9.5 out of 10

Nikon D5000

12.3 megapixels, first seen: 6 January 2009

Information found in:

from 193 sources in 28 countries.

Great Deal: $535.00

Add to list

User Score (785)

9.1
Expert Score (47)

8.2
Design (17)

8.9
Value for money (27)

9.3
Features (20)

9.5
Ease of use (25)

9.6
Performance (5)

8.9
Picture quality (22)

9.8

Freak Rank

More grades Less grades

Images
Videos

Prices

BestPriceElectronics	In Stock	(CS)	$535.00	SEE IT
PCNation.com	In Stock	(CS)	$585.00	SEE IT
	In Stock	(CS)	$596.95	SEE IT
	In Stock	(CS)	$596.95	SEE IT
	In Stock	(CS)	$599.95	SEE IT

Prices from Shopper (CS), Shopping.com (S)

List All 34 Prices

Pros & Cons

blazingly fast autofocus, pro metering, 5 megapixel images, easy link to pc, beyond excellent images

slow learning curve, new technology is expensive, no other major weaknesses, also very small, very unintuitive os

Manufacturer's Description

Compact and powerful, the D5000 is a remarkable blend of simplicity and advanced D-SLR capabilities with breathtaking 12.3-megapixel image quality

Specifications

Format

Interchangeable lens camera, SLR
Max resolution

4288 x 2848
Low resolution

3216 x 2136, 2144 x 1424
Image ratio w:h

3:2
Effective pixels

12.3 million
Sensor photo detectors

12.9 million
Sensor size

23.6 x 15.8 mm
Pixel density

3.3 MP/cm²
Sensor type

CMOS
ISO rating

Auto, 200 - 3200 (plus 6400 with boost)

Release Date

First seen

6 January 2009

WikiFreak Description

Nikon D5000

The Nikon D5000 is an upper entry level DSLR camera. Some of its features include 12.3 MP CMOS Sensor, live view, 720p movies and a 2.7 inch, 180 degree Tilt/Swivel LCD. It also includes features such as EXPEED high speed image processing, GPS compatibility, automatic built in pop up flash. Some of its additional features include Picture Control settings, D-movie, and Live view suited for video recording. Some of its additional specifications include 12.3 million effective pixels, suppor…

Edit

Nikon D5000

Features

The Nikon D5000 is a replacement to the D40/D60 series. The details of the Nikon D5000 include a 12.3 MP sensor, 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor, 12.9 million total pixels, 12.3 million effective pixels, and it supports high ISO sensitivities and Nikon DX format sized CMOS sensor. The Nikon D5000 has a 2.7 inch vari-angle LCD monitor that allows the user to take pictures from mostly any angle. The screen is flexible and can be turned around to position it the way the user wants to. It has been designed based on Nikon’s ergonomic design values and has a downward opening direction of the screen that allows the users to have a strong grip on its body. The Nikon D5000 enables shooting video clips, also enables the user getting creative with changing the lenses to provide different perspective while enhancing the images and videos. It also includes the Picture Control settings that can be adjusted even before taking the movie. The Nikon D5000 also provides users with D-Movie together with audio that captures movies in HD. It can be connected to compatible television screens and HDMI for connection. The Live View function button enables the user to monitor and make edit shots or the videos whilst viewing on the LCD monitor. The camera allows four shots while in still mode, wide area, normal area, face detection and new subject tracking. Besides this, it has the EXPEED high speed image processing system, 11 point AF system, Active D-Lighting, Picture control. In addition to this it allows users to view the pictures in batches of 72 shots, calendar view to separate the shots by time and date. It also displays a histogram for avid photographers. It also has a quiet shoot mode, built in pop up flash that is automatic and GPS compatibility.

See less

Edit

Reviews of Nikon D5000

Expert Reviews

Reviewer: DP Review
14 April 2009
The Nikon D5000 aims to be a lot of things to a lot of people - stepping in above the D60 as an offering designed to attract upgraders from older entry-level DSLRs, as well as lending a welcoming hand-up to DSLR ownership for compact camera users looking to get more involved in their hobby. And, on the whole, it performs both tasks pretty well. The features and technologies passed down from the D90 make it a very capable camera but the difference in feature set - low-res... Read more
Nikon D5000

Reviewer: infoSync World
11 June 2009

Overall 9

The Nikon D5000 proceeded to kick ass in every category we tested it in, so it was no mystery that this was the entry-level DSLR to beat for 2009 after our journey. We loved the D5000's advanced interface and external controls were plentiful. This is a DSLR that has a little something for every shooter, though the heavy artillery was there when we wanted to pull out the big guns. The flip-down LCD was a major help in tight shooting environments, though the camera was a... Read more
Nikon D5000 digital SLR

Reviewer: Electronista
17 July 2009

Overall 8

I have been shooting with Nikons for my entire professional career. This started with the advanced amateur Nikon FM while a college student back in 1977, and progressed through a succession of F series cameras as well as the N8008 and N90. In digital, I've progressed through the D1, D1h, D1X, D2h and D200, finally culminating at the D300; virtually every pro-level Nikon has passed through my hands. But now, Nikon is hoping that a person who started with a Coolpix... Read more
Nikon D5000 digital SLR

Reviewer: MacNN
29 September 2009

Overall 8

Even with the absence of a top-mounted LCD on the D5000, Nikon has done a nice job of incorporating the function menus into the one main screen, which also doubles as the image monitor. The catch is that there's an overabundance of small buttons located around the back. Some are well placed, while others tend to find themselves under our thumbs in short order. At some point, a camera with all these functions just becomes a little too small, and those used to larger DSLRs... Read more
Nikon D5000 Review

Reviewer: Digitaltrends
18 June 2009

Overall 8

We have no problems recommending the Nikon D5000. That said, if you go this route, you might consider a different lens, such as the 18-105mm bundled with D90 . We found the D5000 3x kit lens to be wanting, and really were looking for some extra reach. Nikon DSLRs have a 1.5x digital factor, so the kit glass translates to 27-82.5mm; 27-157mm would’ve been very welcome. It’ll take newbies a little time to learn the details of this camera, after all, the owner’s... Read more

Read More Nikon D5000 Expert Reviews and Problems

User Reviews

"Watch where you purchase"

Reviewer: CNET
9 November 2009

Overall 8

This is a great camera. Just do your research before purchase. Some retailers are selling the Kit with just the 18 - 55 mm DX lens and not the better 18 - 55 mm VR DX Lens that is reviewed here. I ran into this and ended up purchasing the 18 - 105 mm VR Lens instead Read more
Excellent upgrade from Point and Shoot

Reviewer: Todd, J&R
1 January 2010

Overall 8

This is my first DSLR camera. I have been taking pictures most my 56 years on earth.You need to know a little something about photography to use this camera to it's fullest; otherwise its just an excellent point and shoot. It is also a good camera to learn photography on.It is easy to set up and start taking pictures as soon as you open the box. If you want to start muddling about you can play with settings as long as you want. There are a million combinations. You can... Read more
Perfect transition into SLR world

Reviewer: Michele My Belle, CameraWorld.com
28 December 2009 See Product at cameraworld.com ($799.98)

Overall 10

I am a hobbyist photographer whom occasionally does portraits for friends, relatives, etc. This is my first SLR and so far it has been a great pleasure to use. The control are a bit complicated, but the AUTO setting is so excellent. It will take some time and repetition to get used to switching to different settings for particular shots. I would say switching settings is a three step process... and there are many settings! Read more or see product
Reviewer: DP Review
15 February 2010

Overall 10

Honestly speaking, I do not own this camera (I have the D300s), but I believe, pirinchov does not own one either... Just to come to an almost objective rating. Is he paid by Sony? Read more
You will not find a better DSLR in this range!!!

Reviewer: Amazon
15 February 2010 See Product at Amazon ($629.95)

Overall 10

Go ahead and get this over the D3000 and under the D90. This thing is easy to use if you don't know what you are doing and has all the options if you do. You can really take pro pictures as an amateur. I bought the 18-55mm kit and added the 35mm F/1.8 lens for $189. I use the 35mm for most everything around the house and the 18-55mm will get it done when out sightseeing. I bought the Patriot 8gb class 10 SD card and it is super fast with this camera at a very cheap price... Read more or see product