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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The inclusion of the pop out display makes this camera very intriguing… Is this going to be standard for Nikons moving forward?
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.
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?
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.
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
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!
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
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
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
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..
You can manual focus while shooting in video mode (make sure it’s set to M or M/A).
It does not autofocus if you move around.
Hello John,
I was wondering, does Nikon Inc. just send you these things (crap) or is there a form that you have to fill out or what. If so, how can I get one?
Thanks.
Adam.
Good question, Adam. If it was just a form to fill out, everyone would be doing it. Build a good Web site and drum up lots of traffic and then ask Nikon for a loaner and see how it goes
They don’t just give them away, either. I get them for a few weeks and then we send them back. No camera freebies to be had.
Hi John Thats a very useful essay!
I wanna buy my 1st DSLR & I prefer D5000 after reading your page.. do you recommend this for a beginner? Is D5000 controls are easy to learn?
Thx
Kalai
I love my D5000 DSLR camera! I am having trouble finding the right tripod. The flimsy ones are too flimsy, and the bigger ones have too big of a mounting plate which interferes with the swivel-tilt screen. Other than that, I love my camera. I constantly have it with me, and look for things to take cool pictures of, or try to figure out how to set a picture up properly. I could not settle for the D3000. It had to be the D5000, and I am happy to have made this decision.
You can use just about any Nikon lens – or any other manual lens with an adapter. While it’s true that it doesn’t autofocus, like the D90, the images that come out of this thing are gorgeous – even in low light. These cameras are being adopted, increasingly, by independent filmmakers. But – no, it’s not an appropriate tool for zooming around with shaky cam at your kids birthday. However, adapt your style… Think of it as “moving stills”…
Hi!
What can you tell me about the battery?? I am going to Europe this summer and I don’t want to be out of battery during the day.
Hey guys, my dad got the Nikon D5000 as a retirement pressie and gave it to me as he knew my Canon 30D was playing up. I am used to Canons and not familiar with Nikons but have used it alittle bit and love it. The only thing is i have a few people booked me to do thier wedding photography and need to invest in a decent telephoto lens and tripod for the Nikon. Any advice on which ones to go for that are good and reliable which dont break the bank??? For the lens i would ideally like one with a wide aperture (i.e F2.8) and the tripod not too bulky & with an easily adjustable ball head. Any suggestions or advice????
Nikon D5000 is a good camera, the pictures is somehow a little bit darker compared to D90 though.
For some sample pictures of D5000, you can visit http://dslrjourney.blogspot.com
Hi…I’m a photography enthusiast. I have been shooting with compact so far, but now want to expand my horizons and buy a good DSLR. I am not into video, so that is not at all a deciding factor for me. Am torn between the D90 with 18-105mm kit lens and the D5000 with 18-55mm kit lens. I have these questions and am hoping for answers:
1. Does it make sense to go for d90 despite the fact that It is an older model and more expensive than D5000.
2. Is it more important to get a more expensive body? Or would I be equally well equipped with a cheaper body and more cash in hand to expand my repertoire of lenses?
3. Is D90+18-105 kit lens equivalent to D500 + 18-55 kit lens and an extra lens (perhaps the 55-200mm VR nikon)?
4. Do I need autofocus built into the body if I do not have a set of older lenses that do not have autofocus?
5. What are the other accessories I must have?
Waiting for an answer. Really want to buy myself a dslr soon ….
Can I use older nikon lens on my D5000. The older lens are strickly manual.
I began an interest into photography about 1 year ago and have since been using a very much outdated (now) Fujifilm S5700. I bought it mainly for it’s video features, (even they’re not the best) but soon took an interest into photography when I started seeing some good results from my pictures. However, this Christmas I want to update my camera into something that is really going to allow me to go further. Also a camera that won’t need replacing and won’t be outdated within 2 or so years. So my question today is; Is the Nikon D5000 a good camera bought with the 18-55mm lens kit, or for my needs, will I need to invest into a larger lens in the near future?