New Nikon D5000 SLR with video and swiveling LCD

Nikon's continuing to set and define the trend: It announced a new digital SLR, the 12-megapixel D5000, which will be its second with video capabilities. It has many of the same features found on the Nikon D90, the first SLR with video, but it's cheaper: The body-only D5000 will cost $730 and $850 with an 18-55mm image-stabilized lens. It will also be available in a two-lens kit, for around $1100. (The Nikon D90 is about $1000, body only and $1300 with an 18-105mm lens.)

One new feature is a swiveling LCD. This can be very useful when shooting in hard to reach places, such as over-the-head shots. The display also has liveview capabilities.

Other specs include an ISO range from ISO 200-3200, an 11-point AF system, 4 frames per second and a 2.7-inch LCD (although it only has 320,000 points). There are some specialized autofocus features that were originally on pricier Nikon SLRs, like 3D tracking AF. Like the D90, the video will be 720p, but at 24 frames per second. Also, like the D90, it will not be a full-frame SLR, but a DX format, which has a magnification factor of 1.5x for lenses.

The takeaway: More SLRs will include video. Right now it's only Canon and Nikon, but as more manufacturers get into the game, prices will drop. As we've seen in the past, we don't expect the quality to match camcorders. However, there are some in the industry who are claiming that SLRs will perform in low light situations better than camcorders. We'll have to wait to see how they fair when we get this model into the labs for testing. —Terry Sullivan

Comments

[Stephan Brocoum]

I recently bought a Nikon D5000 but I returned it because I found the viewfinder to be very dim compared to the viewfinder in my older Nikon D80. The viewfinder in the Nikon D5000 showed a smaller image than that in the D80 but that was not the show stopper. The fact that it was much dimmer than the image in my D80 was the show stopper. According to the specifications on the Nikon site the D80 & D90 have pentaprisms while the D5000 has a pentamirror.

After returning the D5000 I decided to upgrade from a D80 to a D90.

[Paul Christensen]

I recently upgraded to the D5000 from my D60. Let me tell you - the D5000 is just stunning and a dramatic upgrade in image quality from the D60, especially in low light and difficult lighting (high dynamic range) shots. This is the first camera I've ever owned that can capture exactly what my eyes see - even in full AUTO mode.

For comparison, I have shots taken by both my D60 and D5000 at night, of the Castro Street theater and the difference is dramatic. The D5000 captures not only the bright neon signs, but the more subtle architectural details of the building (incandescent light) AND the very dimly lit entry lobby - you can even see the tile and read the lobby billboards. Just amazing.

Essentially, the D5000 will give you the same image quality of the D90 in a smaller lighter body, with a tilting display. What you lose is the top-mounted LCD, an autofocus motor in the body for older or more professional lenses, and the higher (non-tilting) resolution LCD display.

For me, the D5000 is the perfect balance, and it's less expensive than the D90.

As for HD video - absolutely DO NOT buy a DSLR thinking you're going to replace your HD camcorder. For me, it's nice to have the video if I don't have my camcorder with me. But you're stuck with mono sound, no autofocus once you start recording, poor image stabilization, etc. And you're limited by the length of the recording based on resolution and size of your SD card. Furthermore, as others have noted, the CMOS sensor doesn't handle horizontal motion very well. If you pan your camera quickly from side to side while shooting video, you get a "jelly effect".

SO - as a digital SLR, it's hard to beat the D5000 for image quality, especially at this price. As an HD camcorder, forget it - it's just a nice feature if you forgot your camcorder.

[Terry Sullivan]

To Michael Rubiano,

The Nikon D5000 was announced on April 14, as noted in our Electronics Blog post above. But we weren't able to go out and buy our test model until they became available at retail outlets on April 29, which was just days before our deadline for the July issue. (As you may know, we test only items we buy. See, How We Test: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/aboutus/test/index.htm )

That obviously didn't leave us enough time to completely review the D5000 and include this latest Nikon with the other fully-tested digital SLR models that appeared in the magazine's Ratings of digital SLRs. But what we did discover about the D5000--its high-def video capabilities were certainly an improvement over the Nikon D90, the first SLR to include video--we mentioned it in the report. That's why it earned a spot on the cover of the issue.

Since the magazine went to press, we've been working on completing our tests of the D5000 and will soon include it in our online Ratings of digital SLRs.

If you have a subscription to ConsumerReports.org, you'll be able to access Consumer Reports' most current digital SLR Ratings:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/cameras-photography/digital-cameras/digital-slr-camera-ratings/ratings-overview.htm

Thanks,
Terry Sullivan

[Michael Rubiano]

...er, correction re: previous post. meant to say that the Nikon D5000 is on the cover of the July issue (not the June issue). But still, no reviews of the actual camera itself.

[Michael Rubiano]

Interesting that the Nikon D5000 is on the cover of the June magazine, yet no where in the magazine or on the website is the D5000 reviewed. Very odd.

[Roy Curtis]

I bought the Nikon D90, because the salesman told me it would record HD video. I thought I would buy this and have a great camera and not have to buy a camcorder. I was told it would record video as long as you had storage space and a battery life.
NOT SO: I should have done more homework.
It will only record for 5 minutes and then automatically stops recording because something gets too hot inside and has to cool down.
I would not have bought it had I known that.
This fact should be well advertised when someone goes to buy this camera.