Nikon D5000 DDSLR Camera Review – Digital SLR Camera Review

September 29, 2009

The DSLR camera market is already overloaded with cameras from various manufacturers leaving a first time DSLR buyer confused about which one to opt for. Simplifying the customers’ search, Nikon D5000 has recently entered the scenario. Being an affordable and user friendly DSLR camera, Nikon D5000 poses tough competition to the present day top class models like Canon EOS 500D and Olympus E-620.

Body and Design

One would never expect a DSLR camera to be the size of a cell phone. Keeping this in mind, Nikon D5000 at127 x 104 x 80 mm, may seem to be larger than the D40 and D60, but it’s still smaller in size than the D80 and D90. As for the exterior design, the point-and-shoot camera users would be disappointed to find a rather plain and non attractive built. But that’s the way it’s meant to be. Big and bold, with an articulated and tilted screen and a protruding lens, the camera has its own identity.
Being bulky and weighty (approx. 560 g, without battery) may give the idea that it would be difficult to hold and shoot, but thankfully, the camera fits nicely in hand. With a hand grip provided and well suited positioning of the rear dial and AE-L/AF-L buttons, the key controls are within your easy access.

LCD Monitor

Nikon D5000 proudly owns a 2.7″ tilt and swivel LCD monitor with a 230,000 dot resolution. The screen allows excellent live view and video recording options, though the Live view AF is a real torment since it’s so slow and a complete waste of time. However, it may be useful for those planning to work on a tripod.

Another restriction with the bottom- hinged LCD is that once the camera is fitted on the tripod, its movement gets limited so you will have to set the screen in the desired direction before mounting the camera on the tripod stand.

Viewfinder

Nikon D5000 has a slightly different viewfinder than the previous Nikon models. The pentamirror view finder has a splendid 95% coverage in all directions and 0.78 x magnification. And if that wasn’t enough for you, the camera also shoes optional grid lines for better image capturing. The pentaprism system is definitely not as fine as that of D90; its still gives satisfactory performance.

Sensor

The D5000 has a12.9 Megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million) which is exposed by the lens mount when the shutter is opened. The sensor ensures high quality images and owns an automatic sensor cleaning system. The piezoelectric elements vibrates the cover filter that shakes off any dust particles adhering to the sensor whereas the air flow system blows off any loose dirt settled on it. The ground-breaking EXPEED high-speed image-processing system in combination with a fast and precise 11-point AF system and highly-durable, high-performance shutter, produce sharp, bright and close to reality shots.

Lens Mount

The camera front bears a large Lens mount that houses lenses with built-in AF motors for Nikon. The lens is inserted while twisting it in the clock wise direction into the mount and then locked in its position by giving it an anti clock wise turn. Since, there is no AF option in the camera, lens wit built-in AF feature are to be mounted to allow Auto focusing.

Flash

The D5000 comprises of an electronic-release pop-up flash which can be raised automatically when the Auto mode or any of the flash dependent Scene modes are selected or manually by pressing the flash button. The flash button also functions as the Flash mode button when held while simultaneously turning the command dial. The flash bears a guide number of 12m at ISO 100 and is automatically activated and raised 80mm above the lens central axis, thus improving the image quality by adjusting the light exposure in low light conditions.

ISO Sensitivity / Noise levels

For a digital camera, the ISO equivalence is a measure of the sensor sensitivity. The sensitivity is enhanced by turning up the ‘volume’ on the sensor’s signal amplifier. Signal amplification also leads to the noise increment that becomes noticeable at higher ISO settings. The ISO range is quiet extended being between 100- 6400, the practical limit is between 200- 3200 though. In order to combat image noise, Auto ISO Sensitivity control is provided for your convenience.

D-Movie and Live View

Nikon D5000 can capture High Definition movies of 1280 x 720 (720p) at 24 fps with mono sound which can be further dramatized and customized using the Picture Control settings even before you start recording. The D-movies can be easily connected to any television screens or HDMI output for the editing and viewing of the clips. The direct access to the Live View control allows the user to view and compose your movies on the movable LCD for a suitable framing.

Still Image Capturing

Nikon D-5000 records snaps in the RAW and JPEG form both. In continuous shooting mode, it operates at a rate of 4fps (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal).Giving you the freedom to shoot effortlessly and with ease, there are 19 scene modes available making still image capturing a real pleasure. Just turn the dial to ‘Scene’ and then choose the appropriate scene mode, the camera will automatically adjust the settings according to the situation.

The display shows a sample scene with the selected setting in order to help you get a more accurate idea about the mode that is the most apt one. There are also built-in editing options that allow you to add effects to the shots and beautify them within the camera system.

When the matter is of still image photography, the most important thing is the focusing of the object. The four contrast Auto Focus options available; wide area, normal area, face detection and new subject tracking, makes it an easy task. Especially, for a fast moving object, the fourth option ensures that the focus is locked on the subject while it moves out and about the frame. Similarly, self- portraits and land scape photography are now a piece of cake for even non experienced photographers, thanks to the Vari-angle screen that gives you the best view of your subject.

Battery

One Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery EN-EL9a and AC Adapter EH-5a are the power source of Nikon D5000. The 7.8 Wh battery will allow you to capture around 510 shots with a single charge which is quiet enough. This means you can cover a whole event without having to worry about battery power.

Verdict

Though Nikon D-5000 is not the best DSLR around; it is however, one of the most simple and basic semi- automatic cameras one will encounter in the market. With high quality image production and a powerful sensor, D-5000 is worth its price. The built and design may be a set back for the camera, nevertheless, its durability and ease of use compensates for the downsides. It’s equally good for professional and non professional use.

Nikon D5000 DSLR Specifications

Dimensions (W x H x D): Approx. 127 x 104 x 80 mm (5.0 x 4.1 x 3.1 in.)
Weight: Approx. 560 g (1 lb. 4 oz.) without battery, memory card, or body cap
Effective pixels: 12.3 million
Image sensor: CMOS sensor, 23.6 x 15.8 mm
Total pixels: 12.9 million; Nikon DX-format
Image size (pixels): 4,288 x 2,848 [L], 3,216 x 2,136 [M], 2,144 x 1,424 [S]
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 200 to 3200 in steps of 1/3 EV. Can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.7, or 1 EV (ISO 100 equivalent) below ISO 200, or to approx. 0.3, 0.7, or 1 EV (ISO 6400 equivalent) over ISO 3200, ISO sensitivity auto control available
Storage media: SD memory cards, SDHC compliant
LCD Monitor: Vari-angle type, 2.7-in. TFT LCD
Resolution: Approx. 230 k-dot, approx. 100% frame coverage, and brightness adjustment

Exposure metering: 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-Weighted and Spot Metering

Exposure modes: Auto modes (auto, auto [flash off]), Advanced Scene Modes (Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night portrait, Night landscape, Party/indoor, Beach/snow, Sunset, Dusk/dawn, Pet portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn colors, Food, Silhouette, High key, and Low key), programmed auto with flexible program (P), shutter-priority auto (S), aperture-priority auto (A), manual (M)

Auto Focus: 11-Point AF system with 3D tracking
Still images: JPEG quality in RAW+JPEG shooting
Shooting modes: 4 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
Movie Recording: Up to 1280 x 720 (720p), 24 fps with mono sound
Interface: Hi-Speed USB
GPS compatibility: 1x GPS unit provided
Power sources: One Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery EN-EL9a, AC Adapter EH-5a