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Nikon D5000 Announced: 12.3 Megapixels, 720p HD Video

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Posted by Patrick on Apr 14, 2009 in Cameras

Nikon has officially the Nikon D5000 Digital SLR Camera that features the same 12.3 megapixel sensor found in the Nikon D90 and high definition video. Built with a similar form factor as the Nikon D60, the D5000 has some noticeable styling differences from the other stable members, looking taller, and mildly more aggressive.

On the back side the most prominent aspect surely is the D5000’s flip out and rotatable 2.7 inch LCD, which unlike more recent Nikons, has a resolution of 230K. All in all, the D5000 looks to be very user friendly, with a swiss army knife “Scene” mode, and even an interesting new focusing mode dubbed “subject tracking” which keeps track of the subject even if it leaves and re-enters the picture frame.

Because the D5000 shares sensor technology with the D90, image quality looks to be superb for a budget/entry level DSLR, and given the D90’s ISO performance, I’d suspect the D5000 might be more than competitive in the ISO contest amongs the top tiered entry level DSLR cameras.

In short Nikon stuffed  a D300 into a D90 and then stuffed that into a D5000 at a cost of $850 when purchased as a kit with the 18-55mm f/3.5 VR lens. A pretty good deal to say the least.

Press release, specs, and pictures after the jump.

Front

d5000_front1

Rear

d5000_back1

Sensor

pixels

size

cleaning

Nikon D5000
  • 12.3 million effective pixels
  • 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor
  • Airflow control system
  • Image Sensor Cleaning

File Size/File Formats/Video

image size

formats

Video

Nikon D5000
  • 4,288 x 2,848 (L)
  • 3,216 x 2,136 (M)
  • 2,144 x 1,424 (S)
  • NEF (compressed RAW)
  • JPEG: Fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic (approx. 1:16) compression
  • NEF (RAW) + JPEG (any size)
  • AVI Motion-JPEG
  • File format AVI (Motion-JPEG)
  • 1280 x 720; 24fps
  • 640 x 424; 24 fps,
  • 320 x 216; 24 fps
  • Audio: Monaural

Processing/AF Points/AF Modes

Processing

AF Points

AF Modes

Nikon D5000
  • EXPEED
  • 11 focus points (1 cross-type sensors)
  • Single point AF
  • Dynamic Area AF
  • Automatic-area AF
  • 3D Tracking AF (11 points)

Viewfinder/Display

Viewfinder

LCD Size

LCD Resolution

Nikon D5000
  • Frame coverage 95%
  • Viewfinder magnification approx. 0.78x
  • 2.7 ” TFT LCD
  • 230,000 dots

FPS/ISO/Live View

FPS

ISO

Live View

Nikon D5000
  • 4 fps
  • 200-3200
  • with boost:100-6400
  • Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame
  • Face priority
  • Wide area
  • Normal area
  • AF tracking

Dimensions/Weight/Price

Dimensions

Weight

Price

Nikon D5000
  • 127 x 104 x 80 mm (5.0 x 4.1 x 3.1 in.)
  • 20 oz(560 g )
  • $729.95 body only
  • $849.95 as kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens

Press Release

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 14th April 2009 - Nikon Europe is pleased to announce the introduction of a new DSLR for the hobbyist and for family fun: the D5000. Packed with features that make taking pictures easy and fun, this camera stands out above the competition with its unique vari-angle LCD monitor, which allows you to shoot easily from any angle you can imagine.

The D5000 has inherited the D90’s groundbreaking HD movie capability, Nikon’s proprietary D-Movie function. Coupled with extensive in-camera editing features, a wide choice of scene modes, 12.3MP sensor and high-sensitivity between ISO 200 and 3200 (which can be extended to ISO 100 and ISO 6400 equivalent) for shooting in a wide range of lighting conditions, this camera makes it easier than ever to take great quality pictures.

View life from a different angle
The D5000’s 2.7-inch vari-angle LCD monitor offers a whole new perspective on photography, allowing you to take pictures easily from any angle. Its flexible, moving screen allows you to position the camera perfectly to suit the angle or shot you’re trying to take – so whether you’re at a concert and you want to get a clear view above the crowd for your shot or you want to take a picture from ground level, you can adjust the vari-angle monitor to give you the best view of your subject. Close it to protect the monitor or place it in the standard position for regular shooting using the viewfinder. You can even reverse the monitor for effortless, perfectly-framed self-portraits. Thanks to Nikon’s ergonomic design values and the downward opening direction of the screen, it will never get in your way, and you’ll be able to maintain a steady grip on the body which will prevent camera shake. The choice is limitless.

D-Movie and Live View
Shooting movie clips with a DSLR will allow you to get really creative. For example, you can change the lens for a new perspective and enhance the emotional impact of your movies using the Picture Control settings before you even start shooting. The D5000 offers D-Movie (with audio) – high-definition movie capture perfectly compatible with the latest television screens and an HDMI output for easy connection. The single button access to the Live View function allows you to view and compose your shot or movie on the vari-angle LCD monitor for optimal framing. When taking still shots, the camera offers four types of contrast AF (wide area, normal area, face detection and new subject tracking) to make capture as easy as possible. In subject tracking AF mode, the camera will even restart tracking the subject once it leaves the frame and then returns, so your target will always be in focus.

Setting the Scene
With a total of 19 scene modes, you don’t have to know the ins and outs of digital photography to take great pictures. Simply turn the dial to ‘scene’, choose the appropriate scene mode setting and the camera will do the rest for you. The camera will even display a sample scene to make the scene selection easier for you. Another easy-to-use feature is the camera’s extensive range of built-in editing function, with which you can edit your pictures and create visual effects in-camera, before you even get to a computer.

There’s more
In addition to all these features, the D5000 is a high quality camera in its own right. With its high-sensitivity 12.3 effective megapixel CMOS image sensor, Nikon’s innovative EXPEED high-speed image-processing system, fast and precise 11-point AF system and highly-durable, high-performance shutter, it is also perfectly suited to those with a higher level of photographic knowledge. Image quality is guaranteed further by the image sensor cleaning mechanism with airflow control system, Active D-Lighting and Picture control. The different playback options of the D5000 are as enjoyable as they are practical. You can view photos in batches of up to 72, and there is also a calendar view that organises images by date and time. And for serious photo enthusiasts, the D5000 can display a histogram on magnifies areas of the image to facilitate exposure control. It feels good to handle, too, with Nikon’s typically ergonomic design in a compact, light-weight body. Those who shoot pictures in quieter settings will appreciate the new Quiet shooting mode and, the built-in pop-up flash which will automatically detect when the flash is needed. For those on the move, GPS-compatibility with Nikon’s GP-1 unit will come in handy when pinpointing shooting locations as will the HDMI output when you finally want to present your great shots to your family and friends. The Nikon D5000 is compatible with a wide variety of AF-S and AF-I Nikkor lenses.

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6 Responses to “Nikon D5000 Announced: 12.3 Megapixels, 720p HD Video”

  1. Jane says:
    April 15, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    Could it be compared to some Canon DSLR in terms of features?

    reply
  2. Eolake Stobblehouse says:
    April 20, 2009 at 12:46 pm

    See, this is the one I really wanted, and yet I had to be impatient and go buy the D90! :-)

    (If I’d known this would have tiltable screen and come this soon, I think I’d have waited.)

    reply
  3. Richard says:
    May 13, 2009 at 7:46 am

    How much video time can the D5000 do? And can it be down loaded to Adobe Premier for editing?

    reply
    • Patrick says:
      May 13, 2009 at 9:50 am

      richard,
      the D5000 can record 720p for 5 minute clips, and I know the D90 edits in Premier, so I’d assume, but can’t say for sure, that the D5000 does too.

      reply

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