- Nikon D5000 - Nikon
Nikon are pitching their new D5000 at the tough entry level DSLR market where the feature list seems more important than functionality in attracting buyers. Nikon chose to give the D5000 a moveable LCD screen as its distinguishing feature along with a host of automatic scene modes to help the DSLR novice get the right exposure in any situation. The projected retail price puts it below its obvious main competitor, the new Canon Rebel T1i, as entry level DSLRs with video recording capability.
Image Quality and Noise
While price and features may snare interest and sales ultimately, the cameras must deliver quality images or it could drive buyers away from the brand forever. Nikon engineers have equipped the D5000 with a new sensor with similar specifications to their D90. It has more than enough resolution with 12.3 megapixels for sharp poster sized prints. More importantly, if it shares the same noise performance as its sibling the D90 then it should produce impressively clear images in low light by using high ISO settings.
The D5000’s normal ISO range is from ISO 200 to 3200, and the D5000’s ISO range can be expanded to a Lo 1 setting of ISO 100 or a Hi 1 setting of ISO 6400, furthering photographic the opportunities.
With new cameras, independent tests are not usually available so in Figure 5 we have a comparison of noise performance between the Nikon and D90 and the Canon D50, the sibling of the T1i. The higher the line in DXO tests results the better the noise performance and the D90 outperforms the D50 and the Pentax K20D, suggesting the D5000 is a more than capable performer.
Moveable LCD Screen
This is the main gimmick for the D5000, like Olympus DSLRs, photographers can tilt and rotate the LCD screen on the back of the camera and use the Live View system to compose their shots in situations where it is awkward to hold the camera in the normal position. Therefore, you could get a very low shooting angle without having to lie on the ground, for example.
How rugged this system is will show up after long-term use, but it does suggest an area of vulnerability in the camera.
Automatic Scene Modes
The Nikon D5000 comes equipped with 19 automatic Scene Modes that Nikon says will “free users to capture beautiful images without having to manually adjust camera settings”.
Fortunately, the D5000 still comes with all the standard exposure modes advanced photographers use, such as the semi-automatic aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority, full Manual, and the automatic Program mode.
Lens Compatibility
One of the areas where Nikon cut costs in the D5000 is leaving out the autofocus motor in the camera body. This limits autofocus operation to Nikon’s AF-S lenses, these have an autofocus motor in the lens, while other lenses require manual focusing. Third party lenses for Nikon cameras with focusing motors in the lens should also be fully compatible.
The D5000 uses a Nikon DX sensor, so it less than full frame with a crop factor of 1.5. This affects the apparent focal length of the lens, making it appear to be 1.5 times longer.
Battery Size
This is another area of cost cutting, where the D5000’s battery is only two thirds the capacity of the D90’s battery, although it has a similar battery capacity to the Canon T1i. The biggest disappointment is there is no option for a battery grip on the D5000.
Price and Availability
The D5000 with the AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens, will be available from late April 2009 at an estimated price of $849.95. The D5000 body only has an estimated selling price of $729.95.
