for hundreds less.
- Nikon pros looking for an inexpensive backup body. The D5000’s image quality and performance will surprise you.
The Nikon D5000 is not the best choice for:
- Pro sports photographers or others who need the most speed and best auto focus performance.
- Photographers who really abuse their gear.
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Contents of the Nikon D5000 Kit Box
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Other Resources:
Nikon D5000 Announcement >>
Compare Prices For Nikon D5000 >>
Nikon D5000 User Reviews >>
Write a Nikon D5000 Review >>
Nikon D5000 Camera Specs >>
Nikon D5000 Sample Gallery >>
All Digital Camera Pro Reviews >>
Nikon Cameras Forum >>
Digital SLR Forum >>
Official Nikon Digital SLR Web page >>
Download Nikon D5000 Camera Manual >>
Digital Camera Buyer’s Guide >>
All Digital Camera Studio Sample Photos >>
All photos copyright John Shafer and/or PhotographyREVIEW.com.
next page - Nikon D5000 Camera Menus >>
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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..