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4 out of 5
A remarkable blend of simplicity and highly advanced D-SLR capabilities, the compact and powerful D5000 offers breathtaking 12.3-megapixel image quality, along with a flexible, Vari-angle, Live View monitor for fresh picture-taking perspectives. Nikon's EXPEED image processing further enhances performance, contributing to split-second shutter response and continuous shooting at up to 4 frames-per-second to capture fast action and precise moments perfectly. ....read more
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NO RECALL and a Heck of a Deal!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I bought a D5000 with the 18-55 VR lens from Amazon last Friday (Black Friday). I got one heck of a deal. I paid about $200 less than a friend who bought the same camera a few months ago. Should I tell him? AND… It is NOT part of the recall! I will update this review further after I’ve had an opportunity to use the camera. My biggest initial concern was getting caught up in the recall. I am very happy to say that Amazon seems to be beyond those serial numbers – at least with the kit (camera and 18-55 VR lens).
I’m upgrading from a D50 I bought 4 or so years ago. One thing I can tell you now is WHY I chose THIS camera. First, I like Nikon over other brands because they are easier to use/better menus for those of us who aren’t experts. I also think that Nikon makes the best lenses. Even their cheapest kit lenses have great optics and take great pictures. Not all manufacturers can say that.
The second thing I want to adress is this camera’s lack of an internal motor to auto focus a lens. In other words, you need Nikon’s AF-S lenses with this camera. (Note: almost all of Nikon’s lenses work with this camera and auto focus.) Quite simply, this is just not a concern. I would only think it is a concern for someone who has really old lenses or possibly some specialty lens that won’t auto focus on its own. For me, I have purchased 4 different lenses over the last 4-5 years. They all work just fine. I think most people who are looking at this camera will be fine too. The lack of an internal motor means the D5000 is slightly smaller and lighter than the next step up. This makes the D5000 easier to carry around all day. This camera is not targeted at a pro, though it is very capable of taking pro pictures. Pros are more likely to opt for the D90 or above.
Third – My D50, the D40, D60, D70 and D80 are all Generation 1 cameras. Nikon’s current lineup, the D3000, D5000, D90 and D300s, are all Generation 2 cameras. What the reviews say is that the Generation 2 cameras take better pictures. They see things more the way the human eye sees things. I am at that point where I am trying to learn more about photography and take better pictures. I did my research. The D3000 is a light camera that you can carry around all day without getting neck cramp. The problem with the D3000 for me was that all the reviews said how much noise showed up in photos at the higher ISOs. The D90 is a great camera with numerous features that appeal to someone who has some idea what ISO and F stops mean and how they affect the quality of the photo. The D5000′s problem, until recently, has been that it was too closely priced to the D90. There was just no reason not to take the extra step up to the D90. Now that Nikon and Amazon have dropped the price of the D5000, it is a much better value. The D90 with the same 18-55 VR lens is about $300 more expensive than the D5000 as of this writing. The D5000 uses the same sensor (and some other parts) as the much more expensive D90 and D300s. It is a newer camera than the D90. I would think, but don’t have actual knowlege, that this would have a positive effect on some of the advanced features in the D5000. I say this because the software in the D5000 is newer. It does NOT have the noise problems of the D3000.
In my opinion, the D5000 is THE camera for folks new to DSLRs who need something simple, but with great capabilities and those, like me, who want to take a step up in quality without having to spend over $900 dollars for the D90 and a lens. While Live View has its limitations, the articulating screen on the D5000 will make it easier for me to take those occasional hard to get photos.
I really think I made the right choice and got what I feel is a heck of a deal! I hope this information is useful to those of you who are still trying to decide which camera is best for you.
One last thought… Nikons seem to hold their value. I plan to sell my D50 – AND – there seems to be a market for it. Once I learn what ISO and F stops are (I have some idea, but am still learning.), I will likely sell my D5000 and buy whatever the next step up is. I think this is a great added value to buying a good name brand camera like Nikon. All the best…
Greatest gift I have ever received
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The Nikon D5000 was my early Christmas gift from my husband. What a fabulous present it turned out to be. I am now beginning to learn a new skill that unleashes my artistic talents. A few days with the camera and I have produced hundreds of memories, incredible portraits of my children. I have never thought it would be possible to produce such beautiful portraits without the aid of studio equipments. If you have small kids and you periodically go to studios to have them taken photographs of, consider getting this camera instead of spending hundres on a few pieces of photos. The money you’ll invest will be so worth it. I’m new to photography but I have friends who are professionals in the field. They have advised me to get used to taking pictures manually rather than using the auto modes. Believe me, it’s so easy to do it manually with this camera… it’s like it has a built in tutor. The results have been so incredibly stunning since day one. Thank you Nikon.
A bad apple?
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
Got the camera sooner than expected which was great. However, something happened to the lens, and the lens stopped focusing. So I had to send it back.
Great value for money
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Perfect entry/mid-level DSLR. Great picture quality with still images. D5000 doesn’t support auto-focus when recording video which is annoying and takes some time to get used to. The video also suffered from some artifacts which hopefully will be fixed in a firm upgrade… With the 35mm/1.8 lens it takes great portraits and handles low light conditions really well.
Great camera for enthusiasts
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I’m not going to spend a lot of time reiterating what everyone else has said about this camera. It does have a few flaws, however I think given the overall value of the camera, it has been great to use.
This is my first DSLR, however my third SLR. I have previously owned two Minolta film SLRs which were both great, but it became a hassle to develop photos for me. I found that after I bought my digital point and shoot, the convenience of digital overcame the need to swap out lenses on a film camera. Until now when I jumped to my new DSLR…
Therefore, this is an excellent camera for someone with experience with SLRs. It works for a beginner, however I think newer models like the D3000 would be more suitable if you are just starting off since that camera is more geared towards holding your hand while shooting. This camera has the user friendliness, but also has quite a few advanced features for those in the know or willing to learn.
The articulating screen is kind of a double-edged sword. The fact that it swings down is nice as I’ve used it quite a few times to get some unique angles with the camera and when closed it protects the LCD from scratches. But auto-focus in live view is very slow. I recommend that you use LV only when framing a shot. Once you have the shot set, turn off live view and then take the shot (best on a tripod). The main negative to the swing down screen is that some tripods prevent rotating of the screen once the camera is mounted. Fortunately my tripod’s quick-release is shaped in a way that I can mount the camera and articulate the screen without hitting the tripod. The other negative to the articulating screen is that its much smaller than the screen on the D90 and has a lower resolution. It also is almost worthless to view pics if you are shooting outdoors. There is quite a bit of glare in bright light as well as its hard to tell if the shot was what you wanted or not. To me this is the single biggest complaint of the camera–good thing the screen doesn’t affect the photo quality.
I’ve only shot one video with the camera. I didn’t buy a DSLR to shoot video, so this feature really does nothing for me. And I’m guessing that more people are probably in the same boat as I am.
Pros:
-Excellent image quality
-Camera size is great for its portability
-Intuitive controls; easy to use for photographers with a good understanding of photography
-Great value
-Articulating screen and live view are great when used properly
-Will shoot video if you need it–its a nice feature but it isnt going to replace a dedicated video recorder.
Cons:
-Articulating screen can be annoying if you don’t have the right tripod.
-Live view is worthless unless using it to frame up a shot. Takes about 6-8 seconds to autofocus in LV mode
-LCD is not very good to view in bright light.
-The view finder is a bit dim–esp compared to the D90.
To sum things up, this camera is great for an ‘advanced enthusiast’ looking for a great value. If you are a photographer who new, get a D3000. If things like in body focusing motors and larger viewfinder are important to you, then I’d say its worth paying a few extra hundred on the D90. But if you don’t have an extensive Nikon non-AF lens collection, then I really don’t see much reason to pay extra money for the D90 since the internals are all pretty much the same.
Excellent for entry, mid-level, and prosumer users.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is my first DSLR camera, and I can say right off that it’s very easy to use and takes amazing photos. I chose the D5000 because a friend who is a professional photographer recommended it saying I should invest my money in lenses not the body. I believe this is true, but there is a consideration to make when purchasing the D5000, or the other Nikon entry-level cameras such as the D40/D40x/D60/D3000, and that has to do with the auto-focus motor.
The D5000, which tops Nikon’s entry-level line, does not include an auto-focus motor in the body, instead it relies on a “silent wave” auto-focus mechanism in the lens (AF-S). This is supposed to be very quiet and fast, though I don’t know if that’s true compared to the screw-drive motors used in other camera bodies. It’s also supposed to be more cost effective and allow for a smaller/lighter camera body, but again I’m not sure if that is quite true or exactly why Nikon chose this option for their entry level line (if anybody knows more about this please feel free to comment). However, this option will limit users who already have a collection of Nikon AF lenses (not AF-S), as well as those purchasing a Nikon for the first time. The AF lenses will work fine but have to be manually focused. That said, more experienced users would probably not be purchasing an entry-level model; a more appropriate starting point would be the D90.
So as far as lens compatibility? The first lens I sought to purchase was a fast prime (FFL) unit for indoor/low-light and portraits. I looked at the low-priced 50mm f/1.8D AF, but the auto-focus is not compatible. Same with the faster and more expensive 50mm f/1.4D AF, as well as the 35mm f/2D AF. Also, no luck with the Tamron or Sigma FFL units, though I did see some Tamron zoom lenses with AF-S compatibility. I became very concerned that my options would be severely restricted, and perhaps I would need to return the camera and upgrade to the D90 or go with the Canon T1i. However, I discovered the 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW, which came out last year, and also the more moderately priced 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX which currently sells for about $200. That unit came out earlier this year (I haven’t chosen yet). I also went to the Nikon homepage, and noted that 30 of the 50 current auto-focus lenses listed were AF-S, so while the options are limited, the average non-professional user shouldn’t have a problem finding an appropriate lens for the occasion – including many professional level models. I also suspect that Nikon will include AF-S in more if not all future auto-focus lenses. Users will find the least options with Nikon’s wide-angel, standard, and telephoto models. Most of the super telephoto, wide-angle zoom, standard zoom, high powered zoom and close up lenses include AF-S.
PROS of the D5000
1. Has virtually the same image sensor as the D90 and D300. This puts the D5000 in good company, and one could argue it’s more of a prosumer or mid-level class camera than its entry-level predecessor, the D60. It’s almost a D90, but just lacking of a few options and the D90′s ruggedness. The difference is about $300.
2. Flip LCD; I considered the Canon EOS Rebel T1i, and while both the Canon and Nikon have their advantages, both are very similar with the exception of Nikon’s flip LCD. I consider this more than just a novelty. It not only protects the screen but is practical in some situations, such as shooting photos overhead. The D90 does not have this function either.
3. Easy to use; I got fantastic pictures right off using the auto mode as well as the pre-set scene selections. However, users are not restricted to these options and experienced photographers should enjoy the camera alike. Just like the D90, the D5000 has scene modes on the dial, but it also has 13 additional modes from the menu which adds benefit to novice users. I tried the night landscape and sunset with excellent results.
4. The lens is very good for a kit, and includes Vibration Reduction (VR). The lens by itself currently sells on Amazon for about $185 new, as appose to the model without VR which is currently priced at $110. Users may also want to pick up a fixed lens and/or higher power zoom, but the kit lens should be fine for most users. That said, I’m sure this camera could be taken to another level with the right lens.
5. Long Battery Life
6. Compact / Light weight
CONS
1. Price; the D5000 may be priced a little high for an “entry-level” camera, but again it’s $300 less than the D90, and in many ways comparable. It’s also slightly less than the Canon EOS Rebel T1i.
2. Ruggedness; some may say it’s a little “toyish” with the plastic finish, and being light (which isn’t a bad thing), but overall it looks sharp and is well built. I handled the D90 and some of the pro lines, they felt a little more rugged, but of course are designed for more abuse (and cost much more).
3. AF-S auto-focus (see above)
Bottom line, if you’re looking for a great camera with the ability to produce real quality photos, but you don’t want to spend a small fortune, the D5000 is a great choice.
High quality discreet Camera. No recall issue in Nov
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I just bought this in Nov from Amazon and they are not in the recall numbers.
I have also bought the Nikon 18-200mm VR2 and they make a very very good combination. This will be my everyday camera for all occasion.
Why I bought the D5000 over D90
The D5000 has the same image quality as the D90/D300 (same image sensor), share the same picture control & ADR but in a lighter & more compact for traveler like me. It is also the quietest SLR camera. That swivel LCD is the main reason I bought this camera.
I travel a lot and getting a small camera is a must, frankly I prefer the D40 size but went ahead cause of Nikon Gen 2 features (especially the ADR). I take all pictures in Aperture priority mode & was a pain to get used to (No top LCD) but I got use to it eventually and had also swapped AE lock to ISO control.
The fun part of this camera is the swivel LCD. This feature removed the tripod when traveling. I can now take pictures of myself & friends by reversing the LCD & snapping away with one hand (I use to do guess work & nobody like to repeat their smiles for 3-4 times). I can now snap people in trains, restaurant, pubs w/o pointing in their face. I take my time to compose such shots. No more paparazzi style & no more crawling and kneeling down for macro shots. It really feels like those old cameras where you look down and take pictures — a refreshed way of taking pictures.
The grip is good enough to start snapping away with one hand. However pro photographer may not like the feel of it especially if you are coming from bigger camera like D3,D70.
I really like the gen 2 in camera processing, It makes the colors pop. I set saturation & sharpness all the way up for landscape and neutral for portraits. I really like the result. I am spending less and less time on post processing. The ADR is also superb. If u are taking pic inside train tunnel, U will be able to capture the texture wall of the tunnel. Its closer to what our eye see things. Older Gen 1 will only see the light at the end of the tunnel, everything else is black. No more burning & dodging. ADR can aslo be turn off.
There is not much direct control button, but its good enough for me, I only need ISO and Aperture. Everything else has to be change from LCDs. I feel like returning it initially but somehow I got so use to it that I can change settings as fast as the direct buttons. I will describe the learning curve like dialing phone numbers. Once u get used to it, u can dial 10 digit in 3 sec. I always knew Nikon has a way to make it work.
I am also quite impress by the speed. I don’t mean the speed in continuous snapping (which has an impressive 4fps by the way), I mean the speed in powering it up & shooting right away. I had the impression that it might be slow due to the leans cleaning each time its power up. I was wrong. There was no delay at all. I am able to pull out the D5000 from sling bag, power it up, shoot, power off & put back in the bag in a single swing motion with one hand. Much like Hollywood cowboys pulling guns out. This is important when traveling to foreign land where hanging it on my neck like a tourist is not an option.
Cons
The live mode is very slow ..much slower than point and shoot. Takes 4 secs to focus. The Video mode is completely useless & I really mean it. Its jerky & had no auto focus. The problem is, I only have 2 hands. Left hand on manual focus, right hand to control zoom, so who is holding the camera? assistant cameraman? Wish there is top LCD for changing aperture.
Despite all the down side, this camera is really a worthy buy in terms of $$ for the image quality. Pair it with a 18mm -200 mm Vr2 & you will get a all in one camera for your next travel.
A Great Camera
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I bought a D5000 a few weeks ago and I’ve been having a lot of fun with it. This is my first dslr. I spent time looking for a good entry level dslr with a good price and I believe this fits the bill. I haven’t had any problems with it so far. I would most definitely recommend it to someone looking for their first dslr.
nikon d 5000
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
a very nice lightweight camera, easy to use, almost takes the photos by it’s self. almost impossible to take a bad photo, picture quality is excellent. I have been using nikon cameras for 7 years, and they never fail to impress me.
Excellent camera
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Upgraded from a d40. Love all the features including live view.
Kit lenses are ok, but I have others in mind in the future.
Very good for amateurs.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
All i will say is I got this as an upgrade from my D60, I needed the software of the D90 but did not want the body and weight
of it, so this is a great in between.
I love the image, and the fact that you can adapt the buttons to do particular things you use most instead of having to go
back in to the menu. Im not crazy about the hole flip screen feature,I think it will break if you use it too much, I dont
know, it scares me, plus I think that the nice thing about the experience of taking a picture is getting down on the floor
if you have to, so I leave it open and dont really move it, the LiveView mode really makes the autofocus VERY slow but if
you use manual focus it works just fine, but again, dont see the need for it.
Overall, im very happy with the camera because it delivers where I needed it to do so, picture quality and performance.
I just got nikon d5000 con is the word I have power it up just one I taken two photos
But now it will not power up anymore I look on the web to see that this is bug with the d 5000 yet they are sill selling this now with this bug .
So it’s going back . I do not being ripped off