Nikon D5000 Review | 108 Data compared

Overview and Key Specifications The Nikon D5000 is a compact and lightweight DSLR camera that features a 12.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, an 11-point autofocus system with 3D tracking, and a 2.7-inch articulating LCD screen. It shoots video at 720p at 24 frames per second and boasts a continuous burst shooting speed of 4 frames per second. While initially awarded a perfect 5-star rating, the publication later revised it to 4 stars to account for newer technology, specifically citing its lightweight build quality and slower live view autofocus capabilities. Detailed Pros and Cons Image Quality: Delivers excellent overall image quality with great performance even at high ISO sensitivities. Speed: Offers fast startup times and a highly responsive autofocus system through the optical viewfinder. Design: Features a compact, lightweight body paired with a highly flexible, articulating LCD monitor. Battery Life: Provides strong battery performance for extended shooting sessions. Menu System: Contains overly complex menus that make changing basic settings a slow and tedious process. Viewfinder: Equipped with a narrow optical viewfinder that limits comfortable framing. Screen Resolution: The 230,000-dot display resolution is too...

The Nikon D5000 is an APS-C digital SLR camera built on the solid technical foundation of the D90, specifically designed as an accessible and fun option for beginners. Its standout feature is an adjustable, rotating LCD screen with a bottom-mounted hinge, allowing photographers to easily shoot from creative angles, such as over crowds or from knee height. Inheriting the D90's electronics, the D5000 delivers excellent image quality, reliable automatic modes (like white balance), and impressive low-light performance with high ISO capabilities, particularly shining at ISO 1600. It also features advanced software options like distortion and perspective correction to automatically straighten distorted buildings, alongside a 720p HD video mode at 24 frames per second. However, the camera has several drawbacks, including a high retail price (around €800 with the 18-55mm kit lens at launch) and a somewhat bulky chassis necessitated by the screen's hinge mechanism. While the rotating screen is highly functional, its 6.9 cm display is smaller than competitors and features a relatively low resolution of 230,000 pixels. In terms of usability, the photo burst mode feels sluggish, the retouching...

The overview provided on the website indicates that the Nikon D5000 review, originally written by Xavier de La Tullaye for Compétence Photo magazine (Guide d’Achat Matériel Special Issue n°1), presents it as an entry-level DSLR catering to beginners and amateur photographers looking for comprehensive technical functionality. The primary highlight of the publication is the availability of complementary test photos—including specialized USAF chart, colored pencil, and Macbeth color chart tests—intended to help readers visually inspect and verify the sensor's real-world rendering capability and raw noise performance. Looking closely at the camera's technical attributes and common reviewer consensus, several clear advantages and disadvantages emerge: Pros: The camera features a 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (shared with the higher-tier D90) powered by the EXPEED image processor, delivering remarkable image quality for its class. It benefits from a versatile 2.7-inch articulated LCD screen with a wide viewing angle, smooth and quiet operation, minimal shutter lag when shooting through the viewfinder, and 720p HD video recording capabilities. Cons: A major limitation is the lack of an in-body autofocus motor, meaning fully automatic focus is restricted to...

The Pixelistes forum review highlights the Nikon D5000 kit (with AF-S 18-55mm VR lens) as a strong entry-level DSLR featuring the D90’s 12.3-megapixel sensor, praised for excellent image quality, high ISO performance, and an articulating LCD screen. Key advantages include effective Vibration Reduction, reliable 11-point autofocus, and in-camera chromatic aberration correction. Conversely, the review notes drawbacks, including the lack of an internal autofocus motor, which limits lens compatibility to AF-S/AF-I, alongside a tight optical viewfinder and a more compact, button-limited body. Additionally, the kit lens, while sharp, features a plastic build, and the live-view autofocus is relatively slow.

The Nikon D5000 review highlights the camera's video recording mode as a core feature alongside its rotatable LCD screen. While the inclusion of 720p high-definition video capability is an attractive addition for an upper entry-level DSLR, the reviewer emphasizes that the mode shares identical operating principles and technical limitations with its sibling, the Nikon D90. YouTube · A major drawback identified in the review is the complete absence of autofocus during video recording. Users are highly restricted as they can perform very few operations while recording is active, and the video files are encoded in the older, less efficient Motion-JPEG format. Despite these operational challenges, the review suggests that the video mode serves as a functional, creative tool when paired with the flexible viewing angles offered by the unique articulated display.

The Nikon D5000 is a compact and lightweight DSLR camera weighing 560 grams, featuring a 12.3-megapixel DX-format sensor paired with an AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR kit lens. The review highlights its exceptional image sharpness, accurate color reproduction, and highly effective Vibration Reduction (VR) stabilization, which keeps images clear even during unexpected movements. It provides notable creative versatility through its 2.7-inch vari-angle tilting LCD screen, a Live View mode for real-time composition adjustments, customizable buttons for quick setting changes, and a 1280 x 720 HD video recording capability. Overall, the camera is praised for its solid build quality, reliable battery life, and strong value for money. Despite these positive features, the reviewer notes several entry-level limitations. The optical viewfinder feels narrow and cramped, with the autofocus points tightly clustered in the center of the frame rather than being spread across the scene. Additionally, the complex menu architecture can be intimidating for beginners, the automatic white balance occasionally requires manual corrections, and the kit lens suffers from a lack of maximum brightness (luminosity). The review concludes that while the camera...

The Studio-Plus review describes the Nikon D5000 as a powerful and versatile 12.3-megapixel DSLR camera positioned between entry-level models and expert-level gear. Retailing at €829 including a stabilized 18-55mm zoom lens, this camera features a light, compact body combined with extensive built-in photo editing functions. On the technical side, it delivers excellent general image quality, high-definition video recording capabilities, a continuous burst mode of 4 frames per second, and a wide array of adjustable settings. Furthermore, its sensor performs exceptionally well in low-light environments, making 6400 ISO photography viable with minimal noise disruption. Despite these strong features, the reviewer highlights several drawbacks concerning the physical build and usability of the device. The camera's ergonomics are heavily criticized, specifically regarding the poor handling grip and an overall subpar design layout for its control buttons. Additionally, while the display screen has the benefit of being fully articulated, the visual quality of the screen itself is rated as very mediocre. Finally, the structural build of the camera feels noticeably lightweight, which may detract from its overall durability impression.

The Nikon D5000 is a 2009 mid-tier entry-level DSLR with a 51/100 performance score, offering a compact 590-gram, 127x104x80mm body suitable for daily, versatile use. Key advantages include its fully articulated LCD display for complex framing and a fast shutter speed, though its image quality and speed metrics sit firmly in the average range. Performance drawbacks include a lack of weather sealing (tropicalization), which exposes the body to damage, alongside limited battery life of only 510 shots and an absence of wireless connectivity. These limitations result in lower individual scores for image quality and speed, as noted in the Camerarace review.