Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch

2 reviews for Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Voyager – November 4, 2024

   My research boiled down to a face-off between the D5000 and Canon T1i. Initially, I was leaning toward the T1i but when I went to the local electronics retailer and compared them side by side the D5000 won out. There were just a few features that were not obvious to me from the written reviews that tipped the balance in favor of the Nikon. Before we get into the details, just let me say that I’m not a pro – just an amateur, but have used a DSLR for a couple of years, and film SLRs prior to that.

   Layout/Design: The D5000 seems to have a better grip and button/control layout. For example, the index finger can operate the on/off switch, and reach nearby buttons while resting on the shutter button. The thumb can manipulate the command dial to select desired values for factors such as ISO, Exposure Compensation, etc. – all while you keep the finger on the shutter button. On the T1i, you must remove your finger from the shutter button, select a setting button (e.g. ISO), and then move the command dial with your index finger. This just doesn’t seem as good a design to me.

   Shooting Info/Status Display LCD: On the Canon, I noticed a lot of “white” space where no information was displayed and the values seemed to have random pattern. Indeed, if you compare the exposure info layout to the predecessor XSi you will see several differences. I also noticed that the T1i does not show several items on the main info display: Flash Mode (except in Creative Auto mode where it is ~apparently~ important enough to be displayed), Bracketing Mode, and Focus Points that are available on the Nikon. Exposure Compensation is shown, but is less than obvious (its a small hash mark under the exposure meter). To me, flash mode (on/off/red-eye, etc.) is pretty important and should be always visible. On the Nikon, every key bit of exposure info is displayed on the single shooting info display. The layout is very uniform – the key settings are in the main area, and the less often used info is on the right and bottom borders. The layout is nearly identical to other recent Nikon models.

   Auto/Scene Mode Flexibility: I discovered that the Nikon, unlike the Canon, allows one to modify many exposure settings even in the automated Scene (Digital Vari-Program) modes. These include ISO, white balance, Auto Focus Mode, AF Area, AF Point, etc. The only adjustment possible on most scene modes on the T1i is image size/quality (check the Function Availability Table). I think this is quite a limitation, I think the ability to tell the camera that I’m taking a portrait but also override ISO, or auto white balance if I choose offers much more flexility and control.

   Auto Focus: Some reviews mentioned this but it may not be obvious to newbies. In low light the DSLR needs to use a assist light to focus quickly and accurately. The T1i requires the flash to be deployed for this to happen, while the Nikon has an independent focus assist lamp which is always available (unless manually disabled). Most find this lamp to be less annoying than the Canon’s flash strobe.

   Built-in Help: When you are attempting to change an exposure setting, or menu option and forget what the functions does, etc. the D5000 has a help button that provides a pop-up explanation on the LCD display. This is great for new to SLR users and even seasoned photographers when facing a menu option you haven’t used in a while. The Canon does not have anything like this.

   So, there are a few features that sold me on the D5000. I’ve had it for about two months now and am very happy with it. The easy of use, speed, and picture quality has been superb in my opinion. Hope this helps!

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   P. Fulbright – November 7, 2024

   First off we’ll tackle the LiveView arguments. The complaint is that the LiveView feature focus is either SO incredibly slow or it just fails to focus at all.

   I was really worried about this going in because the whole reason for this over a D90 in my case was that the stupid angles I tend to like taking pictures from REALLY make an articulating LCD a godsend.

   Well, my first picture with the 5k was in a room with no lighting other than a natural light source in the form of a sliding glass door (venetian blinds half open) in the OTHER room (though the door was in front of me and I WAS shooting in it’s direction, but still the light level was LOW). The AF on LV took approx 2sec. to lock focus perfectly (I tried manually adjusting for better but could not). Tried this again with an artificial (CCFL, warm, not cool, spiral type) light source BEHIND me, approx. 6ft from the subject. The time to focus was about 1.3 seconds (iPhone used for stopwatch, so add in my reaction time if you want, personally at 1.3sec I don’t care).

   The bottom line here is AF in LiveView is something NO DSLR does truly WELL right now, but as far as what’s out there goes, this performs admirably. And my fears have ALL vanished.

   Next up, the recall.

   Ooooh, scary, right? Not so much, first of all the complaints voiced here are that Nikon is somehow being shady by not giving an open list of which serial numbers are impacted. Look the simple truth of the matter is you either have this problem, and it’s pretty much dead from the factory, or you don’t. There was a pretty insanely wild guesstimation by one of the 1-star reviewers here on amazon who, one breath after saying there was no information available on affected units, then proceeded to toss out potential numbers for affected units.

   Yes, there is a recall, but the plain truth is, you get your camera, you turn it on, odds are GOOD it will power on just like mine did, fresh and happy and ready to go. If you are still worried you go to their site, plug in the serial number, and get your mind put at ease. This is NOT that big a deal and I personally think it’s good of Nikon to voluntarily offer a recall without having to be brow beaten into it, especially on one of their more buzzworthy cameras, normally (ahem, apple) you’d have to bury a company in a pile of their defective products up to their ears to get them to replace one of their “most talked about” new products.

   Cut then some slack. And rest fairly comfortably in the knowledge that, odds are more than just good you wont get a defective unit.

   As for the rest of the camera, I LOVE the auto-rotating menu for the LCD, just, awesome, the articulating LCD is great and I for one am VERY happy it’s not side-hinged, if you have problems with this hitting your tripod, you take shots from WAY more crazier angles than me lol, and that’s saying something. 🙂

   Image quality, top notch.

   Menu systems. I will go on record as saying that nikon has THE best menu system on a DSLR, PERIOD. ABSOLUTELY in love with it.

   Love the optional viewfinder gridlines ala the D90, the 11-area-AF is superb and fast in non-LV mode. LV is as good as ALMOST any other example out there right now (and if you exclude cameras if LV-focus specific lenses it’s an even closer race).

   A note, you WILL need to upgrade CameraRaw to 5.4 if you use Photoshop (CS4 here) or the NEF files wont be understood, rest easy though as it’s a free upgrade.

   […]

   What else. The weight is nice, still lighter than a D90 but not as feather light as a D40, continues the common-model battery from most other Nikon’s which is great, means if you go from one Nikon to another you gain yourself an extra battery and charger out of the deal (handy!).

   Overall this is a GREAT camera for the price. If an articulating LCD is important to you, then this is the camera for you, if it doesn’t matter, consider the D90, it’s pentaprism IS a step up but the differences are NOT great.

   HIGHLY recommend this camera.