Nikon D5000 consumer dSLR does video

Nikon D5000 includes a flip-down-and-twist LCD.

(Credit: Nikon USA)

Nikon D5000 photos

Thanks to a rather public ad photo shoot, one of the most notable aspects of Nikon's new D5000 dSLR leaked early last week: its flip-down and 360-degree twist articulating LCD. This model, which more or less replaces the popular and long-lived D80, also includes perks such as video capture and a lower price. (Tables updated with corrections 10:30a 4/14/09)

Here's how it fits into Nikon's consumer dSLR line:

	Nikon D60	Nikon D5000	Nikon D80	Nikon D90
Sensor	10.2-megapixel CCD	12.3-megapixel CMOS	10.2-megapixel CCD	12.3-megapixel CMOS
Color depth	12-bit	12-bit	12-bit	12-bit
Sensitivity range	ISO 100 - ISO 1600/3200 (expanded)	ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 1600/6400 (expanded)	ISO 100 - ISO 1600/3200 (expanded)	ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 3200/6400 (expanded)
Continuous shooting	3 fps n/a raw/100 JPEG (large/fine)	4 fps 9 raw/100 JPEG (medium/fine)	3 fps 6 raw/100 JPEG (medium/fine)	4.5 fps 7 raw/100 JPEG (medium/fine)
Viewfinder	95% coverage 0.94x magnification	95% coverage 0.95x 0.78 magnification	95% coverage 0.95x magnification	96% coverage 0.94x magnification
Autofocus	3-pt AF n/a	11-pt AF center cross-type to f5.6	11-pt AF center cross-type	11-pt AF center cross-type
Live View	No	Yes	No	Yes
Video	No	720p at 24fps	No	720p at 24fps
LCD size	2.5 inches fixed	2.7 inches articulated	2.5 inches fixed	3 inches fixed
Shutter durability	n/a	100,000 cycles	n/a	100,000 cycles
Price (body only)	$499.95	$729.95	$849 (street)	$995.95

Nikon switches to a CMOS sensor instead of the CCDs it's been using in its entry-level models, in this case, the same 12.3-megapixel version that's in the D90. The LCD plus higher resolution and better AF system, also from the D90, distinguish it clearly from the cheaper D60, but, as frequently happens poses quite a bit of competition for the more expensive D90. Especially since it has a newer version of the Expeed image processor (with improved Auto Active D-Lighting and face-priority AF) and enhanced Live View AF, along with a connector for the optional GP-1 hot shoe GPS.

And here's how it stacks up against the competition:

	Nikon D5000	Canon EOS Rebel T1i	Olympus E-620
Sensor	12.3-megapixel CMOS	15.1-megapixel CMOS	12.3-megapixel Live MOS
Color depth	12-bit	14-bit	12-bit
Sensitivity range	ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 1600/6400 (expanded)	ISO 100 - ISO 1600/6400 (expanded)	ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 3200
Focal-length multiplier	1.5x	1.6x	2x
Continuous shooting	4 fps 9 raw/100 JPEG (medium/fine)	3.5 fps 9 raw/170 JPEG	4 fps 5 raw/JPEG n/a
Viewfinder	95% coverage 0.94x 0.78 magnification	95% coverage 0.87x magnification	95% coverage 0.96x magnification
Autofocus	11-pt AF center cross-type to f5.6	9-pt AF center cross-type	7-pt AF all twin; 5 cross-type
Live View	Yes	Yes	Yes
Video	720p at 24fps	720p at 30fps, 1080p at 20fps	No
LCD size	2.7 inches articulated	3 inches fixed	2.7 inches articulated
Shutter durability	100,000 cycles	n/a	n/a
Price (body only)	$729.95	$799.99	$699.95

It looks like it might be a pretty close call between the three models we've heard about thus far for 2009. The T1i promises better movie capture--the 24fps video is the same as the D90's, which was a bit disappointing--and the 14-bit raw has historically given Canon a slight advantage in image quality. However, the articulated LCD and built-in wireless flash confer Nikon and Olympus with some feature power the Canon lacks.

(Credit: Nikon USA)

Simultaneous with the camera, Nikon announced a new prosumer wide-angle lens, the AF-S DX Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED (15-36mm equivalent), with internal focus, Nikon's ultrasonic Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and a 7-blade aperture for more attractive bokeh.

The D5000 is slated to ship at the end of April in three configurations: body only for $729.95 and a kit with the 18-55mm VR lens for $849.95. The 10-24mm lens will ship in May for $899.95.

[miguelito_7792]

Any news on the rumored D400?

[Lordrust]

does it still have the jelly video / rolling shutter problems of the d90?

[gerrrg]

No one's gonna switch brands just because of the minor differences between the models. I own 5 Nikon lenses and 1 Sigma for my Nikon. There's no way I'm switching to another manufacturer just because they have more megapixels or 1080p video. That's too much money invested in some really good lenses, that it would have to be over $1000 difference for me to be tempted.

I can see how the bottom comparison would matter to a newbie, but the more important measurement is the quality of image coming out of the sensor.

[NLips]

The magnification of the viewfinder is not 0.95, but 0.78 - considerably lower than many other entry level DSLRs. The D60 was 0.8.

[Farsad_Ghaffarian]

Nikon D5000 is real!!!!!!. more useful information about D5000:

Nikon D5000 announcement:
http://fototalk.net/photography-equipments/nikon-d5000/
D5000 Complete features:
http://fototalk.net/photography-equipments/nikon-d5000-features/
D5000 Full specifications:
http://fototalk.net/photography-equipments/nikon-d5000-specifications/
D5000 PDF Cataloug:
http://chsvimg.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/digitalcamera/slr/d5000/pdf/d5000_16p.pdf
D5000 Sample Picture:
http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/digitalcamera/slr/d5000/sample.htm
D5000 Images:
http://press.nikonusa.com/gallery/product.php?c=nikon/Digital_SLR/2009/D5000/
D5000 ISO Test:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D5000/D5000A7.HTM

[dexgen]

The viewfinder magnification is 0.78, however in order to get a good compairson you need to divide by the focal-length multiplier. You'd get a 0.52 for the nikon, 0.54 for the canon and a horrible 0.48 for the olympus.

[Joliet Eddie]

From what I can tell, for autofocus this new model requires lenses with the motor built into the lens like the D40/D60. Am I reading the specs correctly?

[kalel33]

Yes, but Nikon has come out with AF-S lens in the 35mm and 50mm primes, which was a big problem for those cameras. I don't think it's as much of a problem now. Canon doesn't have motors inside the bodies either, but all their lens have motors in them.

[Joliet Eddie]

I have one of the new 35mm AF-S lenses. Nice fast addition that works well as a prime lens on the DX format.

With this new addition to the Nikon line, it seems to me that there will be further development of motorized Nikon lenses, from Nikon and other manufacturers.

[SoonerFanSF]

Does the D5000 finally provide continuous auto-focus during video mode? That was an amazing omission in a camera as expensive as the D90. Even a cheap camcorder will refocus when you zoom in or out.

[craig.knapp1]

I have used and continuously owned Nikon equipment since the 1970s. Nikon lenses as far back as the 1960s work with all new Nikon Cameras (though with limited or no automatic metering which is easily worked around by by taking light readings as the lens Depth of Field Preview button is depressed). I own a Nikon D300 and D40, will be selling the D40 to get the D5000 as my new "second" camera.

It is also good to see the addition of a "true" wide-angle zoom, namely the 10-24mm by Nikon for the DX format. Combined with the recent introduction of a DX 35mm F1.8 (approx 50mm in terms of 35mm film) lens it appears Nikon is beginning to finally offer some real choices for all of us who have invested in the DX format. Now we need about a 20mm F1.8 (equivalent to a 35mm lens in the days of film). Moving from zoom lenses of F3.5-5.6 to these 1.8 prime lenses lets you shoot in lower light at reasonable ISO settings (200-400) instead of having to crank the ISO to 1600 or above since a 1.8 lens gathers about 3 to 5 times more light than a 3.5-5.6 zoom.

I was planning on purchasing the D90 but am glad I waited a bit, the articulating screen of the D5000 is the clincher, now macro-photography will be so much easier without having to purchase separate, expensive 90 degree angle viewfinder accessories.

Now if we can just move away from the Bayer Interpolation system which is used to create digital images, to some type of "direct pixel" acquisition of a scene to improve sharpness. Of course you can currently have the AA filter located in front of the sensor replaced by MaxMax to eliminate Moire patterns which gives the appearance of improved sharpness.

Craig Knapp

[srjoness]

I have a question what is the big difference between the D300 and the newD5000