Nikon has some tricks up its sleeve for the DSLR market. The D5000, for instance, is the first DSLR to feature a flip-out-and-twist LCD. Normally a feature found on many prosumer cameras, the 2.7-inch vari-angle monitor (as Nikon calls it) allows you to shoot from above your head or ground level with consummate ease. It also features good built quality with a faux magnesium alloy textured finish on the camera and lens body. The body is actually made of plastic, but the textured finish mimics the ?feel? of high-end DSLRs quite well. But the LCD and textured finish are probably the only real highlights from among a sea of other features.
The D5000 has a 12 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (or what Nikon calls the DX format). It?s not full frame, but its right for this price point. Other features include Nikon?s VR (vibration reduction; ie optical image stabilisation) system, D-lighting (in-camera controls to automatically enhance darker or lighter areas), D-Movie (video recording up to 720p HD), Live View, 19 different scene modes, dust reduction and an 11-point autofocus system. Featurewise, the D5000 borrows a fair bit from the more expensive D90.
The D5000 has some confusing ISO modes (Lo 1, Lo 0.3, Hi,). I don?t understand why they couldn?t just stick with ISO 80 or 100 instead of ?Lo? and ISO 3200 or 6400 instead of ?Hi?. It?s as if they wanted to be ?different? at the expense of logic.
Another odd aspect of the camera is that in manual modes (M, A, S or P), the AF illuminator light does not come on. As a result, the camera just keeps hunting for the correct focus in low light. Granted, an AF illuminator light can be disturbing to your subject, but an option to turn it off exists in the menu. Despite that being on, the illuminator refuses to budge in manual modes.
Holding the camera with one hand is fairly easy, thanks to a large grip. The camera is fairly bulky which may suit someone with larger hands. It starts up and is ready to shoot in half a second. Responsiveness is good, and button feedback is good too. If you prefer to change settings using the LCD rather than buttons, you may find yourself squinting, since the text is small. Overall image quality is excellent and the supplied kit lens (18-55 mm) is pleasing quality, with no visible distortion at either end of the zoom. But as you know, with a DSLR, the overall package (including handling, controls, AF and responsiveness) also counts for a lot.
However, the LCD is not very high resolution. Comparing it side-by-side with the similarly priced Canon EOS 500D, the D5000?s LCD is dimmer and generally not as sharp. The movie mode is restrictive; it only lets you record 720p HD videos at 24fps with a limit of five minutes per clip. Finally, the camera can really drag its feet in continuous shooting mode. In wake of the just-launched Canon EOS 550D with an 18 megapixel CMOS sensor and full HD video recording with selectable frame rates, the D5000 has a tough fight ahead. No doubt, Nikon is already working on an upgrade to the D5000 (the D7000 maybe?) capable of full HD video recording. So, unless you already own a few Nikkor lenses, you could consider the Canon EOS 500D and 550D.
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