Nikon D5000

Slotting between the entry-level Nikon D60 and enthusiast Nikon D90, the Nikon D5000 hopes to appeal to buyers with its combination of HD video recording and vari-angle screen.

Features & build
The Nikon D5000 utilises the same 12.3Mp sensor that was first seen the on the high-end D300 and later, the D90. This DX format chip, with a 1.5x crop factor, has a standard ISO range of 200-3200. This can be further expanded to an ISO equivalent of 100 (L1.0)-6400  (H1.0), though it can’t quite stretch as far as the Canon EOS 500D’s ISO equivalent of 12,800 – one of the D5000’s closest rivals.
The D5000 uses an EXPEED image processing engine, allowing you to shoot a maximum of four frames per second, and its 11-point AF system employs Nikon’s scene recognition system. This aids in focus tracking, allowing the Nikon D5000 to track a subject from point-to-point, though there’s only a single cross-type AF point in the centre for more accurate AF. As there’s no internal AF motor (just like the D40, D40x and D60), autofocus is reliant on the lens attached featuring its own motor, such as Nikon’s silent wave (AF-S) models – otherwise it’s manual focus only.
As Nikon’s anti-shake system is entirely lens-based, there’s no in-camera system, but the supplied 18-55mm AF-S kit lens does include Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) technology to offer a 4-stop advantage. There’s also a dual-dust reduction system, with Image Sensor Cleaning that shakes dust from the sensor, along with what’s termed an Airflow Control system on the lens mount to direct stray dust particles through small vents onto an adhesive strip below.
In terms of its high-definition video mode, the D5000 offers a maximum resolution of 1280x720 at 24fps. That’s a little slower than the EOS 500D’s 30fps at the same resolution, and it can’t match that camera’s maximum setting of 1920x1080 at 20fps. As with some other HD systems, it’s manual focus only – though you can pre-focus with AF in Live View – while it also has a useful vari-angle 2.7in screen for composition (see the panel on the right).
The design follows that of the D90, and it’s also of a similar size, though the handgrip is noticeably smaller. The rubberised finish around the grip is acceptable, but doesn’t quite match the quality of the D90 (or the EOS 500D for that matter), and though there’s a predominantly plastic feel for the rest of the body, it’s still pretty sturdy in the hand.

Performance & Handling
The Nikon D5000 shares a very similar burst rate to its big brother, the D90, as well as the Canon EOS 5000D. It can capture 11 continuous RAW files at 4fps before slowing up, while over 100 continuous JPEGs are achievable. RAW files take 2secs to write, and it’s 1.5secs for a JPEG image.
In the AF system, the 11 points are laid out in a  relatively broad diamond shape, though there’s still a bias towards the centre of the frame. It’s the same Multi-CAM 1000 AF that was originally in the D200, and a consistent performer - especially now that it’s been linked into Nikon’s Scene Recognition System for assisted focus tracking. Though it could be quicker, it locked on to most subjects without a problem.
Live View is a doddle to use - hit the Lv button to raise the mirror and half-press the shutter to focus using contrast AF, just like you would with a compact. As mentioned, the 2.7in LCD can swivel and tilt, which is really handy during Live View. This does make the screen a bit smaller than the now-standard 3in, and the resolution is a conservative 230k dots, so when reviewing images, it’s not quite as pin-sharp as some of its rivals with a higher screen resolution.
To activate HD video in Live View, you simply hit the OK button to begin recording and then hit it again to stop. The footage recorded is smooth, though it does require manual focus and doesn’t offer the 1080 resolution of the EOS 500D.
The D5000’s main menu system and general interface are great. Though there are minimal buttons on the body, the main settings are swiftly altered via a quick menu, while the graphical display is well suited to those coming into creative photography for the first time – the display shows the aperture decreasing as the lens is stopped down for instance, while hitting the ‘?’ button will annotate and explain what each setting does.

Value & Verdict
At £719 for the body only or £799 with the standard 18-55mm AF-S VR kit lens, the D5000 is well priced against its closest rival, the Canon EOS 500D (the latter being £969 with a similar spec kit lens).
There are plenty of other things to like about the D5000, too. The specification is very closely matched to the D90, with the 12.3Mp certainly delivering the goods in terms of image quality – there’s plenty of detail there, and though it may match the maximum ISO setting of the EOS 500D, Noise is handled better. The AF performance is the same, with a solid, if not lightning-fast showing.
The addition of the vari-angle screen is a logical one, especially if the D5000 hopes to appeal to a broad user base and those upgrading from compacts. It’s a handy feature in not only Live View, but HD too, allowing you to shoot easily at awkward angles, and offers something that the EOS 500D doesn’t have. It’s a shame that the screen resolution doesn’t match its competitors though – the 500D’s is 920k.
Other niggles include the handgrip – it’s the smallest we’ve seen on a Nikon D-SLR in a long while, with the plastic finish not quite matching the price tag.
Overall, the D5000 is a good, solid D-SLR and one that’s an equal match to the EOS 500D, with the added bonus of costing less and featuring a pull-out screen. If you’re upgrading for a compact and want something that’s easy and fun to use, it should be on your shortlist.

At a Glance
Price: £799 (with 18-55mm
kit lens)
Resolution: 12.3Mp  (4288x2848 pixels)
Lens mount: Nikon F
Focal length multiplication: 1.5x
Focusing: 11-point selectable
Burst rate: 4fps (11 RAW & Unlimited JPEG)
Write times: 2secs (RAW), 1.5secs (JPEG)
ISO range: 200-3200, expandable to 100 (L1.0) to 6400 (H1.0)
Shutter range: 30-1/4000secs + B
Monitor: 2.7in, 230K dot VGA
Live View: Yes
HD Video: 1280x720 at 24fps
Storage: SD/SDHC
Weight: 560g
Dimensions: 127x104x80mm

www.nikon.co.uk