Nikon D5000 July 2009
Nikon D5000
The Nikon D5000 is an upper entry-level digital SLR camera which is easy to use for those new to digital SLR photography. Watch the Which? hands-on first look D5000 video review.
Nikon D5000
We haven't lab-tested the Nikon D5000 yet, but we've put it through its paces for a hands-on first look review. Check out the video to find out more about the camera's features.
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There’s a 12.3Mp sensor and a tilt-and-swivel 2.7-inch LCD screen which has Live View so you don't need to put your eye up to the viewfinder to compose your shots.
There's the usual Nikon-style menus and a helpful '?' button, which, when held down, gives a brief overview of the setting the camera is currently in. This is great for those new to DSLR photography and daunted by the number of functions.
Keen wildlife photographers in particular, will like the 'silent' shooting mode which doesn't re-cock the shutter until you take your finger off the shutter release button.
Post-shooting editing functions include a fisheye effect that warps the image, and a colour outline effect which removes all colour and leaves just a pencil outline. When you use these functions, a new image is created, so you still have the original if you don't like the edited results.
The video mode captures material in 720p, much like the Nikon D90, the first DSLR to record video. There isn't an external microphone socket, so users will have to rely on the mono internal microphone.
The shutter speed can be set between 30 and 1/4000 of a second; there is full manual white balance control and aperture priority.
The camera body comes with a 15-55mm kit lens and a host of clever dust removal tricks, and you can expect to pay around £650 for the camera and a lens kit. It's comparable in many ways to the Canon 500D, which also features HD video mode.
Pros: Easy to use by newcomers to DSLR photography
Cons: Not a great deal of new features for such a new camera
For in-depth write ups on other cameras, check out our digital SLR reviews. Or if you're looking for something a little easier to use than a DSLR, then check out our compact digital camera reviews, where you'll find almost 300 models on test.
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