Nikon D5000 review
Verdict
There's no doubting the abilities of this camera to produce stunning still images ? and moving images ? but it does sit against some tough competitors, including some of Nikon's own models. The vari-angle LCD screen is a hugely impressive feature that I'm sure will soon become a common sight amongst future models but currently gives this camera a unique selling point.
In some areas, such as the movie mode and the LCD screen, I felt that it could have been a little more impressive but this would cause the D90 to immediately look out of date. I feel overall the D5000 is a victim of the price increases and had the camera been launched £150 cheaper, setting it halfway between the current D60 and D90 street prices, there would be no questioning of its merits. However, it is unfair to measure new model launch prices against street prices on established models, as prices within the first few months can change rapidly and this camera was never meant to be a competitor for the D90. Price issues aside this is a stunning piece of kit. It's worth scouring for a good price but you should definitely have this camera on your shortlist.
Have your say!
Latest comments
May 10 13:27
Mick W.
Have a few problems with the value here. Nikons traditionally seem to sell closer to list price than Canons. Both this and the 500D arrived in stores almost simultaneously, yet the Canon with lens is already at least £20 cheaper than the Nikon (£40 less at Amazon at the time of writing). Both models remain overpriced and should be streeting at closer to £500 in my opinion, but both reviews should bear in mind fully the actual prices the cameras are available at. In particular, the Canon looks better value and the D5000 a lousy value compared to the D90. The lack of a vertical grip for the D5000 also seems silly in light of the moveable LCD. Very strange that Nikon should price this the way they have. The D60 continues to look dated and there's now a huge gap between it and the D5000 covering t a very popular price-point. Spec-wise, what could Nikon now fill this gap with?
May 26 12:22
Mat Gallagher
Hi Mike, The Canon did go on sale at least a few weeks ahead of the Nikon, and as the higher priced model it was bound to fall faster. Looking at the latest prices you can now pick up the Nikon D5000 for just £570 and the Canon 500D for £600 so your wish has almost been answered, and as it is now £100 cheaper than the D90 it's better value too. As the D40 has now been discontinued I'd expect the D60 to take up the budget position for a while longer - and at a street price of just over £320 it's bound to still attract plenty of new DSLR users.
June 29 10:46
Bipin Gupta
On your review for Nikon D5000, on the page for specifications, it is mentioned that D5000 has DOF preview. From my research around, I think this data is wrong. It does not have DOF preview.
August 25 07:43
Brice Bragato
Hi Mat, These informations were very intesresting. I'm looking for a DSLR and I'm still questionning myself between the Canon 500D and the Nikon D5000. One thing I would like to ask you is the capacity of the battery. My feeling is that the LCD screen of the Canon will use a lot because high resolution (comparing the D5000). What do you think about this point ? Thanks.