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Nikon D5000 reviews
You can find here the most interesting reviews / ratings from the well-known expert sites about the Nikon D5000 Camera. Here are the reviewers:
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- 12 August 2009 - |
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- 5 |
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- 21 July 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 04 July 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 22 June 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 22 June 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 17 June 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 12 June 2009 - |
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- 4 |
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- 07 June 2009 - |
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- 5 |
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- 02 June 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 07 May 2009 - |
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- 0 |
PhotographyReview 's conclusion / rating - 12 August 2009 |
“ Digital SLRs keep getting better and better. The truth is, there hasn’t been a bad digital SLR for a few years now. Because they’re so good, I’m becoming more and more of an advocate of less expensive bodies. Most photographers don’t need a full frame sensor or a pro-level build. Features like frame rate and moisture-sealing are over-hyped in my opinion. The Nikon D5000 is exactly the kind of digital SLR most photographers should be buying. It offers great performance, excellent image quality, solid features and a couple bonuses - HD video and the tilt-swivel LCD. The D5000 is more camera than most people will ever need. And if you’re reading this and thinking, “But Photo-John, how am I going to spend all of my $2000 camera budget?” — no problem. Spend it on lenses. A professional zoom lens or two will do more for most photographers than a better body could. When you find your camera is getting in the way, then upgrade. The D5000 is an incredible camera - especially when you consider the $730 price tag... ”
PhotographyReview's rating: |
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- 5 |
Complete review here
PhotographyBay 's conclusion / rating - 21 July 2009 |
“ Overall, I highly recommend the Nikon D5000 to anyone looking for a feature-rich and very capable DSLR on an entry-level budget. There are plenty of great DSLRs on the market - some offer more features and some may be cheaper. Image quality in the D5000 rivals cameras much more expensive than it and, if you buy something cheaper, you’re going to miss out on some cutting edge stuff that only the D5000 offers.
The video function on the D5000 is the closest thing to getting right as a DSLR has done yet. The Vari-angle LCD really makes a big difference with the D5000’s video capabilities. The file format is easy to work with and the 24p video looks smooth and cool.
If you are comparing the Nikon D5000 to the Rebel T1i, you are going to have a tough time deciding between the two. These cameras are so closely matched in terms of quality and features that it may boil down to which one feels better in your hands. Either way though, you won’t go wrong.
Finally, if you’ve never used a DSLR before (or even if you have and you don’t fully “get it”), I recommend that you pick up a copy of Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Exposure with your new camera. It is a priceless guide to learning and growing with any DSLR. At around $15, it’ll be the best bang for your buck that you ever spend on photography... ”
PhotographyBay's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
Imaging Resource 's conclusion / rating - 04 July 2009 |
“ Our early look at still image quality from the Nikon D5000 reveals one awesome image maker, whose high-ISO settings blow our mind. Even ISO 6,400 looks usable at 8x10, and downright decent at 5x7. And that, far more than the latest gee-whiz feature, the kind of advancement we like to see in a digital camera: better image quality in low light. The Nikon D5000 is a very impressive digital SLR camera... ”
Imaging Resource's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
Steves Digicams 's conclusion / rating - 22 June 2009 |
“ The D5000 is among several "compact" dSLR models from Nikon (D40, D40x, D60, etc.), which are much smaller and lighter than the higher end D-series models, like the D300 and D700. I found the D5000's size and weight to be very comfortable, and I had no problem carrying it around all day while visiting our local zoo to capture some nice photos. The control layout is very similar to its predecessor, with only a few changes to button location and operation. Overall, the various buttons and controls of the camera are well placed, all with in reach of either you finger tips or thumbs. One new feature that I especially liked about the D5000 was the 2.7-inch (230k pixel) Vari-angle LCD. While it doesn't offer as much resolution as many of today's displays, I found the screen still offers a nice clear image. The ability to rotate and tilt this display adds a great deal of versatility for shot composition, especially when using the Live View feature to shoot stills or movies. You can shoot over a crowd, from waist level, of off your tripod with ease. In fact, I favored using the LCD to frame when using the D5000 on my tripod. Another benefit of using the LCD to frame is you see 100% of the captured image, compared to 95% on the OVF or Optical ViewFinder. The menu system is similar to past models, and the logical organization allows you to quickly find/change settings. The Shooting Information display was also a pleasure to use. This screen display acts much like the data LCD found on amateur and professional dSLR models, with icons indicating exposure mode, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, metering, etc. This is also a shortcut menu that will allow you to make changes on the fly, without having to enter the full menu system. Nikon has updated the Retouch menu on the D5000 with several new image correction tools. Not only can you use D-Lighting, remove Red-eye from your flash portraits or add filter effects, but the D5000 also allows you to straighten an image, make a smaller image from an original file, adjust the color balance as well as process NEF (RAW) images right in the camera. This useful menu will likely appeal to those who have just made the jump into a dSLR, but don't want to spend much time post-processing images later on their PC/Mac.
Bottom line - Nikon has impressed us yet again with a Well rounded consumer dSLR model. With excellent still image and video quality, class leading burst abilities, and loads of user-friendly exposure settings, the Nikon D5000 is sure to please most any photographer, whether this is your first SLR, or you're picking up a lighter backup unit. Following closely in the D90's foot steps, I suspect the D5000 will be a very popular model, and have no problem giving it our highest recommendation. With a street price of about US$800 for the D5000 & 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom- Nikkor lens kit, we feel this model offers and outstanding value for the level of performance, versatility, and features you are going to receive... ”
Steves Digicams's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
PhotographyBLOG 's conclusion / rating - 22 June 2009 |
“ The Nikon D5000 is a successful crossbreed of the D90 and the D60. The new DSLR combines the imaging assembly, AF module, Live View and HD video recording capabilities of the former with the beginner-friendly infopanel-based operation of the latter, in a form factor that lies somewhere in the middle between the two.
It also adds its own to the mix, in the form of an articulated rear LCD, though this is sadly compromised by the lack of proper anti-glare coating, which causes the otherwise versatile screen to be very hard to see in strong daylight. Also specific to the Nikon D5000 is the extremely well-dampened, therefore surprisingly quiet mirror that, along with the relatively small size and unobtrusive appearance of the camera, makes it ideal for applications like candid street photography.
Those who require dual control wheels, more dedicated buttons, a large viewfinder and greater compatibility with older AF lenses will still be better served by a D90 and are therefore advised to save up for the higher specified model. For everybody else, the Nikon D5000 provides much the same functionality and image quality in a smaller, lighter and quieter edition.
Obviously, the competition hasn't stood still either since the introduction of the D90, and these days there are remarkable offerings in the market that can potentially lure you away from the Nikon D5000. The Canon EOS 500D, the Olympus E-620 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 each have their own sets of strengths and weaknesses, therefore we recommend that you check out our reviews of those cameras too, before making a purchase... ”
PhotographyBLOG's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
DCResource 's conclusion / rating - 17 June 2009 |
“ The Nikon D5000 is a new digital SLR that fits between the company's D60 and D90 models. The best way to describe the D5000 is like so: it takes the D90's guts and throws them into a D60-like body, adding a flip-down, swiveling LCD display. You get to keep most of the D90's top features: its sensor, AF and metering systems, live view, and HD movie recording capabilities... ”
Complete review here
DPReview 's conclusion / rating - 12 June 2009 |
“ Ultimately, whether the D5000 is the right camera for is likely to hinge on what you think of the flip-out/swivel LCD. In every other respect, the D5000 is exactly the solid product you'd expect of a camera put together from so many well-proven parts. It's a camera packed full of features, including a good set of RAW and JPEG processing tools and effects, and video has been implemented in such a way that it's there if you want it and doesn't get in the way if you don't.
More importantly, the underlying features are well done, so that it's easy to get good picture out of - the autofocus is pretty sophisticated, reliable and easy-to-use and in difficult-to-meter situations, the camera's exposure errs on the side of underexposure, to prevent detail being lost. Overall it's a very good camera that's up against some very good competition - whether it lands any knock-out blows is really down to how well it fits in your hand and how well its feature set suits your needs... ”
Complete review here
LetsGoDigital 's conclusion / rating - 07 June 2009 |
“ In general, we are very pleased with the Nikon D5000. This kind of DSLR camera, aiming at a wide target group, shows that quality and an appealing suggested retail price can go hand in hand. The potential D90 buyer will possibly get confused trying to make a choice, however, if you compare specifications and if you know what your requirements are, you will make your choice of the right model effortlessly. The Nikon D5000 is the smaller brother of the D90, yet is still able to come up with excellent image quality. It may be worth looking at a different lens instead of the standard kit lens. Nikon also has a wide range of lenses available so you can take your pick. The Nikon D5000 is an excellent choice for the beginner photographer as well as for those who have outgrown their D40x/D60!... ”
LetsGoDigital's rating: |
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- 5 |
Complete review here
CameraLabs 's conclusion / rating - 02 June 2009 |
“ There’s a lot to like about the Nikon D5000. It takes the great image quality of the D90, not to mention its HD movie mode and AF system, repackages it into a D60-styled body with beginner-friendly controls, and completes it with a fully-articulated screen on the back. It’s a compelling combination of features and pitched just right for beginners who’ll want guidance and a camera that grows with them.
It’s not all good news of course: the D5000 is relatively large and heavy for an entry-level model, its viewfinder a tad smaller than the competition, the screen's hinge position reduces flexibility when mounted on a tripod, the movie mode (like all DSLRs with the facility) has a number of operational caveats, the user interface can be slow for experienced users, and Nikon continues to sell its RAW conversion and remote control software as optional extras. There's also no battery-grip, and like earlier entry-level Nikon DSLRs, there's no built-in motor to autofocus older lenses which don't have their own AF motors.
These are minor downsides for its target market though. The biggest issue facing the D5000 is it replaces a series of budget DSLRs which were simply much cheaper. Don’t get us wrong, the D5000 represents decent value for what it offers, but at the time of writing, the D60 and D40 kits were priced at roughly two thirds and one half the price of the D5000 kit. The D5000 may offer much more than either model, but the DSLR beginners it’s aiming for are often on a tighter budget and many will consider older models in the Nikon range or rivals.
Speaking of rivals, the D5000 also has two very tough ones in the form of Canon’s EOS 500D / Rebel T1i and the Olympus E-620. Each has a number of pros and cons discussed above, and if you’re considering a DSLR at this price point, you should closely compare all three.
If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly DSLR though with powerful features and image quality to match, the Nikon D5000 is a great choice, and comes Highly Recommended. If it really does replace both the D60 and D40 though, Nikon now has a gap at the truly affordable end of the range... ”
CameraLabs's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
DigitalCameraReview 's conclusion / rating - 07 May 2009 |
“ When Nikon released the D90 consumers quickly fell in love with the video capability built into a full-featured DSLR. Unfortunately, the largest market interested in shooting video with a DSLR is the entry-level consumer market ... and the D90 is just a little too large and expensive for entry-level enthusiasts. Considering that entry-level DSLRs make up about 80 percent of Nikon's DSLR sales, the D5000 is an obvious evolution. That said, the minor size, weight, and price increase over the D60 might be enough to prevent potential D5000 owners from making a purchase.
The vast majority of entry-level DSLR owners use their DSLR like an advanced point-and-shoot camera with only one or two lenses, so making a larger, heavier, and more expensive camera probably isn't ideal for the entry-level market. That said, the D5000 is essentially a cheaper version of the D90 ... so if you can live with using only AF-S lenses and a smaller viewfinder then the D5000 is a great low-cost alternative to the D90.
In the end, the biggest complaint I have with the D5000 isn't related to performance or features – it's all a matter of positioning. The D5000 should be a direct (though slightly improved) replacement for the D60, but in reality it fits better in the Nikon line up between the D60 and the D90. If the D5000 was $100 cheaper I'd have an easier time accepting it as a replacement for the D60. As it stands now, the D5000 is a great camera that isn't quite sure if it's an entry-level camera or a "prosumer" camera... ”
DigitalCameraReview's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
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