Digital cameras

Nikon D5000

Approximate retail price:

$750

Summary: A 12-megapixel basic SLR from Nikon with a 2.7-inch swiveling liveview LCD, 4 fps continuous shooting, and a 1.5x 35mm equivalent magnification factor.

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Type: Basic

About - Nikon D5000
The D5000 is part of the digital camera test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, digital SLR camera models like the D5000 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below. Megapixels: A unit of measurement that shows how many million pixels an image sensor has. As a rule, the more megapixels you have, the larger you can print your image, or enlarge parts of an image without losing detail or image quality. Weight (oz.): Total weight of the camera body only, including the battery and memory card(s). Image quality: Combines analytical tests and expert judgments on a reference monitor of images made with the camera's best resolution and compression. Dynamic range and maximum ISO for best quality are factors.

About - Nikon D5000

The D5000 is part of the digital camera test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, digital SLR camera models like the D5000 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Megapixels:: A unit of measurement that shows how many million pixels an image sensor has. As a rule, the more megapixels you have, the larger you can print your image, or enlarge parts of an image without losing detail or image quality.
Weight (oz.):: Total weight of the camera body only, including the battery and memory card(s).
Image quality:: Combines analytical tests and expert judgments on a reference monitor of images made with the camera's best resolution and compression. Dynamic range and maximum ISO for best quality are factors.

About This Brand
Nikon has a fairly extensive line of point-and-shoot models, known as Coolpix cameras. Its subcompacts, compacts and super zooms are divided into three series—a budget L, step-up S, and high-end P series. Nikon has recently introduced an innovative S-series camera, which includes a built-in projector that lets you beam images or video clips onto any surface. Like Canon's SLR lineup, Nikon's D series offers cameras for every SLR user and budget and a wide range of lenses. High-end SLRs include large, full-frame sensors, which offer better quality in low light. Some newer point-and-shoots and SLRs include the ability to shoot HD-resolution video, which is stored on the memory card along with the still-image files.
Read our Brand Reliability

About This Brand

Nikon has a fairly extensive line of point-and-shoot models, known as Coolpix cameras. Its subcompacts, compacts and super zooms are divided into three series—a budget L, step-up S, and high-end P series. Nikon has recently introduced an innovative S-series camera, which includes a built-in projector that lets you beam images or video clips onto any surface. Like Canon's SLR lineup, Nikon's D series offers cameras for every SLR user and budget and a wide range of lenses. High-end SLRs include large, full-frame sensors, which offer better quality in low light. Some newer point-and-shoots and SLRs include the ability to shoot HD-resolution video, which is stored on the memory card along with the still-image files.

Read our Brand Reliability

Features & Specs - Nikon D5000
Lens included Model comes with a lens. For models that don't come bundled with a lens, expect to pay $150 to $300 extra for the equivalent of a kit lens. Lens included	Yes
Image stabilizer This feature shows which type of image stabilization a camera uses, lens-based (L) or body-based (B). When the stabilizer is turned on, it can minimize the effects of camera shake, which can lead to blurry shots. Image stabilizer	L
Live view This feature lets you compose directly on the camera's LCD, as you would on a point-and-shoot camera. Live view	Yes
35mm equivalent multiplier Many SLRs have sensors that are smaller than the actual size of one frame of 35mm film, which changes a lens's effective focal length. To determine the equivalent focal length, you multiply the lens's focal length by the appropriate multiplication factor. Most Nikon SLRs have a 1.5x factor, which changes the effective focal length of a 50mm lens to 75mm. An Olympus SLR's 2x factor would change a 50mm lens to 100mm. 35mm equivalent multiplier	1.5
Max. continuous speed (fps) Maximum number of stills or frames the camera can shoot in one second in continuous shooting mode. Measured in frames per second, this burst mode allows you to shoot images quickly, one right after the other. Max. continuous speed (fps)	4
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User Reviews - Nikon D5000

Average User Rating

(based on 17 reviews)

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Displaying Reviews 1-3 of 17 See all 17 user reviews

Tough, compact, good value

By Kyle the Builder from Portland on 11/5/2009

Pros:

Decent performance/quality, Easy to use, Great value, High resolution, Live view/moveable LCD

Cons:

Confusing interface/menus

Best Uses:

Fun, Photojournalism, Travel

Describe Yourself:

Photo Enthusiast

How long have you owned it:

Three-to-six months

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Durable, yet relatively compact for an DSLR. I have dropped it firmly onto a rock, dirt has worked its way into crevices, and it has been crammed into many bags. It still works great and has provided anexcellent value.

It is camera, not computer!

By Vinay from Guelph, ONT on 11/5/2009

Pros:

Decent performance/quality, Easy to use, High resolution, Live view/moveable LCD, Lots of useful options, Portable

Cons:

Big/heavy/bulky, Confusing interface/menus, Ergonomic/design flaws, Heavy/bulky

Best Uses:

Art, Click all that apply:, Documentary, Family, Fun, Photojournalism, Travel

Describe Yourself:

Casual Photographer, Photo Enthusiast

How long have you owned it:

Three-to-six months

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

We take pictures of everything, inside, outside, flowers, leaves, people, buildings.

Great Camera, good Value

By Josh the Engineer from Vacaville, CA on 11/5/2009

Pros:

Decent performance/quality, Easy to use, Great value, High resolution, Lightweight/portable, Live view/moveable LCD, Lots of useful options, Very good video features

Best Uses:

Family, Fun, Travel

Describe Yourself:

Casual Photographer

How long have you owned it:

Three-to-six months, Three-to-six months

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Excellent camera. Previously had P&S cameras by Olympus, but wife wanted SLR for faster shots to keep up with our active child. She is the photographer not me, but I find the camera very easy to use.

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