Digital cameras

Nikon D5000

Price range:

$549.00 - $599.95

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.

26 people have reviewed this model.

See all 26 user reviews

Write a review

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
More features and specs

User Reviews - Nikon D5000

Average User Rating

(based on 26 reviews)

Write a review

Displaying Reviews 1-3 of 26 See all 26 user reviews

Excellent camera

By waphotog from Snohomish, WA on 1/21/2010

Pros:

Easy to use, Good WB tuning, Great value, High resolution, Lots of useful options, Low noise high iso, Portable

Cons:

On board flash is weak

Best Uses:

Family, Fun, 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

This is an excellent DSLR. Very good image quality, picture controls allow tweaking of WB, sharpness. Shoots at Iso 800 w/ no noise. Iso 1600 is useable with a little noise. VR on the 18-55 kit lens works really well. I added a SB-400 flash, big improvement over the built in flash. I have been able to get good indoor basket ball shots with the 35mm F1.8 lens.

Great for the Novice Photographer

By Smile for Daddy from Marietta, Ga on 1/15/2010

Pros:

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

Best Uses:

Child preset is great, Family, Fun, Travel

Describe Yourself:

Casual Photographer

How long have you owned it:

A month or less, A month or less

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

I bought this camera to take pictures of my todlers. I was attracted to it because of the interface. It has examples that show the effects to the photo as parameters are adjusted. This is fantastic for new photographers who don't understand "White Balance" or "Metering". The image quality is great. This will be a great platform for me to learn from.

Great low light camera

By biscaynekid from Fergus Falls Mn on 1/9/2010

Pros:

Easy to use, Great value, High resolution, Live view/moveable LCD, Lots of useful options

Best Uses:

Art, Documentary, Family, Fun, Photojournalism, Travel

Describe Yourself:

Casual Photographer

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months, One-to-three months

Bottom Line:

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

We have used this at hockey games. I set the camera to sports mode and the 3200 ASA let me get great shots without bleer. I would recomend this camera to anyone. We are also using this camera in very cold temperatures(below 32)

See all 26 user reviews

Nobody Tests Like We Do: Our testers put 100s of products through their paces at our National Testing and Research Center. Learn more about how we test for:; Performance; Safety; Reliability; Learn more

To find the model that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value. Here's one tip: Don't pay for more features than you'll use.