Nikon D5000 12.3MP DX CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR Lenses and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD

by Nikon

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0026FCKA0
• Item model number: D5000 2 Lens Kit
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,478 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 13, 2009

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer

A remarkable blend of simplicity and highly-advanced DSLR capabilities, the compact and powerful D5000 offers breathtaking 12.3-megapixel image quality, along with a flexible, Vari-angle, Live View monitor for fresh picture-taking perspectives. Nikon’s EXPEED image processing further enhances performance, contributing to split-second shutter response and continuous shooting at up to 4 frames-per-second to capture fast action and precise moments perfectly.

The D5000’s 24-fps HD D-Movie mode with sound captures video clips with amazing clarity--offering new and exciting creative opportunities. Fast, accurate 11-point autofocus with 3D Tracking, teamed with famous NIKKOR optics, assures incredible image sharpness, while active image sensor cleaning combats annoying dust automatically. Featuring a convenient built-in flash, 19 automatic exposure Scene Modes to make the impossible easy and 23 Custom Setting options to fit your preferences, as well as 14 in-camera image retouching functions, the D5000 is the perfect DSLR, beginning with performance to meet your picture-taking tomorrows.

Outfit includes the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR lenses with image stabilization and legendary NIKKOR optical quality.

Nikon D5000 Highlights

12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor
Coupled with Nikon's EXPEED image processing and NIKKOR optics, breathtaking picture quality is assured.

3x Zoom AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR lenses included
Legendary NIKKOR optical quality features Nikon VR image stabilization for added sharpness.

D-Movie Mode with sound
Record 720p HD movie clips enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility.

Vari-angle color LCD monitor
Position the 2.7-inch monitor freely for fresh shooting perspectives. Screen flips inward for safe keeping.

19 Auto-exposure Scene Modes
Capture stunning photos in challenging picture-taking situations including Sunsets, Candlelight, Silhouette, Portrait, Landscape, Beach/Snow, and more.

One-button Live View
Easy Live View access offers 4 autofocus modes, including Face Priority AF.

Continuous shooting as fast as 4 frames-per-second
Combined with fast power-up and split-second shutter response, decisive moments are captured easily without annoying shooting lag.

Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200
Engineered for exceptional low-light shooting.

Built-in image sensor cleaning
Effective 4-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning keeps images spot free.

11-point autofocus system with 3D Focus Tracking
Fast and accurate autofocus delivers razor sharpness.

Auto Active D-Lighting
Restores lost shadow and highlight detail in high contrast exposures—Selectable and Auto modes available.

In-camera Retouch image editing
Creative in-camera image editing, featuring Soft Filter, Straighten, Color Outline Effect, Perspective Control, Red-eye Correction, Image Overlay, Monochrome and more—all without a PC.

Picture Control Settings for personal image control
Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape and 9 customizable settings.

Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Nikon’s renowned 420-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II, teamed with the exclusive Scene Recognition System, evaluates each scene for unmatched exposure accuracy.

Durable, high precision shutter
Testing to over 100,000 cycles assures precision and long shutter life.

GPS geo-tagging
GP-1 GPS unit (optional) automatically identifies and records every image’s latitude, longitude and altitude, with satellite time-of-day.

Review from dpreview.com

Learn more about this camera
at DPReview.com 

Nikon D5000 Digital SLR: Hands-on Preview by dpreview.com

The recent boom in DSLR sales has seen all the major manufacturers adding bulked-up or stripped-down entry level models, repositioning their offerings to make sure that anyone willing to put up with the size and weight of a DSLR will look at one of their models. The whole thing has often left existing DSLR owners a little lost - 'why isn't there a direct replacement for my camera?' - but has undoubtedly meant there are many more attractive, accessible cameras on the market just waiting to entice first-time DSLR owners.

And its into this maelstrom of DSLR proliferation that Nikon launches its latest baby DSLR, the D5000. The name will come as no surprise to anyone within earshot of the rumor mill but the camera itself may present some more surprises. Having confused many people but made huge ground with its simplified D40 and D60 range, it appears Nikon has again decided that simply replacing models isn't the best way to address the market. So here we have a camera that genuinely seems to sit above the D60 (rather than continuing in parallel until the stock runs out), and below the D90. Like the baby Nikons, the D5000 doesn't have an autofocus motor built into the body but does gain a tilt-and-swivel LCD, as a series of leaked images that have made their way around the internet would have you expect.

The idea of an upper-entry-level DSLR (for want of a better term), that sits below the 'enthusiast' grade D90 (with its twin control dials, big battery and pentaprism viewfinder), is hardly a radical one - the Canon 500D and Olympus E-620 seem to cater to a similar market. So what does this new Nikon have to offer either the tech-savvy first-time DSLR buyer, or the owner of an older entry-level model wanting newer features but unwilling to slavishly follow the manufacturer's 'upgrade path'?

Nikon D5000 Key Features

• 12.9 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
• 2.7" tilt and swivel LCD monitor (230,000 dots)
• Movie capture at up to 1280 x 720 (720p) 24 fps with mono sound
• Live View with contrast-detect AF, face detection and subject tracking
• Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
• 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
• IS0 200-3200 range (100-6400 expanded)
• 4 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
• Expeed image processing engine
• Extensive in-camera retouching including raw development and straightening
• Connector for optional GPS unit (fits on hot shoe)
• New battery with increased capacity
• 72 thumbnail and calendar view in playback

Nikon D5000 vs D60: Key Differences

The D5000 could easily be seen as a D60 with a tilting screen added, and most of a D90 stuffed into it. As such it offers quite a few feature improvements over its little brother:

• 12.3 MP CMOS sensor (D60: 10.2 MP CCD)
• Tilt/swivel screen
• Live View with contrast detect AF
• Movie Mode
• Wider ISO range
• 11 point AF system with 3D tracking (D60: 3 point AF)
• Control of Active D-Lighting intensity
• Automatic correction of lateral chromatic aberration
• Choice of JPEG quality in RAW+JPEG shooting
• Extra retouching options
• More scene modes
• Faster continuous shooting
• Bracketing

>Read more at dpreview.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

166 of 166 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very nice DSLR, September 15, 2009

By 

D. Wells "Lawnman" (Huntley, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon D5000 12.3MP DX CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR Lenses and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD (Electronics)

I've had this camera for 6 weeks now. Initially there was a recall on the D5000 for a failing power chip but my camera was not part of the recall. There are several nice features of this camera but none more important than it takes beautiful pictures. Shots taken at full 12.3 Megapixel fine outdoor have incredible detail. I've made blowup up to 12 x 18 and the clarity is stunning. The camera fits nicely in the hand. It has 11 focal points and 16 presets for specific situations (i.e. sunset, indoor party, sport mode, photograph children, etc. ) This makes it a very easy camera to use in the automatic mode but yet, it has all the manual settings for those who want to venture out into creative photography. One very special feature is the articulating 2.7 inch LCD display on the back of the camera. This display folds out allowing me to get low shots of the grand children without me bending over (I got a bad back) or allows me to lift the camera high and shoot over a crowd (like at a parade). Do not underestimate the advantage of this moving display. For me, it clinched the deal. The camera will shoot 4 frames per second for action pictures and that's pretty fast. You can also capture pictures in RAW format for those who want to work with Photoshop in super fine detail. Another feature that is pretty neat is the outline feature. Within the camera, you can select a picture you've taken and it will create an outline picture with white background. I take pictures of the grandchildren and print them in outline on white paper and they can now have very personalized coloring pages of them! For an artist who like to paint, they can use the outline pictures to have a sketched "canvas" that they can paint with everything being in perfect proportion. For educators of small children, imagine the possibility of the children coloring themselves on pages just like a coloring book. These "coloring/painting" pages are created WITHOUT destroying the original picture! This is a very nice camera that exceeded my expectations. The camera in automatic is rarely fooled and every snapshot I take makes me glad I choose the D5000. I got the two lens kit which covers from 18mm to 200mm. The camera even has some photo editing features you can do right from the camera like spot removal. All in all, I could not be happier with this camera. Nikon does a nice job with their products and this unit has rekindled a love of photography that had gone dormant in me.

Follow up after 5 months of ownership.

I continue to enjoy this camera very much. It is a solid performer. I recently bought rubber "armor" skin for the camera to protect it and that has worked out well. The camera does a very good job in Auto mode and you are tempted to just keep it there for all your pictures. However, I have branched out to the "program" mode which allows you to override the settings it chooses and play around with adjustments on aperture and shutter speed for "more creative" photography. I bought David Busch's book on the D5000 which gives you a lot of info not in the manual. The Vibration Reduction works very well on the camera and I'm getting good looking pictures on a regular basis. Our son got married and I gave the D5000 to my nephew and asked him to take pictures as he saw fit. From that I got a bunch of good family pictures that I will always cherish.

So, my rating remains the same with absolutely no regret. After moving to the D5000 from a point and shoot camera the difference has been night and day as to the quality of pictures I've been getting. I would encourage anyone who is thinking of a DSLR to consider this camera. It is fun to use and has a plethora of features that makes photography fun without breaking the bank.

ONE year ownership follow up:

After a year of ownership I am happy to report the camera continues to please me with it's great picture taking ability. There has never been any time in the last year that I regreted getting this camera. It has continued to perform flawlessly and I still have not used all the special features of this camera. The price has dropped (to be expected) and I think the D5000 is a great buy. One caution though. If you get this camera, be prepared to start loading up your hard drive with 12.3 megapixel pictures. With this great resolution, you never want to dial it back down, even though you can. Nice job Nikon!!!!

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice camera, September 14, 2009

By 

F. LOPES (FL, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon D5000 12.3MP DX CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR Lenses and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD (Electronics)

I've been using the D5000 for about a month now. Outstanding picture quality, really like using the GPS accessory with Apple's iPhoto automatically linking to maps. Just two drawbacks, though:
1. When using the 55-200 lens with AF and VR, sometimes the camera seems to get lost and simply do not take the picture at all, need to change subject or turn it off and back on to be able to shoot, and 2. When recording movies, the AF does not work, so you need to focus manually - not a big deal if scene does not have big depth or subject does not move towards or away from the camera.

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great D-SLR kit., September 17, 2009

By 

Marios Tziarris "mariaras" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nikon D5000 12.3MP DX CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR Lenses and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD (Electronics)

I've been researching this camera for 6 months and I was kinda disappointed when I heard about the recall. I was not going to choose another camera because it seemed that Nikon would take care of the "bad" batch. I planned to get the camera in time for a trip I was taking early September. I delayed ordering it as much as I could and then one day I went ahead and ordered the camera with the 2 lens kit from Shutterbug. I spoke with Shutterbug over the phone and they reassured me that the camera I would receive was not part of the recall. Got the camera August 14 and I love it! I am not an SLR expert (this is my first) but I think I made the right choice. Many reputable companies issue recalls on their products. Nikon handled the issue the right way and I think it's not a reason to give bad reviews to a product based on a recall. This is a wonderful camera.
I decided to make the move to the D-SLR after using a prosumer/superzoom (Panasonic) for 5 years. I am still very happy with the superzoom but the poor ISO performance of the non-slrs was the deciding factor to get the D5000.
This camera has excellent performance at ISO 1600 and the kit lenses are pretty good considering you even get image stabilisation for the price. LiveView works pretty good if you can handle the ~ 2 sec focus delay. I recommend this camera for the amateur photographers crossing over to SLR.
For an expert review goto:
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