The Nikon D5000 12.3 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera represents and incredible value, wrapping stunning still image quality with the convenience of HD movie shooting in one package.
Nikon started the HD-DSLR craze, and though Canon has seemed to leapfrog Nikon by offering full 1080p shooting in many of its new cameras, the Nikon D5000 nonetheless represents both a great value and is a great contender for best camera in the "upper-entry level" class of DSLR cameras.
For the D5000, Nikon has stuck with its strategy of abandoning the megapixel race and keeping counts relatively low. The D5000, for instance, sports a 12.3 megapixel sensor. Conventional thinking suggests that fewer megapixels on the sensor translates into better low light performance. By contrast, Canon has taken the alternative approach to fitting more and smaller receptors on their sensor, choosing to use gapless microlenses and fast or even dual processors to counter any noise. Both strategies seem to work well.
For someone getting started in DSLR cameras, the D5000 is a compelling camera, offering relatively good ease of use, availability of Nikon's famous line of lenses, live view shooting, and HD video. For many, this may be a perfect combination of capabilities.
Features include:
- 12.3 megapixel DX-formate (APS-C) CMOS sensor
- 3x zoom AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm VR lens included
- D-movie mode with sound
- 19 auto-exposure scene modes
- One-button live view
- Continuous shooting at up to 4 frames per second
- ISO from 200 to 3200
- Built in image sensor cleaning
- 11-point autofocus with 3D focus tracking
- In-camera retouching/image editing
- High precision shutter with 100,000 cycles for long shutter life
