Nikon · Nikon DSLR

D5000

Released May 2009

A 12.3-megapixel DX DSLR with a bottom-hinged vari-angle screen, 4 fps shooting and 720p video.

Type
DSLR
Sensor
APS-C
Megapixels
12.3
Lens
Nikon F mount
Video
1280 × 720 at 24 fps
Body weight
560 g

What reviewers say

Both praise still-image quality, high-ISO performance and the adjustable screen, while finding live-view focusing slow and movie controls limited. Photography Blog particularly likes the quiet shutter but finds the screen difficult to see in sunlight. Photo Review values beginner features and retouching, yet criticises video audio and suggests the D90 for stronger controls or older autofocus lenses.

From photographyblog.com and photoreview.com.au

Image and sensor

Camera type
DSLR
Sensor format
APS-C
Sensor type
CMOS
Sensor dimensions
23.6 × 15.8 mm
Effective resolution
12.3 MP
Largest image
4288 × 2848
RAW recording
Yes
Standard ISO range
200–3200
Sensor detail
Nikon DX CMOS; 12.3 million effective and 12.9 million total pixels; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; integrated sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data
Image formats
Compressed 12-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG; maximum 4288 × 2848 pixels; customisable Picture Controls and in-camera RAW processing
ISO detail
ISO 200–3200 in one-third stops, expandable down to ISO 100 or up to ISO 6400 equivalent; Auto ISO
Image processor
EXPEED

Lens and shooting

Lens mount
Nikon F mount
Stabilisation
Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst
4 fps
Lens detail
Autofocus with AF-S and AF-I lenses; no body autofocus motor for screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU lenses require manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported
Autofocus
Multi-CAM 1000; 11 phase-detection points including one cross-type; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100 equivalent, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C/AF-A with single-point, dynamic, auto-area and 11-point 3D tracking. Contrast-detection live view adds face, wide, normal and subject-tracking areas
Shutter
1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third or half stops, Bulb and Time with optional ML-L3 remote; flash sync 1/200 second; shutter tested to 100000 cycles in Nikon's announcement
Burst detail
Approximately 4 fps with manual focus, S/M exposure, 1/250 second or faster and remaining settings at defaults; quiet release and interval-timer shooting
Stabilisation detail
Optical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
Flash
Built-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 17 m at ISO 200, 20°C, or 18 at manual full output; approximately 12/13 at ISO 100 equivalent; accessory shoe, optional AS-15 sync adapter
Exposure controls
P/S/A/M, Auto and 19 scene modes; 420-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation; three-frame exposure/white-balance bracketing and two-frame Active D-Lighting bracketing

Video

Highest video resolution
1280 × 720 at 24 fps
Video detail
Motion JPEG AVI at 1280 × 720, 640 × 424 or 320 × 216, all 24 fps; maximum five minutes at 720p or 20 minutes at lower resolutions; autofocus before recording, manual focus during recording. Photography Blog's introductory 30 fps description differs from Nikon's 24 fps sheet and its later review text
Audio
Built-in mono recording; no external microphone input

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder
Optical
Screen size
2.7″
Screen dots
230,000
Tilting screen
Yes
Display detail
Bottom-hinged 2.7-inch vari-angle TFT, approximately 230000 dots and 100% coverage; announcement specifies approximately 90° downward swing and 180° rotation; screen can face inward for protection
Viewfinder detail
Pentamirror; approximately 95% coverage, 0.78× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 17.9 mm eyepoint

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim)
510 photographs
Body weight
560 g
Release detail
Nikon Japan records first sale on 1 May 2009; global announcement on 14 April 2009
Recording media
One SD/SDHC card slot
Ports
Hi-Speed USB, HDMI Type C, NTSC/PAL analogue video output and accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 remote or GP-1 GPS; optional ML-L3 infrared remote
Wireless connections
No integrated wireless networking; optional GP-1 GPS unit
Battery life detail
EN-EL9a; up to 510 CIPA photographs with AF-S DX 18–55mm VR and full-power flash on alternate shots
Charging
External MH-23 charger; optional EH-5a adapter with EP-5 power connector
Dimensions
Approximately 127 × 104 × 80 mm
Weight detail
Approximately 560 g excluding battery, SD card and body cap
In the box
EN-EL9a battery, MH-23 charger, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-24 eyecup, UC-E6 USB cable, EG-CP14 audio-video cable, AN-DC3 strap, BS-1 shoe cover, body cap and Software Suite CD-ROM

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Vari-angle screen for low and high shooting positions
  • Exposure, white-balance and Active D-Lighting bracketing
  • Interval timer and quiet shutter-release mode

Cons

  • No autofocus during movie recording
  • Autofocus requires lenses with their own motors
  • Low-resolution 2.7-inch screen

Closest rivals

Model
TypeSensorMegapixelsLensVideoBody weightReleased
DSLRAPS-C10.2Sony A-mount–450 gJun 2009
DSLRAPS-C10.2Sony A-mount–490 gJun 2009
DSLRAPS-C14.2Sony A-mount–490 gJun 2009

Sources

  1. nij.nikon.com/products/lineup/slr/d5000/spec.html
  2. nij.nikon.com/products/lineup/slr/d5000
  3. nikonusa.com/p/d5000/25452/overview
  4. nikon.com/company/news/2009/0414_d5000_01

Photo: Nikon USA product photograph with AF-S DX 18–55mm VR lens; lens is not part of body specifications

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